This was my first time to "A Taste of Heaven." Got the Goodman sandwich and it blew my mind. Plus the service was super nice. Made you feel at home. Strongly recommend it. Haven't had a sandwich this good in a while. I'm going back.
(5)
Elizabeth H.
Good place to grab a cup of coffee and a baked good. but that may be about all. The service does indeed leave much to be desired, which is a shame because when the store was located on Foster, I never remember that being the case as I always had really great service. Those days are long gone given my last dozen or so visits. The non-baked food on the menu is really just OK. Not bad if you happen to be right there for lunch, but I would never go out of my way for one of their sandwiches. I love their policy on children. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but they expect you to control them here and I can get behind that any day.
(3)
Keith Z.
Great food, reasonable prices, and a cozy atmosphere.
(5)
Lisa F.
Five stars for food, one star for service (including a hot coffee incident) = Three stars total My friend and I split the Katy Cakes and the breakfast strata-type thing (can't remember the name right now). The food was absolutely delicious, and it passed the Savory/Sweet Brunch Test with flying colors. But my waitress, smiling though she was, was a total flake. I asked for extra napkins and she never brought them, then came by after we'd almost finished our meal to say, "Didn't you want extra napkins?" I said yes, but now maybe I just needed one extra; she said "Okay" and never returned with napkins. My favorite moment, however, was when she was pouring coffee into my friend's mug (I don't even drink the stuff). We were outside, so the table was a patio one with holes in it, and she poured hot coffee on my foot. I shrieked and took a napkin to it, and luckily I wasn't really burned, but her only reaction was, "Oh are you okay?" As soon as I said yes, she walked away. No offer of a napkin, no "I'm sorry," no nothin'. That's not cool. I'll go again because the food is delicious, but I will guard my body parts carefully and keep a wary eye on my server.
(3)
Melissa B.
I will agree with some of the posts that the service isn't all that great, but it wasn't anything that bothered me. Now, on to the food. The black bean soup was TASTY. I could have had a giant bowl of it for lunch alone. I had the chicken caesar salad, and I thought the salad was good, but I wasn't a fan of the chicken. The boy had chili and a sandwich which he said was very good also. We also bought a few cupcakes to go, since we're trying to find our wedding cupcakes (in lieu of a wedding cake). I thought they were ok, although it gave me a stomach ache, whereas the boy didn't like his.
(3)
Sheena F.
This place was amazing. This was my first time in Chicago and I was only there for a short time, so I really wanted to see what the city had to offer in terms of brunch. I looove brunch and this place did not disappoint. It was a gray, rainy day and everyone was out for brunch that day. Not wanting to wait forever at another brunch place nearby, we decided to come to A Taste of Heaven. We only had to wait outside for less than 10 minutes and there was an awning so it wasn't terrible. Once we got inside, it truly was heaven. It was warm and cozy with a mixed group of patrons. We ordered coffees while we waited and were offered a tasting of a homemade chocolate chip cookie. It was ridiculous how happy I was by this point! Not to mention that I order soy lattes everywhere I go and this place, for some reason, was the best ever! Although it was pretty crowded we didn't have to wait too long for our food. The service was perfect... not too annoying attentive but just attentive enough. My girlfriend ordered a really filling breakfast sandwich with Fontina and rosemary ham and I had a very fresh egg, guacamole, and salsa whole wheat burrito with black beans, salsa and rice. During our meal, we were also given another sample of a cinnamon raisin roll. All in all, one of the best brunch places I've ever been to for the service, quality of food, and cozy atmosphere.
(4)
Becky S.
The grilled cheese is To Die For!
(5)
Angela K.
I had a good time here with my friends chatting over some desserts. The brownie had too much of a caramel-y texture, but the carrot bundt cake was good. I liked the music that was playing in the background (perhaps samba?)
(3)
Lynne B.
I called right before Thanksgiving and they were able to accomodate my last minute request for a holiday dessert. I ordered pumpkin crumble squares and they were fabulous. There was a long list of wonderful sounding desserts I could have ordered. The staff was pleasant.
(5)
Yvette M.
Cupcakes are literally a taste of heaven! Price is a bit stiff $3 for one cupcake but worth it!!
(5)
Chillie D.
The baked goods are excellent -- it is obvious that they use high quality and fresh ingredients. The Owner lives in the neighborhood and usually rides his bike to "A Taste of Heaven" and is a very nice young man. This is a great place to go for coffee and dessert (on a date or with friends). It is family friendly too. The restaurant is charming and casual. The servers are very nice and friendly (don't be afraid to ask for a recommendation if you are not sure about what to order). My favorite goodies are: any thing with lemon, apple pie and any thing that has the word "pudding" in it -- go for any of the cupcakes -- they are truly the best in Chicago!
(3)
David C.
I enjoy Janeans Cake... it is really good... not sure there are many other cakes as desirable as this cake. I recently had a problem with one of my orders and the staff went above and beyond to correct the problem. Its a nice gem in Andersonville.
(4)
Gretchen O.
This place is great! I appreciate their having a full breakfast and lunch menu available, and their list of salads was enticing - I love places that move away from iceberg lettuce and dried carrot splinters. The service was good (frequent but not too frequent water fill-ups, and the waitress was happy to answer my friend's questions about some of the sandwiches). If I don't go back, it'll be because it's so far north, but if I do, I'm trying an omelette!
(4)
Kristen W.
I am thrilled with having found a place that puts the smackdown on unruly kids. I didn't realize it until about halfway through my breakfast but it was like a 'what is that noise? SILENCE!!! ' type of revelation. I love it! The food here is great too. I had the breakfast burrito which was yummy. I loved that it was not goopy and over-loaded with bad-for-you crap. I took a scone to go because I know from previous experience that they are great. Such a yummy snack in the afternoon. Only docking a star because the coffee was kind of sour tasting. I think they use Casteel but mine tasted like it had been sitting in a pot on heat all night. Blech.
(4)
Scott D.
I have always loved Taste of Heaven. It was, in fact, the very first restaurant that I ate at in Chicago when I moved here in 2005. I have been there for dinners almost every other week since. Sadly, they recently reduced the menu offerings and got rid of entrees for dinner (except for a "special" which is one of the entrees that they used to offer). The meatloaf was great, but neither the meatloaf nor the meatloaf sandwich (2 of my favorites) are available. The server, Sam, was great and apologetic about the changes and understanding. We heard 3 other tables mention that they were disappointed with the reduced menu as well, as well as watched 2 tables get up and leave because of the reduced menu. I am saddened that this is no longer really the dinner option that it had been. The food that they have is very good, and the baked goods are great. The low score is because of how limited the options have become.
(2)
Jen N.
FANTASTIC FOOD. The best cupcakes I've ever had, the malted milk ball cupcake, try it. I've been here multiple times and the service is GREAT. The portabella wrap= excellent, the Vegetarian Chili= excellent. Love it. The omelet was great, too, it had pesto and spinach in it; they have breakfast all day. The cream of spinach soup= Perfection. I LOVE this place. It is not boring diner food, it's much better, and maybe some people don't appreciate something different. The cupcakes are the best in the city. Ooooh I had the spinach lasagna recently and it was A+, the service was A+ and very quick and polite.
(5)
Bill M.
This bakery moved from its former location on West Foster to the busier Andersonville neighborhood. Apparently a bit too busy, as the owner has posted a controversial sign asking youngsters to use their "indoor" voices while in the shop. I am with him on this one, but many parents who do not like to be told what to do are very upset and say they will not come here anymore. Oh well, more tasty treats for us dessert lovers.
(4)
Inspector G.
It's hit or miss with the kitchen. Sometimes, the food is o-kay; at others, it's downright lousy. The sandwiches are experimental, but are tasty when they get it right. The real surprise here is that the baked goods aren't better. They tend to be a little on the dry side. Inconsistency aside, the patio dining is still a big draw. This is a great little neighborhood place to sit and enjoy the summer weather and watch the sidewalk traffic go by. On the upside, the table service is usually very friendly.
(3)
Denise W.
Might be as close to heaven as one can get through food. Everything is delicious. The owner/chef often walks around during the brunch rush and passes out free samples of his unbelievable seasonal crumb bars. Flavors include, pumpkin (fall), raspberry (spring). I haven't tried the summer and winter selections but I don't think I'll be disappointed. IF you're going for weekend brunch prepare to wait 5-15 minutes. The place is in demand in Andersonville. It's my go-to place during the week when i want cheap eats in my hood. Diner style without the greasiness and bland taste.
(5)
Cynthia C.
The food's mediocre on a good day. Service is surly. Pass.
(2)
T M.
I feel very conflicted about Taste of Heaven, and if I could give them a 3.5, I would. While I appreciate their attempts to eliminate the unruly children of parents inconsiderate enough to bring said children to a place where people might want someplace calm to reflect and imbibe more coffee than any reasonable culture should encourage, it is too small a place inside to make it a good place for reading a book or studying. There are just too many tables, and too many people up and down and in and out. When it's open, the outdoor patio area more than makes up for this, though. I'm also not a huge fan of their baked goods, which is a shame, because it's a much better deal than the food, which is alright, but not worth the price, by my reckoning. Although you would expect nothing short of divine from a place with a name like this, the pastries are rather more mundane. I've tried a lot of stuff: the lemon bars, raspberry brownies, cakes, chocolate chip cookies and small apple pies. Each was just average. The best tasting items to me are the mini bundt cakes, but I don't go out of my way for them. But then again, I admit I'm extremely judgmental about baked goods. I do think their excellent (albeit fairly expensive) coffee makes up for this, though, and the baristas/servers really know how to use the espresso machine. In fact, they are pretty excellent as well, and are almost always friendly and attentive. But seriously, more than $2 for a double espresso is too much, and way more than any of the local competition. Finally, they serve Peterson's ice cream. I've never had this any where else, and I don't know where else one can find it, but holy crap is it good.
(3)
Suz C.
Like fellow Yelper John B., I was a fan of Taste of Heaven long before the whole misbehaving kids debate. (I supported Dan on that issue). This is a great little place in Andersonville, and I enjoy coming here for a treat, a drink, and even brunch. The interior is very small, but there are little touches that make it cute like the artwork on the wall. Although servers there are generally very friendly, it is spotty -- sometimes you get awesome service, sometimes you are lucky to get service. Love, love, love their canopy tea, and I love their sandwiches. I do not like their biscuits and gravy, which smells a little like barf on a biscuit. I love their chicken salad sandwich and their homemade soups, and I think their little pastries and cakes are truly heavenly. My boyfriend enjoys the coffee there quite a bit, and my absolute favorite item at TOH, when they have it, is their homemade peach ice cream. Oh my god. It's so creamy and smooth on your tongue...I am drooling and panting just thinking about it. Okay, I better quit before this review starts sounding sex-crazed. I enjoy Taste of Heaven, and I think you will, too. Just don't expect restaurant service, and don't plan to stay for hours on end...although in the summer time, it is tempting to do so when you're outside at one of their tables on a warm summery night....
(4)
Lilith B.
The five star rating is for their bread pudding alone. It's amazing and delicious and I can never finish an entire piece because it's so big and rich. It's smothered in what has to be the best caramel sauce ever. I really can't say much about anything else here because the bread pudding is too good not to get every time I go in, but I've heard good things about the rest. Also, the staff is very friendly.
(5)
Pedantic S.
One of the best bakeries in town. Tried the 100 chocolate chip cake (and am not the biggest fan of desserts loaded with chocolate), and it was one of the most delectable desserts I have had! Also tried some cookies and they were quite inventive and creative.
(5)
Briana J.
Love this place. I have had the whole spectrum of food-- omelets, oatmeal, sandwiches and desserts. I loved each and everything. The mixed berry cake and chocolate vanilla swirl cupcakes are my favorite. The food is fresh, tasty and they keep the coffee coming. There are a few draw backs, namely the size. There is often a wait which is a bummer but the food is so good. The chicken salad sand which was awesome. Keep is mind that this would be a terrible place to study. It is always loud and hopeful eaters will have no problem staring you down while they wait for a seat.
(5)
Justin H.
The Silverland breakfast here is amazing. Taste of heaven? It Sure Is. Katie cakes and breakfast casserole are amazing too. As is the Peach Compote french toast. Service here can be a hit or miss but usually I get what I need. Always great for breakfast. Dinner is good as well but the dinner fare seems to be a little bland the 4 or 5 times I have had dinner there. Also always good for an evening snack and coffee! I prefer mine iced!
(4)
Alison T.
I want to revise my earlier review of TOH. We've been steady customers over the years, and I feel I can write an informed opinion. TOH is always really solid. They have a good brunch and their salads are fantastic. We have never tried their dinner menu. I know they get a lot of flack for not being "kid friendly," but my husband and I find them the opposite. We regularly eat here with our 2 young children. They are friendly to the kids and have good options for them. TOH just asks that if your kid misbehaves you either take them outside or control them, ie...don't let your kid run around the place screaming. This is something I completely agree with. Since our older daughter (now 4) was young, we've taught her how to behave in public - she knows how to sit in her chair and eat nicely. If she's acting out, we go outside or leave, simple as that. I wish all parents did the same.
(4)
Kathryn R.
I didn't try any dessert, just lunch. Service was TERRIBLE from start to finish. The food was OK, but way overpriced for OK food. I had heard that this place was good and looked forward to trying it. What a disappointment. They seem to think they are doing you a favor by letting you spend your money there. Maybe that is the attraction for some people????
(1)
Robyn T.
This place is a gem! Located in the heart of Andersonville alongside some other fabulous restaurants this is a wonderful neighborhood destination. The inside decor is slightly country kitsch but in a cute way, and there's a great outdoor seating space. The staff was very friendly when I was there for brunch. Love, love, love the pancakes with berries. I'm not a huge pancake fan but I had a hunch that I NEEDED to order these and boy was I right. The pancakes are fluffy but have a sort of crispy, golden outside if you will. I could have licked the homeade whipped cream off the plate but I thought I might offend my fellow diners. The egg dishes were good (take a pass on the egg sandwich) as are the hashbrowns.
(5)
Curtis S.
This place is always packed and I'm not sure why. The interior looks like grandma's country kitchen during the dust bowl era. I hate to put down a local establishment, but this place is sort of gross. The coffee tastes like a paper towel and the French toast is soggy. The scones are not the best (as the huge sign states). The only good experience I've had is the huge slice of cake I had 6 months ago (the last time I was there). To be fair, I have given it a lot of chances and they have failed.
(1)
Mara S.
Cool place. Great service. Good food. Lots of food for the $$. Cute atmosphere. Highly recommend for a weekend brunch. Had I not been stuffed I would have loved to try some of their fresh bakery goods too.
(4)
Aaron R.
Small store, with to go window, a patio and a nicely kitschy dining area. After sitting at the window counter, we were brought coffee and ordered food... Though the waitress basically told us she could not allow substitutions on the menu and they were out of just abotu everything on the menu... Things they were out of, Cornbread, anything involving the cornbread, the stuff in the breakfast burrito, at least two of the 8 things on the menu, etc etc. After the coffee came out, we waited 40 minutes for food, so they brought us some raspberry and lemon bars to tide us over, both were tasty. The food came out soon after, it was good, my omelet was watery cause it was overcooked, but was okay. My friends burrito came with all of the things he asked to NOT be on it. Coffee was okay. All in all it was okay. On another note, they closed the kitchen once they realized they were out of everything. we were one of the last people seated before they shut the place down. Weird.
(3)
Chicagoguy J.
First time here, just moved to the neighborhood. Very friendly staff, great items. I had the Katie Cakes. HUGE and delicious, very sweet. Portions here are huge, may want to split some of the items. I'll definitely be back. I read the negative reviews about service, but everyone I encountered was very friendly.
(4)
K- K.
the Katie Cakes are INCREDIBLE!! The food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about A Taste of Heaven is wonderful. Once I go here several more times, I will most likely increase this to 5 stars
(4)
John B.
I liked Taste of Heaven even before the owner dropped the hammer on misbehaved kids. I liked it even before it was on Clark Street, when it was west on Foster. But then I would only get food to go, because although they had seating, it wasn't meant for lingering. Not so at the new place. Try the scones. Unless you don't eat dairy. 'Cause they're all dairy, with just a smidge of flour to hold them together. At least that's what I believe. The basked goods are all made fresh every morning, and it shows. Unfortunately, that means when they're out of something, they're out. But that's a good thing, too. As long as it's not the bread pudding cake. They do a god job with lunch too. When the weather turns cold, try their soups. The pumpkin soup is extraordinary.
(4)
Emily T.
The first time I walked in they shoved a warm oatmeal cookie in my face and a cup of hot coffee and I was immediately ready to move in. The service is relaxing and if you want to sit there all day with a giant piece of cheesecake the wait staff won't tap their feet. You might need an entire day to eat a piece of their cheesecake, but there is no crime in indulgence. Yesterday I went there for lunch and had the Durbin Omlette, with turkey, pear and Havarti cheese (how can you go wrong?). The turkey was real breast meat that should make Thanksgiving be ashamed of itself. The pears were super ripe and the cheese with all its melty goodness was icing on the cake. It was served with their home-style potatoes that are nothing out of the ordinary, but just tasty. It also came with a little salad of mixed greens and pickled green beans, red cabbage and black beans. Now, anything that sits in brine for several days in my book, has to be good, but these were beyond good. I was also very happy to hear that the pickled jewels were made on site. I appreciated the personal touch and pickling is definitely a science so kudos to Heaven. Heaven has a relaxing and inviting atmosphere with options for all walks of life. Places like this are what makes Andersonville so unique. Their desserts are reason enough to stop in and check the place out. If thats the kind of food they serve in Heaven then I have one less worry in life. Sidebar - This is a relaxed environment so if the kids can't leave the house without a leash, then go to the IHOP.
(4)
Theresa S.
Love love love their mackinac island fudge ice cream. Good coffee and a cute place to meet with one or two friends. The space is kind of small and can get crowded easily.
(4)
Joel S.
Perfect place to warm up on a f freezing night. My reward for braving the pre-windchill -17 temperature outside this morning was dinner at ATOH, including: 1) Piping hot tomato dill soup 2) Piping hot thanksgiving ingredients (turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes) in a wrap - look it wasn't a culinary classic or even the best of those ingredients, but you gotta appreciate the genius of that combo. 3) Piping hot coffee with delicious baked goods Tons of windows in this place, but it was still warm inside and a cozy atmosphere - something I appreciate after dining out yesterday in another establishment that was about 55 degrees inside. Great service, too. Nothing too "wowing" on the food menu, and that keeps it from 5 stars, but overall a very solid choice for a "homey" experience. Thanks A Taste of Heaven!
(4)
Matt R.
A very homey spot to pick up brunch or a pastry. I myself have gotten some pastries, all of which were pretty good. Seems to be pretty popular as it is always packed.
(3)
S.D. D.
i don't care how good your food and drinks are if the service is crap. I'll never return to A Taste of Heaven and I really don't understand all the good reviews. The server and the guy behind the counter were rude, unthoughtful, and I felt very hurried. It was not the pleasant sit down experience I had expected. At all.
(1)
Nicole C.
Yummy biscuits and gravy. :) A great place to stop in for a cup of coffee and a pastry after dinner. Warm and cozy environment.
(4)
Serg H.
As I sit here enjoying a delicious slice of the German chocolate cake from a Taste of Heaven, I would like to update my review on my last visit to Heaven. Let me start by saying that after posting my first review, Dan McCauley, the owner of A Taste of Heaven replied to my post promptly and apologized for the unpleasant experience I had at his establishment. Trust me when I say that he was very humble and genuine in his multiple emails. He was willing to refund back the cost of my ticket plus tip and offered to give me a whole cake of his delicious Bread Pudding which is his mothers recipe. I replied back to Dan and no refund was necessary, my only request was to get a gift certificate for 2 people to go back to Heaven. He immediately responded back and informed me that the gift certificates would be waiting for me at the register. He even offered to mail them but that was not necessary since I live within walking distance from Heaven in my new Neighborhood Andersonville. I went to Heaven to pick up the certificates and I had a chance to meet Dan and he was very pleasant and humble and apologetic and thank me for using yelp and for giving him a chance to make things right. I got my certificates and bread pudding and when I got home I realized that Dan was more than generous with the certificates but trust me that has nothing to do with this update. Tonight my partner and I decided to go to Heaven since the bad experience with an open mind and let me just tell you that the experience was a total 180. The server that waited on us was nice, attentive and very pleasant. He welcomed us, took our order, answered menu questions, checked on us to make sure if we needed anything and suggested some desserts. Later to my surprise, I over heard him say that it was his second night at the job and in my opinion he was definitely great at his job. Extra update for those of you whom I shared or heard about my first experience and had a similar experience with that same waiter and whose most negative reviews are written I encourage you to give Heaven another chance cause thanks to Yelp he no longer works in Heaven. Good people go to Heaven and bad people..... Well you know where they go. Once again thanks Dan for making things right. Btw their 3 Mac and cheese and desserts is what keeps me coming back to Heaven!
(4)
Bleu C.
Taste of Heaven has homestyle food and a casual atmosphere, so it's a good option for grabbing breakfast (served all day), lunch or just dessert if you're in the neighborhood. They have a nice little outdoor seating area, so it tends to be a destination for me when I'd like to sit outside. I wouldn't say it's conducive to lingering unless they're not terribly busy, and there aren't a lot of options for vegetarians. This is a family-owned and operated cafe and is well-known for their wide variety of desserts. In an article on the ABC7 website, owner Dan McCauley notes that "Everything we make is homemade. These are all my great grandmother's recipes." They use all-natural ingredients, which is pretty impressive since most bakeries use mixes these days. Parking in this neighborhood is tricky. You can also get there on the #22 Clark bus or walk a few blocks west from the Berwyn stop on the Red Line train.
(3)
Emily M.
I was looking forward to this cute little place, but I felt like their selection was a little shy of heaven. I'm a very picky eater though. My boyfriend thought the food was ok, but on the expensive side. As we were leaving we decided to buy cupcakes for dessert that night. We had two half eaten cupcakes left. Really who eats only half a cupcake?! They weren't worth the calories!
(2)
Nastassia J.
Oh man is breakfast at Taste of Heaven amazing. I've had the breakfast burrito, the biscuits and gravy, the egg sandwich. All amazing. Good, strong coffee. Friendly service. Top notch.
(5)
Kate A.
I wanted to update my earlier review that told of the table full of yogurt but no granola. I actually ended up speaking with the manager and he was extremely understanding about the incident. He sent gift certificates for us to use. So I came by again with my husband. I had the yogurt and granola and the granola was pretty exceptional. It had a hint of orange in it. The yogurt itself is very good and the strawberries have been fresh both times I've had the yogurt. If you don't want to go the yogurt route, my guy got the omelette of the day, smoked salmon, goat cheese, tomatoes... very fresh and good. I've also had the French Toast, which is no fuss and great flavor, almost tasted a little almondy. Attentive service and great food. We'll be back!
(4)
Jill A.
Go here now! Service is terrific, food is a dream. They aren't lying with the name. Or maybe stay the hell away so I don't have to wait for a table. The place isn't very big-the only down side.
(5)
Jessica S.
Very good desserts and tea. Friendly efficient staff!
(5)
Mag M.
the cakes here are so good that i am willing to overlook the mediocrity of the rest of the nosh and the fruity kitchy decor. the chocolate-hazelnut torte IS.SO.FREAKING.DELICIOUS. also, i am a big fan of anything red-velvet, and the cream cheese frosting is the creamiest i have ever tasted. i hate icing that makes you feel like you're basically eating granulated sugar, and this place really understands the balance between sweet and savory, even with dessert as a specialty. it's a rare find.
(3)
Michael M.
I have been coming here for the last four years - I like their food, but my experience today has soured me forever. I sat down with my computer to do some work, and waited for anyone to offer me any service - I received none. I was approached by a manager or someone and told that I couldn't stay if I wasn't ordering. I had not even been approached by service staff for my muffin or coffee I was interested in. I then was, rudely, asked to leave. I guess I should expect such service from a place that "REQUIRES" children to be quite. I can't understand why you wouldn't want a sale from a paying customer. Very sad, very disappointing!!!!!!! I'll never go back, ever
(1)
Chloe R.
Too many sweets to choose from (could have been from the Hopleaf effect) and knowing I like yellow cake I went with a Malted Milk ball cupcake. Some of the best frosting around and the cake was very moist. I was extremely satisfied. Also tried the bf's boston creme cupcake which was heavenly. I'd be back!
(4)
neeters m.
We've lived in Chicago five years now, and although many restaurants have come and gone in my list of favorite brunch spots, this place has withstood the test of time and remains at the top of my list. Here's why: * Consistently high-quality food across the menu: ingredients are obviously carefully chosen and carefully used. You can order anything here an it will be good. * Reasonable portions - neither too big nor too small. Just enough to fill you up. * Healthy, tasty options. I love that they always give you a side of something green with your egg dish, that you can order oatmeal that is really yummy, and that you can opt for a delicious home-made biscuit rather than a sweet roll. Nothing is too greasy; everything is very flavorful. * If you want to indulge, you can, and you won't feel sick afterward. Their sweeter offerings are delicious, but also well balanced, and made with higher quality ingredients than most places. * Kitchy yet adorable. I didn't know that was possible until I saw this place. Country-home decor chosen carefully to delight and amuse, not nauseate. * Warm and welcoming. The space is so comfortable an comforting, an the wait staff here is highly efficient, patient, and accommodating. My family and I are moving to Phili, an this is one of the places in Chicago I will really miss.
(5)
S S.
I want to like A Taste of Heaven. I like the idea of it - nice desserts, good salads and sandwiches, a place to go without children yapping everywhere. But here's the thing. The desserts are incredibly overrated. Maybe the baking schedule is once every three days, but the cake I had two visits ago was frozen in the middle, not fresh; and yesterday's chocolate chip cookie could have broken teeth. Then there's the service. I sat down at a table with liquid all over it - waited for a server to wipe it off - too bad she missed 1/4 of the table, and now I have a shirt with someone else's Diet Coke all over the sleeve. I ordered the grilled cheese with tomato on Sourdough. I've had it before, and it's good. Sure, they charge an extra buck for the tomato,but who doesn't? Well, after waiting 1/2 an hour for my sandwich, (it was 1:20 when I walked in), imagine my surprise when the one that arrived was on egg bread an inch thick (a bit much) with (I kid not) two slices of plum tomatoes. shredded cheddar cheese from a bag that wasn't melted, and a side of potato chips three weeks past their sell-by date. I know it's a small joint, but the combo of craptastic service, below-average food, and desserts that don't come close to meeting the reputation means I won't be back. Oh, and the best touch? When my sandwich came back from being reheated, it had someone else's marinara on it. Yah. High class.
(1)
Michael H.
Hands down - the best cup cakes in Chicago! Delicious almost mousse like butter cream and moist cake! Also, for breakfast? The best pancakes I have every had. Service is always friendly and professional. Superb breakfast and pretty much any of the baked goods are worthy of the carbs and calories.
(4)
amy w.
I split paying for a friend's birthday cake and another person picked up the cake. We ordered it well in advance and they said it would be ready by 11. Friend shows up at 1130 and they had the dates confused, but they "happened to be making the same cake". It was not the same and it was obvious they intended to serve it the next day or just threw everything they had on hand together. The bottom layer was extremely thin compared to the top two layers and they hid the mistake with frosting. The cake was dry, because they didn't brush on the syrup they usually have on all their cakes to keep it moist. The berries didn't have time to macerate so they were too tart. They comped my friend's coffee but didn't offer a discount off the cake for making their mistake. Keep in mind this is a $90 cake. When they get it right, they get it right. When they don't, they don't care to fix it, because they're not exactly hurting for business. All their pastries in their case are good. If you're pre-ordering, you might want to call a day ahead to make sure they have the date right.
(2)
Tory w.
A taste of heaven it is NOT, at least as far as their pastries go. I would give three stars for the lunch food and one for the cupcakes. Disappointing, considering the long list of cupcake flavors posted on the door and on the outside windows. Everything in their bakery display case does look heavenly, but the taste is where it's at and this place just doesn't have it. I had a chicken sandwich that was decent and my lunch date had the pulled pork which was tasty. Two thumbs up for the homemade chicken soup, it was really good and had a bit of a kick to it. My hazelnut cupcake was dry and was totally not worth the calories and fat, I didn't even finish it. For me not to finish a cupcake, it has to be really bad. It's my second time having a cupcake there, the first time was equally disappointing. Our waiter was (I think) new to the job because he didn't know which sandwich was which and had to have another waiter point out the difference between chicken and pork. I don't know how long he will last there either because after serving us our food we saw him eating, sitting outside smoking, and then getting into a cab and leaving, all before bringing us the check, I honestly think we could have left without paying and no one would have noticed. If you're in the neighborhood, go to Starbucks and skip this place.
(2)
April M.
Great saturday or sunday morning breakfast place! The food is good and the price is good. Sadly though I haven't been there in about a year since my boyfriend and friends have found other cute breakfast places to try. Although we will be back someday!
(4)
Annie S.
While this place is really cool and comfortable, and the staff was friendly, I did not think that much of the dinner options. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, which was ok, but the side of potato salad was very under seasoned. My friend's grilled cheese tasted ok, but at around $10 a plate I did not think it was worth it. I have not however, tried any of their deserts or breakfast/brunch items and I heard those are delicious, so I would go back to try that because the atmosphere was very enjoyable and laid back. Also, the sign telling parents to keep their children in check is about enough to get me to give it another try.
(2)
A R.
I've lived away from Chicago for a year now, and I still miss Taste of Heaven! Oh, man nothing would cure my brunch craving like the peaches and cream french toast, and my husband always got the breakfast burrito. Soooo good, man we miss it.
(5)
Matthew H.
Been going to Taste of Heaven for years!! Not anymore though, they totally changed up the Menu and the food is less than desirable. Ok, for a quick breakfast, but the dinner has totally gone down hill. So sad! :(
(1)
Stephanie H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. While it can get a bit crowded over the weekends, the food is well worth the wait. I highly recommend the Katie Cakes or the Grilled Cheese Omlette! The waitstaff can be a bit slow and frazzled, but, again, the food is well worth it.
(4)
Jennifer H.
I waver between 2 and 3 stars. The food is mediocre (we came here only b/c we were too hungry to wait 45 minutes for a table at M. Henry, our usual breakfast joint). Actually, it was downright disappointing. I don't know if the cook was just in a cranky mood that morning, but my breakfast sandwich was not satisfying at all. My breakfast partners and I decided that that visit would be our only time there -- too many yummy places to try in this city to waste money on medicore fare. I don't get why this place is crowded, seriously. I assume it profits quite a bit from the M. Henry rejects who come here and morosely accept the bland omelets and slow service.
(3)
Amy J.
I've been twice and thinks it's a pretty good place to go. I've had kind of iffy service both times, once by a rushed, pushy waitress and once by a very S-L-O-W waiter, but both times the food has been really tasty. The biscuits and gravy was delish and the breakfast burrito was very good. When you can't wait an hour and a half to eat at M Henry, this is a good alternative in the neighborhood. And in the summer, they have a shady little sidewalk cafe on the side street.
(3)
Dan B.
This review is solely based on the baked goods, I have only eaten brunch there once and I was quite sick so It's not really a good gauge. That being said, on to dessert...oh dessert! I am fully addicted to the Jeanine's cake. Double layered spongecake filled with fresh berries and covered in a thick cream frosting. It is so rich yet so light at the same time. I have tried some of the other desserts as well which were all fantastic, but this one takes the cake! (pun intended) I usually just get it to go from the counter, but last night we decided to eat in, much like several others out enjoying the niceish weather. A nice perk too is free coffee on Wednesdays whether you eat in or take it to go. I love that they are open late too because my dessert cravings usually hit me later in the evening.
(4)
Liz K.
Brunch was great but I'm not so sure about lunch. Bakery items look amazing. I had a moon pie cupcake and a molasses cookie, both amazing. So is that one cake with the white cream and fruit inside!
(4)
Ellen P.
Taste of Heaven has become my regular weekend breakfast spot. While I love the Silverland breakfast and some others, I typically can't get past the oat meal - yes, I said oat meal - which is served with peach compote, granola and currants. YUM! Staff is friendly, sometimes a short wait, but nothing to gripe about. Also: the owner is forever walking around with pastry samples - just when you think you're stuffed, you find room for a pumpkin square...
(5)
Nina G.
Taste of Heaven was originally at the old Let Them Eat Cake shop at Paulina & Foster, and that area just hasn't been the same since they left for Andersonville. Their loss is Clark Street's gain. However, as much as I love most of their pastries there are two negatives here: (a) Some of the counter staff have a MAJOR 'tude problem. Ever heard of "service with a smile" folks? And it would help if you would know the inventory so you can answer our questions. (b) One of the signature products of TOH in the autumn was a large leaf-shaped cookie with maple-flavored dough, and food coloring in no-two-alike patterns. I wonder if some people just bought the cookies, laminated them and used them for autumn decorations! But for some reason they weren't available in Fall 2007! Bring them back, please!
(4)
liz d.
A taste of heaven is really what you get with this place. No lie. After tasting a piece of Jeanine's cake, which we ordered for a party, I really thought I was floating on up to the clouds. The only reason I fought it off, was so that I could get another bite of that cake! The creamy and fresh strawberry filling was just right. The fresh flowers on top made for a perfect decoration. I would definitely suggest this place for some yummy dessert.
(4)
Lakshmi R.
I love this place for so many reasons. The food is great (I especially love the Breakfast Burrito). The staff are so sweet and so nice. If you stay late until close, they'll give you their remaining scones. It's beautiful inside: lovely lamps and sparkly decor, so cozy and nice. Tough to get a seat here on the weekends, but really worth the wait, and definitely a great place to meet up with friends or to do some work during the week. The epitome of cuteness!
(5)
Elisabeth A.
We got a scone and a coffee to go. Scone was fine; coffee was terrible, tasteless brown water. I politely pointed this out and was treated very rudely by the woman behind the counter. She did offer another cup, but when I asked if it would taste the same as the first, undrinkable one, her response was a very bitchy "I have no idea!" Of course, the second cup was no better than the first. Decent coffee is kind of a basic requirement for a breakfast place, IMO. We will not be back.
(1)
Nannette P.
Try the Jeannie's Cake. Seriously, the best cake around. The Silverland Breakfast is also delish.
(5)
Erin T.
The food is good, but the service is so-so. I think they might be nicer to regulars (fair enough, I guess). It's not outright hostile or anything, just on the cold side of indifferent. Cool, you might say. Doesn't stop me from going there, so it's not that bad. Sorry for the wishy washy review - I just feel wishy washy about A Taste of Heaven.
(3)
Christy H.
Was driving by Sunday morning with a very hungry belly craving French toast. Saw this place and man- did I hit the Jackpot!!!! I had the peaches & cream french toast and it was AWESOME!!!!! And, for back up later I grabbed a peanut butter cookie to go and it hit the spot as a tasty treat at work Monday.
(4)
Daniel S.
I have to admit that I haven't much of a sweet tooth, but I don enjoy visiting this place. So I won't dare to review the sweets, as I haven't tried them. But I can say the savouries, salads, soups, main courses and breads are well produced and presented. The only dish that I would not recommend is the pumpkin soup- it is far too sweet.
(4)
Jannis M.
I used to love going to the old Taste of Heaven when it was on Foster. Small, no waitstaff and great scones. The two times I've been to the space on Clark street I've had horrible service. My most recent visit was the worst. Our waiter barely contained his distain for us when we asked to have a few moments to decide. He had all the time in the world to gab with his friends behind us but every time he managed to come to our table, which wasn't much, his attitude dripped out of his pores. My food was slightly above ordinary. I'll continue to go up the street to M. Henry, where the food and service are far superior. In a city as big as Chicago, there are far better bakeries and scones to choose from.
(2)
Claire S.
I have been coming here for a few years now and the desserts are absolutely delicious. My friend Matt and I usually come here just to get a huge piece of Taste's cake. It can get crowded, but I've found that it's worth it. Great desserts!
(4)
Nicholle H.
Every time I eat here I am nothing less than satisfied. I always come for breakfast, which is packed on the weekends, and like to try a little something different each time. During breakfast on the weekends, they usually come around the tables with samples of scones or other baked goods that leave me salivating for more. The baked goods are a little pricey, but definitely worth it!
(5)
Allison S.
This place is super delicious. I am never disappointed with anything I get. Go here. Yay!
(5)
Adam S.
I love the sign when you walk in: "control your children" essentially. Small cozy place; was full when we went on a Sunday at 9:30 so get there earlier or prepare for a wait. The food was good, not great. We both ordered omelettes which came with potatoes and a "salad" which was mesclun greens and green beans in some sort of olive oil/dill dressing. All pretty good but not "holy crap this is fantastic" good, thus the 3-spot on the rank from me...Unlike other people who seemed to have service issues, ours was fine, just kind of hurried in the there are 12 tables here and 2 waitresses so i'm super busy always and am going to walk really fast style.
(3)
Anna G.
Too bad the service sucks, but I'm giving it 3 stars because the desserts are excellent. If A Taste of Heaven had semi-friendly staff, they'd get 5 stars from me. The orange cupcakes are a must if you're there.
(3)
LJ S.
We were greeted at the door warning that children should 'use their inside voices" and there were several other unfunny "tongue-in-cheek" slurs on children. We were the only people there with kids and felt uncomfortable, even through our children were quieter than most of the adults, who I guess are not asked to use their inside voices. (I would note this anti-children feeling is the fault of the owner/management, not the waitstaff.) That said, they do have high chairs and children's portions. Food was mediocre so no need to return, with or without children.
(2)
Ellen C.
The food is really good but just a tad overpriced. It's always very, very crowded, though. I don't feel rushed by the wait staff or anything, but I do think the space is far too small. This is not a place where you can just walk in and expect to be seated right away. There is definitely a wait. However, I like that there's a sign on the door admonishing people not to let their kids run wild, so I guess it's not a kid-friendly environment--which is good! Nothing like a bunch of screaming kids to ruin a good meal. Well, it's not like there would be enough room for any kids to run around in anyway.
(3)
Sheila Y.
Went here with my family looking for a casual sit down place in Andersonville and got drawn in by the bakery case. It was filled with yummy looking pastries, but we eventually sat down for brunch instead. I ordered an iced mocha and it was great...no burnt espresso or overdone chocolate syrup. We all ordered the lox quiche which was amazing with the dill addition. The quiche is the best I've had so far in Chicago, however doesn't match up to Caf Campagne in Seattle. The biscuit was also especially awesome and I slathered that sucker with butter and scarfed it down. It had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The other breakfasts looked great and I would absolutely return for another breakfast stop.
(4)
Jesse F.
I could probably eat here every day and be perfectly happy. They always seem to have whatever I'm craving and it's always delicious. I've always had pretty good service. As an added bonus, the people watching on the corner is the best.
(5)
Marisa F.
The food is really good (LOVE the Katie cakes) but I can't stand the service. I support their no-children policy but the service is usually very unwelcoming. One time during breakfast the waitress told us that there was a 2-hour limit on tables. I didnt' understand because if I was in the middle of eating would they ask me to leave? and if a left would I have to pay? LAME.
(2)
Erin D.
I am a waitress so I am always so polite to our servers when we go out to eat. I was dumbfounded by the blatant rudeness of our server. We went on a week day and there were three other tables there. We had to get up and get our own sugar, Catsup, and roll-ups because we had no silverware. I had been there two weeks prior and had a great omelette special and they had offered a similar omelette that particular day except it was missing one ingredient so I asked if I could have that in the omelette too and the waitress said that the chef would only put it on the side and not inside the omelette and I would have to put it in myself--how strange. There was also a hair in my food. I didn't complain-I didn't feel like wasting the energy on a snippy waitress. We won't go back.
(1)
Marsha C.
Love this place! The Fried Egg Sandwich is great. I love all the "different' sides you wouldn't expect with breakfast. The potato salad is fabulous. Excellent staff and service.
(5)
Sara S.
excellent desserts, amazing ice cream just right for summertime. the staff are a bunch of hipsters but really helpful. I suggest the mini cupcakes; there isn't a flavor I haven't liked. I'm glad Sweet Occasions didn't ruin them like they did themselves.
(4)
John B.
I've had dinner here several times and it was really good. But, that's not the reason to go here. They have, quite simply, the most decadent and delicious cake in Chicago: their Jeanine Cake. It will cause all other cakes to come up short. Simply awesome.
(5)
Robyn M.
I really like this place. I have walked by several times and always meant to stop in for brunch, but never had enough time. I have been there just to grab coffee or a delicious cookie or something. Husband and I went to brunch there last weekend. He had the Katie's Cakes and I had the Erin's Fried Egg Sandwich. Both were delicious and I think my husband made the pancakes disappear in record time. It's funny because I remember watching a story on the news about the sign out front saying the restaurant encourages parents to keep their children under control. I loved it -- a child free brunch experience.
(5)
Connie W.
Love their lunch/dinner menu. Whether it be a salad, sandwich, or entree - food here always tastes fresh and delicious. Service is gracious even when the small room is packed to the limit.
(5)
Erin J.
I know I'm gonna come off as the bad guy here, but I hafta say it. Both times I have been here, I have gotten the distinct (and none too subtle) impression that I was not welcome there. I really couldn't believe it, but there was no other explanation...I'm pretty sure that I and my companion were ignored because we are straight. The last time we were there, we waited for about 10 minutes for menus, then another 10 for water, and by that time 3 - THREE! - same-sex couples had been sat, placed their orders, had coffee, and one couple had even gotten their order! Absolutely no one was interested in helping us. I got smirks from the waiters as they passed right by us to coo over their other tables. We ended up leaving about 5 minutes later. Sucks, because in the time I'd had to peruse the menu, everything looked so good.
(1)
Jeff O.
This is a great place for nouvelle breakfast or deli fare. They have a great twist on all sorts of traditional favorites. In the warm weather months, they have plenty of outdoor seating. I always leave feeling satisfied and that I have just eaten something natural and healthy. The attempted boycott as kid unfriendly, is much controversy over nothing (and largely a failure). I increased my dining there after the boycott was attempted. The resturant does have a sign reminding kids and parents that they are in public and should act as such. The complainers clearly were offended by their obvious responsibilities and should stay away.
(4)
Stitchy M.
It IS a taste of heaven. Get the biscuits smothered in gravy - I forget what the dish is called. YUM, YUM, *heart attack on a plate* YUM! I also love the fact that there is this HUGE sign, that parents with misbehaving children will be asked to leave. My BFF actually saw some brats get the boot before! Bwahaha! Last time we went there, the kids at the table next to us were getting whiny and I immensely enjoyed giving them "the look."
(5)
Marie L.
If the name of the restaurant is to be believed, I can tell you now that heaven tastes decent but the gravy on their biscuits n' gravy looks exactly, and I mean exactly, like a plate of a grade school child's barf after a hot lunch of sausage pizza. It is warm, orange and chunky in the most unpleasant way. This either means that there are some sadistic practical jokers in heaven or this is false advertising.
(2)
Brian H.
Neat little neighborhood place, expect more than just the usual sandwiches from a coffee joint, great place for lunch with a creative menu filled with salads, unique sandwiches and more.
(4)
Jookie K.
I wish I lived here. Specifically, inside the Jeanine cake. Specifically, inside one of the heartbreaking, delicious morsels of crust on the outside of the cake. Right there.
(5)
Tsung-Hui K.
It's good------you will definitely find something you like. Worth a try for sure.
(4)
Heather I.
I am addicted to their cupcakes specifically their "almond joy" flavor. Yummy! Definitely do yourself fa favor and indulge in one of these little gems. If you are looking for more substantial fare check out lunch and dinner menus. Their chicken and curried rice salad is really tasty and large enough to share, or save half for lunch the next day. And they have seating outside for those lovely summer days-all in all hooray Taste of Heaven.
(4)
michele l.
Jeannine's cake, that is all you need to know. The cookies/brownies I have had are pretty bland. But Jeannine's cake and their amazing coffee (they do not sell the beans by the pound) are great. I have not had a meal there because I can just have a slice of Jeannine's cake!
(4)
Tim S.
Good food, good service. Kids are kept on a leash:) Desserts could use some work.
(4)
Jon S.
Coffee is mediocre at best; food is bland and uninspiring. The wait staff is inattentive and honestly look like they could care less, preferring to be in the back then taking care of the tables. They do have good treats, I recommend buying the treats and leaving.
(2)
Eliana S.
I have been here a couple of times and i can say with out a doubt, this place is hit and miss. Lets start in the beginning. It took a long time to get our order taken (miss). I saw two other tables that came after us get there orders taken before my table did. I ordered the Silverland (lightly scrambled eggs with sausage gravy and two cornbread biscuits) and my boyfriend ordered the turkey sandwich. My plate was great. the eggs were nicely done and the gravy was perfect (hit) although the biscuits were kind of dry. the turkey sandwich was dry and the cold pasta salad it came with was OK (miss). Maybe next time we will only have breakfast and pastries. My B/F also had the orange juice that was good, but i ordered coffee and it never came. they just forgot. To sum it all up, try the breakfast you cant go wrong there. And if you have no rush and don't mind waiting for service (maybe you have a good book or great company) then try it out. i want to give it more stars because i do love the bakery part of this place but the service keeps them down.
(3)
Irene J.
i recently went on a late night cupcake escapade at a taste of heaven! we tried the carrot, red velvet, coconut cream, and sprinkles. the coconut cream and carrot were good. the sprinkles was your typical vanilla cake with cream and sprinkles cupcake. the red velvet...eh. it's not worth trying. we also had a portabello mushroom and veggie sandwich--that was delicious! we also had coffee--it was a lighter blend than what i'm accustomed to but good nonetheless. if you have a sweet tooth, get your taste of heaven of cupcakes! yum!
(4)
Alli R.
Outstanding service, outstanding coffee, and outstanding food. Enough said.
(5)
Sarah F.
The cakes are wonderful and the coffee is pretty good too. They have free flavored syrups that you can add. The inside is pretty cute and they have some really nice photos on the walls. I find it a bit pricey here. I had a killer piece of pudding cake today, but it cost $5.
(3)
Andy S.
Tried a cupcake (read: 3 cupcakes) - As good as advertised.
(3)
Lindley E.
Hooray for metropolis. Boo for uninspiring chili. Hooray for decent scones and other baked goods like muffins. Much, much more adequate than Starbucks. No doubt about that.
(3)
J L.
The food is to die for - any of their baked goods are fantastic. When my parents come down, we love going for a scone, the apricot ones are fabulous. And brunch/lunch options are also delicious. The attention to detail on the food is really amazing. Only negative - when they're busy they don't customize the food offers. Bad for my boyfriend, who doesn't eat pork. It's a treat to go there in the afternoon for tea and a delicious confectionary. Dan, the owner, also teaches baking classes every once in awhile - they are worththe time to go! He's a very entertaining teacher, besides which you actually learn a few things about baking.
(5)
kat m.
Charming small bakery cafe, that lives up to its name. Its too hard to just choose one little cupcake they all look so good. I visited A taste of heaven last night with my girlfriend and it reminded me of when I was a little girl. I was looking into the glass case at all the different treats.. I knew I would destroy that artfully crafted cupcake and soon it would be mine! We went for a half dozen cupcakes :) Yum Yum YUM! The truest test was the Vanilla.. It did not disappoint it reminded me of a vanilla twinkie!!! I cant wait to go back. I strongly suggest to try as many as u can afford your first trip that way you know whats your favorite next time. You can purchase them individually too. A taste of Heaven is only missing one star because it is a little more $$$ than I'd like for baked treats but the quality is great.
(4)
Christine F.
So, Taste of Heaven, you know IT'S REALLY HARD TO EAT HEALTHY when you make large, delicious slices of COCONUT CREAM CAKE. Come on. My willpower can't compete with that.
(4)
Jonathan L.
Disappointed. I ordered the chicken and biscuits. Let's just say I've had better biscuits at KFC. The chicken is stewed and it was just ok. My friend ordered an omelette which came with potatoes. The potatoes tasted really good. I'll order those next time, if I ever go here again.
(3)
Calen D.
BEST SCONES EVER!!! And best quiche crust. And biscuits. Pretty much you can't go wrong with any of their bakery items. I love the vibe in the place. It is best to try to go at "off times" as their "waiting room" is just lining up along the wall between tables of people eating. My only complaint is that it is never quite clear whether you need to walk to the counter to be put on a list. I didn't realize this once and ended up getting seated after 4 other tables because they walked past me to put their names in. Either way... the scones are worth the wait. Get the cherry ones. You won't regret it.
(4)
Mark S.
For us, Taste of Heaven is dessert. I cannot comment on the breakfast, lunch or dinner foods. The desserts here are fairly unique. Yes, they have some standbys, but mostly serve their own creations. A wide assortment of cakes, pies, cookies, bars, cupcakes, ice cream - something for everyone. My only real issue is their price. It doesn't seem too bad if you get one or two slices, but take a group or order a whole cake and you can expect to shell out the cash.
(3)
Rebecca B.
I love cupcakes. It's quite simple. I love them. And the cupcakes at A Taste of Heaven...yeah, well they live up to the name of the restaurant. Seriously-- heavenly. We had the red velvet, the cho cho cho, and the "Elvis" cupcakes and they were all decadently delicious. My only complaint would be the amount of time it took to get said cupcakes. The restaurant was completely empty and there was one person in front of us at the counter and yet it still took nearly 15 minutes to walk out the door with 3 cupcakes. They were sooooo worth the wait though :)
(4)
Michelle H.
Honestly, the best scones I've had. And somehow that great baking left a bad taste in my mouth. I was in on a Saturday a.m. to pick up scones while visiting Andersonville. Lisa, the cashier server upsold me from 5 to 6 scones citing the value. I chose my scones, paid and waited. She returned 5 minutes later having no more blueberry. Hmmm. Wish I had known. I chose all new scones, waiting another 5 minutes. It so happens that I opened the box and checked my goods and 3 of the 6 were not what I ordered. Lisa took the box and assured me she replaced the mis-order. So happens I checked again and the order was STILL incorrect. She looks at me and yelled "what do you want me to do?" I smiled, and said - why are you upset with me? All I did was order and pay for food I'm not getting. She turned and waited on the next customer, leaving me with a 1/3 incorrect order. Super weird and fully rude. There have got to be better businesses to patronize.
(1)
stephen r.
A sign on the front door reads something like the following paraphrase "Only well behaved children allowed using indoor voices." Hmm. That could be rewritten as "families not welcome" or "breeders go home". Talk about offensive. This is on the door - no kidding. Not quite my cup of tea. I guess we can always hope their slumlord releases their lease and they turn into a Starbucks.
(1)
Courtney R.
Best. Carrot cake. EVER. I've also had salads and sandwiches which were all very good. But the carrot cake... oh my.
(4)
Willem V.
With much closed on Labor Day even in Andersonville we were pleased to find Taste...open! Had been there once before as it is one of our daughter's favorite breakfast places. It was packed, but we didn't have to wait too long, they also have a clear but friendly written policy on weekend table-lingering..... We asked our waiter about the size of certain dishes, and he politely steered us in the direction of no-splitting dishes as they would be rather smallish. Wrooong, we could have easily split our enormous Fried Egg Sandwich, but alright, we were out in the city. It's not the money, it's just that we hate throwing away good food as not everything lends itself to doggy bags. All in all again a very nice, polite and clean restaurant experience. Will definitely come back but perhaps a little more educated this time.
(4)
shannon s.
This place is delicious. The atmosphere is great.. the wait staff is friendly and happy which always makes a meal that much better. The food is also great.. we usually stick to the breakfast because that's what we're craving when we decide to make the trip to Andersonville. The pancakes and French toast are decadent and delicious. The silverland breakfast (eggs/biscuits/sausage gravy) are fantastic. The only downside is the portions are way too big for me to finish on my own. I need about half of what they serve me and always feel bad when I have no room for dessert.
(5)
Miharu H.
I just moved back into the area and always wanted to try it because it looked so cute and comfy inside. HOWEVER, when I went in to order some pastries to go, the male staff at the counter was incredibly rude. Since it was my first time and some cakes were missing their signs, I asked the counter guy about the cakes and he answered me in a way that he couldn't be bothered to talk to me. Afterward he proceeded to talk to the other staff about how it was annoying to always explain the pastries to customers. Although the place looks cute and pastries look yummy, I was completely turned off by the rude service.
(1)
Ken L.
This place doesn't disappoint, unless it is out of Bread Pudding! Don't get me wrong their other dessert and food are still great. But I love the bread pudding so much it is a 'must have' for me. I usually go there for dessert but surprisingly their breakfast/brunch is pretty good (4 star) too. This place isn't very big so expect to wait a little bit during breakfast and brunch time. The staff there are always nice and friendly. Great place to hang out after dinner and have some delicious desserts!
(5)
Jeffrey B.
this taste of heaven was between purgatory and heaven. i say this because i have had other great breakfast spots i would go to before this but the food here is still good. i ordered the grilled cheese omelette which had cheddar, fontina and feta cheese served on grilled bread. it also came with a nice assortment of fruits. the biscuit that came with the meal was amazing. perfectly fluffy but the outside had a nice toastiness to it. the dish itself was really good the cheeses were melted perfectly and the egg was nice and fluffy just the way i like it. the grilled bread was under the omelet so whenever i cut into the omelet i would grab some of the bread at the same time and the grilled bread gave the omelet a nice texture. my only gripe was the potatoes that it came with. i wish they were a bit more cooked and crispier. added ketchup to the potatoes because the flavors of the potatoes were not that great. all in all my experience went well. the service was good and my waiter was cool. my water was getting filled every second which i really liked.
(4)
Ben F.
Hard for me to stop ordering food here. Great quality and variety.
(5)
Jessica M.
I miss the dinner menu. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point recently Taste of Heaven stopped offering these meals, and now offer only their brunch and sandwiches all day (they also still have a few salads and soup, and obviously the desserts haven't gone anywhere.) I still like their food, and baked goods, but I sorely miss the chicken and biscuits, and macaroni and cheese (my personal favorites from the old menu). I think they still offer some of these meals as specials occasionally though, so maybe I will get to eat these things again sometime.
(4)
Kyle C.
Had the Breakfast Bake and it was super good! Not to heavy and it came with a big side salad. Service for really friendly and cute. What a great place!
(5)
Rebecca G.
"Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices." That's the sign that greets you, which rubbed me the wrong way. As if most parents don't hope for that anyway. But despite that, the place is cozy and the food fresh and awesome! It's a great place to come yourself with a newspaper, or to catch up with a friend. Even for a special lunch with your children! They do have high chairs. I would recommend this great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)
Tariq D.
I ate at this place yesterday with a few friends who have already been there. They had plenty of good things to say about it but I have learned to wait on my own opinion. I had the Chicken Gumbo. Phenominal! The food is amazing here, and the service is awesome. They even served us a sample of their chocolate cookies while we waited which were so good I bought a dozen. The only, ONLY thing I could say is that it would have been a bit more comfortable if the A/C was on. It was quite toasty in there.
(5)
Halleh C.
A group of four of us walked down here from my house, and I was excited to try because I had passed by before. The service was quick when we got there to take orders. I got a turkey (real turkey breast slice) with pears, havarti, and a honey mustard mayo. It was served on this lovely soft sourdough roll, accompanied by pasta salad. I enjoyed my sandwich SO much, and the pasta salad even more! I emphasize my enjoyment, because my friend absolutely hated his dish (with good reason) So my friend matt is boring with breakfast, he got eggs with cheese and potatoes. His preference, whatever. So, we get served our food, and I am thoroughly enjoying my food as he is discovering a hair in his. Pretty gross, and we all felt bad, because he lost his appetite right there. We tried to get our servers attention multiple times (it wasnt busy) but he never even came to ask us how everything was. The hair in the food, I needed more water (I never got any by the way). So my friend had to get up and talk to the counter girl about it, who graciously offered to re make it, however he declined. Our server never even came by after that happened to apologize or anything, which, I know wasn't his fault, but if its your table you are the face of the place and should acknowledge it. After we finished eating, we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting to ask for our check (my water was still empty). Finally, I had to leave to go to work, and I had to just estimate my cost and leave money and friends because I would not have been on time. Even though I LOVED my sandwich, I doubt I will make the trip back here again. I saw a help wanted sign on the window, and I think that its true..help needed.
(2)
Sarah L.
Food is great, but a little on the expensive side. It would have another star, but the staff couldn't seem to care less about customer service. They also refuse to post a current menu online or have one available to fax or e-mail, so it makes ordering group lunches for our office impossible. Seems like a silly business decision.
(3)
Joel W.
After dinner at Big Jones we were in a rush to get to a show so I stopped in as we hurried by for my chocolate fix. Spontaneous stops can sometimes be the best. I pointed at the moon pie behind the glass. Got it to go. Asked for plastic fork. Yup and it came with a napkin. It was delicious. Saved half for the next day. On my way out i saw a glimpse of the coffee cup lamps on the table; i wish i would of had time to stay a bit.
(4)
Philip K.
Only ever eaten there once--I should go back to give them a fair chance. But I just remember being unimpressed. Me and my partner weren't wild about our breakfasts. Sounds like we should try desserts and scones next time. Cute, kitschy scene. I like all the windows and the view of andersonville from a corner of an intersection.
(2)
Art P.
I've always had just enough time to only grab a cookie or cupcake from A Taste of Heaven while passing by... but never enough time to actually take in a meal there. Well, that changed with yesterday's snowstorm. A Taste of Heaven was on my shopping route, so I made it a point to investigate further. They've got a "breakfast anytime" mandate, but I was in the mood for something more hearty. Their lunch menu ranges from: - Homemade soups and veggie chili - Sandwiches: Skirt Steak, Arlene's Hot Meatloaf, Barbeque Pulled Pork, etc. - Salads: Nicoise, Curried Rice, Breast of Chicken, Skirt Steak, etc. - Entrees: Braised Beef Brisket, Chicken and Biscuits, Spinach Lasagna, etc. I went with an item that isn't always on the menu (as evidenced by the fact it wasn't on the to-go menu I grabbed), but I hope that they have it available every single time that I go there from now on: - The Brown Derby Wrap: roasted turkey breast in a whole wheat wrap with corn meal stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and a side of brown gravy; with scalloped potatoes. Wow! It's like Thanksgiving in the palm of your hand! I'm seriously contemplating serving Thanksgiving dinner in this style next year. Do yourself a favor and give this wrap a go (photo of my Brown Derby wrap uploaded for your viewing pleasure.)
(4)
Samantha L.
I think this place is great. I have been here a number of times. I guess that I could see people giving it less stars for the price, but it's Chicago, so get over it. For one, their coffee is awesome. I think that when I go here I usually go for the grilled cheese omelet. It is open faced, kind of a morph of a sandwich and omelet, comes with a really nice salad and potatoes. I would rather eat here than pay just as much down the street at that place that sucks [cough (Paulines) cough] but it would be rude for me to name any names. It is quaint also, and I can't wait for it to get nice again because they have outdoor seating. Their sandwiches are really good too. They have a glass case of nice looking baked goods that I haven't tried yet, maybe next time.
(5)
Shawn T.
*RUN* here for Bread Pudding and all the other amazing deserts... By far the top desert place ever! Brunch here is good - would give it 4/5 stars..... Better come here for coffee and some desert!
(5)
Jen F.
Good cupcakes, not great but defintely good!
(4)
Jill W.
Brunch menu: the biscuits & gravy (Silverland?) and the caramel apple French toast are amazing. As adventurous as I want to be, I can't help but oder one of these every time I go there. The biscuits & gravy have a unique flavor and is much lighter than you'd think. As for the caramel apple French toast, if the name isn't enough to entice you, I can't do any better. The owner always brings around free samples of goodies and most of them are fantastic. Dinner: The derby wrap or turkey dinners are perfect (I have a thing for Thanksgiving -- don't you judge me). The place itself is very tiny, definitely not for a large group. While there are signs up about noisy kids (lighten up, everyone) -- I've never seen anyone be rude to children. The wait staff used to be awesome -- there was a girl with curly brown hair that worked her tush off that we always liked. Lately, it seems to have a high turn over rate of young men that think they're too good for the universe, let alone food service. But it has been getting better, so give it another try.
(4)
kay b.
TOH has been a standard even before it made it's location change from foster ave. or the current location on clark. i have to say that the what limits this place are the following: -inconsistent service. either your servers are unmatched or way off the mark. -portions have decreased as far as meals are concerned. -the ambiance can be overwhelmingly kitschy. ultimately i trust such basic fare as their quiche and salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, and their any of their salads. savories are a treat here, made with fresh ingredients, and a down home northside intuition. now, i obviously support the sweet tooth and since midwest portions make for a pleased glutton like myself, i have to say that their desserts are trustworthy. desserts such as the janine cake are made with a light whipped cream, a thick vanilla cake, and a satisfyingly sweet and clean taste. another highly recommended dessert is their bread pudding: lusciously draped in caramel, warm, soft and velvety inside layered to a perfection. this is not an exaggeration. the lemon bars, the pecan bars, the pound cakes, and scones are reliably tasty as well.
(4)
Kayla F.
The katie cakes are to die for. Love this place. I ordered a cupcake too....it was kinda stale but the frosting was yummm! Go here!
(4)
Len L.
Today is a perfect day, sitting outside of Taste of Heaven's outdoor patio. The sun was hot and slight breeze shaking the leaves above our heads. It felt like we were in heaven, then the food came, we ate and we did not feel like we were in heaven anymore. It was not perfect, but ordinary. We ordered a breakfast burrito and caramel apple french toast. The french toast was an inch high, couple of slices of apples and a rich side of whipped cream, it lacked apple flavor. The burrito too doughy. The only thing I can say, that I liked was the service, the clean restroom and the rustic look of the restaurant. The cost for brunch was reasonable and plenty of FREE parking on the side streets.
(3)
Amy A.
I haven't been in a while. The coffee isn't good. Last time I went it was soapy, and I couldn't even drink it. Too bad I got it to go. So it doesn't matter if the baked goods are good - because I can't get a nice cup of coffee to go with them. Bummer.
(2)
Dimitry G.
I fell in love with this place the second i walked in, the decor is really cool and unique, yes you can really just walk around looking at the different things hanging on the wall.... bla bla bla, the main part, Cupcakes are AMAZING! as a huge fan of cupcakes i have to say those tasted like... like as good as it gets for cup cakes, i have the Elvis cup cake, and well... i am addicted now. Also, the employees are nice, always smiling and helpful, and you just get the feeling like you are in "your own" neighborhood bakery. try it guys!
(5)
Bethany L.
I won't waste time writing a long review, because this is all you need to know: Best scones in Chicago. Maybe best scones anywhere. Hands down. Myself and my boss live in the area and any time that one of us brings them in, people go insane and devour them within seconds. I like the apricot, but I had the raspberry for the time yesterday and it was amazing. Cherry's good too. Yesterday I got them just after they opened at 7 and they were fresh out of the oven. Good God were they delicious.
(5)
April P.
Well, I cant rate this place on location, parking of decor because I hadn't been there, but I will rate them on their cake. Best buddy Big C got a mixed berry shortcake with whipped cream filling, and vanlla creme, strudel topping for his bday party. OH MY GOSH. Yes, it is so play on words to say, but it is a taste of heaven!!! the cake was light, airy and not overly sweet. The whipped cream was not too sweet. The frosting was good, but the strusel on top stole the show oh btw, healthy turkey lasagna is worth a review on its own, but since I'm new to this yelp game and dont know how to rate a party, I'll add it to this. Thanks Big C for making a wonderful dish that was disguised and made so well, it did not taste healthy at all. You put your foot in it ps- i thought the waitress there serving coffee was quite cute :) lol muah muah to friends steve and don
(4)
Caitlin G.
It means a lot when a business owner reaches out to rectify a situation--it makes up quite a bit for a nasty experience. Thanks to Dan for reaching out, apologizing and offering a refund after a bad experience at Taste of Heaven. It makes a huge impact when one can see an owner cares about his establishment.
(3)
Marni P.
If this is what Heaven tastes like, I need to start misbehaving more. Went here after a long bike ride. Starving. Got "Katie's Chaos". So appropriately named. I asked for no peppers, and it came without peppers- as well as without half of the other listed ingredients. I let our waitress know that I was actually looking forward to having these other items in it. She brings it back with SOME of the other items, but now with onions (not on the menu description). I deal with it because I'd eat anything at this point. Including the random chunk of heavily burnt hash brown that made it's way in the wrap just for added fun. The Boy had some rubbery skirt steak. I don't recall the attitude some of the other reviewers have complained about. I always feel uncomfortable sending stuff back, but I remember our server being pretty cool about it. We liked our ice cream. I guess you can can go for the ice cream if you're really itching to try this place...
(2)
Josh H.
Being able to take a simple, childhood favorite and turn it into a rich, gourmet experience perfectly describes their grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and feta and the very buttery sourdough bread - grilled to perfection - will definitely bring me back to this restaurant. I also got a tomato added to it...which I'd highly recommend. A lot of people like to eat tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich...however their version can stand on its own.
(4)
Kate W.
I haven't actually eaten a meal here, but I did get some cupcakes. They had a list of the cupcakes available posted on the door. I wanted to try a coconut cream cupcake (or whatever it was called) but when I went in there weren't any. Given the options I got a vanilla cupcake w/ vanilla frosting and what I thought was a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting (and 1/4 of a peanut butter cup on top). When I tried the cupcake I was surprised to find that what I thought was a chocolate cupcake wasn't. I can't be sure but I think it was banana. I dislike bananas but banana bread I can deal with. That's kinda what the cupcake tasted like. The frosting left a little something to be desired. I've had way better peanut butter frosting. Still, I don't think there's a such thing as a bad cupcake. The vanilla cupcake was good but nothing special. If I were in the area again looking for cupcakes I would stop in again but I'm not about to make a special trip out there anytime soon. As a side note while I was in the shop there was a man picking up a cake he had ordered. Obviously it was not what he ordered. He was upset but not yelling at the girl at the counter because it was obviously not her fault. Still, while I was there it didn't seem like they were doing much to resolve the problem for him.
(3)
Jessica B.
All that I have to say is "Jeanine cake" and those who have tried it know the experience. For those curious?...it's pretty much the best damn cake in this entire world. Get this, they have cupcakes. Tons of them. And they're good. Really good. Go forth and have your taste buds blessed with deliciousness.
(5)
Elise P.
The customer service here was/is HORRIBLE. I'm so disappointed. I was living in VA when there was the big hoopla with the sign on the door, and I was so supportive! I thought it was awesome and vowed to visit if/when I went to Chicago. Lo and behold, a few months later, I moved here, just a few blocks from the shop! The first time I went was okay. Actually, I would have given the place about three and a half stars based on that visit. The waitstaff working were mostly young and very friendly. I tend to go to a coffee shop with my computer, and get a coffee and a small meal to savour for a few hours. This is definitely not the place for that. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop in that respect--you will be rushed along if you try to linger. I went back a second time a few days later--and that's what torpedo'd the rating. Two men were working, and I'm pretty sure one was the owner. It was a Wednesday morning, and the place was half-full. I ordered a caramel soy latte and a brownie, both of which were pretty good. However, service was slow and snarky. The non-owner guy was sort of friendly, but the owner acted like he couldn't be bothered. He seemed annoyed that he even had to work. While I was there, two women came in and wanted to sit at a window table. There was a free table, but it hadn't been cleaned off yet. Just clean it off for them, right? No. He snapped that they needed to sit at a clean table. They did, but left shortly after without ordering. As soon as they were out the door, he cleaned the table. Then he brought me my check--even though I wasn't done yet, and hadn't even given any indication that I was finished/leaving. In fact, I wanted to order more; when I told him this, he sighed heavily and snatched the check back. I can understand having a bad day, but in this business (I've worked in a coffee shop for three years), you can't bring your crap to work. You paste on a smile and you earn your tip. I'm not someone who believes that the customer is always right--but I do believe in good, courteous customer service, and you will NOT find that here.
(2)
Dawn B.
Taste of Heaven isn't cheap, but I guess you get what you pay for. The pastries are amazing and I truly believe that there is a special place in hell for those who die without trying the Jeanine Cake. I've been a fan since they were on Foster and that certainly hasn't changed. (Although I secretly miss my favorite bar - B.C. Tap - being in that location!) While the place is cute and cozy, I rarely stay, preferring to get my scone and coffee to go. All in all, Taste of Heaven is exactly what it looks like...a great place to relax, read a book, and watch the world go by.
(5)
Jackie S.
I tend to be very critical of restaurants but I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this place. I got the breakfast casserole which is basically a strata and it was the best breakfast dish I have ever had. It had havarti cheese, roasted red pepper, and ham. I think it also had a small amount of mustard seed. My friend had the oatmeal which also looked delicious with dried fruit, fresh cream, and a peach compote. I live no where near this place but I will be back soon. I am shocked by the reviews that say the service is rude. Actually I thought the service was wonderful and took note of it even before reading the reviews. We were seated right away at the table of our choice and were attended to right away. There was a couple with a child next to us and they had their food and seemed pleased. Honestly though if people with children really want to organize some boycott like someone on metromix suggested I would be the last to stop you. Relaxing brunches and loud kids don't mix.
(5)
Caroline S.
I'm really sad that I have to give Taste of Heaven two stars. Their food was so good, but their service sucks. My boyfriend and I found them one afternoon and had mediocre service. We really liked their breakfast wrap so we decided to give it one more try. The second time we went in someone yelled to us to sit wherever we wanted, we attempted to sit at a table, but the server yelled to us that we couldn't sit there because it was reserved. We were confused because there were only two tables being used, but sat at a different table just the same. The guy came over after a decent amount of time to finally take our order. My boyfriend asked for a side of sour cream, never got it, and we were ignored after our food was brought out by someone who didn't take our order. We waited and waited for our bill and for someone else to come in and sit at that "reserved" table but neither came. To call the service subpar would be generous and we told our server as much. He ended up taking care of our bill. I don't know if they're going for offensively rude or just come off that way but it put a bad taste in our mouths and we won't be going there again.
(2)
Heather R.
They have very decadent desserts, great cakes and a nice bread pudding, but also some good salads and soups.
(5)
Bella D.
Great Salads! Great bakery and great place for casual dining or tea/cocoa with cookies/cakes experience! Lov this place! So cozy!
(5)
Damon R.
Charming and Delightful at breakfast this morning! This is a cute little place in trendy Andersonville. Its certainly A Taste of Heaven. The staff was attentive and welcoming. My delicious coffee never got less than half full in my cup. I ordered the insanely delicious grilled cheese omlete that was eyes roll around in your head good, write home and tell your folks good, rush to Yelp.com and write a review good.. u know what I mean. I ordered a side of the chicken sausage which was sage spiced perfectly. The home fries styled potatoes were warm and freshly made and seasoned to perfection. The portions were so massive that I couldnt even finish it all. The entree also came with a wonderful warm fresh green bean/assorted veggie side salad.. wonderful accompaniment. I will be back again and again!! Must try this place if you havent already.
(5)
Reyna S.
food = Awesome.. service = crappy. this place is not "kid friendly". The kids I took were well behaved and used "inside voices" per request of the signs posted all over the place. Yet, we were not welcomed when we walked in (it was not busy at all) and I had to go up to the counter to ask for dessert and the check because after we got our food we were ignored. If you have kids, check out Hamburger Mary's right across the street. They are so friendly and the food is just as good.
(2)
Amy M.
Yummy little shop with great desserts. The carrot cake is to die for. The staff is always helpful and willing to accomodate my last minute calls for birthday cakes for the office.
(4)
Steve J.
The main reason for 2 stars is the poor service and actual rudeness of the OWNER, which other patrons I've heard agree but feel it's still good food. The soups are good, yes, quiches are hit or miss and pastries are just so-so. Everything is overpriced, including the coffee but then Andersonville has become much more gentrified over the yrs. They do allow pets at tables outside during summer. Did I mention that service is consistently poor?
(2)
sheena r.
i like this place. i really do. i came here on a whim with Desiree G and i'm glad we did. after checking out menus at various locations on clark, we landed on A Taste of Heaven. it's not a vary big place, and it felt very home-like inside. their pastry case was filled with delicious looking cupcakes and cakes , as well as cookies, bars and more. for lunch that day i went with The Southland -- i think that's what it was called. it was cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and lightly scrambled eggs on top. it was definitely tasty. it wasn't the kind of biscuits and gravy that make me feel like i need to puke afterwards to feel better (although i do enjoy those as well.) i didn't feel overly full, and i had room to split a moonpie cupcake. that was really tasty as well. the cake was moist and chocolatey, and the frosting w/the chocolate shell was excellent. they also have a good salad menu, as i saw a man had ordered a curried chicken salad that looked amazing. i will definitely be back for a salad and more in the future.
(4)
Meow M.
Nice place, often overlooked, surprisingly good bakery. Menu items are simple but generally tasty (chicken & biscuits is a big thumbs-up). The owner got a lot of grief for basically giving little kids the boot but I find we are extremely over-indulgent and let kids get away with way too much, not to mention the number of "adults" who seem to think the rest of us are also deaf to their children's antics in public venues. I, for one, am THRILLED to be able to eat out without trying to compete with toddlers for a conversation with my friends.
(4)
J C.
Super-cute with a homey feel. We ate here tonight, and I was impressed. I had walked by this place 100 times and wondered about it but never stopped in. We decided to give it a go tonight, and although the breakfast menu was a little overpriced, their dinner menu was very reasonable. I had a meatloaf sandwich that was yummy and filling. My husband had a breakfast burrito and said his was delicious as well. We both decided this is a place we will return to for dessert, coffee, or dinner.
(5)
Connie S.
Cozy, intimate space with great food, and service with a smile and a bit of creative sarcasm at times makes this eatery a winner for me. For a quick on-the-go cuppa & scone or a sit down breakfast (served all day), lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong. My favorites are the grilled cheese omelet and the spinach lasagna. Portions are huge and sides are inventive. Not the ordinary fare...but the staff is very accommodating for special requests. Great asset to the neighborhood!
(4)
Nellie T.
This place gets props for being super cute. It's a very homey feel and the people are really nice. However, I've come in twice for dessert in the evenings and been disappointed. I had an eclaire and a vanilla cupcake. About $3 each.. so pretty typical for a bakery-esque place. Icing I didn't like, but it's probably because I really like sugary frosting. Cake tasted stale or at least like it had been in a refridgerator.
(3)
Brian T.
Okay, so I HATE to give this cafe a bad review. I absolutely adore it. The food is amazing (the Turkey dinner rivals my own mothers). However, I was meeting a friend from out of town for dinner last night and couldn't have had a worse experience had a I tried. I was so very excited to introduce him to the amazing delights of TOH...unfortunately, the minute I stepped through the door I was overcome by an ENORMOUS stench. Sitting at the counter was one of Andersonville's homeless, who has been there on numerous occassions. Now I'm all for helping out those who are in need, and I certainly would not want to be non-inclusive, however; when it's ruining the dining experience for others, something should be done (perhaps direct him to the many local shelters or have a place for him to sit that isn't in the main dining area?) The owner should take note: this is directly affecting your business-- I, along with a few others, moved venues across the street to Hamburger Mary's (where I had a very disappointing meal with my friend) I would have emailed the owner directly about this, but I was not able to find a website or email address.
(1)
Eliot J.
good food, good coffee, good pastries. it's priced well, but there isn't a lot of space. that's basically the only drawback - you're practically sitting on each other in there. servers have always been friendly to me, too. there's not a ton of menu option, and it's only breakfast and a few lunch items but, again, it's quality. i would for sure recommend it.
(3)
Clarence E.
I go to this place mainly for the deserts. Their brownies are like crack. Everything else is on the same level. Don't go here if you can't control your cravings, or you will expire (albeit with a smile on your face). The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is delightful. This is one of the best bakeries/coffe-shops/diners in the city.
(5)
Mary C.
Known for its desserts, A Taste of Heaven also has fantastic meals too. I love their curry chicken salad. They also have delicious soups. Every time I come here there are plenty of people eating and hanging out, so I know I am not alone is saying this place is terrific. On Mondays, they have free coffee with a purchase of something else. Your best bet is to grab a slice of cake. They are all wonderful especially the white cake with fruit.
(4)
C H.
Since all the other reviews are so glowing, I'll just keep mine short and sweet. Awesome food, try the breakfast burrito and the Durbin sandwich, simply outstanding! Also, and this is very important so pay attention. Are you paying attention? Good. Here it is, best DAMN coffee in the city. Yes it is. GO!
(5)
Kitty P.
I think that jen p. might have had the same server as my friends and I did last week at this establishment. I've never walked out of a restaurant before, but the service offered by Brett was unbelievably rude and offensive, so much so that we asked for to-go cups and left. I want to say first that the other staff seemed perfectly nice, and as we looked over the cakes and pastries, the girl behind the counter was very sweet and asked if we wanted to sit down. We said, "Sure, why not?" and put our name down. We were seated after about 15 minutes, and then Brett came to take our drinks orders: two coffees and a cappuccino. He came back with two coffees and a latte, at which point I politely asked about a change since I'd ordered a cappuccino. His response was: "So, what -- you want me to put more foam on it or something?" I was taken aback, as were my companions. I answered, "Um, no, doesn't a latte have a lot more milk in it?" He sighed, then wordlessly snatched away the cup while the rest of us looked at each other in disbelief. He returned after a few minutes, plunked the cup down, then walked away. When he returned to take our food order, my friend began to ask for a piece of cake -- he interrupted her by saying, "So you're not going to order food? If you only wanted cake, you could have ordered at the counter and you could have gotten it a lot faster." We were stunned. My friend asked him if there was a problem, or if he wanted us to leave or something; he responded, "It doesn't matter to me if you stay or leave." My friend then said, "Well, it matters to us. Can you bring us some to-go cups, please?" We went up, paid, and then two of us thought we'd politely try again and find out what it was that went so wrong with this experience. He said he was "running around like an idiot trying to put something in front of everyone and keep everyone happy." He then proceeded to instruct me on the finer points between a latte and a cappuccino: "Actually, there isn't much of a difference between them -- I KNOW what a cappuccino is." We gave up, asked for his name and the owner's name, and then left. A heads-up to Dan, the owner: The sign on your wall says, "NICE MATTERS." You might want to talk to this guy, since he's pretty effective at proving that wrong.
(1)
Jason B.
No complaints about the place, but there are far better places in the Andersonville area to get a good brunch. The service is good but the place is crowded & the brunch menu is very limited. Nothing special, walk on by.
(2)
Susan W.
I've been ordering birthday cakes and coming for dessert for a long time. But after last night, I will NEVER ever go back. Let's start with the horrible service. Four of us came for dessert and they took our drink orders at the table without writing anything down. Two of us went to the case to check out what cakes we wanted. The people behind the register completely ignored us for several minutes and when I asked for help I was given the biggest helping of attitude. The waitress delivered our drinks while we were at the counter and she forgot my coffee. By the time I got my cake, I was so annoyed I just wanted to eat my cake and go. I didn't even bother going back to the counter to ask for my coffee. Half way through the cake, I feel this weird texture in my mouth and its a two inch piece of plastic. I go back to the counter and the woman tells me it's probably from the plastic wrap they keep between the slices to keep the cake moist. The piece of plastic I had IN MY MOUTH was from the center of the cake not the edge. She gave me another slice but I'd already lot my appetite. When we're in line to pay, I overhear her telling the customer in front of me that they had a power outage earlier that day and don't really think anything of it at the time. Today I find out that one person in my group who had dairy there was violently sick all night. I'm absolutely disgusted and will be reporting them to the health department.
(1)
Megan B.
I love this place! We come here for full meals but also for dessert. The Janine cake is probably the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! The staff is always really friendly, and it has a really cozy atmosphere. I highly recommend the chicken and biscuits - very old-fashioned and yummy. Overall a great little place!
(5)
a w.
Not the best bakery in the area -- but they do make some great brownies here! Give it a try if you're in the area -- but don't go out of your way for this one.
(3)
joanne y.
this cozy little nook is a perfect place to warm yourself up with some coffee and pastry in the winter and a refreshing getaway in the summer. what i mean, basically, is that this place is yummy. the prices are reasonable for the large slices of cake they serve. the name says it all, it truly is a taste of heaven.
(4)
vitas z.
my favorite chocolate chip cookie in the city. hands down.
(4)
j d.
consistently great. friendly. salmon quice, eggs verde, or pancakes are sure winners.
(5)
Jack E.
Chill Cape Cod aesthetic. Good affordable coffee and loose leaf tea. Excellent sandwiches and desserts. Sorta in between a coffeehouse and a restaurant. Definitely a great place to do work, cuz of the nice golden lighting. No Wifi is a bummer bit it IS in the middle of Andersonville so you can always steal from someone else. Its open til 10 which is a plus.
(5)
G G.
Not so great on the decor, but the desserts are AMAZING. Very rich and decadent.
(4)
Shubham C.
Lovely meal that's perfect for a quick bite with a friend. Overall the service was nothing remarkable - the waitress checked in once or twice but we waited a bit to get our check. Water flowed quickly and often. I ordered the quiche and was satisfied. The quiche of the day was steak and cheese. The portion was generous and the side salad was fresh. The crust was light and flaky and had a hint of sweetness that complimented the salted egg and steak filling. The pie top wasn't as crunchy or chewy as I would've liked but still was nice!
(4)
Belle L.
Plentiful of ridiculously delicious sounding Daily Specials. Price is relative to food portion, ingredients, quality and preparation. FRENCH ONION SOUP ($3.75) -- comes with 3 pcs of housemade bread. Delicioso. Good balance of ingredients. Broth is NOT dark brown. Yay! QUICHE ($10.75) -- a risky custard combination of ham and pineapple. Hawaiian pizza in a pie. Skip it! Soggy crust. Comes with default mixed green salad with vinaigrette. LEMONADE ($4.75) -- expensive with an impressive strong lemon flavor that is not sour. ELVIS CUPCAKE -- peanut butter icing was a tad sweet with banana cake. A version of Elvis' favorite food. COFFEE -- La Colombe brand. SERVICE -- excellent, well-informed, friendly, charming. VENUE -- the relax atmosphere of a cafe. Lots of stuff that is neatly organized. Comfy. Welcoming. 1-star less: - presence of housefly - box your own brown bag
(4)
Claire S.
Simply delicious food! The atmosphere is cute and small and diner-like, but with a lot of cupcakes. It's great for sitting and hanging out, and the owner and servers are really nice, quick, and chill. I tried the roasted pear salad and iced coffee (both recommended from the server). The salad was awesome--big and filling, with crispy roasted chicken, delicious roasted pears, and goat cheese and cherries to keep things interesting. Salad dressing came on the side (which was thoughtful). The iced coffee was big, delicious, and FREE because it was a Wednesday! What a pleasant surprise! The prices seem high ($12 for the salad) but the quality of food was well worth it. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!
(5)
Megan L.
Dan's customer service (the owner) was incredible - upon reading my first review, he immediately contacted me to make my experience at Taste of Heaven right. He sympathized with wasting money and calories at a restaurant only to be disappointed and invited me to come back and give Taste another chance with a guest. I appreciated how FAST and KIND he was when responding to my concerns. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! I was not disappointed during my return visit! Mike's pesto sandwich is hands-down one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Chicago. The thick cut, slightly sweet brioche is perfectly toasted and complemented by a mountain of goat cheese, pesto, tomato, bacon, spinach and 2 eggs. It is definitely big enough to be shared (or hoarded for second brunch later in the day)! It comes with a side of fresh fruit and potatoes. I also tried the sparkling lemonade - served in a big mason jar and not too sour or sweet, with the right amount of fizz. Perfect for a warm day! The place gets crowded during the weekend, but they also have a pretty big patio area on the southeast side of the restaurant to accommodate more patrons. It's nicely shaded and worth checking out!
(5)
Meredith C.
I'm not usually one for sweet breakfasts but so happy I tried the coconut almond cakes! They were incredibly flavorful and came with banana slices and fresh whipped cream. Iced coffee refills were free and much appreciated during the hot morning. There was somewhat of a wait for the food but not appalling my any means. With the intriguing items on the menu, I will definitely come by for breakfast again.
(4)
Kyle D.
Overall: Great little cafe with delicious eats and friendly service. The good: Great bakery treats to choose from with specialty cupcakes, cakes, brownies, etc. All were great. Good coffee and plenty of other options. Service was friendly and attentive. A good amount of seating. Cute decor. The bad: Not much! Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)
Nikki L.
I had just moved into the neighborhood, and my sister decided to take me to brunch here. The restaurant decor is very eclectic, and gives it a "Grandma's house" vibe. Not to say this is a bad thing, because it is quite endearing. We both ordered the Mike's Pesto Sandwich, which will go down in history as one of the best breakfast sandwiches I have had. Our waitress was friendly, but towards the end seemed to be losing steam. Since I am a server, I understand. She didn't close out our check, but one of her colleagues did instead. Overall a very positive experience here.
(5)
Jenny D.
Just love it here! Every single thing I've ever tried has been delicious, from their coffee to their entrees to their desserts....heaven. The servers are always very friendly and we've never had a problem being seated. We like to stop in here for brunch and we always get coffee(me-fancy coffee, him-straight black). I usually order the quiche because it's so good, but I have gotten their Durbin sandwich before, too. Both were so good. The quiche is my to-go-to though because they are such a pain in the ass to make yourself and they always get the texture right. They are always light and fluffy. My husband usually goes for something a bit more hearty. The last time he got a portobello sandwich which was really good. I never can leave without getting a cupcake, which I have a love/hate relationship with. Love, because they are so good. Hate because then I have to go to the gym later. It's worth it.
(5)
Mary Z.
MMM- Been here 2x now and really impressed. Both times were for brunch. Great dog friendly patio, service is good and the staff is really friendly. The food is so fresh and tasty. I'm looking forward to trying lunch and dinner.
(4)
Debbie M.
Great breakfast. I had the chorizo skillet - so tasty. My boyfriend had the Carmel pancakes- sugary treat. Friendly staff. If you haven't tried this place give it a try.
(4)
Cynthia T.
I had the steel cut oatmeal with peach compote. Who knew oatmeal could be so delicious! It was very filling as well. Everyone's dishes looked so good and hearty. It was a clean restaurant and our waitress was very friendly. I hope I can come back and taste the chicken and biscuit breakfast.
(4)
Sheila K.
I have been wanting to try out this place for a while now and I finally did. We came on a Sunday around 1:30 and didn't have a problem getting a seat. The place is pretty small, but has a lot of homemade goods from cupcakes to cakes and bars, etc... My husband got the Steak and Eggs and I tried the Havar Ya Sandwich with a side of soup. The steak and eggs were ok and the potatoes were tasty, nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. My sandwich was okay as well. The homemade baguette bread was good and held the sandwich quite well. But it was kinda dry and perhaps could use some sauce to make it tastier. Service was also okay. Overall, this place is okay.
(3)
Angie M.
Honestly? There's nothing to NOT like about Taste of Heaven. Biscuits? Divine. Scones? Like whoa. Omelets? Perfection. Service? Phenomenal. I think the only problem with Taste of Heaven is that they don't have fountain beverages. You ask for a diet Coke and get it in a 20oz bottle. Oh... and that you'll want to leave with plenty of goodies in the bakery case, which will add lbs to your ass. Not sure if this is a pro or a con. I'll let you choose.
(5)
Rikki C.
The food was good the service was good neither great but all in all a good experience. I would definitely go here again. I would, however have to say that their banana pound cake was amazing, so 5 stars on that. Oh, and they never rushed us out the door, so my friends and I were able to catch up for 2.5 hours.
(4)
Hannah C.
Breakfast all day is always a key to my heart. But breakfast all day AND PASTRY? That will get me every time. (Note: it will look just like a pastry shop when you walk in. The boards will say nothing about food, just pastry. But if you say you want to dine in, they will give you table service and a menu of delights. The best thing we tried was, surprisingly, the almond and coconut pancakes. Actual coconut. Actual homemade whipped cream. They were amazing. The grilled cheese sandwich was also great - lots of flavors and fresh bread. The roasted potatoes had almost no flavor, so skip those in favor of another side. For dessert we tried the cream puff with whipped cream (heavenly) and the moon pie cupcake (very good). I will admit, these cupcakes didn't stack up to Molly's or Sugar Bliss for me. They had just a little less flavor and creativity. But for a meal AND a cupcake, I was quite impressed.
(4)
Ritu R.
God we've been coming here for 8 years! We live in River North but will make the trek for this little gem of goodness. Comfort food, breakfast all day and decadent desserts! Note the prices on the menu on yelp are not accurate as they are not posted by the business ;) Happy Eating!
(5)
Emily B.
This place is so delicious, I'm having a hard time finding words. Scrumptious is probably the best one. I ate here for lunch on a beautiful summer day with my son. We sat outside. It was a Thursday and I was surprised we were the only ones out there. But I have passed this place on the weekends and there's a line out the door. We will definitely be back for brunch! The service was great, from the moment we walked in to when we paid and left. Speedy and attentive servers. I ordered the Grilled Cheese Sandwich. The BEST grilled cheese I've ever had. The three cheeses they choose to put into this sandwich is a home run. They are feta, cheddar and mozzarella. And the bread... oh the bread! Homemade sourdough but did not taste like sourdough. Pure baked goodness in your mouth! I also got the potato salad for a side. I liked it, very tasty, but different than what I have ever had. If you do not like dill or onions, don't order it. But I do, so I enjoyed. I ordered a piece of Jeanine's Cake to go. Again, so freaking good! The perfect summer cake. The streusel crumbs on the frosting are what took it over the top for me. Yum, yum. A Taste of Heaven really is just that. So go and get full!
(5)
Randy H.
First experience at Taste of Heaven was disappointing. I had a Niçoise salad that was just not fresh. A throw together of pre-prepped items that had been in the walk-in several days too long, all tossed in a tarragon dressing that was supposed to be creamy, but which, extraordinarily, was dry. I ate about half of it and got a candy bar and protein shake on the way home. My husband's basic bacon and eggs breakfast was quite good, so he liked the place. On the whole, the ambience is good and I rate the service okay even though our meals were pretty slow coming out (probably took a while to find the salad makings in the back of the cooler ). I might go back if in the immediate area, but definitely would not order a salad there.
(3)
Nikki G.
Get the coconut almond pancakes, you will NOT regret it! They are super generous with the whipped cream. Also: the cornmeal biscuits are AWESOME.
(5)
William F.
What a grew a find! I've walked past this place at least 100 times and have to say I should have ventured in sooner! No wait on a Sunday at brunch time and the biscuits and whipped cream was the best I've had in so long if not ever. This gem is well worth traveling halfway across the city for breakfast.
(5)
Kathy T.
We came across this place by accident one Sunday. Our original plan was to go to Big Jones but the wait time was almost two hours. Upon arrival, we were seated at the corner near the cupcake display. The place is some what small and very crowded. My boyfriend ordered some sandwich with peaches, it was okay. I had the steak and eggs, the steak was cooked medium like how I like it. I could only eat a couple of bites, it was too heavy for my taste. When we received our bill I'm was surprised at how much this breakfast had cost. For a sandwich, steak and eggs, coffee and tea $42 definitely was not worth our money. I'm not sure what the hype is all about maybe people haven't had real good breakfast. Nothing was special about this breakfast, glad I tried it. I would probably not come back. Overpriced.
(3)
Syed N.
This place is a hidden gem. Good service, good food, great location and the best lemonade in Chicago.
(5)
Roseann M.
Each time I go to A Taste of Heaven, I wonder why I don't go more often. The food is always good. The atmosphere is homey and cozy -- that means, the room isn't very big. The service is efficient and friendly. The prices are reasonable. Maybe it's the competition in Andersonville. There are so many new, sexier places, you forget about the old reliable places. Miss Finland and I went for lunch today. I drank copious amounts of coffee. I ordered the quiche of the day, which was bacon/cheddar/tomato with a side salad. Miss Finland ordered a sandwich called the Havar Ya, which she assures me is not in the Finnish language. Her sandwich consisted of ham, Havarti cheese and roasted red peppers on a big bun, and also came with a side salad. Both portions were generous. She wondered if she could eat it all, but somehow she managed to do just that. My slice of quiche was much taller and thicker than the typical paltry, girly-sized quiche slices you get in other places. We ate everything. I made the mistake of walking past the counter and saw a huge variety of cupcakes. Somehow, through sheer strength of will, I forced myself to order a Red Velvet Cupcake. Miss Finland took one bite. We agreed that it was heavier than we expected, but it still tasted delicious. The restaurant stayed pretty busy during the whole Tuesday lunch period. We were there for almost 2.5 hours. The waitress forget she hadn't dropped off the check, but we were under no pressure to clear the table for another party of diners. I did stop by on a recent Saturday to buy a carrot cake cupcake, which was very good, by the way, and the place was very very busy with the weekend brunch crowd. There is no waiting area. You have to stand alongside the south wall. I think the staff was very relieved that I just wanted to get something to go. I like Taste of Heaven very much. I'm looking forward to returning when the weather is a little warmer - say, August - and eating at one of their outdoor tables.
(4)
Leah K.
Oh my goodness the Jeanine cake....just get the Jeanine cake! I think for the last (at least) 5 years I've requested a slice of the Jeanine cake here for my birthday and it never disappoints! And you can easily share one piece with several people because they're huge. Honestly there hasn't been anything from here that we haven't liked - they always have a good selection of cupcakes and they're ALL delicious. Can't say we've ever had anything else but sweets from here but who needs food when you can have cake?
(5)
Daniel W.
This was my go to place for breakfast burritos butttt....some reason the breakfast burrito continues to "de-volve". By "de-volve" I mean regressing rather than evolving into a better thing. Per my previous review, the breakfast burrito was loaded with eggs and beans/rice were served on the side. Over the years they started tinkering with things. The next time they didn't dress the beans up with the same salsa as the first time. Then one time there were no beans/rice. Last weekend they had the beans/rice inside the burrito! We felt a little betrayed....less eggs and using the beans/rice as a filler. sighhhhh! come on now Taste of Heaven...I've been telling everyone to go here for the best breakfast burrito but now...I must bite my tongue... You don't gotta fix what ain't broken! Excellent service though! We got the Durbin omelette as well. Good amount of food is included. Breakfast potatoes, biscuit/corn muffin type thing, and fruit. Bring back the burrito from 2011!
(4)
Susan C.
I went here for brunch since I haven't been back for a long while. This restaurant is not that big but a good enough size to eat at. I like their food and order a quiche which is so good accompanied a side salad. The waitstaff is attentive coming back from time to time to make sure we have everything we need. The service was great so I will come back here when I am in the neighborhood and I love this neighborhood.
(4)
Zarnigor N.
I love their breakfast menu.. Everything made so delicious and fresh.. Workers are so sweet and helpful. They have the best cup cakes ever... They make everything from scratch.. I would recommend to anyone this wonderful place ..
(5)
Wil E.
Best. Dessert. Ever. Seriously. EVER! In fact, I can't even go here anymore. It's just not safe for my diet. And they've actually managed to ruin dessert anyplace else. It's just a bitter disappointment when I order from another restaurant and I get a huge plate with a tiny slice of store-bought cheesecake. Everything at Taste is freshly prepared and delicious, the portions are huge, and the service is friendly. The cheesecake is truly heavenly, and you get a slab of it - A FREAKIN' SLAB!!!
(5)
Megan D.
Cute place. Loved the weathered tables and unique decor. Service was good and they were prompt with coffee and water throughout our visit. I was a little disappointed in the menu offerings honestly. I was expecting a larger selection of breakfast items and was hoping for some type of combo but wasn't able to locate anything. I also didn't inquire so partly my fault. I was pleased with my meal and would go back again. I do want to get back to try the baked goods.
(3)
Lizz M.
I first visited A Taste of Heaven on a snowy Saturday evening when I had a huge craving for dessert. I got their raspberry white chocolate cheesecake. YUM. and gigantic. I couldn't eat it all in one sitting. I've since visited them twice for breakfast as it's become my boyfriend's favorite spot in Andersonville. I got their steel cut oats the other day and they are SO good. They come with a delicious peach compote and granola. Their cornmeal biscuits are also fantastic.
(4)
Patrick W.
Thanks to Dan for trying to make up for this. I found the cupcakes to be much better the second time around.
(4)
Patrick M.
One of the best diners in the city. Every meal I've had has been wonderful and the sweets are excellent. I'm always so full after the meal (read: great, big portions) that I have to get a sweet to go. Service has always been good. If we ever have friends or family visiting, this is where we take them for breakfast or lunch (or-if it was up to me-both). Try the hot chocolate- tastes like liquid gold. Check it out- you might see me there.
(5)
Kimmi M.
The ambience is adorable, probably similar to how your kindergarten teacher decorated her house. A really wonderful breakfast place. The lox entree was large and flavourful. I really enjoyed the lemon dill sauce to accompany it. The coffee was strong, and the iced tea was spiced, which was a pleasant surprise.
(4)
M. R.
Poor service. Waited an hour for food. And waiter never refilled water until he gave the check. Waiter also didn't come by to ask how we were doing or how the food was.
(1)
Zachary A.
While I could argue that every city is a brunch city, this seems to echo considerably more true with my time in Chicago than some other places. Everywhere has a brunch, and I'm not upset about it in the slightest. With that, though, comes the difficult task of narrowing a million options each Saturday and Sunday morning. After meeting a new friend days prior, she invited me to join her Saturday morning at a Taste of Heaven, and it definitely was an enjoyable taste. I highly recommend this place. It's small and not trying to be "trendy", but just good. It has a nice neighborhood vibe, although I lend a lot of that to Andersonville in general. I had the biscuits (cornmeal biscuits, I must add) and gravy and was loving every morsel. I really think everyone should get this dish. :) My friend got the breakfast casserole and it also was pretty awesome looking. The food was spot-on a wonderful brunch and I could see myself making it a regular brunch stop. Ps. If you're going to bring kids, make sure they're entertained and able to enjoy the quality experience that is A Taste of Heaven. :)
(4)
Elana B.
I wanted to have a lunch dish that didn't feel heavy but also wanted to feel full because I knows I wouldn't be eating again for a long time today. The option of getting a wrap with a side of veggie stir-fry was a dream. The wrap itself (BLT and A) was perfect - the bacon was super crispy and the mayo was just enough zest. The veggies were cooked perfectly. Also they had wifi and my server was so lovely about giving me the password without any sass like I sometimes get when I ask for a wifi password. It's also located on such a quant corner of Clark street so you could get distracted from your laptop by looking outside at all the people walking by. I didn't try any desserts because I felt so pleasantly full but next time I'll save room for sure!
(5)
Tlafi K.
I came back and this time service was exceptionally great. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a high spirited positive waiter named Ryan. He did not have any idea that I wrote a bad review and that I had been in touch with the owner Dan. I was like a secret shopper. I really enjoyed eating at this place this time around. The food was great. The honey jar was exceptionally clean. Too bad my phone died. Would have posted some pictures. I'm glad I came back and will definitely be back. We need more business owners like Dan. He really cares about his business and takes constructive criticism well. He took his time to contact me and went above and beyond to make sure that I was a satisfied customer. That really shows me how much he cares about his business. That's what I call excellent customer service. Way to go!
(5)
Nishan P.
Has Andersonville gone hipster? Is this the new Wicker Park? Everyone working the Saturday brunch shift at A Taste of Heaven was dressed in hipster attire, as was most of the male clientele. I fit right in because I was wearing a flannel shirt, but no skinny jeans because I want to have kids someday. The salmon scramble was a very pleasant surprise. Instead of the fish being mixed into the scrambled eggs, slices of smoked salmon, topped with capers, were served alongside it. The plate also included a corn meal biscuit, roasted potatoes, and a cucumber dill sauce. I tried the Durham omlet too and was impressed with the large chunks of turkey, pears, and havarti in it. Country kitsch is found in abundance in the restaurant. The place might be a hipster paradise but the decor is more country than Hee Haw. The service was quite attentive given no one person was responsible for our table. It was a nice team effort by all the servers. If you are looking for a good weekend brunch place in Andersonville, I suggest you don your best hipster duds and head on over to A Taste of Heaven. **UPDATE** Soon after posting the above review, I received the following message: Hahahaa! I work at a Taste of Heaven and the uniform is plaid. And we do joke with customers who wear plaid that they can easily become an employee. : ) I'm glad you enjoyed your meal and experience at ATOH. Hopefully we see you again soon! I would like to apologize to the employees of a Taste of Heaven for assuming that you were all hipsters... not that there is anything wrong with being a hipster, besides the reduced ability to beget offspring.
(4)
Ryan M.
My visit to A Taste of Heaven actually was "Plan C" for the night, after the pie shop down the street was out of pie (on Pi Day, of course!), and the other targeted destination was a block further, before we saw this great little place. We still wanted pie, and the windows said TOH had dessert, so we gave it a try. The cafe is every family-run store of my youth rolled into one: a bake shop, a coffee shop, and a diner. The desserts are seductively laid under glass at the front, the walls are decorated in old-school sweets-and-eats decor, and you expect your grandmother or favorite aunt to pop out from the back at any moment offering hugs and love-smotherings. (What? Your grandmother and aunts don't love-smother you? You're missing out.) Tonight's target was only dessert, and they had a special for apple pie! Alas, likely because of the day (and all the others who had come here after the pie shop went dry), the pie was gone. But fret not! So many other terrific, undeniably house-made options awaited. I chose the carrot cake, which came in a massive slice, and my evening companion took a slice of the banana-caramel cheesecake (they had also just run out of the peanut butter). Neither was a "Plan C" choice. The carrot cake was super moist, brimming with pecans and chewy bits of carrot. The cream-cheese frosting was not too thick , at all, and was rich. The cheesecake across the table had the best hand-made whipped cream I have ever tasted. The cake itself was very decadent, tasting like bananas foster on a crust. We also had accompanying cappuccinos, which were big and quite good. They were napalm hot when we got them, so we had to let them cool a little. The little shop was filled to capacity, and our poor server apparently was on his own. But things were not unbearably slow. Our server just appeared a bit frazzled and fried. Upon paying he assured me that were I to come back another day, things will be smoother, it will not be Pi Day (most likely), and he will not be working alone. Not a problem, I assured him, and I do plan to be back. With desserts this homemade and delicious, brunch and lunch must be great, too. So for a quick dessert (they have lots of cupcakes, cakes, bars, and other treats), a good coffee nightcap, or (I will soon see) a tasty homemade-feeling meal, Taste of Heaven is a welcoming, adorable shop that fits in perfectly in Andersonville.
(5)
Christina R.
Insanely good food in a simple, cozy cafe. Everything is fresh and homemade.. including their roasted turkey in their sandwiches...and their bread. It's a must try. I know we will be back!! Have had the egg, pesto, &bacon sandwich, the turkey , pear & havarti sandwich, great salad with homemade dressing, and the to die for German Chocolate Cake!!
(5)
Luke H.
Brought my Texan mother here and she adored it. She's been back to Texas for a week now and she still brings up out trip there. I love this place as well, I get pick up from there often and my favorites include, the breakfast burrito, and the biscuits and gravy. Do meat kolaches taste of heaven!
(5)
atrack b.
I've been here twice for dessert only. Both times, I've been impressed by the deliciousness of the desserts and the friendliness of the service. So far, I'd recommend the banana cream layer cake, the chocolate chip cheesecake, the loaf cakes, and the big cookies.
(5)
Karyn C.
After living in Andersonville for over two years I finally made it to Heaven. One of the reasons I'd always wanted to go is because if their policy of only allowing well-behaved children. Within a few minutes of being seated a toddler started screaming. I couldn't see the child and I couldn't see any adults leaning over like they were trying to soothe an angry child. After a few minutes of intermittent wailing I saw a server discreetly speak to a man. As the server walked away the man started yelling, "I guess they don't like kids here! No kids ever! It's too bad that you're hungry, we have to leave now." The server was kind enough to be discreet and if it hadn't been for the man's reaction, no one would've known they'd been asked to leave. The server even brought them to go boxes so they didn't need to make a scene. I understand that kids will be kids but it's nice to see a restaurant that takes a stand against poorly behaved children (and adults). As for the food, it was delicious! I had the peaches and cream French toast and my boyfriend had the breakfast burrito. Both of us were unable to finish and left very satisfied. The only thing I'd do differently is not order the iced tea. It's a spiced iced tea but that's not called out on the beverage menu. I was hoping for plain iced tea. That's the only thing though!
(4)
Russ A.
Good food, desserts and ice cream. Service is always fantastic. Check out their display of goodies, better than deciding from reading the menu. My reigning fav desserts are coconut cream cake and double chocolate bundt cake. Yes I have recently snapped out of their "anything with caramel sauce". It was my long reigning fav at one time. ;-)
(5)
Joe M.
Always a treat to come here. Great bakery items as well as the regular menu. The Mike's Pesto sandwich is one of my favorite breakfast items. Good service, great food and reasonable prices.
(4)
Molly M.
I ate here last night. Stopped in to do some work and decided to order a sandwich. I got the turkey with pears and cheese. Sandwich arrived with the paper still attached and melted to the cheese. YUCK! I realized this after taking a bite of paper. Double yuck. I pointed it out to the waitress who was very kind, and asked if I wanted another sandwich (for the record -- this isn't a question to be asking....of course you should replace the sandwich). After answering in the affirmative I did get a new sandwich but the turkey tasted kind of "gamey" -- not sure how turkey can taste gamey but it did. I didn't eat the majority of the sandwich or the potato salad. So many better eats out there. Pass!
(1)
Canh-Lien N.
Had Mike's Pesto Sandwich. Perfectly cooked eggs over medium. Homemade pesto was delicious and not too garlicky or oily. Could use more bacon! The side of grilled potatoes were meh but the dill potato salad from my friend's plate was to die for. I haven't had a potato salad that I've loved (besides my own) in a while and I'm from Texas where there is an abundance of tater salad. The hot Ginger Lime tea melted the cold chills from outside. The service was quick and attentive making this the best Sunday I've had all month. Definitely a taste of heaven all around.
(4)
Katharine T.
I really love Taste of Heaven! Such an unsuspecting restaurant with seriously delicious food. My boyfriend and I put off Taste of Heaven for a while because we thought it was just a diner. Maybe nothing special, wouldn't fulfill our craving for brunch. How wrong we were. Thank god we finally we went here this past summer. My first meal here was the Silverland Breakfast: cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy. God dammit these are the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had and I have sampled a lot. This dish is what God looks like. So good. Since that visit I have tried to go a healthier route and ordered the breakfast burrito in a whole wheat tortilla with scrambled eggs, black beans, gauc and salsa. For being a pretty simple dish this is also incredibly delicious. It's really satisfying, filling and not 1000 calories. Boyfriend has ordered their Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict which looks truly sinful and he loves it. This place gets pretty packed pretty quickly on the weekends and for good reason, their food is incredible and well priced. It's a small, quaint restaurant with super friendly service but if you want to eat at 11AM, think again. Get here no later than 10AM I say. It's awkward to wait for a table because the restaurant is so small so for me, you either get a table or you cry until next weekend and try again. We have yet to try dinner, probably another mistake as I am sure it's just as delicious as their brunch/lunch.
(5)
Arocho M.
Im here! I came to brunch with my family and people did not treat us right! Food are "whatever, nothing amazing"...
(2)
Lila S.
Really great food, really great service, really friendly staff. I've gotten two of their egg omelettes on two different occasions and both were both super good. U honestly can't go wrong w any of their omelettes- it just depends on what ur in the mood for. Biscuit in the side was really good too, along w their scones! Breakfast potatoes on the side were crispy and flavorable... Just had their pumpkin cobbler bar- it's absolutely DELICIOUS! paired w a cup of their coffee- yummmm. They seriously have one of the best bakers in town!
(5)
Sue M.
Thanks goodness! happy that someone will take charge when neglectful parents are letting their small children run, scream, climb and play like it was outdoors, that someone will take charge and quietly ask them to control their offspring or leave! This is not a playground, it's a restaurant! And who among us wants to pay for fancy coffee and pastries to have to eat in the midst of an improvised daycare center? Like to enjoy the exquisite bakery items in full absorption. Thanks Taste of Heaven!
(4)
Susan H.
Great treasure of good food and coffee plus amazing deserts. Very cozy and warm environment with a twist of hip. Great place to meet a friend. Expect to wait for a table for weekend brunch times...but not very long.
(4)
Jeremy T.
The good: A place in the neighborhood to get breakfast any time of the day. Good coffee, too. The bad: Overpriced, seemingly microwaved food. Very overpriced for the quality.
(3)
B K.
I thought the food was decent. My wife did not like her food at all. She thought it was way too heavy. Three stars from me and one star from my wife. Therefore, two stars.
(2)
Marcee W.
Coconut crème cake is to die for!
(5)
Kristy S.
I come here for the boston cream pie cupcakes (yum!) and the free coffee Wednesdays with freshly baked scones.
(4)
Paolo U.
This is an excellent simple pastry shop with a few surprises for breakfast and lunch. It has one of the most delectable sausage gravy, biscuits and egg breakfasts in the entire city that is not well known but to the locals it's a neighborhood secret. I am biased sentimentally as this place did the pastry cupcake delights for my wedding over a decade ago when they first moved to Clark St. from Foster Ave, and it has been a pleasure to see them grow in their spot as the dessert and coffee stop in a vibrant locale. Highly recommend their scones of all varieties, and their drip coffee is brewed often and fresh to complement any one of their tasty cupcakes and pound bread delights. Highly recommend the Silverland breakfast dish for new folks looking for a filling, decadent, and tasty meal that will convince you to come back. Open until 11PM makes it a great spot for late desserts on an evening out.
(4)
vitaliy v.
This charming bakery is my go-to late-night dessert and tea spot and lazy Sunday brunch place. 100% unpretentious, the friendly staff and good food make it a perfect neighborhood place to meet a friend, work a little or just grab a scone to go. My only complaint is the flavorless coffee, but otherwise it's great. The food is always fresh and they have excellent and interesting specials, along with all the typical fare. I only wish they had more European-style sweets, but if you like cupcakes, this is the place to be. ~V
(5)
Mark D.
I guess it all depends on your perception of "heaven" - but there is something quite heavenly about this place. Excellent service, great food, tea and coffee and I have NEVER had to wait for a table! EVER! Its always busy, especially on the weekend but never seems to be a wait.
(5)
Tiffany Y.
I came here for dessert with a friend and I was blown away by their delicious sweets. I had a slice of coconut cream cake and a chocolate covered strawberry. Loved the cake, it was dense and moist and very coconutty. The strawberry was huge, red, and the chocolate was laid on thick. I'd love to come back sometime to try their coffee and do an update review. I only removed one star because the set up is very small and awkward. Also, don't try to come during saturday lunch, its a madhouse! It's very small, hipster cafe type atmosphere and the workers were very friendly.
(4)
Rachel K.
I love that A Taste of Heaven serves real maple syrups with their pancakes. I'm not a pancake maniac who wants a million toppings piled on so other spots like the Bongo Room are a waste on me. The breakfast selection here will make health conscious eaters happy too. They do a variety of veggie omelettes well, served with tasty potatoes. Is probably be back more often if their coffee weren't so pricey. A drip cup shouldn't cost $4+ dollars. Personally I find it too strong too but I'm sure someone else will say it's the best on the street. That said, they get points for serving breakfast all day. This spot is great for dessert lovers since you'll have a big display of fresh cupcakes, cakes, cookies and breads to choose from for eating there or taking out.
(4)
Nicole R.
We gave them three chances and each visit left something to be desired. On the first visit, the food was mediocre, but we thought we had ordered incorrectly. Maybe we didn't choose the all-stars on the menu? The second time, we brought a friend. Halfway through her sandwich, she discovered parchment paper stuck to the cheese in her sandwich. She'd been eating it the whole time. Management did the correct thing and comped her meal and gave us a free cupcake. The third time was the worst. The air conditioning was off, despite it being in the mid-80's and humid outside. They kindly turned it on when we mentioned the heat. We ordered our food and even though the restaurant was empty, our food took 25 minutes to arrive. The breakfast burrito arrived in a cold tortilla with runny eggs and odd seasoning. The potatoes were overcooked and dry, could've chipped a tooth. The garnishes were two overlyrippened pineapple pieces that had probably been sitting in a prep bucket since 9am. We didn't finish our food and while we were paying the bill, noticed a little roach walking across the floor. We paid our bill quickly and left. Although, the wait staff is very nice, the food and cleanliness of the establishment needs some work, especially when nestled in the competitive Andersonville restaurant scene.
(1)
Adam S.
Very very very very good sweets & treats! Unfortunately I've never eaten breakfast, brunch or lunch there so I will limit my review to only their delicious sweets. Their cupcakes are very good. No matter what time of the day you go, they always have a nice variety of flavors/styles. My favorite is the raspberry rapture! It is a raspberry flavored cake with an insanely good filling of some type, with a THICK layer of frosting topped off with a raspberry! You only need one of these bad boys to fill up your sweet tooth (although buy more for later). On the cake side, I can not say enough about the 1000 chip cake. Hands down one of the best cakes I have ever had in my life!!! Vanilla-ish cake with a chocolate filling and then TONS of mini chocolate chips coating the side. SUPER delicious!! I've had their cookies and brownies too and those are also very good! Definitely recommed for those looking to get their sweets fixing!
(4)
Caroline M.
Love this place. The food is great and the homemade brioche bread is out of control good. They make everything (other than the tortillas) in house. The french toast is great but I love the egg sandwich the most. Also major points to the fact that the fruit they serve on your place is actually ripe and edible. I would give 5 stars except that the random decorations they have around the restaurant appear to have never been dusted and it grosses me out. I prefer to eat outside for this very reason. They should just do away with them so they can wipe down the window sills every day.
(4)
Adam K.
In my new neighborhood, this was the first brunch spot I hit up over the weekend. Loved the outdoor patio. In addition to getting a nice face tan on Saturday, I had a great special egg white omelette with asparagus, red pepper and goat cheese. The lemon biscuit it came with on the side was divine. The hash browns perfectly crisped. In salivated over my friends' choices to each get the shrimp benedict and they loved it. I will totes be back to this place over and over again, eventually someone will need to roll me out of this place. Can't wait to go back. Also, there's lots of handsome guys in the area who pass by or eat alone sometimes, for you gay single guys out there...smile and make some eye contact, I sure will next time :-)
(4)
Alec K.
Great little place with nice service. Overall a little expensive but the food was great. Their special creations are phenomenal and that syrup was spot on. Definitely have to invest in one of their homemade cookies next time.
(5)
K B.
The chicken and biscuits had the best biscuits I've ever had - they were made with cream corn and were simply incredible. Otherwise, it's a cute little diner spot. Although the cupcakes looked amazing, we didn't have room.
(4)
Jessica S.
I must have been having a very bad day when I wrote that review. I still am not wowed by Taste of Heaven but I love their desserts.
(4)
Hector T.
Friendly and efficient staff. Brioche bread was great. Breakfast all day. Reasonably priced. Good flavors. The turkey they use is real carved roasted turkey. I will be back.
(4)
Caren C.
Whenever I think brunch in Chicago I think Taste of Heaven. The choices are plentiful and unique. They also have your typical options as well. My favorite is the Peaches and Cream French Toast, mouth watering spiced peach compote over homemade Brioche. I feel like I'm celebrating with each bite! They have great scones, amazing coffees and teas as well. Not up early enough for brunch? You're in luck, the entire menu is available all day. Try the omelets, soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners, they are all homemade and taste great too!!! It's like going to Grandma's
(5)
Markesha W.
My husband and I had breakfast here on our anniversary, I ordered the salmon dill quiche and Carmel Apple French toast My husband ordered the smothered biscuits an omelette and sausage the food was amazing the name of the restaurant is definitely the perfect description of the food served. The icing on the cake is the service Samuel and Ryan were really friendly and provided excellent service. It's needless to say we will be returning regularly. Thanks Ryan and Samuel see you guys soon.
(5)
Samia G.
Is a ok place , don't like his baking ,as far food is something that u can do home. Service is soooo slow I'm updating my review from 3 to 4 stars based on caring respectful email received from dan M that his take business seriously!
(3)
Magen M.
The oreo ice cream is the best in the world! The staff here is always so nice and helpful, too!
(4)
Nancy F.
I love this place...not only for the desserts but for the service and breakfast! The sausage and biscuits is amazing, good lattes and fun staff! Hot chocolate is also an amazing treat.
(5)
Valerie W.
What do you do after partying hard all night at the Drake for the best wedding of the season? BRUNCH. A Taste of Heaven was recommended by the boyfriend's family who lives in Edgewater. We arrived shortly before 10am and were able to park right in front without any problems (you do have to feed the meter!) When we arrived, we were seated right away, told the specials, and offered coffee. The coffee was strong, fresh, hot, and just what I needed. That, my sunglasses, a tall glass of water, and some greasy goodness. They have both a breakfast and lunch brunch menu, which is great, because the bf usually wants lunch type things even in the breakfast type hours. To my surprise, he ordered the brioche French toast. I ordered the corned beef hash, which comes topped with two fried eggs. We were joined by some of his family, so we also had on the table an omelette of the day (sausage, fontina, and some sort of veg, I can't remember) and a breakfast burrito. There was a wait after us, and all of the food coming out was really tasty looking. My stomach was definitely growling while we waited. The only thing that I found wrong with our visit is that our server seemed to be a little all over the place. She was busy, and I understand that, but we had to ask for coffee refills, syrup for the French toast, and my dish came out at least 5 minutes after everything else did (we had to ask about that too.) The flavors were great, the French toast almost tasted like cake. It was rich and eggy, not soggy at all, and I'm not much of a French toast lover. I would order this, for sure. The hash was made to order, with big chunks of corned beef, peppers, onions, and potatoes. It was served with a ramekin of creamy stone ground mustard which was the perfect accompaniment. I pretty much want to eat my way through brunch in Chicago... and this was a good place to start.
(3)
KC F.
I SO miss living down the street from this place. Such a great brunch option- especially in the summer when you can sit on their great patio. The interior is cozy/inviting and their cupcakes are great. I've only dabbled with their lunch/dinner fair a few times but everything was just as good as the many brunch items I've inhaled. Definitely recommend!
(4)
Michael U.
For the final snack stop on this particular visit to Chicago my sister and her friend wanted to grab some pastries for their brunch and studio tour with Martin Kastner of Crucial Design and being in the Edgewater area the decision was made to stop by Chicago stalwart A Taste of Heaven; a small comfort food cafe and bakery recommended to us nearly a year earlier by their neighbors at Great Lake. Arriving at the restaurant and locating free parking with ease we made our way through the doors of A Taste of Heaven to find the space quite full but approaching the pastry counter we were greeted by a friendly young woman ready, willing, and able to help despite the hustle and bustle all around. With cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, and scones abound I waited patiently while my sister made her selection - a Baker's Dozen of scones offered at a discount and hot from the oven - before making a few selections of my own and with the modest tab settled we made our way back to the car. With the scones permeating the air with notes of butter vanilla my sister noted that only eleven people would be attending the brunch and as such suggested I should take one, an offer I gladly accepted in picking out a hefty blackberry scone from a mixed batch including chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, and raisin walnut options. Warm, dense, soft, and studded with pockets of butter juxtaposing the sweet berries I have to say that all things being equal the texture of the pastry was more muffin or buttermilk biscuit than scone, but considering the quality of the flavor it is hard to nitpick because no matter what you call it the 'scone' was delicious. Moving next to my selections, a requisite trio of cupcakes weighing in at $3 each, my first "Taste of Heaven" (sorry, couldn't resist) would be the standard Red Velvet, a decent representation of the classic with a moist base and cream cheese frosting in a good ratio but the frosting a bit less tart than I generally prefer and easily overwhelmed by the cocoa notes of the cake. Moving next to two of the more interesting options, the first titled Malted Milk Ball and the second "Elvis," both of these options would prove to be quite good, though the first - a black and white base topped loosely with a cap of milk chocolate and small malt balls - was a bit dry while the second was by far the best of the group with a banana bread quality cake topped in peanut butter cream and a hemisected peanut butter cup - a great presentation that could have only been improved by a little bit of bacon.
(4)
Dayna S.
I want to love this place because of their biscuits and homemade whip which are amazing (especially a biscuit topped with whipped!) BUT the cost of a cup of coffee is a bit pricey, in addition the quality of the food for brunch has not been justified on my past two visits. If you compare Heaven to Bongo Room, you will definitely get more bang for your buck at Bongo and a lot better quality of food. I'm sorry Taste of Heaven, but I just wish you would improve the quality/quantity of your food for brunch.
(2)
Barb L.
A very nice place for breakfast lunch or a snack. Delicious home made soups and pastry items. Service is friendly and attentive
(4)
Sid B.
Hooked to coconut creme ! Their pastries and cakes are top stuff... A touch expensive though
(4)
Annie C.
Gosh I've been meaning to review this place since years ago, but I guess it just slipped my mind. Let me start off by saying, oh yes you'll get a taste of heaven at A Taste of Heaven! Why else would they market themselves like that if they weren't the real deal?? Cupcakes? I think yes...try the Elvis cupcake, you shall not be disappointed. Moist heavy banana cake and light frosting, it's just right. Really any kind of dessert there is good...although be careful if you don't have a huge sweet tooth, the lemon cloud cake is super super sweet like your teeth are going to rot sweet, but in a good way. Anyways...now I'm just ranting. The people that work here are quite amazing. They're super nice and I'm never disappointed in the service. And the atmosphere? It's like out of a movie, so cute and cozy and warm. Yes, try out heaven, it will be nice for you. It's perfect on a fall day, sit back read a book, drink your hot tea with a nice cupcake while sitting in this cute little place.
(4)
Debby P.
Delicious cakes in a traditional American style. Think... The best birthday cake a grown up ever had. Think also of many cute and tasty cupcakes, sweet quick breads, and the best scones ever on a variety of flavored. All that plus tasty food and a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. Servers are very cordial and helpful too.
(5)
Marcus J.
We ate here last Sunday. It was nothing as I expected. It was better. This little restaurant on a corner blew me away. The food is amazing. I ate the coconut creme pancakes. Honestly, they were the best pancakes I have ever tasted in my life. The only con I can give to this restaurant is it's size. It is very small and becomes packed very fast. They have a patio but when it's very hot or rainy that doesn't help. They need to expand because their restaurant is just not big enough for their amazing food. We will go back. This restaurant lives up to its name. I recommend this place to anyone who is looking to have their socks blown off.
(5)
Robyn G.
My girlfriend and I have only lived in Andersonville for three months so far, and we have already fallen in love with A Taste of Heaven. It is our go-to place for brunch or lunch. We go AT LEAST once a week. We haven't tried dinner yet, but we plan to! For brunch I highly recommend Mike's Pesto Sandwich--a delicious egg sandwich with pesto, spinach, and goat cheese. For lunch, I highly recommend the Durbin or any of their salads. My girlfriend is obsessed with the biscuits. We also are big fans of the malt ball cupcake and apple pie! By the way...free coffee on Wednesdays with the purchase of a baked good! I've always had excellent service here, and I love the small restaurant feel. I will continue to come back here again and again. For all the people who wrote a review saying that the food is overpriced--you get what you pay for, and I will happily pay more for a higher standard of food. Every single ingredient is fresh and high quality. The flavor combinations are delicious. You can definitely tell the difference.
(5)
Sue H.
My first time here and I can't wait to go back . I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with the potato salad. Both were awesome. I want the potato salad recipe!!!!! Then I noticed they had cinnamon raisin rugelach and I was really sold on this place had to get a few pieces to go. One thing I do have to say is the waitress we had was just awesome I wished I would of gotten her name she was so friendly, and what great service. Actually every person we spoke with on the staff couldn't of been more helpful or friendlier. This is one place I will now frequent every time I come to Chicago!! Wish they had a place like this in Detroit. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Emann B.
I ordered a Jeanine's cake for a birthday party and it was by far one of the tastiest cakes ever! So fresh, lots whipped cream, delicious fruit, and layers of moist yellow cake. Also, they decorated it so wonderfully! Fun, colorful, absolutely festive. Seamless ordering and pick up, very friendly service. It's my new go to place for celebration treats!
(5)
Marie D.
I'm upgrading my review from two to three stars based on an extremely positive, respectful message exchange with Dan, the owner, about my experiences at TofH. Dan obviously cares about his customers and takes our complaints seriously, and that's as important as the food and service, in my book.
(3)
Deyte D.
We went to A Taste of Heaven yesterday for Sunday Brunch. When we arrived at the register area, the individual behind the counter pointed to a table across the room and told us we could sit there. We did and waited for over 10 minutes for someone to bring us the menus. We were still being ignored so we got up and left. We ended up across the street at Vincent, where the service and the food were great!
(1)
D D.
I have eaten here with my wife and child two times now. First time was a so so dinner(can't remember the food we ordered), second time was brunch today and it was as fabulous as the men in Andersonville. The Katie cake is the best pancake(really more like dessert) that I have ever had, and the breakfast burrito was also up there with my wife's gourmet cooking. My 2 year old daughter is quite the foodie for her age and had to be held back from devouring the entire Katie cake. The place had slower service and they made us wait twenty minutes despite having 6 open two person tables for space reasons (high chair space) which really annoyed my wife, but besides that we were really happy we decided to go there today!
(4)
Beth R.
Losing a star simply because of the web site. 1) No hours posted. I actually need to know this, because the last time a friend and I planned dinner there, we arrived to find it closed. We were going to try again tonight but my annoyance might override my appetite. 2) No phone number posted, and the Contact Us page has a simple form that does not work. I tried it in both Internet Explorer and Firefox, just to be sure it wasn't a browser issue. Nope, it's theirs. You actually cannot submit the form. Say what? In the immortal words of the Beastie Boys, get it together.
(3)
Michelle L.
Taste of Heaven is very close to my apartment and one of my favorite things to do is go for breakfast in the morning so naturally I have been here quite often. I tried Paulines and Bongo Room but I think if you are looking for a delicious, comfortable, neighborhood type place...this is it. They are always friendly and the food is VERY good. I love the biscuits that come with most of the dishes. That being said I recently had an experience with Taste of Heaven that really put them above and beyond my expectations. I got engaged last Saturday in California and my fiance's parents were staying at our house from Friday to Saturday. I was planning on proposing around 7:30am California time which would be around 9:30am in Chicago. I wanted to do something nice for her parents since they were generous enough to stay over and watch the dogs...plus I wanted to tell them about the proposal in a personal way. My plan was to send them to breakfast and have the waitress bring out two mimosas and a card at 9:30am...at the exact same time I would be proposing to their daughter. Originally I went to Bongo Room on Clark since I know her parents had been there and liked it. I went in and explained the situation and asked if they would be able to help me. I was shocked that they offered absolutely no assistance. They told me they were unable to take reservations no matter what and that they would probably lose the card if it was left there overnight. This was the response even after the manager spoke to the owner who never even came out to speak with me directly. I'm a wedding photographer and I have helped numerous people with surprise engagements so I really expected a different response. Getting engaged is a huge part of someone's life and I am constantly seeing vendors and restaurants go above and beyond to help out someone when they are proposing so I left Bongo Room in complete disbelief. I immediately went by Taste of Heaven as I had been their earlier that day having breakfast and I explained the situation to them to see if they could help. They could not have been MORE HELPFUL. I was told to come back the next day to drop off the champagne and the card so I did just that. The next day I spoke to the manager and to the waitress who would be working on Saturday. She listened patiently to my plan and read through the instructions I left to make sure that she understood exactly what I was going for. Honestly they were so helpful (in such stark contrast to the response I previously received) that I almost became emotional! It was just so nice to have complete strangers be so excited to help you out and be genuinely excited for you. Saturday came and they pulled it off flawlessly! The waitress brought everything out at 9:30am on the dot and even took a photo of my parents in law to be at the table with the mimosas. It could not have gone off better! I can not thank the staff enough for the effort and care they put in to help make a special day even that more special. For that reason (and the amazing food) I will be a lifelong patron.
(5)
Nate B.
Place lives up to it's name. I had The Durbin sandwich, delicious!! Great service as well.
(5)
BforBulky B.
THE BEST breakfast your tastebuds will ever experience - the Silverland Breakfast is to die for. Go here and order it. I've never had their pastries, but have heard they're amazing as well.
(5)
Noa N.
What a treat - it would be dangerous for me to live in walking distance of A Taste of Heaven! The atmosphere is part grammy's kitchen and part diner - warm, inviting, comfortable, and eclectic at the same time. Somehow my fiancee spotted the Elvis cupcake in the display case from the moment we walked in the door. He has radar for that peanut butter/banana/chocolate combination. We split the cupcake as an appie and it was very tasty - it was a banana cake - maybe a little bit denser and less pillowy than some other cupcakes but it was good - the peanut butter chocolate mousse on top - with the cupcake and the peanut butter cup on top of that is a score - the combination of flavors - the light mousse with the cake and pb cup - worked very well and my fiancee practically inhaled his half. The coffee paired well with it - A Taste of Heaven offers a strong basic coffee. We split the grilled cheese omelette - it was presented on two plates with fresh fruit - it felt like 2 entrees but was a split one - awesome! The omelette was cooked perfectly - I could taste all of the cheeses and yet it wasn't overly cheesy. The brioche bread underneath it was denser than I expected but worked well with the omelette on top - allowing for a touch of sweetness after a bite of the omelette. Service was super friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this place and look forward to coming back for another visit.
I tried out this place last night, and highly enjoyed it. The staff was super friendly. I ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate hazelnut cupcake and while they are priced slightly on the higher end, I definitely felt that the taste, presentation, and quality was worth it. I was slightly confused when I ordered at the counter and was told that it would be brought out to me without them asking for me to pay, then the person I was meeting up with paid at the counter. It wasn't a big deal, since at the end of the evening a bill was brought out to me. I was just confused. :-) Overall, this is a great place to meet up with friends and share a special treat since there isn't a whole lot of noice, so you can have a conversation. I enjoyed myself and would go again.
(4)
Ryan G.
Immediately I was put off by the sign on the front door commanding all children to maintain their "indoor voices" implying that my 1year old might not be welcome. We decided to stay, however, and ordered the omelette of the day which was bacon apple and havarti cheese (just ok), the corned beef hash (slightly above average) and an order of peaches and cream French toast (delicious). Unfortunately, 1/3 of the way through the hash my girlfriend found a big ass fly in her dish. They did the right thing and comped the dish and our drinks. Although the waiter was attentive and very apologetic they establishment as a whole failed to gain our repeat business.
(2)
Shanna K.
My husband and I went for our first time on Saturday morning for brunch. The service was wonderful- a warm greeting from walking in and attentiveness from the entire staff throughout our meal. The food was great- very large portions! We also purchased some cupcakes to go which were very delicious!
(4)
Danielle C.
I know, I know. I am tardy to the party. A day late, dollar short- whatever! I am not GOING TO LET IT STOP ME!! Taste of Heaven may already have 349 reviews but they really, really need to hit 350 and I am going to make that happen for them!! I have had a love affair with this place since they were in their other location (NOT on Clark-Foster & Paulina - ish on the south side of the street). It was over 12 years ago, I was at my old job and we had a birthday cake from them. IT BLEW my MIND. I decided I wanted to try out the food and brought my picky mom in for soup late one evening. My love grew. It became my PLACE to go on rainy nights, a soup hangout if you will. The owner secured my unrequited love when he openly posted his thoughts on how children should behave in eating establishments and earned the wrath of early soccer moms across the country. Thankfully, he has never backed down. As I was enjoying my late lunch of a pesto chicken focaccia sandwich(w/rosemary mayo) with a friend today, a well placed sign specifying that children should use their inside voices and behave was placed on the wall. THANK YOU. The atmosphere is quiet and calm. The food is wonderful. The soups are always an amazing choice. The specialty sandwiches will NOT do you wrong. The grilled cheese? Go for it. In fact, choose whatever you want, I have never had a bad meal. The desserts? I could go on for hours. Really. CARROT CAKE!. I walked out today without any- my body thanks me, my mind is STILL protesting. The cup cakes are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. And really. Order a specialty cake. They are AMAZING.
(5)
J. Terrell A.
I'm in love with A Taste of Heaven! I was craving brioche and french toast and what... they have Brioche French Toast with peach compote on the menu! The portions are very generous and delicious. To make thing more exciting I added a side of Applewood Bacon!! The servers at ATOH are friendly and engaging. This is my new go to spot.
(5)
Kathy S.
I got a kind message from the owner who said he took my review seriously and is now testing different cupcake recipes. This is what yelp should always be like. I love when owners can take feedback from yelp and use that in a constructive way to improve on their business (which sadly not all do). I'm looking forward to my next visit for some more delicious bread pudding and a second chance on those cupcakes.
(4)
Tricia D.
Brunch here not too long ago was the first time I had had ToH's real food (as opposed to their sweets). I highly reco the Durbin omelette. It's a hearty omelette that includes turkey, pear slices, and havarti cheese. While the cubed potatoes were slightly bland, the green bean salad was way more delicious than it might sound. If you like strong coffee, this is the place to order it. And as much as I want to give this place 5 stars, the fact that the Katie cakes came with fruit jam/sauce vs. fresh berries was a let down. Sniffle. P.S. Don't leave without a cupcake!
(4)
Mark F.
Awesome lil' diner with a friendly staff and fresh, wholesome menu items. No deep fryer, which stinks when you're craving fries, but it also means that the food is generally cooked to a higher culinary standard than your average diner. Definitely worth a visit for dinner. For dessert, try the mackinaw island fudge ice cream or the rugelach.
(5)
Marissa G.
My favorite of the hodge podge of decorations on the wall is this: "What if the hokey pokey really IS what it's all about?" Truly, a question of the ages. And yes, cakes that will stand the test of time, much like the hokey pokey. My best friend introduced me to Taste of Heaven specifically for their bread pudding. It was heavenly, and it's wonders have been extolled by other Yelpers, so I will talk about my second favorite sweet on the menu. On a trip with my brother to share in the joy of my first favorite thing, we found that they had run out of it for the day! Dissapointed, we trudged to the glass counter to see if there was anything else worth getting. The cupcakes looked lovely enough, but we just weren't in the mood. So we "settled" on a slice of the Jeannine cake. According to the dictionary, to settle means: to accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction. Okay, so it wasn't my first choice, but I was more than satisfied. - Perfect yellow cake, that is not too airy, and not too dense, instead, it has a delightful, almost doughy texture to it that screams homemade goodness. - Light, not too sweet whip cream frosting. - Fresh sweet berry filling. - Lemon streusel on the sides adds the perfect sweet crunch. It's everything you want in a yellow cake and more. This will officially become my future birthday cake of choice. Other greats on the menu? Every salad is fresh, but if they have the seasonal melon salad with prosciutto, go for it. The servings for the lasagna and meatloaf are insanely large, so be ready to bring some home since you'll be saving yourself for dessert!
(5)
Zack M.
Forgive me father, for I have sinned against (A Taste of) Heaven! Well, not really. But when I last left a review, I had unfortunately just left Taste of Heaven after a really unfortunate lapse in service on a busy Sunday. Yet as I noted at the time, I had heard great things about the food and the blondie I had was delicious. Absent the service faux pas, they'd be a solid outing. Then the owners decided to kick it in high gear... Dan reached out to apologize for the mistake, and not in just some generic "We're sorry" type message, but instead with one that specifically noticed the day I had come in and explained how they had actually been worried about the very situation took place. He explained that the regular brunch manager had the day off, and the people filling in were doing a terribly weak job, and weren't getting along very well. Not a great scenario to be in, but if that was the case, it takes a lot for an establishment to admit that openly and honestly. In an attempt to set things right, they invited me back to try something on them (full disclosure) and it was everything I had hoped: extraordinarily polite (even before I identified myself), everything was delicious, good coffee, great people and quick service. All's well that ends well, and there's a reason that Taste of Heaven is an Andersonville mainstay with mostly 5 stars review -- they deserve it. Everyone makes mistakes, but it's the five star restaurant that goes above and beyond in realizing that great service needs to be the standard for every visit and rectifies the situation when something goes wrong.
(5)
brian w.
I don't eat sweet things for breakfast with one exception: Katie's Cakes at this funktabulous establishment. I have ordered many other delicious items off the menu, but there's just no sense in passing up those floppy joy pads with ambrosia compote, or some shit. Oh yeah, the scones are delectable.
(5)
Cameron H.
After leaving Opart Thai, someone wanted to do dessert. With it being close to 1030p, we needed to find a place and quick. Someone mentioned A Taste of Heaven as the selections are plentiful and they are open late. Just as we arrived, no one was in the restaurant. It looked like we got there 5 minutes before the close. As usual, all choices were excellent. Thanks for not letting us down!!!
(5)
Damian C.
When I was a young child, my grandparents would tell me that Heaven is a place where you have all of your favorite things, you can ride around on unicorns, all food tastes delicious like pizza and ice cream, and you can eat as much candy as you want to without getting sick. Everything is wonderful and you will never have to want for anything. They had such a way of putting things in perspective for my cousins and I. God bless their souls. I had an unheavenly hangover one morning and met some friends here for a quick breakfast. I generally shy away from breakfast food but have a weakness for biscuits & gravy, and I was told by a friend that the ones here are "the best". We were seated and brought water pretty quickly, but our waiter was ungodly slow the entire time. I'm a go-go-go type of person with entirely too many obligations, and everything seems to go much slower here. Our waiter was pretty unattentive and I could swear that he was passively ignoring us... you know, where he knows you need something, sees you out of the corner of his eye from across the restaurant, but tries to appear occupied and looks at the floor when walking past instead of making eye contact. Naturally, I chose the biscuits & gravy, nixed the complimentary side of eggs and ordered the potatoes instead. A good chunk of time later, the food came out. At this point I was about to eat my hand, and seeing two fairly small and dense cornbread-style biscuits overlooking a sea of orange sausage gravy made me sad. It was kind of pretty, but utterly disappointing since I expected so. much. more. I just wonder what makes sausage gravy turn orange?! The seasoning was ok, but nothing to write home about, and required a bit of hot sauce. Worse, the biscuits were not soft and each bite sent more of it into the gravy pool and I pretty much ended up slopping it up into my mouth with a fork. Some redemption came in the form of dark brown, seasoned potato cubes. Not enough redemption to offset the disappointment with the biscuits & gravy. When we got the check, I noticed that they charged me menu price for both the biscuits & gravy and the potatoes, so I left $14 + tip lighter, unfulfilled, hungry, and with an unnecessary amount of idle time lost in my day. Maybe the "no annoying children" policy is heavenly, but everything else was pretty lackluster at best. If this is what Heaven tastes like, I want to stay on Earth forever.
(2)
Scott B.
My brother knew of this place through a friend. Stopped by late on a Saturday to pick up some cupcakes and bread pudding to go. I had the bread pudding right away and it was awesome! I had the cupcakes later and was not disappointed! They have a small cafe area for dining in with a small menu of breakfast items along with salads and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. This place is in a nice area and seems like a quaint little hole in the wall place!
(5)
Mimi C.
I love this place!! It's pricey but worth it! It's a small diner/coffee shop but the cooks are great and the staff are super friendly. And the coffee is Soooo delicious. I have had a breakfast wrap which over the top, my mouth waters just thinking about it. and I had the basic breakfast plate, eggs, bacon, home fries and this amazing french bread. I have not been disappointed yet with breakfast. I did not care for the Lemon Meringue cupcake, to much sugar Yuk!! The zucchini bread/cake was really good! Yayy On Wednesday's you get a free coffee any size if you buy a pastry. I Love the coffee so they will see me on Wednesday's.
(4)
Cynthia N.
5 stars based on the cake but I deducted a star because the cupcakes I bought were stale and hard..I expected it to taste amazing like the Jeannine cake :(
(4)
Megan W.
I went here for breakfast with a friend on a weekday. Right off the bat, I would like to warn everyone who eats at "A Taste of Heaven" to add their bill to make sure it is correct because we were overcharged by $3. Luckily, I caught it. They took it back behind the register and brought back the corrected check and said "Here you go". NO customer service skills whatsoever. No we are truly sorry, we will take 10% discount off your bill for our mistake. No we're sorry please accept a free dessert for our mistake......How about we're truly sorry about the mistake by itself????? To continue with my review, when we walked in there were 3 female employees behind the counter and 5 tables that were full. We sat down and was greeted with what would you like to drink? I had my morning coffee already so I didn't feel like another coffee. I was feeling orange juice so quickly looked to see if they had fresh squeezed orange juice but they didn't so I just said water is fine. My friend ordered coffee. As we sat there for 10 minutes, another employee came over to take our order. She said "What will you be having?" I ordered the Salmon Scramble which came out with scrambled eggs, a few slices of smoked salmon with capers, roasted potatoes squares, some chopped spinach with a tablespoon of cucumber dill yogurt. I read in a different review that their salmon scramble plate came with a corn meal biscuit....mine didn't. Overall the plate was ok, nothing special to me. My friend had a breakfast burrito with a little salad that had half a teaspoon of dressing. He described it as mediocre. Here is what really got me to write this review. The same waitress who seated 2 tables with 2 people in each gave the table behind me her "Today's special is"....reading off a list then asking them what will you have? Then she did the same "Today's Special is" routine to the table in front of us. I'm sitting here thinking, seriously? It was not like I came in and was rude or grumpy....I came in with a big smile and said Hi, how are you to everyone? Inconsistency and no customer service skills. Bottom line, I live in a big city with tons of restaurants.....I will never recommend this place to my worst enemy!
(1)
WmTomas S.
Being cheap ... I thought the meals were just a tad expensive .... but the quality of the food was excellent and the ambience and energy of the place was great. The staff are all friendly and helpful and its obviously a place where the neighborhood can meet up for as much a a full meal or as little as a cup of coffee and a danish. I recommend it.
(4)
Maranda W.
This place has the best hot cocoa I've ever had.
(5)
Cornelius T.
Great desserts and even better food make this Andersonville gem a lovely place to enjoy creative culinary creations at any point throughout the day. What's even better is the "bratty child" (a description which seems to suit most anymore) stance encourages those who would otherwise disrupt the peaceful setting with their untamed offspring to go elsewhere.
(4)
Carrie B.
This place is so charming! Came here on a Saturday night for dessert and coffee and had a great time. Everyone working there was so welcoming and happy to give suggestions on their favorite treats. I ordered a slice of Jeannine's Pie and it was fantastic. I loved that the fruit in the pie was fresh, not that gross canned stuff some places use. I can't wait to come back and try more goodies.
(5)
Nicole C.
I went in here on a whim the other day simply to find a place to read my new book. I often saw a nice crowd here, and I wanted to check it out. I ordered a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of their zucchini bread. The hot chocolate was delicious. It tasted like someone melted a bar of chocolate and put it in my cup. It was rich and warmed me right up. The zucchini bread was tasty, but it was dry. It tasted like it had been made the day before and wasn't stored properly. However, the service was good and I loved the lamps along the window tables. It was a very cozy atmosphere and I cannot wait to go back.
(3)
Mark M.
this place charges $3.50 for a cup o f coffee. really?
(1)
Matthew C.
My praise to Taste of Heaven for its policy on disruptive children -- and their entitled, inconsiderate parents. Stupid, immature parents are not entitled to bring disruptive children into any public place, let alone a coffee or restaurant. You do not wheel a loud 3-year-old in to any establishment for an hour or more and let them scream or run around. Even worse, you and your pig family and/or friends don't trash the table and leave debris all over the place -- in the process disgusting other patrons and showing contempt for the employees. To top it off, these types of "guests" generally spend hardly any money and tip less. DO THAT AT HOME OR IN THE CORNER OF A PARK !!! Coffee shops and restaurants are public places for well-behaved people of all ages. Some parents do a great job at teaching their kids how to behave, and it's adorable. Some have the common sense not to bring a small, naturally unpredictable child to a restaurant at all. There's room for liveliness and quirkiness, but keep the entitled, ignorant cows and their offspring on the farm. Other coffee houses and restaurants should learn from Taste of Heaven: Empower your personnel and restrict bad behavior. It will be a case of addition by subtraction. You will make much more money from guests who appreciate the environment -- and who spend more and tip 20 percent or better for good service.
(4)
Michelle L.
After my first review I went back and tried the Coconut Cream Cake...and I fell in love. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place was still packed but after giving "A Taste of Heaven" a second try, I understand why the place is always busy. The staff is so nice and attentive. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming. Patrons included families, couples and individuals reading their paper while sipping on coffee and enjoying lunch. The prices are cheap, the food/dessert/drinks are delicious and the staff is wonderful. Would definitely go back again!
(4)
Melanie S.
I keep meaning to try TOH for one of their legendary scones, but I never seem to make it in here during breakfast hours. One of these days I will. After dinner on Friday night, my friend and I wanted to continue catching up over coffee and dessert and we both agreed that Taste of Heaven was probably our best shot; I was worried we might not find parking, so we let that be the deciding factor on whether we'd finish catching up or call it a night. Luckily parking was fairly easy and there were plenty of empty tables. The inside of TOH is bright and cheery and comfortable enough to hang out. We split a slice of the "Jeanine's cake," which is a white cake with a buttercream frosting and a filling of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries - which just so happen to be the stuff of all my dessert fantasies. As much as I love chocolate, I can never pass on any dessert in which berries are featured prominently. I also managed to get my chocolate fix in and ordered a mocha, which I didn't really like. I was sad that it didn't come with whipped cream; had no discernible chocolate OR coffee taste (it pretty much just tasted like milk) and it also wasn't hot enough. The cake, however, was delicious. There were plenty of fresh, ripe berries and the icing wasn't overly dense or too sweet. The cake itself was moist and fluffy and the outside of the cake had some crunchy things going on, like a streusel of some sort. That cake will stay with me a long time.
(3)
Adrian D.
I visit A Taste Of Heaven, but this was my first time in for breakfast. The Earl Grey tea was great as well as the omelet with artichokes, goat cheese and bacon. Yum! BTW..the Mexican Wedding cookies are sooo darn good.
(4)
Diana J.
So I know their breakfasts are good but I went in for dinner last night to see how they're doing things nowadays. I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of entrees and chose the grilled chicken with pesto cream and orzo. The bf had the fish with green and yellow beans dish. Both were pretty good and you'll be happy to know they're serving ice cream now. The new paint job is under way, and it looks to be pretty cute so far. The service was very good, as per usual. It's worth checking out as a dinner spot in the neighborhood.
(4)
Harriet T.
Place was fantastic. I would def go again if ever in the area. I ordered 2 eggs over medium, brioche, and bacon with orange juice. Everything was fantastic. Place was also clean and everyone was friendly
(5)
Nel A.
nice patio area to sit and chill. tasted some of the salted caramel cupcake...yummy! and had darjeeling tea. pretty simple. no complaints.
(3)
J D.
Yum! We love this place for dinner and lunch. Food is delicious and clearly homemade. The desserts are beyond delicious! Seriously if are near here and want dessert you must go to Taste of Heaven! Better than any bakery. Also the staff is great!
(5)
D P.
My opinion on this place waivers depending on when I go in. I used to go to this place all the time back at its old location on foster. I still remember my first time here- I was still in high school, and was going into Chicago to catch a "Too Much Light..." show with a couple friends. It was the only place still open at that time of night- actually I'm pretty sure they were closing but they stayed open late because we walked in. Got a latte, a slice of mushroom quiche and a slice of chocolate hazelnut cake. True to the name- pure heaven! Now, the last time I had the cake and the quiche they were still both very good, and the staff is still pretty friendly. But with the "new" location (new I say- its been there for how many years now?), the expanded menu (also, higher prices) and the yuppified neighborhood (hence... higher prices) something's changed... not as cozy and friendly, food overall isn't as good- I'm not as crazy about a lot of the expanded (non bakery) menu items. Also, while some of the baked goods are just as rich they seem more sugary... so I feel the quality has suffered a bit Maybe I'm older and my tastes have changed, maybe I'm reveling in nostalgia and my memory is off, or maybe it's really not as good as it used to be- I can't really say for certain. What I do know is that I definitely used to love this place- and now my reaction is kind-of *meh.* :-/
(3)
Christina M.
The cupcakes are a far cry from a taste of heaven. It's pretty expensive and there is too much cake and the frosting is okay. I love cupcakes and I'm not a picky eater. The day we went to this place - We stopped in - I bought a few cupcakes, I took a few bites of each cupcake, & they all weren't that good. So I balled them all up in napkin and put them back in the little brown box it came in and then shoved it my purse and headed across the street to Hamburger Marys. When I got home it was just a mass of cupcake in the brown box. I thought "that was a waste of 13 bucks" and almost threw it out but I put it in the refrigerator. A few days later I just unwrapped my chilled, cupcake mass and picked at it and ate the good pieces while I watched the TMZ. BOTTOM LINE: The cupcakes are C+ at best
(2)
Matthew T.
Okay I have been here several times both for breakfast lunch dinner and brunch. I have enjoyed my experience every time. I enjoyed the Brown Derby sandwich a lot. I also like the free coffee special on Wednesday. This is a most stop restaurant for great food and reasonable prices. Great service as well.
(5)
Veronica M.
Been here a couple of times it's pretty yummy. I have to admit my breakfast was better than my dinner experience and you have to try one of there cupcakes they are to die for.
(4)
Patrick S.
This is a perfect place for a nice relaxing sunday brunch. You cant beat October 80s in chicago. There is a little patio area which took total advantage of the day. I love outdoor seating because you are able to enjoy the weather out as well as take in the vibe of the neighborhood. The menu is very minimalistic and straight forward. Not to say that the food offered is bland and boring. Its just one of those places that isnt vain with appearances and lets the quality of the food shine through. You know..the way it should be. From the moment I woke up this afternoon I knew I had to have french toast. Its like the powers that be knew exactly what I was after. I guess its that 10-10-10 magic where things just line up. Let me just clarify that this was no ordinary french toast. Im talking about caramel apple french toast. I love sweets like these that incorporate fruit. Especially these overly decadent offerings that completely rot your teeth, and make your dentist cry; in a last ditch effort to redeem any notion of nutrition..fruit is thrown into the mix. I guess anything to appease your institution. I have no such delusions and am able to enjoy this conflict for its pure form. A plate of thick cut, fluffy french toast...swimming in caramel infused syrup. Topped off with apples seemingly gutted from grandmas freshly baked apple pies. And accompanied by a heaping, generous mound of creme fresh. Apparently this place has some great omelettes. Which includes but is not limited to the grilled cheese omelette. The grill cheese inspiration met its momentary demises briefly on my fork. I hope to sample this as well as others in their entirety in the future. On a few side notes..I stepped inside briefly and it had a great breakfast nook feel to it. And a great sign was displayed that read: "What if the hokey pokey IS what its all about?" Trivial matters such as this should only be discussed fueled by breakfast (or in my case, brunch) of champions like this place.
(5)
Camille S.
OH MY GOD WHAT DELICIOUS BREAKFAST! I came to Chicago for a conference and found myself becoming a repeat customer. The quirky friendly staff gave great service. Great coffee. Delicious desserts to go. Get their breakfast burrito and put it in your mouth hole. Do it.
(5)
Anna B.
Consistently good food and service. Love the salmon scrambler. My friend raved about the french toast.
(5)
Yvonne Y.
Burrito was so so. My pancakes were alright. If you have kids or babies, I highly recommend you not to come here. The minute you walk in, they have 2 enormous signs warning you your children better behave. Some taste of heaven that is... After my husband moved the extra chair away to an empty table (to accommodate the high chair), some random waiter had to make a point of telling the new customers that we were the culprits for putting an extra chair there. I would have given the place 2 stars if it weren't for our waitress (tall lady) who was friendly, prompt and courteous.
(3)
Sandra G.
So back to A Taste of Heaven, and $9.19 for 2 cupcakes and a cookie left us in disbelief. Hmmmm, guess we didn't pay attention to the price a week ago. Unlike places such as Phoebe's where the cupcakes will not be priced higher than $2.50, here they run $2.95 each. That's not that terrible, but when it's not your specialty and the decorations are simple, it's a little pricey. No complaints, just a "hmmm..."
(3)
Maya C.
So I'm a breakfast food junkie. I love breakfast for all meals. Oatmeal for dinner, eggs in a basket for lunch, whatever. So I typical choose a good diner at any point in the day. Portions here are massive. Come hungry. I didn't even get to eat in the restaurant because I was working, but I dropped my sister & cousin off here because I knew it would be delicious. And I was right. I had a fried egg sandwich that they brought me that blew my mind. I'm an egg snob because my family raised chickens for eggs (not meat you terrible people who think I'd eat my pets!!!). So, the fried eggs on my sandwich, whether they were different than the jumbo whites at the store or not, were delish. Fried perfectly, with a little crisp on the edges and just enough butter so I didn't have a film of grease lining my mouth at the end of my meal. Chipotle mayo of some sort, red and green peppers, ham and cheese on what tasted/looked like Cuban/French bread. Both of them woofed down their food in about 10 minutes or less because I dropped them off and within a half hour they were back. So they power ate and had some power service I take it. I'm definitely heading back there to take another look. It's a cute corner diner, but definitely not the breakfast place you go to get a mimosa.
(4)
Matthew B.
All around Taste of Heaven is pretty solid. Scones are dangerously good. When I get one, it always takes me a minute to decide... Chocolate chip, raspberry, maple walnut?! Seriously, it feels like a life decision sometimes. I saw someone complained the scones are too small now, but any bigger and it would be too much food. For $1.50 I think they are priced perfectly. Staff is awesome. Brunch is great.
(4)
Lorraine L.
I went here for lunch during Summer. I sat in a table outside. I overheard the couple next to us complaining that it was taking too long for their food to be ready. I suppose that should have been a clue to leave, but I really wanted to see how great this place was. I ordered coffee and a thanksgiving sandwich. It took about 10 minutes for my coffee to arrive, and it tasted horrible. It was like a watery filters with a bitter taste. I excused it. Then the long wait for the food. Twenty minutes elapsed after the coffee and the couple complaining still had not received their food. They complained to the server, but the server reassured them it would arrive in 1o more minutes and apologized because they were backed up on orders. I felt bad, it's probably not the servers fault. The couple eventually left without eating. Fortunately my food arrived approximately an hour after I ordered. The thanksgiving sandwich was not that spectacular, either. It was missing something that made it taste like thanksgiving.... Cranberry sauce. I was not impressed by the food or the service, really. They neglected the customers outside.
(2)
Jay B.
This place is been outstanding feature in Andersonville for years now. Great service great coffee. And fabulous desserts. Just wish they were open a little bit later on the weekends.
(4)
Susan D.
Like so many places in Andersonville, this is a cute, cozy, casual eatery. I wasn't that familiar with the area, so was anxious to check out the place, since I'm soon moving to adjacent Edgewater. I stopped in for a coffee and hot chocolate with my brother, who knew the place well. The boston creme cupcake was smooth, rich and satisfying as any slice of boston creme cake I've ever had. The coffee was amazing. The service was great - and the place was busy, given that it was late Saturday afternoon. I'd give 'em 5 stars, but felt that the cupcake could have been a little bigger. I'll be back again! I'd like to try all the cupcakes, for sure!
(4)
Corbett L.
Classy and tasty.
(5)
mia b.
I went here with a friend today. We had children with us. Big mistake. I agree children should use "inside voices" when in a restaurant, as the sign on the door demands. However, I was SHOCKED when we were told to leave. My friend's 2 year old was a little fussy, so she decided to take her child outside to deal with her. 5 minutes later, while all was calm at our table, the waitress came over and very apologetically said, the owner wanted us to leave, would we like our food to go? My friend had not yet returned with the 2 year old. I guess the owner has a very short fuse and was not going to take any chances. I asked where "the owner" was and was told he was cooking in the kitchen. He would not even acknowledge me. There was a gentleman sitting next to us, who was just as shocked as us and agreed that the owner probably does not have any children of his own. Our instinct when we sat down was to immediately leave. I wish we had.
(1)
Ilana C.
I didn't think ordering here would be so difficult.... I asked for the hummus sandwich without yogurt, and the cashier said the yogurt was already mixed in. So then I asked if the pesto had cheese in it and he said no, so I ordered the veggie sandwich, no feta. When the cashier turned to give the cook the order, the cook said the pesto did have cheese. Okay, can you ask if the hummus has yogurt in it. No? Great, can you add hummus to the sandwich? Somehow it was way more complicated than it needed to be. I also ordered it as a wrap, but got bread and asked for no onions, but got onions. The veggie sandwich was almost entirely eggplant slices, very greasy; the side of stir fried vegetables were very greasy and way too salty. Ended up having a stomachache from all the salt and oil. I just wanted a quick something to grab to go and will not be going back.
(2)
Tiffany C.
Great scones. Try the Blueberry or Raspberry. They are buttery huge and delicious.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
I love this place! I have been here for both breakfast and lunch and have never been disappointed. I love their sandwich selection, particularly the Durbin: turkey breast, roasted pear, havarti cheese and a honey mustard mayo. It is divine! Service is good too and I have never had an unpleasant experience with staff. The only downside is the size of the place, which makes it harder to get a table during their busier hours ( the weekend). Still, this is a great place to eat and I find the prices reasonable. Sadly, I have not been acquainted with their dessert menu, but definitely plan to as it is one of my favorite places in Andersonville.
(5)
Laura T.
Why would I write a review on my neighborhood place that already has more than 300 comments? I guess because I can - such is the hubris of the consumer voice. But a couple of observations: The Silverland breakfast is an updated version of biscuits and gravy. Delicious. And you can get it in a 1/2 order which is the perfect size if you don't want to blow all of your 1500 daily calories in one meal The ice tea has a bright cinnamon flavor to it. You may want to ask for a taste before you order a whole glass. There rarely seems to be enough wait staff. Esp. on the weekends. It's not their fault that more people aren't staffed. It doesn't seem fair to take out our generalized wait-time frustrations on them. Generally speaking they are busting it from what I see.
(4)
Jenny R.
I've never not enjoyed time spent at Taste of Heaven! Though breakfast here is my fave, lunch & dinner are just as nice. Warm friendly service with delicious home made food. The coffee is wonderful. The Katie Cakes are my favorite breakfast treat but if you're looking for savory, the Silverland is the best combo! The Greek yogurt with honey, berries and house made granola is to die for if you need a light bite. Add that to patio seating on a sunny morning and it's a perfect start to any day. For dinner the chicken & biscuits or the meatloaf is like eating at your grandmother's. It's that good! This place is great for an evening dessert too-esp the cakes. Jeanine's cake is my fave or the banana cake with chocolate frosting, or maybe the carrot cake. I think I need a few more visits in order to decide ;)
(5)
Realtor Karl B.
I like the proactive store owners. You get an extra star for taking the time to write an explanation. Thanks!
(4)
E. P.
The silvercloud (aka biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs) is excellent. This is a dish I'm passionate about and I just spent two weeks in the south very disappointed at the B&G I found. Who knew the biscuits and gravy I craved were here at home.
(4)
Dorvella W.
The best hot chocolate is sold here! It's made from pure chocolate and yes I stop and grab a cup- including in 90 degree weather!
(5)
Netta S.
After sandwiches at BaLe(awesome ),we stopped here for coffee and dessert. Perfect carrot cake not overwhelmed by icing and apple pie with warm caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. My hubby is not a sweet freak but he is craving more of this pie..... Delicious. Now let's go walk some of this off!!!!
(5)
William R.
Okay so maybe the first time I went to A Taste of Heaven I wasn't overly-impressed, but the owner had contacted me to ask me to come back in and of course I was more than happy to do so! :) My partner and I have been back 2 times since and haven't had anything that we didn't enjoy! The baked goods are AMAZING, I couldn't have been more wrong to give a 3 star review to A Taste of Heaven, they UNDERSTAND how business should be run, we will be back very often! AND FREE COFFEE ON WEDNESDAY WITH YOUR PURCHASE OF A BAKED GOOD!?!? so cool.... ignore my first review, I am proud to say I have no problem admitting that I was wrong......so so wrong :) THANK YOU A Taste of Heaven!!!
(5)
Caeleigh R.
I stopped in here on a Wednesday a while back to grab some coffee and a treat and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was free coffee Wednesday! Yay! Who doesn't love free coffee? I got a cupcake, something with hazelnut and chocolate, and all I remember was that it was pretty good but maybe not as fresh as it could be. Fast forward 2 months and I find myself in Andersonville looking for a place to take my mom for brunch and we stumble across A Taste of Heaven! We went in and were greeted right away once we sat at a table next to the window. The service was good and the water was always filled. I ordered the hummus wrap which sounded better than it was. My only problem was that on the menu it did not mention that there were mushrooms in the wrap, so I was disappointed to see big chunks of mushroom in my wrap when it got to the table. I didn't make a stink of it though because my mom loves mushrooms, so I just picked them out and she enjoyed them. The wrap was pretty tasty and it came with fresh fruit. My mom got the fried egg sandwich, which she would not stop talking about in the car ride home. Her sandwich looked super delicious and she said that the bread they used for the sandwich was super fresh and yummy. Overall, this place is a quaint, little place to grab brunch. The menu was rather varied, much to my surprise, and they served not only your typical breakfast items but interesting lunch items as well. I will probably be back when I'm in the neighborhood and it's a Wednesday so I can grab some free coffee with my meal/dessert.
(4)
David R.
Still my second-favorite scones after Fraiche in Evanston. I only get them on the weekends now though. I haven't taken these to work in quite some time, but people in my office still ask about them. If you have the patience (and the psychosis) to stake them out for opening time (7am, or 8 on Sundays), you will be rewarded with hot scones right from the oven--HOT, not warm. These things will burn your mouf! I'm sorry to report that yesterday I ordered one blueberry and one cinnamon-raisin, and received three blueberry. Score on the free scone, but I really wanted raisin. (sad face) And I'm a glutton, but three scones in one morning is a bit much even for me.
(4)
Justin B.
I liked Taste of Heaven, Ill admit. For a october day and it being 85 degrees, patio was definitely a good choice. The service was very quick and curteous. I noticed some of the other reviews on here and was expecting the worst but on this occassion it was seamless. My water was refilled like clockwork (which is a BIG point for me) so that was another plus. The menu looked quite interesting, but I chose to go for the omelette of the day. Chicken sausage, red pepper and cheddar cheese, the omelette was quite fluffy and light. The only gripe I had was the hash browns. I wish they were more flavorful? They were perfectly cooked, just seemed like they were placed on there. Maybe some herbs or something to make them pop a bit more. I didnt get a chance to try any of the sweets, but I wouldnt mind checking this place out again sometime
(4)
Kristina F.
The friends of ours that took us here are regulars and were very excited about taking us to their favorite neighborhood dessert spot. I tried to manage my expectations, but with a name like "A Taste of Heaven", they're not exactly being modest about the quality of their treats. The guy behind the counter was friendly and since it was "Free Coffee Wednesday!" we got free coffee with our purchase. Our group ordered the rugelah, chocolate chip pound cake and peanut butter banana cupcake. Of the treats we tasted there, the warm chocolate chip pound cake was easily the best. Our friend was very excited about the rugelah but I thought it was pretty blah - the crust wasn't flaky and it didn't have that nice sugary coating and fruit paste filling like rugelah usually have. My fiance described his cupcake as - and I quote, "Eeehhhh". I had a bite and it was pretty uninteresting. Here's the part where you're going to think I'm crazy. I got a slice of fruitcake to eat for breakfast the next day and it easily beat everything else we got there! It was 1 1/4 inch thick slice studded with giant hunks of dried fruit. It was made, I believe, from the same tasty batter as the chocolate chip pound cake, only it had fruit instead of chips. Really, I'm not crazy - it was delicious!
(3)
Ellen Z.
We ordered a Jeanine cake and Buttercream cake with yellow cake, caramel filling and fudge frosting for our daughters graduation party. Both cakes were so good, literally everyone had a piece of each! The Jeanine cake is a yellow cake with whipped cream frosting and fresh berries in the filling. The edges are a vanilla cookie crumble that is truly mouthwatering. The actual cake for each of these was so good it could have been eaten with no filling or frosting - my mothers test of a good cake. However the combination of caramel and fudge was absolutely amazing. One other true test was the number of emails I got requesting a link to the webpage so people could get cakes for their own future parties. I know there are a number of good bakeries in the area, but none has the interesting variety and such fresh ingredients of Taste of Heaven.
(5)
Laura S.
Another "fine" restaurant review from yours truly. I've stopped in a few times since I moved to the neighborhood, sampling different goods each time. Today I went in for brunch, and had a real hankering for pancakes. I was rather dismayed to see that two plain pancakes would set me back $8.50, but I nevertheless decided to "upgrade" to Katie's Cakes, which are smothered in a three-berry compote, whipped cream and lemon streusel crumbs. Sorry, Katie, but if I can't cut through my pancakes with my fork, something's wrong. I was miffed to find my pancakes thin and chewy. Serious sawing action aside, the cakes were completely overloaded with the other ingredients, turning my meal into a rather sloppy mess. My server was sweet and attentive, but my breakfast wasn't enough to lure me back anytime soon.
(3)
Laura B.
I just have to add that the atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is always friendly and accommodating!
(5)
Paul H.
We were a bit underwhelmed. It has an indie greasy-spoon type appeal, with a few items you wouldn't see at the typical breakfast spot. The service was average, and the katie cakes, while good, don't measure up to some of the offerings nearby.
(3)
Gregory K.
I have been here several times and every time it is A-ok. However I do have a few issues, why do the cupcakes have to be cold and stale? Refrigerated cupcakes?? Also they make it so difficult to modify the meal. I just want a wrap instead of bread why is that so difficult for a sandwich? The servers always have to go to the back to ask the cook. What he says no and then you tell me I can't have my food made how I want it?? Service is always good there and I will come back for sure. The last server I think her name was Larissa was as sweet as their pie she was on top of it I think she was the server for the whole place I didn't see any other servers and she was very efficient. Also one note is the place is looking a little tired its time for a refresh. The tiles are coming up and the tables are wobbly and beat up. However the place is great and I will for sure be back.
(3)
Kaitlin P.
Best grilled cheese sandwich! Also love the Jeanine's cake. Taste of Heaven is simple and delicious. It has a laid back feel that's great for brunch, a home style dinner, or dessert.
(5)
Maryanne D.
The coffee is so disgusting that I've been I'll for the past 24 hours! I put 6 + mini creamers in it and it was still almost black. The decor was like my mothers 80's era country kitchen. The music was equally creepy ranging from Styx to Olivia Newton John. Paid forty dollars for two people, mostly because the unattentive waiter never brought my change back. The food..... Most of it was left on the plate.
(1)
Tammy C.
(See pics) Nice place and I only had breaky here before. Great friendly service and the wait usually is less than 15 mins at most. Food wise, the dishes are all pretty big and heavy but delicious.
(3)
Aaron S.
I adore this place. It makes me feel like I stepped into a cozy kitchen that belongs to a grandmother of some close friend. The menu offers a lot and the sweets are fantastic. I also like that it is laid back and unpretentious. Staff are very friendly.
(5)
Carolyn M.
Though their food might be good, I am obviously not the first to be put off my their incredibly rude staff. From my observations, it really is just poor management and a bitter angry manger/owner. The wait staff are not very professional, inviting, or tidy? The manager yelled at a waitress for dropping dishes (jerk!) and came off as a creep. Save yourself! There are plenty of other places with good food AND good people.
(1)
Tim R.
Best veggie chili I have ever had.
(4)
Anne B.
So, honestly I haven't been back since my last post. But, after my last review (which was not actually negative), I got a message from a manager (? Owner?) who responded to my comments and said that there will be more non-egg, vegetarian items on the menu soon. Excellent excellent excellent customer service. That's really cool. I'll be back.
(4)
Nari H.
Came with a foodie friend on a Saturday evening. It was pretty quiet in the restaurant. Food: We had the meatloaf (good comfort food), the pulled pork sandwich (very nice and tasty and pretty good portions for half or full size sandwich), and their bread pudding (amazing - a must try). Service: Great! Friendly, a little less on the attentive side, but they were accessible as it's not a huge restaurant. Atmosphere It's cute, casual, clean. Conclusion & Tips: I'm not in this area very much, so don't know when I'll be back, but if you check this out you gotta try their bread pudding. I hear their scones are marvelous too.
(3)
chris h.
Always good coffee and great servic ein a cozy atmosphere............but Sometimes change is good, but not this time at one of our fav. breakfast/coffee shops. One of the very best b-fast entre's THE SILVERLAND BREAKFAST was almost inedible today. Too much wine in the gravy but worse were the WHITEBREAD-TYPE biscuits. Whatever happened to the special corn biscuits?? too bad...we won't be back for awhile until they realize a good dish when they have one and not cahnge it for the worse.
(4)
Jeff A.
Just ate here again this morning... Just as good as you ever were! Thanks for being a consistent ROCK STAR! Oh the cake, oh the cake, how I love theeee! ;)
(5)
Sandra H.
This is one of the places that makes me sad I don't live in Chicago anymore. Best scones ever. Seriously. I had a friend ship me about 6 of them. Pancakes are at the same level of amazing, delicious goodness. My husband mentions them about weekly. If you haven't been, go. Good service, friendly wait staff, and a great neighborhood feel.
(5)
Oliver S.
The name of the restaurant is in no way hyperbolic! I don't know how anyone could write a review of this place and not have it be 5 stars. I have been going here for more than 5 years now and have never had anything less than awesome food. Baked goods, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all off the hook, and Dan, the owner and chef, is always walking around the dining room sampling his newest creations, which are invariably heavenly. Sure, when it is busy it can get a little slow, but that's how restaurants work, and to all of the people on here who would complain about that, grow up, you live in the big city. (The members of the staff also saved my Ray Ban's for me when I left them there, and remembered my face when I came back in 3 weeks later. Truly a neighborhood place if there ever was one.)
(5)
Joanna T.
service fantastic, I forgot the name of their vegetarian wrap but it was a A+ in my book. I can't wait to come to go back!
(5)
Jen G.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this Heavenly place sooner! I moved to Chicago in September and we stumbled upon this gem because some friends live just down the street. We live about a half miles walk away, but will still brave the cold and wind at 8am to get some Heaven. Every time we go it is amazing! The staff is attentive and courteous. The owner is almost always there and frequents the tables asking how everything is. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner; we have never had a bad experience! I crave the oatmeal on a frequent basis. Just this morning I woke up with sweet thoughts of that peachy, creamy goodness. Topped with just the right amount of granola! Superb every time. My boyfriend has gotten pretty much everything on the breakfast menu and has yet to not like something. Oh and the hot chocolate is the best in town. thick and creamy with just the right amount of chocolate and real, yes real whipped cream. Job well done Taste of Heaven! We will be back many, many times!
(5)
Erika G.
This place never disappoints. Went here for breakfast this morning with my cousin. We both ordered "Erica's Fried Egg Sandwich" and neither one of us could stop exclaiming how GOOD it was. Cute, friendly servers - just a great, chill place for breakfast on a snowy day, SO cozy.
(5)
Esther K.
Shared a HUGE slice of Jeanine's cake- fresh fruit, light frosting, absolutely delicious crumbly bits (? hehe) and lovedlovedloved the cakey part (? lol). The moon pie was a bit dry. A cute little spot. Would definitely recommend Jeanine's cake!
(4)
Hillary M.
This is one of my favorite neighborhood places. The decor and space are cozy, the staff is always friendly, and the food is good. It's a perfect place for a rainy day cup of tea and pastry and book, or a low-key brunch with a friend.
(5)
Leigh C.
Probably the best meal I had while visiting Chicago. Service was awesome. We had a short wait for a table and once seated were not rushed through any aspect of dining, even though the place was packed with people waiting. Had the homemade brioche french toast with caramel sauce and cooked apples. Covered with thick caramel and enough whipped cream for ten breakfasts. Believe me, I'm not complaining. I somehow managed to run out of caramel before I ran out toast. Maybe I should have used the bread to sop it up instead of just eating it with a spoon. Had a big plate of home fries with melted cheese to top it off. (I was hungry.) All the food was excellent. Would definitely make a trip back if I'm in Chicago anytime soon.
(4)
Leo T.
Its got a ton of reviews, so just the facts. The service was slower than I expected but the food was excellent. Given the size the seating is , lets say, cozy. Otherwise a very nice neighborhood coffee shop/bakery/restaurant.
(4)
Nick M.
I know you're shocked... A place in A-ville that I don't like. Well, based on my early morning breakfast before a flight out of town. Taste of Heaven was more like Taste of Heave -what is this crap I'm eating?!? I will say that if I ever come back for the pastries they will probably get more stars because they looked delicious but as far as breakfast I will not be returning. It was so bad that the Golden Nugget would have been a better choice. I won't go into specifics but both of our meals were majorly lacking in taste and freshness. I know I should have gotten up and left when it took almost 20 min before we got an service. There was maybe four small tables of two with two servers. Most of their time was spent talking to one another. I have no problem with that but don't neglect your clients. I know I'm a little upset but how can an establishment in the greatest area ever be so bad?!?
(2)
Fe T.
Good lord! How I hated cupcakes. I used to cringe at the sights of tiny, nauseously sweet cakes. But Taste of Heaven changed everything. Their cupcakes are heavenly. And now, I dislike Taste of Heaven because thanks to them, I realized I was not the minority who luckily escape the sweet temptation of cupcakes. The neighborhood is ethnic and the inside decor is warm and cozy. I recommend it to anybody who wanna find a place for a sunday afternoon and be tempted just like I was (*evil laugh*)
(4)
Stephen F.
I have only got the scones and cupcakes to go and they are fantastic.
(5)
Grace O.
I have never posted a Yelp review before, and don't particularly use this site that much, but my mom was coming to town and I had to figure out dinner plans. She's a pretty boring American diner/sandwich shop kind of person, so I needed to find something simple for her in Andersonville. THIS PLACE WAS IT! It had sandwiches and amazing ones at that. I looked up their menu online, obviously, while deciding on places, and found for myself something called 'Katie's Chaos' which is this amazing looking veggie wrap. I was sold. I knew both my mother (meat eater) and myself (vegetarian) would find something to eat here, and it was decently priced. We get there, and I look at the menu. My mom finds something she likes, but Katie's Chaos is not on the menu. I ask our server about it. She was new, but asked her co-worker and the cook. They didn't know about it, but I was able to pull up the online menu on my phone and she showed it to the cook who was able to make it. And trust me, it should be on their diner menu because it's amazing. As one of the few vegetarians I seem to know who doesn't care for mushrooms and onions, I was delighted to be served a veggie sandwich with things like artichokes, red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, feta, vinaigrette, etc.. And it came with a side of pesto pasta. I told the server I never wanted my sandwich to end. This place came recommended to me in passing conversation, but it wasn't until I saw the menu and interacted with the staff (I never did get the cook's name, but THANK YOU!!!) that I was sold. If you're looking for chill, not loud bar scene, dining experience, or coffee place with a menu, GO HERE! I know I will be frequenting the place.
(5)
Susan L.
Still average. Skip it.
(2)
Lindsay M.
I no longer live in Chicago. Taste of Heaven, I miss your Katie Cakes.
(4)
Mandy G.
I picked a cake up from Taste of Heaven recently. They were RUDE. Rude, Rude, Rude. Rude on the phone, rude in person. RUDE. But, the cake was FANTASTIC. Honestly, I would like to knock off a few stars off the top because service is important, but COME ON. The cake is to die for. As long as you're there for the cake and not the service, you'll be a happy camper.
(5)
Mercedes R.
Had the coconut cream cake. It was okay. I am not picky at all. It was a bit dense and very oily/margarine-y. Other than that the flavor was good.
(3)
Monica G.
I absolutely love this place for (late night-ish) baked goods! A group of us stopped in after a dinner for "birthday cake." We all got different items - lemon drop cookies, macaroons, pecan bar (the best item by far) and 3 cupcakes (cream puff, coconut cream and malted milk ball). I've been previously for Mexican wedding cookies and cupcakes/cake. I would hiiiiighly recommend grabbing a piece of the signature cake, jeanine's cake. I'm not even a fan of fruit filled cakes, but this one is out of this world. I loooove Taste of Heaven, keep it up!
(5)
Julia F.
A Taste of Heaven is indeed heavenly. The Andersonville dessert shop and cafe cooks everything from scratch, offering a range of sweet and savory desserts, sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, and other entrees. The desserts are a daily temptation to sin and steer away from a healthy diet. A Taste of Heaven bakes the city's best scones, hands down. The incredible blueberry scone is crumbly on the outside, soft in the middle, and stuffed full of fresh berries. The cupcakes are divine, with the cho-cho-cho and chocolate moon pie beating out similar offerings from Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park and More in the Gold Coast. The large slices of layer cakes can easily be split among two or three people -- or made into a meal by themselves. Jeanine's cake is, without a doubt, my favorite dessert selection -- layered yellow cake stuffed with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries in whipped cream frosting and topped with streusel crumbs. The 1000-chocolate chip and coconut cream cakes are close seconds. The main courses are good, albeit not as mouth-watering and satisfying as the desserts. The breakfast casserole is a nice brunch dish -- a breaded combination of ham, red pepper, and havarti. I've also enjoyed the stewed chicken and cornmeal biscuits with peas, mushrooms, and gravy. Whatever meal you choose, always save room for dessert. Service can be slow at times. Be prepared to enjoy a leisurely meal -- or just coffee and dessert -- during main lunch and dinner hours. Snagging a table by the window makes for fun people-watching along Clark Street.
(4)
Anna B.
I just took myself out to breakfast at A Taste of Heaven this morning and I have to say, I'm always sorta disappointed in their brunch food. I LOVE their baked goods (much like everyone else), but their brunch entrees are always so rich and the portions are way too big. I find myself going "man, I should have just gotten a scone." Oh well. The service is great, I never have to wait for a table, and it's a great laid-back local joint.
(3)
Olivia O.
The eggs tasted rubbery! and the cupcakes smelled weird! but the pancakes tastes like a fluffy cake! But one thing that upset me was that there is sighns all over complain that if kids are noty good they will kick you out! Im sorry but thats unexeptable!
(3)
Jon K.
Trying to brunch on a Monday? Good luck. We found that most places in town are closed Monday mornings (probably because of their Sunday blow-out), but A Taste of Heaven was open! This was my first time here and I was surprised by the portion size. The food was massive and you didn't have to worry about leaving hungry. Their baked goods looked good too, but I just didn't have room. The quality was decent. Usually when you go out to brunch, you expect something different... this wasn't it. It was traditional, safe, average (this isn't meant as an insult either). The value in this comes when you want to have something that is filling without the frills. This place is intimate and appears family-run, which adds a little bit of charm to the experience. This place seems like a local eatery that is more of a workhorse than a unique dining experience. Although I wouldn't suggest it to visitors, I'd say locals should give it a shot. As I mentioned, the baked goods looked appealing and it's worth trying some with a cuppa joe.
(3)
Neline S.
All I can say is YUMMY! I have been coming here for years to have a slice of "Janine's cake" which is literally a taste of heaven. I have a strong sweet tooth and I do EAT a lot of cake. I've experienced several bakeries but Janine's cake has me wrapped around their finger. It's definitely rich and you need to wash it down with either coffee or milk. It's fresh rasberries, opulant frosting topped with crumbled streusels just hits the right spot after dinner. Great place to chill with your friends after having dinner in Andersonville
(4)
Shonda D.
So, after I wrote my review, the owner contacted me and we had a productive discussion about what went wrong. He actually took my review serious and offered some accommodations. And said, "I want to make this right." Who does this in our age of "we take your money and don't give a squat" frame of mind? Well the owner of Taste of Heaven gave a squat and because of it, I will definitely go back and give them another shot! Word is bond.
(4)
Lawrence Y.
We were actually on our way to another dessert place down the street, when we walked past TOH and decided to try it out. I'm really glad we did, because the place is really cute. Service there was VERY friendly. We had ordered hot chocolate, oreo ice cream, and a snickerdoodle. Hot chocolate was very good, especially on a cold night like last night. It came with whipped cream and chocolate chips :) Oreo ice cream was good, and the snickerdoodle was great (asked them to warm it up... la la, la la, la!).
(4)
Laura W.
Taste of Heaven, Great Lake, Vincent, and Hamburger Mary's all hug the corners of Balmoral and Clark, making this a Power Intersection, indeed. If I could historically track my foot traffic betwixt these Andersonville institutions, I'd wind up with a tangle of intersecting lines like an advanced cat's cradle move. But I want to focus my good juju on Taste of Heaven right now. Some of you previous reviewers must be nuts, in my humble opinion. Especially that one person who said that anyone in the neighborhood should skip this and go to Starbucks... shame on you. My favorite thing about this adorable corner bakery, which feels like the country home kitchen of someone's kind-hearted, plump grandmother, is that there are delicious edibles appropriate for any meal of the day. The offerings range from pastries, espresso drinks and omelets to please the brunching crowd, to sandwiches, soups, and salads to satisfy long into the evening hours. Not that anyone needs to place a time-of-day restriction on indulging your sweet tooth; I've been guilty of honoring a post-dinner brownie craving at Taste of Heaven, as it is opened later than any other nearby bakery (that I know of). The scones here are truly artful: a meal in and of themselves and perfectly soft in the middle. Many delicious savory breakfast options, and the greens that come on the side of the egg orders are lightly coated in a delicious dressing- I sort of wish they sold those greens as a dish in and of themselves. They keep bottles of Cholula on every table- automatic points from me. Keep rocking, and thanks for the Free Coffee Wednesdays.
(4)
Katy H.
This is a cute little place! I stopped in for dessert with a friend on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was fairly crowded. We both ordered a cupcake and I had some hot chocolate. The cupcakes were delicious and very filling. The hot chocolate was delicious and not oily like some places. Also, the staff was quite friendly! I work just a few blocks away, so I'll definitely be back- next time for dinner!
(4)
Denise B.
I asked my friend to take me to a cool, local place in her new Chicago neighborhood, and she took me to A Taste of Heaven. I feel badly for not loving a homey local place, but I guess you could say I wasn't in Heaven here. har har. Everyone who worked there was nice, and the crowd was very local. The air conditioning was welcome on a hot, humid Chicago day. But they weren't nice enough or welcoming enough to change the fact that my mushroom wrap sandwich was seriously mediocre. Normally I love big mushrooms, and I'm always fond of a good sandwich. There was just something about the combination of flavors that made me dislike the taste to the point that I could barely finish it. Looking at the reviews, it appears I should've gone for a dessert and perhaps breakfast food instead of a sandwich, and the experience would've been better. I'll definitely be open to coming back and trying some of their other food when I'm back in Chicago again.
(2)
Steve D.
I've been here on multiple occasions now, and each time has been enjoyable. Andersonville rules and Taste of Heaven now qualifies as a top choice for brunch when in the area. The first time through I had the Silverland breakfast, and for a connoisseur of fine biscuits and gravy like myself, this was very good, everything cooked just right. Their French toast, omelettes, and other egg dishes are also very good. Add the fact that they bring around samples of their baked goods for you to try, and yes I would qualify it as a taste of heaven. Haven't had to wait yet, the staff is attentive and overall it's a very pleasing experience. The only thing I have yet to get is something from the bakery counter even though my knees buckle when I walk past it. For brunch or sweets this place is worth a look.
(4)
Toast C.
From time to time I eat a signature dish at at a restaurant which I then crave: the Katie Cakes at Taste of Heaven are a great example. Katie cakes are pancakes smothered in blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry compote; topped with whipped cream cheese and lemon struessel. They are incredible!
(4)
Heather H.
For as quaint and cozy as this place appears nestled into its own little corner of Andersonville, I was a bit disappointed when I visited for brunch recently. I felt as though the place lacked the charm the outside and even the name and area exude. Our waiter was very polite but incredibly quiet. The smaller menu will likely leave some people out in the cold with not a lot of variety. I opted for the classic french toast after seeing a table near by with their specialty peach french toast. Service is quick and when mine arrived there was a lot of fluff and powdered sugar, but my best friend's mother makes better french toast - there is a memory of it from when I was 15 that I just can't top! I will say that my friend enjoyed her omelet immensely though. Hearty servings for the price. The place, thought tight quarters is appropriate for families and small groups. I did enjoy the outside seating with a nice view of Clark Street. I would give Taste of Heaven another try, perhaps their other menu selections live up to the small but spectacular mentality that so many places in Andersonville/Edgewater strive to achieve.
(2)
Judy M.
I'm going to have to give it another shot, and hopefully it will redeem itself. Stopped by after dinner Friday night because we had a craving for sweets and the line for George's Ice Cream and Sweets was out the door and onto the sidewalk. After chuckling at the signs, first thing I noticed was that it felt like a sauna in there. We decided there was no way we were going to eat what we got in. The staff were friendly, but busy, so we ordered a cupcake and went on our merry little way. I couldn't believe how dry the cupcake was, I love cupcakes and it was heartbreaking to have such a bad cupcake. I wished I had a glass of milk to dunk it in. For a good half hour after eating it I kept marveling at how disappointed I was. Hopefully it was an off night, and I'll modify my review, but as of now, dry cupcake and sauna like atmosphere = 2 stars.
(2)
Timothy H.
Do yourself a favor and order the Hot Chocolate Cake - NO matter what time it is. It's a chocolate flourless cake served on a bed of fudge and a side of mousse. I was so excited for CFC that I ordered it for breakfast this morning. The food is generally "ok" and overpriced, and expect slow service, but it has a country charm which sets it apart from other places in the city. They have an extensive cupcake/bread/bakery item list, and I'm sure it's all tasty - yet overpriced at the same time. I've found myself coming here because of happenstance because it's really the only breafast joint in Andersonville, and I will probably continue to come because of happenstance, but I won't ever go out of my way to come here. Unless I turn gay, apparently it was voted best gay coffeeshop in the city. So there.
(3)
Char Y.
We ordered the meatloaf and lemon tart to go. I thought the meatloaf was dry, and the lemon tart taste normal. However, I had their biscuit and gravy before, and it was very good.
(3)
Melissa M.
Haha, the cupcakes look like something out of a fairy tale. Soooo given that GENERALLY nothing in life is as good as it looks unless you're either 6 years old or just really really dumb, I wasn't expecting to be too impressed by the cupcake I just haaaad to try anyway. But wow. I was wrong. Damn wrong. It was BETTER than it looked. I'd thought that was impossible. It actually flew through my mind that "A Taste of Heaven" ain't an exaggeration....!!!!! Wasn't expecting thaaaaat! :) I want to go get another one the next time I'm there (it's on my way home). Yummy! I did try their quiche too. It was tasty enough that their only having the one flavor of it made me think of the proverbial "damn kid won't live up to his potential." you know? soooo, but yeah. Cupcakes. If u like those, which I do, then hell yeah...enlarge your ass there. U won't be sorry. I also loved how they advertised "Edible Fruitcake." I get a biiiiiig kick out of stuff like that......it was cute. I've also tried their coffee before, and it was well made and tasty. Yay!
(5)
Lesley A.
Have you ever wanted to grab dessert somewhere after a Sunday night dinner around Argyle or in Andersonville? A Taste of Heaven is available to accomodate until 10 pm. Three of us ordered three different cupcakes: MALTED MILK BALL: Marble cake with some good thick frosting interspersed with malted milk powder. Nicely adorned with a crunchy malted milk ball. I liked the juxtaposition of softness and crunch. MOON PIE (?): Chocolate cake with marshmallow fluff and a chocolate ganache. Too much chocolate for me. BOSTON CREAM PIE: A fake eclair. Or an eclair that opts to use cake as its base rather than a flaky crust. I liked this one the best because I was craving an eclair (since we were so close to Swedish bakery, which has the best eclairs!) The cupcakes were nice, but none of them blew me out of the park. They were also too pricey for me at $2.75 without tax. I'm also not sure how fresh they are because they keep them cold. Hm. The ambiance was warm, kitschy and full of pride (The Reader voted TOH has the best Gay Bakery or something like that. The award is displayed proudly on the wall). We also talked quietly as CeCe Peniston's "Finally" played in the background ( youtube.com/watch?v=4YfC… ) despite my inner urges to break it down. Oh yeah :-)
(3)
Greg F.
hard to resist stopping in Taste Of Heaven when strolling andersonville, ordering a special treat you spot at the counter or see on their menu, and sitting down letting the waitstaff refill your cup. to paraphrase - 'slices of german chocolate cake as big as your head' knocks me out of the park maybe the puppet bike will be putting on a show right outside. maybe not. all that's missing is the rotogravure for an idyllic afternoon, but whatever you do give them a sweet try in my meddling opinion though they should drop the 'A' in their restaurant name, it complicates and leads searches astray. talk about a token complaint
(4)
Jonathan C.
So good. Try their French Toast with peaches and cream. I have yet to find something on their brunch menu that isn't amazing. Even their basic eggs, sausage gravy and buscuits is good. I don't know how they do it, but they do. It can get a little long to wait for a table, but its a good place so worth the wait (nevermind its not worth it, just go to Dennys so my wait is shorter)
(5)
Tim L.
Interesting reading all the feedback on Yelp about this place. I worked here for a very brief stint last summer and I would agree with most of the reviews, both the positive and the negative. "How is this possible?" you ask. Well here goes... Service: It completely depends on who is working. Dan, the owner, is a *bit* pretentious in an "I run my damn restaurant like I want to" and I don't fault him for it. He's a straight shooter and is truly dedicated to his craft/skill, which is definitely best expressed in the back of the house, where he generally stays. Some servers are amazingly friendly and others are snobby brats. They are often understaffed with only one person covering the whole restaurant and one behind the counter, so don't expect to eat in a huge hurry, but to be fair there is really no more room for 3+ staff to be able to function. (PS: I like to think I was a friendly one. :) Atmosphere: It does get packed at times (i.e. nice summer nights when everyone in Andersonville is out walking their dogs/babies/dog babies), but usually is pretty chill, especially around early lunch time. If it is too loud inside check out the back patio, which is nice. The other reviewers do a fine job of describing the homey interior, so I'll leave it at that. Cleanliness: Don't confuse the clutter with dirtiness. The space is small for everyone, servers, kitchen staff, and patrons, but it is kept clean and sanitary. Food: Here is where this place really shines. As you can read above, I have no real allegiance to this place and I can be as objective as anyone, as I don't live nearby anymore and don't owe them anything, and I still will say that the food here is absolutely delicious! Portabella wraps are my favorite for lunch, and the breakfast selections are all outstanding. It might be just me, but I don't really see this place as a huge dinner destination. Big portions, very affordable, everything made fresh (even the salad dressing is made in house). The desserts and sweets are incredible -- especially the apricot macaroons when they come hot out of the oven -- and are always turning over to ensure fresh products for everyone. If ratings were based on food alone I'd give this place 5+ stars. (Hint: many entrees come with choice of side; ALWAYS go with the pasta salad -- it's delicious) Bottom line: A cozy neighborhood place that caters to locals and regulars, but that has outstanding food for everyone, especially for breakfast and lunch. Sit outside when you can, come when you have time to relax and not hurry in and out, and enjoy Dan's great talent in the kitchen!
(4)
Kathleen C.
This is by FAR my favorite place to eat breakfast! I have dreams about their scones. I LOVE the blueberry, rasberry and blackberry scones! AMAZING cupcakes as well! I try to hit this place up at least once a week. We are moving to the suburbs, which breaks my heart, but I will be making the trip in to visit Taste of Heaven for sure!
(5)
Angelique R.
Very delicious veggie omelet, yup potatoes, yum fruits, yum iced coffee, and I brought home the pasty - which I'm sure is yum too. Service was friendly enough and for a Saturday not super busy. I do wish I could have grabbed something healthier but I may have missed it on the menu. Prices weren't bad.
(4)
Megan G.
Taste of Heaven is unique in that it is the only establishment I can think of that I could have rated anywhere from two to four stars...I split the difference at three but as I ponder this review I'm leaning more towards two. On the four star end, the baked goods are excellent. The food isn't as good as the baked goods, but it's fine. Drinks are solid. I also like the atmosphere - it's softly lit and quiet. It's not a place that I'd necessarily want to linger for long periods of time because the chairs aren't particularly comfy, but I find the overall atmosphere calming. The two stars are service. As I watched our counter server glare at and refuse to speak to me last night and snap at his coworker that no, he would not make a hot chocolate for her I commented to my companion that Taste of Heaven ranks with the Uptown Post Office for most unpleasant employees I've ever encountered. If you've been to the Uptown Post Office, you know that that's really saying something. In general, Taste of Heaven employees seem to go out of their way to be unpleasant. They must actually be expending additional effort to be as nasty as they are. Periodically I forget this or think that I have to have been overreacting and I'll wander back into Taste of Heaven only to be reminded that yes, the service really IS that bad. I will say that the aforementioned coworker who asked for hot chocolate for one of her tables was as sweet as pie. I doubt she'll last long.
(3)
Stefanie P.
I stopped in here the other night to satisfy a particularly nasty sweet craving, and I must say, I picked the right place. Upon the cashier's recommendation, I tried the "moon pie" cupcake. Dude. DUDE. Chocolate cupcake with marshmallowy buttercream (I think), covered in chocolate ganache. Need I say more? It was amazing. Staff was friendly and the price was fine for a specialty cupcake. I'll be back to try more. It's quite convenient that I pass them on the way home from the gym...
(4)
Sarah E.
Perfect! I was looking for somewhere quick to stop in before book club to pick up my sustenance offering for the group. I picked up apricot macaroons, lemon drop cookies, chocolate raspberry brownies, and lemon butter bar. Everything had that great small bakery quality, and nothing was terribly pricey. Except for my small tea. $2+. Good tea (chamomile) with the non-paper bag that I'm a huge fan, but that was how much? Otherwise, I would visit regularly if I lived in the neighborhood. Great atmosphere, PERFECT place to meet friends for coffee and small sugar snack. :)
(4)
Jerry B.
Quaint, little diner. Quiet and not trendy. Had egg sandwich and pesto omlette. Both okay, not great. Good coffee. Service was very good. Cupcakes look great, but didn't try them. Nice alternative to big,noisy places like m Henry. (and a little less expensive). Probably 3 stars for hipsters.
(4)
Dan F.
This is one of my favorite little spots for a nice lunch--winter or summer--they have a nice street cafe in the summer months and a small and very cozy dining area. The food here is why we go--it is unbelievably tasty--made from scratch (everything). There is not a thing on the menu that I wouldn't eat--whatever it is it will be GREAT! Now, they don't seem to keep servers more than a week or two here for some reason, but it doesn't matter--slow and sluggish service because someone is learning the ropes is a small price to pay for the excellent food that awaits your taste buds! Yum!
(4)
Alexander C.
I have tried a lot of cupcakes. I like the inventiveness that these guys are showing. We got a six pack to go and are working our way through them. I really like the Boston Cream Pie cupcake. It is a cupcake topped with a cream filling and a hard chocolate "crust" to keep that cream filling perfectly sitting on top of the cupcake. You bite into it and it just gushes everywhere. Awesome! Eat it over a plate for sure. You have been warned. I have read some of the bad reviews on service about this place. We had the complete opposite experience. We walked up to the counter and were immediately greeted by two of the guys working there. They made us feel comfortable and I dig that. We ended up buying more than I was expecting and left them the change and another buck in the tip jar. We will be back! Thank you!
(4)
Unity O.
As of my trip there yesterday, they remain a solid 3 stars. They have a plethora of delectable delights. Things ranging from cookies, bundt cake, cupcakes, ice cream, scones, huge ass pieces of the cakes they bake in the shop, tea, and coffee. Normally I go here to get my sweet on, but have been there for their savory options as well--brunch is fantastic here, even though they do kick you out after about an hour & half (it is a small shop). One thing that keeps them at a solid 3 stars & does not bump them up is their customer service. Maybe they just don't care, but the servers could absolutely use some training--seriously. I took my niece there last night for some bonding time & our service was very sub-par. They did not bring us out utensils (I grabbed them myself) and they did not even come by our table to see if we were okay or if we needed anything. The place was not crowded--there were only 3 people in the whole shop while we were there. Mind you, I get that they were probably disappointed that we were not ordering dinner--but come on you are a coffee place too. Ordinarily I do not gripe about customer service, but last night was too much. While my niece & I sat there playing some card games & enjoying our treats--we had to sit there and listen to the 2 servers have this LONG discussion about working out their differences. Good night, they repeated the same things like 20 times in row before they were "okay" with each other--just silly! They were also very loud about it--it was unpleasant. While the food is good, the service is not--there enuf said.
(3)
Stephen R.
Great coffee and all the cakes are great. I like the chocolate chip pound cake and the chocolate bundt cake.
(4)
T J.
What a great place to grab a sandwich and dessert after a long day at work! A mix of a coffee shop, restaurant, and bakery, this joint has anything you could need. If you have the time, I wholeheartedly suggest dropping by with a book and spending an hour or two trying some of their creative food options and watching the foot traffic go by. The service is fantastic with an air of hospitality that many cafes don't seem to have these days.
(5)
Mel A.
2 stars for customer service and dirty table lamps. Same girl who served us a month ago. Long blondish dreads. No smile... same grumpiness. When we appeared to be done with our lunch she put our check on the table and walked away. She did not ask if we wanted dessert or coffee. My boyfriend and I got caught up in a conversation forgetting the bill for a few minutes. Blondish dreads walks up to our check book-slams it open...sees there is no money/credit card-slams it shut and walks away. My boyfriend gave her over a 20% tip. I begged him not too. He said it might make her happy. I really doubt it. Food was really good. I had a breakfast burrito. Boyfriend had tomato dill soup. Mocha was good too. The place was a bit dirty but we did go around 2pm and the seats were full. A month ago it was dirty too and there were only 4 other customers. We had dessert and mochas. All very good. Just wish the service was better. Maybe Blondish dreads is the owner?
(2)
Herminia I.
I have only come here for dessert, but I always stop here when friends come to visit me in Andersonville. I have never had a bad dessert here. Their desserts are kind of weird to describe. You can't really compare TOH desserts to their counterparts you've tasted elsewhere, but they are just simply amazing. I've had the german chocolate cake, the carrot cake and a few cupcakes--all AMAZING. And about the sign on the door... If parents simply taught their children manners than a shop owner who wants to keep a serene atmosphere wouldn't have to place a sign on their door. This place is not a bad place for all children--it's only a bad place for unruly children.
(4)
nina c.
Ran by this place on our way home from Edgewater Produce. BF grabbed the food because I was waiting with the puppy outside - not much clue what the place is like inside - seemed cozy through the windows though. But here is the thing ... I had this cupcake thing.. and I really do think it might have been heaven. I don't know what the heck kind of hazelnut concoction was on top, but it was on top of a chocolate cupcake that was really good, and it was covered with yummy chocolate, and it was just sooooooo f-in good!!! My!!! Yeah...
(4)
Emily Y.
Ok, my one-year ban on Taste of Heaven has been lifted, as of yesterday afternoon. After a terrible experience with an extremely sour waitress, we avoided the place for one entire year and told everybody we knew to avoid the place if possible. Yesterday, we decided that maybe it was time to give it another try. Everybody deserves a second chance, right? And the place happens to have great food and is a hop, skip, and a jump from our place. We walked in the door and were greeted and seated immediately. Good start. Waters were promptly delivered and the waitress came shortly. (No sign of sour waitress from last visit, maybe she got sacked or quit). Though new waitress wasn't entirely smiley and friendly, she didn't seem hostile but rather just busy. Our drinks arrived shortly. The coffee is ok here, but all the drinks are a bit over-priced in my opinion. I realize they have to make money, but 2.95 for a bottle of soda and 2.50 for a drip coffee? Seems a bit steep. The owner/manager person came by and offered us a free sample of a delicious apple/pumpkin pastry, which was a nice touch. He was clearly working hard to make sure the service was top-notch, often calling out to the waitstaff if a table needed a check or a refill. My question is why can't the waitstaff handle it on their own? I think I'm going to have to stop in on a random weekday afternoon and see if the service is still as good. This was Sunday brunch, after all, and the owner/manager was making very sure his employees were busting ass. The food is the saving grace here. Our breakfast casserole was dynamite, a big portion filled with yummy veggies and ham and very flavorful. Loved the dressing for the side salad. We also had the caramel apple french toast, which was delish. I'm sure the food is what has people coming back to this place, that and there is usually not too much of a wait, especially when they have the outdoor patio open. The tables were a bit dirty, and while cute, the coffee cup lamps needed some serious dusting and wiping. Gross. Simple things people. I will probably always be over critical of this place due to our very bad experience, but I am no longer boycotting it. It's a good place to go for a weekend brunch in the 'hood. Before you go, just say a little prayer to the waitstaff Gods that things are running smoothly, because that's a hit or miss.
(3)
Genevieve K.
My mom, grandma, and 4 aunts came to visit this past weekend. Friday evening around 8 pm, after having snacks and drinks at my place, we wanted to do the "Clark street stroll" and stop someplace cozy where everyone could get something different (small bite, large meal, sweet, savory, etc.) Taste of Heaven was PERFECT for this. Everyone loved everything they got, which was: green salad with roasted chicken breast, chili (which is vegan), biscuits and gravy, Boston cream pie cupcake (that was me - YUM), malted milk ball cupcake, and huge chocolate raspberry cake thing. Props to Taste of Heaven for being open so early in the morning and staying open well into the evening. Service was friendly and prompt. Fun times!
(4)
Rafael C.
So many quips can be made about Taste of Heaven based on the name. I unintentionally put a high barometer on the experience I would have here just in that name alone. Me thinks I was not the only one. So let me start with some heavenly praise: Good Coffee Slightly above average food Great sweets to choose from Now with the devilish scorn: I haven't had bad service but certainly not very cheerful A little bit pricey for the food that you get Wait times can be a little long at busy times during the weekend I'm sure to come back as I do like their french toast options but the great thing about Chicago is that there are many options for brunch and for now this place is not in my top tier of the brunch rotation! I'll taste this place in moderation unless I get a sign from you know who!
(3)
Jenny T.
I LOVE~LOVE~LOVE A Taste of Heaven! I've been going to a Taste of Heaven since College, and that was years and years ago. (Like, 10. Yikes...time flys!) To this day, I remain one of their BIGGEST fans. Although I now live far~ far~ away, in the city of Woodridge, IL, whenever an opportunity arise, I always go back and pick up their delicious baked goods before I head back out to the suburbs. Being a total foodie, I have not yet encounter a bakery that is of this kind; an unpretentious and scratch kitchen that makes generous and delicious baked goods that are, simply, solid. The pricing is not the cheapest. BUT, one always gets what one pays for. Here are some of my favorites: Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce - I was not a bread pudding person until I tasted this. This bread pudding was what got me to becoming a fan 10 years ago! This is not your typical bread pudding, it is REALLY very SPECIAL. Give it a try, just once, and you'll understand WHY. Jeanine Cake - A white cake with triple berries. The cake is moist, the frosting is light and fluffy and the berries brings out the deliciousness in making this cake a stand out! (I'm not sure if they still make this regularly but, just ask!) Banana Bread/Pound Cakes - You will be hooked! Cupcake varieties - I think they are all DELICIOUS and they're not super expensive like others that are trying to tap into the cupcake trend. Some of their creative flavors that I can't get my mind out of are: Melted Milk Ball & Boston Cream Pie. There are many flavors to choose from. One should go and chose with their heart! If I were to live closer to a Taste of Heaven, I maybe in trouble. (because I would stop by, everyday!) A Taste of Heaven now serves breakfast. But, I have not yet had the opportunity to try them. I am, however, confident that Dan (the owner) will not put out a disappointed plate out without it being DELICIOUS! (I say this because I got to meet him back in the days when he offered his baking classes in his bakery kitchen at another location. He really is passionate in what he does...and he's awesome at it! Way to go, Dan!) A Taste of Heaven ~ Really is, what it is. Happy Eating!
(5)
Stephen D.
Great brunch / breakfast place in the a-ville. I was on the fence about giving this place four or five stars. Ultimately, I gave this place the one star bump because of their "children must use their inside voices" rule. It's kind of nice to have a civilized (if not a tad hungover) breakfast without the constant din of screaming children.
(5)
Scott B.
Up until now, I have only been visiting A Taste of Heaven for their lemon bars. Who knew that they have a good breakfast? I love a good breakfast burrito and I think I have found my favorite. Most places the burritos are so huge that I can't finish it. At A Taste of Heaven the breakfast burrito is perfect. I added chicken sausage to mine which made it all the better. Looks as though I have a new breakfast spot!
(5)
Madeline S.
So I'm updating my earlier one-star review. Why? Because the owner reached out to me--not once but twice--to offer me a refund. That is five-star customer service! In Chicago. I'm stunned. I never get five-star customer service in Chicago. Never. I'm giving him two extra stars just for that. This owner deserves kudos for that. He really cares. Now, here's my original review: Overrated. Can't understand what all the raves are about. Very small, very Andersonville. I was kind of curious since the shop shares the same name as the title of my book! But I found the baked goods/coffee to be average. This place feels more like it belongs in Madison, my home town, than in a "big" city like Chicago. I lived in NYC for many years. I have found humble neighborhood donut shops in New York that are more interesting food-wise than this place, but that's just my opinion. As for Andersonville, the Mexican panaderia/bakery has amazing vanilla churros and it's just up the block.
(3)
Lisa D.
Love it!!! Try the cream puffs. I thought they'd be like any other cream puff but you wouldn't believe how fabulous they are. Also the muffins, the scones and the cookies... on n on n on
(5)
Sarah C.
I used to live in Andersonville and miss it a lot so I often catch the 22 and bum around on Clark. One night I was dying for ice cream and since my old standby Sweet Occasions is gone, I wanted to find something else. A Taste of Heaven was the perfect choice. My boy and I ended up sharing a waffle cone of their seasonal pumpkin ice cream-- delish! I normally am not a huge pumpkin fan but once I had a sample, I knew it was the right choice. The other ice creams we sampled were great, but the counter guy was sort of a jerk about it. Sorry, but if I'm paying for fancy ice cream, I want to make sure that I'm going to enjoy it....call me crazy. It wasn't as if we asked for samples of fifteen things-- just 3 thank you very much-- and he acted like we were being super demanding. This review would've been four stars had it not been for the service.... The pastries and such looked great too, but the ice cream was all we had appetite for. I'll definitely head back to make sure the pastries taste as good as they looked!
(3)
Joanna P.
Everything at this little bake shop/restaurant rocks my world. The people are nice, the prices are right, and the food blows me away every time, especially the turkey sandwich and the carrot cake (be warned: the portions are HUGE). Great for intimate meetings with close friends or for a little outing with your sweetie. I will come here again and again, especially when I get married. I want them to do my wedding cake.
(5)
Mike F.
Been here a few times for lunch and dessert, and have always enjoyed the food here. I've had very good sandwiches and amazing desserts. Never had a surly wait staffer as other reviews mention, but from time to time was unsure whether to wait for a server or order from the counter -- the only reason I've deducted 1 star. In short, if nobody stops by the table after a minute to two, sidle up to the counter. If you can't handle that, by all means go elsewhere -- as it means more desserts available for me! The best thing here is that if you order dessert, you get a serious wedge of cake. Most places serve you a tiny sliver of cake on a manhole-sized plate featuring some kind of Rorschach drawing done in chocolate syrup. Not here. Big slice of cake, regular sized plate, no syrup artwork and its all damn good. In fact, be prepared to share, but if you want something smaller. they have great cupcakes and pastries as well.
(4)
Jade O.
A Taste of Heaven is dddddarrrrlinggg. The food is friggidy fresh and tasty. Hands down the best scones on planet Earth. The bread is made in house and the soups are delectable. And the pumpkin crumble bars? To Die For. In fact, someone died last week. The walls are decorated with old black and white family photos and coffee's free on Wednesdays. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Timothy E.
Food was good. I had the Turkey Dinner, and it was good. The GF had the beef stew, and it was good. Price was pretty good knowing the real estate that they sit on. The Carrot Cake was pricey, but was totally worth it. I have gone there before, and I had the German Chocolate Cake, and that was also amazing. I wil be back for Dessert, and maybe dinner.
(4)
cindy r.
A friend and I decided to check this place out for lunch so we did. When we first walked in there was no greeting...just a are you eatting here? That wasnt very welcoming. So we looked at the menu and the prices were kinda high. We asked what a certain food item was and the reply back was kinda like....duh! So I ordered a ham and turkey sandwich with carmelized onions for like 9 bucks and I did not enjoy it at all not only was it over priced it was just bad. My friend had a breakfast dish that was over priced as well. I dont think I will ever go there again. No affense to the restaurant or cooks. It just didnt satisfy me.
(2)
Akiba B.
Imagine: scrambling at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday trying to get a last minute dozen of freshly baked cupcakes. "Cupcakes" was too high. "Molly's" was too far. Here is where I found it to be just right. They had an amazing assortment (Moon Pie, anyone?) and when we took them home for the b-day party, they were moist, rich, beautiful, creamy...delicious. The chick who took my order - I wish I had her name - was super cool. She was very helpful when I placed my order over the phone. And bonus points for their inside voices sign.
(4)
Allison H.
This is a place we return to again and again b/c they corner the market on something you cannot get anywhere else: PETERSON'S ICE CREAM! That is the best darn ice cream in the history of the creamy confection, but honestly, now that I moved from down the block, I'm not sure if it's worth the trip to deal with the rest of the place. The service is questionable at best. They are S.L.O.W. slow. Sometimes, they will INSIST (literally- will not let you order at the counter) on waiting on you. That happened to me, and after waiting 25 minutes for someone to take our order, he brought HALF the table's ice cream 25 minutes later, and we had to wait another ten minutes for him to return to get the rest of our ice cream. I won't even tell you how long it took us to pay for it!! The only thing that kept us from walking out is my grandfather- that man will wait until kingdom come for a bowl of peterson's ice cream! Their other desserts are extravagant for sure, but somewhat impracticable as you have to pay a lot of money for a dessert that is too rich or sweet for you to have any hope of finishing. I give the ice cream a solid five stars. The restaurant...meh...no comment. p.s. They are the restaurant in the papers that was "no kid friendly"- so beware!
(2)
Claire M.
its cute. it was fine. it was memorial day and i had just foolishly thought I could find a non-packed beach. I instead was starving and up north, which is out of my comfort zone... so when we saw this little place on the corner that had ice cream, f it.. Im starving. And I ate. And was pleased as punch for there to be food in front of me. Just so joyful. It is too bad that it was mediocre at best but, starving ladies on a national holiday can't be too picky. Its a really cute place, old timey and quaint... Filled with neighborhood regulars, it was packed. We sat quickly, which was great. I ordered the Nicoise salad and an Americano. ok, the salad was totally fine. And everything in it was from a can. Nothing was particularly fresh, but again, starvin marvin gobbled it up. But really. Green beans from a can is one of my all time most blech-ed things ever ever. just gross. and then the americano.. sigh.... it pains me, severely, when they are bad. Its the easiest thing to make. And when it tastes like dirty coffee water i get sad. like as if you were mean to me on purpose. This is basically a very cute over priced diner. supposedly they have great baked goods? But then maybe stick to that? In the end it was better than mcdonalds to be sure.. but i guess i would have just gone to a diner for the same stuff but it would have cost half as much. live and learn.
(2)
Mari K.
Um.. can I have a slice of heaven with that? Wow, their bread pudding (w/ hecka delish homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce) is just wonderful.. the whipped cream is just unreal. Raspberry brownie... dense, rich, and loaded with so many raspberries that I struggled with removing those little seeds from my teeth! Hello, Jeremy! =) This dude was nice enough to send each of us (there were 6) home with doggie bags full of blueberry scones! Go late at night (right before closing), and you might just go home with a goody bag!
(4)
Jamie G.
A very cute coffee shop in Andersonville (a very cute neighborhood) that surprisingly serves a delicious dinner. The service was blah, and they didnt even ask us if we wanted dessert (which we probably would have no to but I'd at least like to be asked!). I had the macaroni and cheese which was for real the absolute worst thing for me I've ever eaten.. but it was SOOOO good!! A HUGE portion.....Made with rotini pasta and a few POUNDS of melted mozzarella cheese, and a few pieces of broccoli, mushrooms, and red peppers, and comes with a buttery piece of garlic bread. to DIE for. But probably severely clogged my arteries. But I'd totally get it again! My friend had the spinach lasagna that was a small piece (a more realistically sized portion) that came with a side salad with some delicious crumbled goat cheese. I will definitely be coming back to this place!!
(4)
tom k.
Great sweets! We've gone for breakfast lunch and dinner and we've never had a bad meal. Super friendly staff. Pulled pork sandwich is delish! Our favorites: The Jeanine Cake! The Moon Pie Cupcake! The Cream Puff w/ Chocolate on Top. Oh the ice cream is better than Georges down the street. We love the peppermint & the macinac island fudge ice creams.
(5)
Carolynne M.
I will frequent ANY establishment that threatens to toss you and your naughty beast-child out onto the street if you insist upon disturbing the staff and the other patrons. So I go to Taste of Heaven as often as I can. However, the service is atrocious. You know its bad when you get "forgotten" at 2pm on a weekday and the place is deserted except for you and some guy at another table. And the coffee is generally weak and watery. So what you do is order take out and bypass the coffee and the ditsy waitstaff. Which is sad, really, since you don't get to take full advantage of the Children Using Their Indoor Voices policy, but oh well. Menu items tend to change often, but things I highly recommend if they are available are: the spinach and rotini salad, the grilled cheese omelette, and the Durbin sandwich. Oh and the rugelech. Divine evilness.
(3)
Gayle G.
A solid three stars. Maybe more, but that remains to be seen. I stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner and the place was pretty much desserted at 4 p.m. as expected. The menu is pretty simple...salads, sandwiches and some dinner entrees. I debated the Nicoise salad, but I'm pretty particular about it. I settled on The Durbin, a hot turkey sandwiches with roasted pears and havarti cheese with honey mustard. It was good. Nice and hot and the cheese was melted. (A peeve is a hot sandwhich that's not hot enough to melt the cheese!) The pasta salad was ok, nothing super exciting. A decent value in a cute setting. I'll reserve extra stars once I've been here for brunch.
(3)
Gabriel O.
I know they have a restaurant end, but OMG the cupcakes are absolutely to die for and the service is spot on and the employees are so friendly!
(5)
Suzanne P.
I recently came here for brunch with a friend and had a great experience, and I've been here a few times. I love the way this place feels like a small little restaurant without feeling cramped. I also really like how it is decorated, making you feel at home. The food is amazing here! I got the Katie Cakes, which were delicious. My friend got the Breakfast Casserole, which were also incredible. Even though I was completely stuffed, I got some cupcakes to go to bring back to my roommates. We had the orange creamsicle, boston creme pie, and moon pie cupcakes. All three were wonderful! Each time I've come here, I've really enjoyed my experience, and I know that my friends who have joined me have felt the same way! Definitely worth going to if you're going to be in the Andersonville neighborhood.
(4)
Chrissy B.
Every time I have put food from here into my mouth I feel like a million bucks. I feel so happy after I leave this place. Pulled Pork sandwich: outrageously good. Meat Loaf sandwich: huge hunks of meat. Cupcakes: Malted milk ball. Best! Durbin sandwich: the pear is a fruity touch to this turkey sandwich. Veggie chili: droooollll. Grilled cheese sandwich: lots of different kinds of cheese, hits the spot on a cold Chicago day. They put all the sandwiches on what seems like a really simple bread, but it doesn't take anything away from the tasty contents, and the bread is so soft! Every server I have had here is delightful. The place is homey and comforting.
(5)
Anna G.
Best scones in the city, most sane attitude toward babies and children, and some pretty ding-dang good coffee too. I also think the staff is particularly kind-- I spilled an entire cup of coffee on the counter, floor, myself and the woman at the register, but she calmly refilled it and was nothing but nice to my butterfingers self. They also don't bother if you just want to sit with your scone and paper in peace on quiet weekday mornings, and the windows are sunny and delightful. I really like that it isn't too much of a hassle to run in and get something to go even though they run a bustling shop in the a.m.
(4)
Michelle M.
After reading some reviews I have to agree w/Stephen D when the reviews says that this place asks that kids use their inside voice. Love the idea. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy kids but I've noticed kids not being tended to. Not cool when I'm trying to have a relaxed breakfast or lunch. Food was delicious. I find this place a gem in andersonville. Haven't had any of the desserts but I hope to one day. Place is a bit small and if you go during a weekend your likely to wait for a table.
(4)
M L.
My former review still holds. I still love this place. But I have since been seduced by their wonderful, amazing, delicious, buttery, rich, and orgasmically tasty lemon bars. "drools" Anybody who doesn't like these things seriously has to have a heart made of coal, because these are out of this world. "drools some more"
(5)
Milo M.
This place is a hidden gem. The food is gourmet-cafe comfort food style and is terrific, but even more exciting is the bakery selection at the counter (brownies, slices of cake, assorted and unique cup cakes etc...). So, even if you're not hungry, just grab a cupcake to go, and treat yourself to a guilty pleasure. I shared a dreamscicle orange flavored cupcake with a creamy filling with my girlfriend... you really learn about people under those conditions; after the first bite, I wanted to climb a tree and devour it in privacy. Instead, we glanced at each other and ate like lions at a kill leaving no trace of a bag or receipt.
(4)
Hannah D.
I usually don't like eating things that rhyme with my name. But today, I had one of their peanut butter banana cupcakes...and oh lordy was I a happy bunny! I've always loved every delectable dessert I've gotten here, from their special Jeannie's Cake (very fruity and weighs like 40lbs) to their chocolate iced creme puffs. *insert drool here* One thing I didn't especially like though was the service. It's not very reliable. While I have been treated nicely most of the time, there was one instantance where I felt like I was bothering the staff by asking a simple question about gluten free dessert availability. Oh, and their answer was *insert eyeroll here*
(4)
Tiff S.
I haven't tried the food there (yet) so I cannot comment on the quality of their food. I go there for one thing and one thing only- BREAD PUDDING! I love the warmth and the texture of the pudding. And I love the caramel sauce and the big dollop of cream that come with it. Bread pudding, you may be the reason why I am gaining all these weight, but I don't care because I love you. You make me so happy :-)
(4)
Karyn K.
Had the Blueberry Red Tea--AMAZING. Bought a cookie for a friend, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Will be back to try more things!
(4)
Stephen R.
5 stars for the children sign. The controversy lives! Good food, good wait staff. Can be crowded on weekends. But it's an Andersonville staple and has totally gotten national media coverage. We singles hate the screaming kids. Kudos on you for asking for indoor voices. Whereas I would say STFU AND LEAVE Taste of Heaven has respect for all of their clientele. And the food is fabulous. Hearty rec.
(5)
Rose O.
My mother and I stopped by this place on a whim and because we found parking -- parking is very difficult to find in this part of town! We just wanted to warm up from the frigid weather outside so we bought coffee and scones at the register. It was love at first bite! The scones were light and tasty -- I ate a blueberry scone and my mother had plain, but it did not taste plain -- it tasted wonderful! This was the best scones we've ever had -- haven't found one this good yet! I can't really comment on the service since we ordered and received our food at the counter.
(3)
F N.
From the moment we set foot in "A Taste of Heaven" we loved it. I had the brisket which in itself was a little bit of heaven. My partner had a stew which was also very tasty. Since then we've back many times and every time we have had a great experience. Make no mistakes this is no five star restaurant just place to eat wholesome homemade comfort food. Friendly service and great tasting food is what keeps us coming back even though we no longer live in Andersonville.
(5)
April B.
The Brioche French Toast with peach compote was the best French Toast I have ever had! The only thing I would have changed was the level of cloves in the compote, but some people like cloves, so I understand their inclusion. The one thing that stopped them from getting a 5 star review was the initial service. A lot of waiters standing behind the counter and not taking orders or whatever. Also, they have a waiter who takes your drink order, then a different one for your food. I could understand the logic if they anticipated that the drinks would take awhile to prepare (as fancy coffee drinks tend to), but the food server took longer to take our order than the drink server to bring our drinks back. After the food was ordered, it came out quickly, hot, and coffee and water were refilled frequently. They also only serve a Brunch menu on Sat/Sun, which in the brunch-heavy area of Andersonville is a blessing and a curse. Sure your choices are limited, but you will get seated a lot faster than if you went to M.Henry or Sathers.
(4)
Dima M.
Brunch is one of my favorite meals of the week. And A Taste of Heaven is one of my top places in the city for a good brunch. The food is just the right combination of simple and extravagant, but is neither. The menu is not too big, which is always a plus, as I am very intimidated by places that have a book for a menu. Generally, the less items on a menu, the better the quality of the food. Make sure you ask for the omelette of the day. The atmosphere of this place adds at least a star to it. It's not too big, and has that neighborhood-y feel to it. Although, it being small will definitely result in waiting almost every time you go on a weekend for brunch, but usually not too long. The nice thing is, they will seat you when your whole party is still not all there, which drives me crazy about other places that won't seat 5 people, until the 6th person comes. At this place, I've been seated once alone, when I was waiting for 4 friends. The staff is always very attentive, but not annoying, and very friendly, but not suffocating. Something about the place makes it attractive to really nice patrons. A diverse crowd that reflects the neighborhood and isn't filled with pretentious people that you may find in other places down the street. This is a nice spot to grab a coffee, or a dessert (and they have some really good ones here), but it's mostly a great place to come on a weekend, in the morning, to get a bite to eat, and catch up with friends. It's not just a come in, eat, and leave kind of place. It has a warm welcoming feel to it, just what you need on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(4)
Chris J.
Who doesn't love a taste of heaven? Great stuff, last time I was there I think I split a slice of red velvet which was just fantastic and moist. Also grabbed a berry scone to go and it was still great the next morning!
(4)
Rocky B.
Taste of Heaven is such a cute little coffee shop with so many yummy goodies to choose from. Scones, lemon drop cookies, kitchen sink cookies, cheesecake, chocolate cake, tarts, the list just goes on and on and their drink menu is just as extensive. My favorite is their white hot chocolate mocha. Wow. Creamy, sweet and so sinful. The staff are so friendly and don't rush you at all as you eye their selections. My tip for any first timers is if you are looking for a good scone go to Taste of Heaven but go early...they sell out fast! Eh, but even if they do sell out you won't leave disappointed. They always have something that leaves you walking away with a smile. :)
(4)
Jen J.
I'm confused by the ratings dipping on Taste of Heaven. This place is consistent, comfort food served in an open if a bit country environment. I can eat their cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and scrambled eggs every Sunday for brunch. Their bread pudding which has become scarce is to die for. Enjoy their outdoor seating in the summer. A great neighborhood joint. Stop hating people!
(5)
Michael C.
I love this place. Had the best piece of cake I've had in a loooooong time. It's small, but perfect on a nice night ...
(5)
Laura K.
Great chicken salad with slices of roasted pear, gobs of creamy goat cheese and tart dried cherries. This is the reason I return again and again. I also love the little triangle of bread they serve on the side. The service is slower than most places regardless of how many or how few people are around - which can be a bad or good thing depending on whether you're in a hurry or don't want to be disturbed.
(4)
Anna W.
They served me burnt coffee.
(2)
Clara S.
I had a slice (I'll be honest a few slices) of their jeanine's cake, and I was beside myself. I take cake and baked goods very seriously. I have a pretty bad addiction. I bought this cake for my birthday dinner, and everyone thought it was as amazing as I did. Best cake ever!
(5)
Jesselyn E.
The food and sweets are good, but I wasn't blown away by the cupcakes like I expected to be.
(3)
Tara P.
Cute little place with great sandwiches, desserts and service. Prices are reasonable.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Best ice cream in Andersonville!
(4)
Desiree G.
A Taste of Heaven was a great find while walking down Clark street hungry. It is a cute bakery that serves brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner and an assortment of sweets. I ordered the Brown Derby Wrap, which was basically thanksgiving dinner in a wrap and it was delicious! For dessert I split a Moon Pie Cupcake with Sheena R. The frosting and chocolate shell was really good. All the cupcakes looked wonderful and I was really curious about the peanut butter cheesecake. Overall it was a good experience and I'm totally a fan of the Brown Derby Wrap.
(4)
Melissa M.
I am updating my past 7/8/13 review. Since my review was posted, someone form Taste of Heaven as well as the owner tried to reach out to me to make things right. But as my family and I moving to a new house and work has been crazy, I haven't had time to sign in my yelp account. I finally did this so that I can post some other reviews and noticed that the Taste of Owner tried to contact me 3 times. He indicated that based on my review and others, he increased the size of the scones and offered me to come back to the restaurant with some comp'd scones. I really appreciated this "reach out" and can tell that Taste of Heaven really cares about their customers. This great customer service and the fact that they really do take in account yelp reviews is great. I will be going there soon to get my favorite scones (I usally buy a bunch and freeze them so that I can have them during the week. They freeze very well). Thanks Dan and Taste of Heaven!!!
(4)
Dan F.
While I'm sure this place has great sandwiches and breakfast items, I've just never had the occasion. Enter the obligatory coffee and dessert after a date-night dinner. The fiancee and I had just finished shoving a parma pizza from Antica Pizzeria into our faces (seriously, I have dreams about this pizza), when we decided we weren't ready to go home just yet. We wandered down Clark and couldn't help but take a seat in this quaint little restaurant, with it's sepia-toned photographs and country-style decorations. The better half ordered the chocolate whipped cream cake, which was amazing. I usually hate on cake because the frosting is just too much, too heavy for my teeth. But this stuff was fluffy and light, so delicious. I ordered a coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. The coffee was strong and black, the cookie dense with butter. These cookies are what I would imagine lembas (the Elven bread used to sustain Hobbits on their long journey to Mordor) taste like. Anyway, I'll definitely give this place a try for breakfast. Definitely.
(4)
Kathryn G.
I have eaten here a few times over the years and always enjoy the food and coffee. I don't think there is anything too special or over the top about the place but it is pretty solid food and fun to sit in the window and watch the world go by. A good lunch spot if you are looking for something good and simple while hanging out in Andersonville.
(3)
mildred v.
I haven't been here for brunch, so my rating is based only on the desserts. When my mouth is throbbing from a sweet tooth and I'm in the area I stop in for a chocolatey pastry and some nice hot plum tea. The atmosphere is nice and cozy for a quick stop. The service is okay, they're not super nice or anything and do kinda get impatient when I ask what everything is through the glass. But I don't expect red carpet treatment, so no complaints here!
(4)
Taylor G.
A Taste of Heaven is a great weekend brunch spot for small groups. The quarters are quite cramped, so don't planon more than 4 unless you want to wait a while. In genreal, the food here is delicious, but you pay for the quality. I've been here on 2 separate occasions, both on Sunday. The first time, I had biscuits & gravy, which was good, but now awe-inspiring. The second time, I lapped up the Katie Cakes. They're huge and great to split. A bit on the sweet side, but absolutely delicious. If you're up in Andersonville and never stopped in, I highly encourage you to give it a shot. I'm excited to visit again.
(4)
Deborah M.
Great baked goods, friendly staff, delicious coffee (free some days with purchases). And parents have to watch their children so they don't run wild throughout the small space and ruin the dining experience of adults. What's not to love?
(4)
iddells E.
Went here to dine on a Sunday night. The tiny place was packed! Almost every table was taken. It is always like this on a Sunday night? I think a lot of people were using their 20% off coupons. That's the only reason why we decided to go, because of the coupon. But I'm glad we did, otherwise, I would have never known what kind of great food they have. I knew that they have good pastries, but I never knew they served actual meals here. Anyways, I ordered Mario's Jambalaya with hesitation. I really was not attracted to anything on the menu. But, wow, it was amazing. It came with shrimp, andouli sausage, veggies, brown rice, and excellent sauce. The only thing that I was disappointed in was that the serving wasn't big enough for leftovers! I would have loved to take this home and let somebody taste it. I will definitely be visiting again!!
(4)
Suzy C.
I have officially cut myself off from this place out of fear that I will balloon to the size of a blimp. If I am here unsupervised, it is not an exaggeration to say that I will over-consume and go into sugar shock. I love love Taste of Heaven. I would have never gotten through law school if I had not discovered this place. Now, this is no cupcake shop so if you can't handle hugh pieces of rich sweet dessert, stay away. Some of their cakes can feel too sweet and indulgent, but that is the charm of this place. Their signature cake filled with all the creams and fresh fruit is a dream come true. I love love their cream puffs (so hard to find good ones in the city) and you can't go wrong with the bread pudding with all its gooey caramel goodness.
(4)
Peter M.
The name says it all. Their tasty pastries and good teas, keep me coming back but the service here keeps me from rating this place higher. It baffles me when so many other establishments bend themselves backwards to give excellent customer service but have sub par food stuffs, yet this place always leaves me desiring better service. Hope something changes soon, for this neighborhood has plenty of other tasty treats for me to consume.
(3)
Finola M.
I've been going here for years. And much like the rest of A-ville (especially Hopleaf and M Henry), it's become a victim of its own success. In my opinion, any restaurant/cafe/bar should not feel entitled just because they have good business, some of us will start to rebel. The food is good here, especially the chocolate eclairs, but I can't take the mean service any longer. One of the waitstaff booted us from a table for four (there were four of us sitting there with water already) because we were waiting for 2 other people. We'd called in advance, the remaining people arrived within 15 seconds of us stepping outside to re-assess. I say we Andersonvillians should strike against Anderson-villains!
(2)
Charlie M.
Fortunately my visit here wasn't marred by the bad service that's popping up in a lot of these reviews. In fact, our waitress/hostess was very friendly and attentive, especially considering the number of tables she was keeping tabs on. Everyone I went with ordered eggs of some sort, and everything we got was not only tasty but a nice departure from standard brunchtime fare. The Silverline Plate might have been my favorite, but the breakfast burrito and the Durbin omelet both were very good, and the egg casserole paired with that great salad works so well as a brunch item that you kind of start wondering why salads aren't more common at brunch. It's a bit pricey, especially if it's not too close to home, but fresh ingredients (like the burrito's guac) and inventive plates make this little corner bakery a great brunch spot.
(4)
Jenna M.
I wouldn't bother to rate a restaurant that had terrible food and service to match. I'd just steer clear. But Taste of Heaven is a different animal, because its delicious desserts are guarded by a pretty bad staff. I've been in a number of times over the last 5 years, only for take away baked goods. I don't know if things are a lot busier now, but lately I've been ignored by staff at the counter when I've been waiting to pay and go. Today, three people stared through me and talked about how they wished people lingering over their brunches would just leave. After a few minutes, I had to finally ask if I could pay for the brownie with the cash I had ready in my hand. I don't think I'll be asking for the privilege again.
(1)
Douglas O.
The food and pastries here is GREAT! We had Jeanettes (I think) special cake which was very tasty. The Peanut Butter Cheesecake was also amazing. I agree, a bit pricy, $6 for each dessert, but great flavor. I have not had a problem with the service, but the persons tend to forget what you want or need. Whether it be you need a fork, or your food to go. Food great, service, okay.
(3)
Patrick R.
Superb coffee -- I was so taken by it that I inquired about where to get some of my own. Turns out they brew Casteel Coffee, which you can procure in Evanston. Good to know... Anyway. My girlfriend and I typically come here once a week, on Sunday for brunch. Depending on what happened the night before, it's either coffee and a scone (among the best I've ever had, after my mom's) or one of TOH's famous breakfast dishes. The Silverland Breakfast and the Katie Cakes are my two personal faves.
(5)
Michael S.
Well, unlike other reviewers of this place, my daughter and I had great service, late on a busy Saturday morning. We were seated and greeted immediately. While the menu was diverse and featured many appealing dishes, we both had the eggs verde, which is basically a pesto omelette. It was delicious. And it came out quickly. We split a chocolate chip scone, which was out of this world. And then, we sat at our table for easily a half hour after we were finished eating and no one rushed us at all. Can't beat that!
(5)
Amanda M.
I dropped in for a quick coffee and picked up a blueberry scone. That. Scone. Oooowwee. Yum. Warm, crunchy outside, soft and warm on the inside. Beautiful. The gentleman who made my latte was really kind and patient while I made my choices. That soy latte was pretty slam, too. Thank you, sir! Overall the establishment is cute and friendly with a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Will return to try a full breakfast soon!
(4)
Kimberly P.
Dessert - heavenly. Breakfast - totally heavenly. I used to live mere blocks away from TOH and miss it dearly. The breakfast menu is full of stuff that's original and delicious. My personal favorite is the fried egg sandwich and I'm craving one. Roasted red pepper, mmmm cheese, fresh bread. It's honestly one of my favorite breakfasts ever. My husband prefers the breakfast casserole or...the...dangit, I can't remember. I truly never have had anything here that was less than spectacular for my tastes. When it's busy you'll be sure to find Dan, the hostess with the mostest, running around with some delicious treat for you to sample. Don't pay attention to the fact that he's often covered in flour. Now you know who's creating and baking those delicious eats. The coffee is great and the cupcakes? Oy. I miss this place.
(5)
jen p.
I have been to this lousy establishment 3 times. Once a year or so ago, and twice in the past week. The first time I went, my friend and I looked at each other in disbelief -- "Were the servers really this rude?" I told myself that I would never go back... then I had a cupcake of theirs by chance, and went in again to see what other cupcakes they had. I asked a few questions about the cupcakes and I was met with a loud sigh everytime the guy working there had to answer me. He was the most pretentious little thing I have ever met. Since I work in similar establishment, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe he was just having a bad day. Nope, I went in there again the other day, and asked him one question and it seemed to take all of his strength to ignore me and then to hardly answer me while giving me his usual attitude. When we walked out, my friend said "What was his problem?!" I had no answer for him, but I think he should pack his things up and get out of Andersonville. The yuppification by yuppies like himself is bad enough, but when they not only invade our queer spaces and then manage to soil them with their self-righteousness, it makes me miss the Chicago I used to know not so long ago. I say this... take your attitude and move to L.A. This is Chicago, not Hollywood. p.s they get a star from me because I'm sure other people that work their don't have sticks lodged perpetually in their bums, and because whoever makes the cupcakes is a god/goddess.
(1)
Juanita G.
I keep trying to like this place but something always goes wrong. The service is never consistent. I support their child policy but that just isn't enough. I've had some good brownies and muffins and great service but that's been rare. I like to support local places. More often than not I've been ignored and practically shoved aside by the waitstaff while waiting for service at the counter. Last week I bought a half dozen really cute cupcakes and a couple of eclairs to share with my girlfriends. I have to say that they were bland and lackluster and we tried each of them. We were really disappointed. I give up on the place. I'm not going back.
(2)
Jessi L.
I, like many Chicagoans, consider myself a bit of a brunch connaisseur. It's become my favorite meal to eat out because everyone puts their own spin on the same classics, making for a relative bake-off every weekend. I keep coming back to Taste of Heaven. It's cozy, the service is prompt and friendly, I have never had more than a 5 minute wait (maybe I shouldn't be writing this after all...) and then there are Katie Cakes (perfect pancakes with a clovey, lemon, blue-ligonberry concoction topped with real cream). And Eggs Verde(Eggs with cheese and pesto and just silly good. My friend and I switch off between ordering one or the other. Not that it matters because we switch at will. Then one day she really mucked it up and ordered the breakfast burrito which with homemade guac. was just as good. So we've now added a third friend and rotate. I guess necessity really is the mother of invention.
(5)
John W.
Yes, this is the child hating, anti-baby, place that God forbid, requires parents to control their children. I loved it when they got the write up in the paper talking about all the bitchy people who were offended that their perfect children couldn't run wild and then the mass amounts of support letters they got from all around the country. So ya, if you are tired of hearing babies cry and kids running around getting in your way (Southport Potbelly's) then this place is for you. The other thing they are known for is their scones but get there early because they do run out. They always have an omlet special but why bother when they got the Silver Land breakfast which is some sort of tangy orange sausage gravy with two eggs and corn biscuits. Yes its as awesome as it sounds. The service is a bit patchy in that I don't think you get an actual waiter of your own. Its some kind of socialism in dining experiment where one person takes your order, one brings your food, another fills your drinks and another takes the check. Needless to say that can get confusing for the staff and some problems do arise but the food is good and they have a place outdoors as well. They also serve those Izzie fruit drinks that I like so thats another reason I go there.
(4)
Diana M.
I had no idea this place served "actual food". I have driven by A Taste of Heaven hundreds of times and have always thought it was just coffee, pastries and desserts. Boy, was I surprised to find myself having a delicious late lunch here last Friday! I had the Havar-ya (ham and melted havarti) sandwich with the bag of Kettle chips and my mom had the 3-cheese (cheddar, feta, mozzerella) grilled cheese sandwich with ham and a side of the homemade potato salad. Let me just say that the ham was yummy, the bread was soft, yet slightly toasted and the havarti was perfectly melted. I had a taste of my mom's grilled cheese, and although I despise feta, I thought it was very good and would order it for myself. The potato salad was awesome! It's not made with a mayo base, so it seems almost healthy! We both had iced tea with our meal and it was pretty good too. All in all a great spot to just relax and have a nice leisurely lunch.
(4)
Josh E.
On a scale of five stars, I'd rate this a Yum. I've only been for dessert, but it's good every time. This evening I had the hot chocolate (they use half & half instead of milk) and split a piece of cake. The cake slice was giiiiiiiant. Way too big for me & my girlfriend. But delectable. Soooo good. The staff was friendly and didn't bug us too much as we talked. Great place. Not totally amazing. But definitely good enough.
(4)
Brett M.
For just take-out, I'd give the place five stars... those scones are beyond compare! Everyone in my office is addicted. Every person I bring to this bakery leaves addicted to the scones. Plus, take-out service is always fast and friendly. Dining-in gets four stars, because it gets super crowded and noisy on weekend mornings... but what brunch spot in Chicago doesn't?
(4)
Lisa K.
Taste of Heaven came recommended by friends who live in the area of Andersonville, Uptown/Edgewater. We all stopped in for a lunch on a weekend. The prices were a little higher than I imagined for such a small luncheon looking place. I tried the tomato soup. It was on the cold side and an average portion for the large price tag it came with. The chef was either getting creative or spilled the whole bottle of dill because my soup tasted like pickles it had such a strong dill flavor. Spices are accents not the entree itself. YUCK. I won't be back even if they were giving the food away.
(1)
David S.
Stopped in today and bought the Lemon Meringue cupcake and it was divine. I love well made baked goods and Dan (the owner) does them exceptionally well. ATOH never lets me down. Try them and you'll see exactly what I mean. Got a sweet tooth? Go. Just. Go. Cheers!
(5)
Carly O.
I've lived by A Taste of Heaven for many years and used to go when it was at its old location on Foster. I would say that most of my experiences here have been more on the 4 start side. However, this past Saturday, I had an amazing brunch. My boyfriend got the Silverland breakfast (biscuits in sausage gravy with lightly scrambled eggs) and I had the Katie Cakes (two perfectly cooked, large pancakes smothered with a mixed berry preserve type thing, topped with some kind of lemon-y cream and streusel crumble). AMAZING. We split our meals and marveled at the perfection. The place doesn't seat many, so you'll probably experience a bit of a wait on a Saturday or Sunday. Our server was very friendly and on top of things. If you're ever in the hood and looking for dessert, this is also a very nice place to enjoy a slice of their Jeanine's cake and sip a mug of coffee.
(5)
Go B.
perfect place to take someone you want to have a cup of coffee with...maybe someone that has been working out alot ;)
(4)
Aggie T.
After moving from Wicker Park to Ravenswood, this restaurant was one of the first I tried in my new 'hood. I've been back several times and I really like it. It's typically not crowded and it kind of makes me feel like I'm eating in someone's kitchen (not a restaurant). I think it may be the coffee-cup lamps. Most importantly, they do comfort food right. I love bakeries. This place has delicious linzer cookies and many good-but-a-bit-rich cakes and brownies. Of note is their white cake with cream cheese frosting and berries. They also have a pancake version (Katie cakes) on their brunch menu. It's very tasty but a tummy bomb. It's super rich, so if you try it, you might want to share it with a friend. Although I try to eat healthy, I'm not a fan of salads-as-a-meal. Having been raised in Ohio by round folks, I feel like I require more substance than that. But A Taste of Heaven has a wonderful salad with pecans, pears and roasted chicken and a light honey mustard dressing. I actually crave it which totally astounds me. Their chicken and biscuits, a signature meal, is intense. If you like heavy, creamy, or gravy-like stuff, then this is for you. It was a little too much for me though. I can respect it for what it is but I prefer more biscuit than gravy. This was definitely lots of gravy and two small biscuits. Not good for watching the waist-line. I went with a friend once and sampled his beef brisket meal. It came with a wedge of potatoey goodness and some sort of red vegetable side dish. It was very tasty. I think I'll get it next time. Lastly, the customer service is excellent. The staff is very friendly and I like supporting them because you can tell that the people who work there care. And there's outdoor seating in the summer, another plus.
(4)
Karen G.
I have followed Dan and his wonderful bakery creations since he first opened his store on Foster. I love the atmosphere at Taste of Heaven. It is never too loud. The food is always excellent. The staff is friendly and fast. I often meet new clients there so it serves as my business office on occasion. You will always be happy with your experience at Taste of Heaven. I always have been.
(5)
Dennis B.
Eaten here several times and the food has been consistent as well as the service. I appreciate not being rushed during weekend breakfast/brunch, which many places tend to do. The service can be perceived as slow, but I really think it is more relaxed. I have attempted to meet friends here on the weekends, and the space is tight and waits can be long. The ice cream is great, as well as several brunch selections. My favorite brunch item is the burrito. I have had the breakfast casserole and it is tasty as well.
(4)
Emily K.
Came here for a Saturday brunch and got the breakfast burritos, which was pretty good. They score points for being BYOB and for the really nice waitress who didn't judge me when I debated getting a 6 pack at 10:30 am. In the end I was just too lazy to get leave. Ate outside and despite being obviously busy we weren't rushed. Had really great service from a new waitress who told us she was new in town and asked where she should go in the neighborhood to meet people. To thank us for being nice she gave us a bag full of free pastries with our check, which was awesome. I've had a better breakfast burrito (it just seemed a bit healthy- god, I'm gross- and on that end, a little plain) but I'd come back to try some other things as well.
(4)
Katarina X.
Raspberry Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Do I have your attention? The coffee is great too! I've eaten in, people-watched, talked art with the server, even gotton my coffee-phobic BF in for breakfast. Pick up to-go too! Grab a sandwich before seeing a play! Sit on the bench outside, feed some croissant or scone to your dog and enjoy! P.S. I have GOT to support any place where they ask kids to behave. The sign is polite and truly non-offensive. If your kids are well-behaved, it doesn't apply, right? So get over yourselves if you hate it, go somewhere else where you aren't offending ME with your tedious whining complaints. Take the brats to McDonalds!
(5)
Ryan J.
Attempted a Sunday brunch here last weekend, and it was terrrrrribly crowded. We knew the food was good, so we agreed to wait and signed in, informing the hostess that we were comfortable sitting either in *or* outside. Thirty or forty minutes later, a different employee wandered out to where we'd been waiting outside (no room to wait inside) for a table, and told us there were tables inside if we didn't want to wait for the patio any longer (???). At any rate, once we had a table, the meal was quite good. Received a delicious sample of a pumpkin bread while waiting for our order. My friend's breakfast-in-a-block-of-food was cold in the center. My omelet was divine, and my other friends very much enjoyed their salmon quiche. The service was OK, all things considered -- they seemed understaffed for a Sunday brunch. I'll be back -- though probably not during such a busy time again.
(3)
Mark T.
I always get the smoked salmon quiche. EVERY TIME. It's that good. My most recent visit was no exception. My partner got a sumptuously savory grilled cheese omelet that was amazing and so super cheesy (in a good way). The coffee is excellent and the service is outstanding and extremely friendly.
(4)
Leah C.
grab a cupcake...TO GO... this place talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. like that annoying co-worker that won't shut up about how green she is but all her actions don't seem to follow? if you are truly passionate about something, actions speak louder than words and it will go without saying......ok, ok you get my point. i spotted at least (3) signs around the restaurant stating something like "we love kids, just as long as they behave themselves". even the bottom of the menu gives a similar shout out to the extent of "kids are great customers too as long as they use their inside voices". so to shield ourselves from the rain during midsommarfest and to grab an infamous cupcake, my husband and i strolled in with our 2 year-old niece. we got the "eye" when trying to park our stroller and was later "asked" to move it to the back of the restaurant. we got an even eviler "eye" when requesting a high chair. i quickly decided that we were going to scarf down a cupcake and get the hell's outta there. THANKFULLY our server painted a brighter picture for us. he was funny and chatted with our niece and made us feel a bit more welcome. nonetheless, i already felt like we had a target on our heads. so the visit was worth it for the cupcakes - tried out a vanilla and a chocolate both of which were very good - moist and not over the top sweet. i tried a cup of the veggie chili which was just okay - overall tasted good but it was olive-laden (i hate olives). there were TONS of other baked goods that looked scrumptious as well including a lemon bar and blondie but next time i'll do a drive by.
(3)
Melissa R.
Yum yum. The food is sooo good. I have only been for Sunday brunch, but everything i have had was delicious. The peach french toast with peach whipped cream. Yummy Omelettes Yummy Yogurt with fruit and granola yummy All the snadwhiches yummy yummy. And do not come just kinda hungry. They really do give you your monies worth.
(4)
Veronica S.
This was one of the first places I tried when I moved into Andersonville ... and I was impressed. The servers are always helpful in recommending something & I really enjoy the Chicken & Biscuits. The gravy wasn't too heavy and there was a good amount of food. But I enjoy pretty much everything on the menu. They do get quite busy for Weekend brunch so it does take a bit longer to get your order but they always have a table open at any other time. For dessert: the Bread Pudding, raspberry squares, and Hot Chocolate cake are my favorites.
(4)
Jessica R.
Nice little cozy place with a personable and friendly staff, and quality eats. This place also has some great loose teas and hot drinks and is a great spot to get some work done or read a book, with the little cute lamps at each table. I have eaten dinner there once and gone there another time to get a cake for a get together, in addition to having gone there on a Saturday morning for brunch, relaxation and to get some work done. Each time I have been very pleased and satisfied. The cake we got - which was a white cake with a berry and cream swirl filling and a thick white icing on the outside, was delicious and I definitely recommend their scones and other pastries, such as the caramel bread pudding. For breakfast, if you like oatmeal, try the steal cut oats with peach compote, healthy, filling and tasty. Also, the grilled veggie sandwich with house-made potato salad is a great meal for vegetarians. Basically, it's a cute, cozy, casual place that specializes in it's baked goods and quality comfort food, and it does a solid job of it. Nothing over the top, but plain solid good.
(4)
cara r.
I'm really bummed that they were out of the moon pie cupcake yesterday when we came in! But the ones that we did get were out of this world good. I had plain old vanilla with vanilla frosting, and it just about melted in my mouth and was so deliciously good. The Boy got a Malt cupcake - marble cake with frosting that had bits of Whoppers candies in it. He loved it so much that I didn't even get a bite! We also got a chocolate raspberry that my sister loved, and an Elvis (banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting). I will definitely be back to Taste of Heaven as soon as possible to try some more of these deliciously good cupcakes! Update 6/1/08: We went back for brunch today and absolutely loved it. I had the grilled cheese omelet, and I loved the omelets and the potatoes that came with it - but I was a little confused by the haricot verts salad - not really my cup of tea so early in the morning. Mike had the breakfast burrito, and he really enjoyed it. We each had a moon pie cupcake to go, and it's probably good that I don't live so close to Taste of Heaven, because I could eat at least 2 of those a day. Can't wait to go back...
(5)
K G.
Is it considered cheating to think about cake while you're engaged in coitus with your lover? That cake...that yellow cake smothered in buttercream frosting, layered with cream and berries. Little buttercrunches out the outside...like the white pieces in the Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake coating. Cannot stop thinking about it. Fevered, quickened breath, mind racing. Moist cake...fluffy frosting...fresh, juicy berries... Oh, GOD..!!
(5)
Kori M.
I have to say I am a little conflicted but overall I like this place. I came here for brunch with my girlfriend, puppy and two friends. We were told there would be a bit of a wait but then were immediately seated outside (it was a gorgeous day to be outside!). The waitress was super friendly and she told us we could stay for as long as we wanted. She also brought my puppy a bowl of water which I thought was awesome! As far as brunch goes it was pretty good. However please stay away from the grilled cheese omelette. It's basically a dry cheese omelette placed on to a slice of bread. Definitely pass on that one. Everything else was super yummy! Except for the bacon. It was undercooked and rubber. Tasted kind of funny actually but as I said everything else was delicious! I also really liked how they brought out samples of their desserts. I ALWAYS like free stuff! :-) The waitress was really bubbly and nice (in a sincere and not annoying way). I would definitely come back.
(4)
Anne-Michelle F.
I'm glad I started going to this place right as winter descended. Such great comfort food!! I had the Biscuits and Gravy with eggs the first time I went. Perfection. I loved that it came with Corn biscuits instead of the usual buttermilk. I'm looking forward to trying everything on the menu...and curious to see how it changes for the hotter months!
(4)
Elizabeth K.
We decided to meet a friend for lunchish stuff (guess it's "brunch" since it's Sunday. Still unclear as to what exactly "brunch" is.) She suggested Angel's or Taste of Heaven, and of course we promptly chose Taste of Heaven, since Angel's SUCKS. Unfortunately, if you're vegan, Taste of Heaven sucks as well. There was not A SINGLE ITEM on their brunch menu that wasn't made with dairy or egg or meat. NOT ONE. Not even a salad. Plus there was a disclaimer in big letters at the bottom of the menu, explaining that there were no substitutions or special orders during brunch. WTF?!? You know, that whole hoopla a couple of years ago about ToH and the kids thing, I actually took their side. I chose to believe that ToH wasn't being stodgy and that they were really actually assaulted by a stampede of rude children and badly behaved parents on a regular basis. Now I'm beginning to wonder ... When we explained to our waiter guy that we couldn't order anything if they couldn't make accomodations for us, what was his suggestion? A ham sandwich. The speedy semite looked at the item he was pointing at on the menu. "There's ham on that." She said. "Oh. You could get it without the ham," he said. Making it a lettuce sandwich on white bread? Seriously. Even the SALADS were covered in meat and cheese.
(2)
Robert M.
The fried egg sandwich (with roasted red peppers/red pepper mayo) and phenomenal home fries is one of the best breakfast dishes in Chicago and their pancakes are great, too. Bread pudding is world-class. The only critique is that their coffee is consistently mediocre. This is unacceptable in a place doing breakfast and desserts at such a high level.
(4)
Laura V.
I should start this review fairly by saying that I never actually sat down and ate food/brunch at TOH, but I have been a customer for years as I celebrate every special occasion in my family with one of their amazing cakes. I order the same cake (Jeanine's cake) several times throughout the year and it never ever disappoints. The TOH staff is very courteous, polite and helpful both on the phone and in person and I will continue to patronize them. While the cakes aren't cheap, I actually don't mind spending my money on them because the taste is well worth it! And guests love coming to my parties to eat it! Thanks, TOH!
(5)
Dianna D.
I've never had a meal here, but this is the number one choice (in my book) for take-away desserts. I frequest a lot of the Andersonville restaurants that are close to TOH, and I never get dessert there because I can just croiss the street and get delicious desserts from Taste of Heaven. Great ice cream, all of thier pastries are great, cookies, cakes, etc... all are delicious. The cupcakes are to die for and I have finally found a place that makes a DELICIOUS Bread Pudding that comes without raisins! Yay! (and FYI, I completely supported them during their "children use your inside voices" campaign!)
(4)
Amy H.
Three stars because I've had really inconsistent experiences here. The first time I ate, I ordered pancakes and coffee. The coffee was awesome; the pancakes were raw in the middle. Instead of giving me new ones, or discounting my bill, they gave me toast for free. Toast =/= pancakes. The second time I came here, I had a burrito that was amazing, with a fantastic black bean salad on the side. Service was prompt and friendly, and it was a near-perfect dining experience. Third time - better than the first, but I waited far too long for my check. When I'm done eating, I want out the door, you know? I'm DONE. I don't like waiting around for the waitstaff to get to me with my check, I prefer to give you my card right then instead of having them drop off the check and come back ten minutes later for the payment. Fourth time (I live in the area, it's convenient, haha) - an amazing breakfast. Full stars. This would be a four-star review if there were any kind of consistency. As it is- three stars is the best I can do. They're lucky I came back after that first raw-pancake experience, omg. :P
(3)
Hannah L.
I'm kinda bummed by a few of the bad reviews for A Taste of Heaven, as I really love this place! Have been going for years - usually for a relaxed evening meal. They serve breakfast all day, which I love. Some of my faves: the breakfast casserole, Katie Cakes (pancakes with berries and, I think, mascarpone), and Durbin sandwich (named after Sen. Durbin? I dunno - but it's as delightful as the man himself). And Dan's baking skills - don't get me started! His cakes, scones, and cookies are mouth wateringly amazing. Would have him do my wedding cake if we weren't getting married 3 states away. I've never had a problem with the service. Yea, they don't fawn all over you, but I don't like that shit anyway.
(5)
Mary S.
Tastes like home. If my grandma and Martha Stewart could reproduce with each other, I think their spawn would cook like this. The decor reminds me of being in some tiny rural restaurant and the food's main ingredient seems to be love. I had some sort of breakfast casserole and instead of a side of toast/hash/carboverload, right next to my mound of delicious eggs n' stuff was a salad (and the delcious dressing was served in an old school syrup container. cute.). it was a really great idea since the main course was so filling! i left completely satisfied and ALMOST on the brink of food coma. i'm almost positive that salad saved my life.
(4)
Alexander C.
I have tried a lot of cupcakes. I like the inventiveness that these guys are showing. We got a six pack to go and are working our way through them. I really like the Boston Cream Pie cupcake. It is a cupcake topped with a cream filling and a hard chocolate "crust" to keep that cream filling perfectly sitting on top of the cupcake. You bite into it and it just gushes everywhere. Awesome! Eat it over a plate for sure. You have been warned. I have read some of the bad reviews on service about this place. We had the complete opposite experience. We walked up to the counter and were immediately greeted by two of the guys working there. They made us feel comfortable and I dig that. We ended up buying more than I was expecting and left them the change and another buck in the tip jar. We will be back! Thank you!
(4)
Unity O.
As of my trip there yesterday, they remain a solid 3 stars. They have a plethora of delectable delights. Things ranging from cookies, bundt cake, cupcakes, ice cream, scones, huge ass pieces of the cakes they bake in the shop, tea, and coffee. Normally I go here to get my sweet on, but have been there for their savory options as well--brunch is fantastic here, even though they do kick you out after about an hour & half (it is a small shop). One thing that keeps them at a solid 3 stars & does not bump them up is their customer service. Maybe they just don't care, but the servers could absolutely use some training--seriously. I took my niece there last night for some bonding time & our service was very sub-par. They did not bring us out utensils (I grabbed them myself) and they did not even come by our table to see if we were okay or if we needed anything. The place was not crowded--there were only 3 people in the whole shop while we were there. Mind you, I get that they were probably disappointed that we were not ordering dinner--but come on you are a coffee place too. Ordinarily I do not gripe about customer service, but last night was too much. While my niece & I sat there playing some card games & enjoying our treats--we had to sit there and listen to the 2 servers have this LONG discussion about working out their differences. Good night, they repeated the same things like 20 times in row before they were "okay" with each other--just silly! They were also very loud about it--it was unpleasant. While the food is good, the service is not--there enuf said.
(3)
Stephen R.
Great coffee and all the cakes are great. I like the chocolate chip pound cake and the chocolate bundt cake.
(4)
T J.
What a great place to grab a sandwich and dessert after a long day at work! A mix of a coffee shop, restaurant, and bakery, this joint has anything you could need. If you have the time, I wholeheartedly suggest dropping by with a book and spending an hour or two trying some of their creative food options and watching the foot traffic go by. The service is fantastic with an air of hospitality that many cafes don't seem to have these days.
(5)
Mel A.
2 stars for customer service and dirty table lamps. Same girl who served us a month ago. Long blondish dreads. No smile... same grumpiness. When we appeared to be done with our lunch she put our check on the table and walked away. She did not ask if we wanted dessert or coffee. My boyfriend and I got caught up in a conversation forgetting the bill for a few minutes. Blondish dreads walks up to our check book-slams it open...sees there is no money/credit card-slams it shut and walks away. My boyfriend gave her over a 20% tip. I begged him not too. He said it might make her happy. I really doubt it. Food was really good. I had a breakfast burrito. Boyfriend had tomato dill soup. Mocha was good too. The place was a bit dirty but we did go around 2pm and the seats were full. A month ago it was dirty too and there were only 4 other customers. We had dessert and mochas. All very good. Just wish the service was better. Maybe Blondish dreads is the owner?
(2)
Herminia I.
I have only come here for dessert, but I always stop here when friends come to visit me in Andersonville. I have never had a bad dessert here. Their desserts are kind of weird to describe. You can't really compare TOH desserts to their counterparts you've tasted elsewhere, but they are just simply amazing. I've had the german chocolate cake, the carrot cake and a few cupcakes--all AMAZING. And about the sign on the door... If parents simply taught their children manners than a shop owner who wants to keep a serene atmosphere wouldn't have to place a sign on their door. This place is not a bad place for all children--it's only a bad place for unruly children.
(4)
Hannah L.
I'm kinda bummed by a few of the bad reviews for A Taste of Heaven, as I really love this place! Have been going for years - usually for a relaxed evening meal. They serve breakfast all day, which I love. Some of my faves: the breakfast casserole, Katie Cakes (pancakes with berries and, I think, mascarpone), and Durbin sandwich (named after Sen. Durbin? I dunno - but it's as delightful as the man himself). And Dan's baking skills - don't get me started! His cakes, scones, and cookies are mouth wateringly amazing. Would have him do my wedding cake if we weren't getting married 3 states away. I've never had a problem with the service. Yea, they don't fawn all over you, but I don't like that shit anyway.
(5)
Mary S.
Tastes like home. If my grandma and Martha Stewart could reproduce with each other, I think their spawn would cook like this. The decor reminds me of being in some tiny rural restaurant and the food's main ingredient seems to be love. I had some sort of breakfast casserole and instead of a side of toast/hash/carboverload, right next to my mound of delicious eggs n' stuff was a salad (and the delcious dressing was served in an old school syrup container. cute.). it was a really great idea since the main course was so filling! i left completely satisfied and ALMOST on the brink of food coma. i'm almost positive that salad saved my life.
(4)
Emily Y.
Ok, my one-year ban on Taste of Heaven has been lifted, as of yesterday afternoon. After a terrible experience with an extremely sour waitress, we avoided the place for one entire year and told everybody we knew to avoid the place if possible. Yesterday, we decided that maybe it was time to give it another try. Everybody deserves a second chance, right? And the place happens to have great food and is a hop, skip, and a jump from our place. We walked in the door and were greeted and seated immediately. Good start. Waters were promptly delivered and the waitress came shortly. (No sign of sour waitress from last visit, maybe she got sacked or quit). Though new waitress wasn't entirely smiley and friendly, she didn't seem hostile but rather just busy. Our drinks arrived shortly. The coffee is ok here, but all the drinks are a bit over-priced in my opinion. I realize they have to make money, but 2.95 for a bottle of soda and 2.50 for a drip coffee? Seems a bit steep. The owner/manager person came by and offered us a free sample of a delicious apple/pumpkin pastry, which was a nice touch. He was clearly working hard to make sure the service was top-notch, often calling out to the waitstaff if a table needed a check or a refill. My question is why can't the waitstaff handle it on their own? I think I'm going to have to stop in on a random weekday afternoon and see if the service is still as good. This was Sunday brunch, after all, and the owner/manager was making very sure his employees were busting ass. The food is the saving grace here. Our breakfast casserole was dynamite, a big portion filled with yummy veggies and ham and very flavorful. Loved the dressing for the side salad. We also had the caramel apple french toast, which was delish. I'm sure the food is what has people coming back to this place, that and there is usually not too much of a wait, especially when they have the outdoor patio open. The tables were a bit dirty, and while cute, the coffee cup lamps needed some serious dusting and wiping. Gross. Simple things people. I will probably always be over critical of this place due to our very bad experience, but I am no longer boycotting it. It's a good place to go for a weekend brunch in the 'hood. Before you go, just say a little prayer to the waitstaff Gods that things are running smoothly, because that's a hit or miss.
(3)
Toast C.
From time to time I eat a signature dish at at a restaurant which I then crave: the Katie Cakes at Taste of Heaven are a great example. Katie cakes are pancakes smothered in blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry compote; topped with whipped cream cheese and lemon struessel. They are incredible!
(4)
Heather H.
For as quaint and cozy as this place appears nestled into its own little corner of Andersonville, I was a bit disappointed when I visited for brunch recently. I felt as though the place lacked the charm the outside and even the name and area exude. Our waiter was very polite but incredibly quiet. The smaller menu will likely leave some people out in the cold with not a lot of variety. I opted for the classic french toast after seeing a table near by with their specialty peach french toast. Service is quick and when mine arrived there was a lot of fluff and powdered sugar, but my best friend's mother makes better french toast - there is a memory of it from when I was 15 that I just can't top! I will say that my friend enjoyed her omelet immensely though. Hearty servings for the price. The place, thought tight quarters is appropriate for families and small groups. I did enjoy the outside seating with a nice view of Clark Street. I would give Taste of Heaven another try, perhaps their other menu selections live up to the small but spectacular mentality that so many places in Andersonville/Edgewater strive to achieve.
(2)
Judy M.
I'm going to have to give it another shot, and hopefully it will redeem itself. Stopped by after dinner Friday night because we had a craving for sweets and the line for George's Ice Cream and Sweets was out the door and onto the sidewalk. After chuckling at the signs, first thing I noticed was that it felt like a sauna in there. We decided there was no way we were going to eat what we got in. The staff were friendly, but busy, so we ordered a cupcake and went on our merry little way. I couldn't believe how dry the cupcake was, I love cupcakes and it was heartbreaking to have such a bad cupcake. I wished I had a glass of milk to dunk it in. For a good half hour after eating it I kept marveling at how disappointed I was. Hopefully it was an off night, and I'll modify my review, but as of now, dry cupcake and sauna like atmosphere = 2 stars.
(2)
Lawrence Y.
We were actually on our way to another dessert place down the street, when we walked past TOH and decided to try it out. I'm really glad we did, because the place is really cute. Service there was VERY friendly. We had ordered hot chocolate, oreo ice cream, and a snickerdoodle. Hot chocolate was very good, especially on a cold night like last night. It came with whipped cream and chocolate chips :) Oreo ice cream was good, and the snickerdoodle was great (asked them to warm it up... la la, la la, la!).
(4)
Timothy H.
Do yourself a favor and order the Hot Chocolate Cake - NO matter what time it is. It's a chocolate flourless cake served on a bed of fudge and a side of mousse. I was so excited for CFC that I ordered it for breakfast this morning. The food is generally "ok" and overpriced, and expect slow service, but it has a country charm which sets it apart from other places in the city. They have an extensive cupcake/bread/bakery item list, and I'm sure it's all tasty - yet overpriced at the same time. I've found myself coming here because of happenstance because it's really the only breafast joint in Andersonville, and I will probably continue to come because of happenstance, but I won't ever go out of my way to come here. Unless I turn gay, apparently it was voted best gay coffeeshop in the city. So there.
(3)
Char Y.
We ordered the meatloaf and lemon tart to go. I thought the meatloaf was dry, and the lemon tart taste normal. However, I had their biscuit and gravy before, and it was very good.
(3)
Melissa M.
Haha, the cupcakes look like something out of a fairy tale. Soooo given that GENERALLY nothing in life is as good as it looks unless you're either 6 years old or just really really dumb, I wasn't expecting to be too impressed by the cupcake I just haaaad to try anyway. But wow. I was wrong. Damn wrong. It was BETTER than it looked. I'd thought that was impossible. It actually flew through my mind that "A Taste of Heaven" ain't an exaggeration....!!!!! Wasn't expecting thaaaaat! :) I want to go get another one the next time I'm there (it's on my way home). Yummy! I did try their quiche too. It was tasty enough that their only having the one flavor of it made me think of the proverbial "damn kid won't live up to his potential." you know? soooo, but yeah. Cupcakes. If u like those, which I do, then hell yeah...enlarge your ass there. U won't be sorry. I also loved how they advertised "Edible Fruitcake." I get a biiiiiig kick out of stuff like that......it was cute. I've also tried their coffee before, and it was well made and tasty. Yay!
(5)
Lesley A.
Have you ever wanted to grab dessert somewhere after a Sunday night dinner around Argyle or in Andersonville? A Taste of Heaven is available to accomodate until 10 pm. Three of us ordered three different cupcakes: MALTED MILK BALL: Marble cake with some good thick frosting interspersed with malted milk powder. Nicely adorned with a crunchy malted milk ball. I liked the juxtaposition of softness and crunch. MOON PIE (?): Chocolate cake with marshmallow fluff and a chocolate ganache. Too much chocolate for me. BOSTON CREAM PIE: A fake eclair. Or an eclair that opts to use cake as its base rather than a flaky crust. I liked this one the best because I was craving an eclair (since we were so close to Swedish bakery, which has the best eclairs!) The cupcakes were nice, but none of them blew me out of the park. They were also too pricey for me at $2.75 without tax. I'm also not sure how fresh they are because they keep them cold. Hm. The ambiance was warm, kitschy and full of pride (The Reader voted TOH has the best Gay Bakery or something like that. The award is displayed proudly on the wall). We also talked quietly as CeCe Peniston's "Finally" played in the background ( youtube.com/watch?v=4YfC… ) despite my inner urges to break it down. Oh yeah :-)
(3)
Greg F.
hard to resist stopping in Taste Of Heaven when strolling andersonville, ordering a special treat you spot at the counter or see on their menu, and sitting down letting the waitstaff refill your cup. to paraphrase - 'slices of german chocolate cake as big as your head' knocks me out of the park maybe the puppet bike will be putting on a show right outside. maybe not. all that's missing is the rotogravure for an idyllic afternoon, but whatever you do give them a sweet try in my meddling opinion though they should drop the 'A' in their restaurant name, it complicates and leads searches astray. talk about a token complaint
(4)
Jonathan C.
So good. Try their French Toast with peaches and cream. I have yet to find something on their brunch menu that isn't amazing. Even their basic eggs, sausage gravy and buscuits is good. I don't know how they do it, but they do. It can get a little long to wait for a table, but its a good place so worth the wait (nevermind its not worth it, just go to Dennys so my wait is shorter)
(5)
Scott B.
Up until now, I have only been visiting A Taste of Heaven for their lemon bars. Who knew that they have a good breakfast? I love a good breakfast burrito and I think I have found my favorite. Most places the burritos are so huge that I can't finish it. At A Taste of Heaven the breakfast burrito is perfect. I added chicken sausage to mine which made it all the better. Looks as though I have a new breakfast spot!
(5)
Gayle G.
A solid three stars. Maybe more, but that remains to be seen. I stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner and the place was pretty much desserted at 4 p.m. as expected. The menu is pretty simple...salads, sandwiches and some dinner entrees. I debated the Nicoise salad, but I'm pretty particular about it. I settled on The Durbin, a hot turkey sandwiches with roasted pears and havarti cheese with honey mustard. It was good. Nice and hot and the cheese was melted. (A peeve is a hot sandwhich that's not hot enough to melt the cheese!) The pasta salad was ok, nothing super exciting. A decent value in a cute setting. I'll reserve extra stars once I've been here for brunch.
(3)
Tim L.
Interesting reading all the feedback on Yelp about this place. I worked here for a very brief stint last summer and I would agree with most of the reviews, both the positive and the negative. "How is this possible?" you ask. Well here goes... Service: It completely depends on who is working. Dan, the owner, is a *bit* pretentious in an "I run my damn restaurant like I want to" and I don't fault him for it. He's a straight shooter and is truly dedicated to his craft/skill, which is definitely best expressed in the back of the house, where he generally stays. Some servers are amazingly friendly and others are snobby brats. They are often understaffed with only one person covering the whole restaurant and one behind the counter, so don't expect to eat in a huge hurry, but to be fair there is really no more room for 3+ staff to be able to function. (PS: I like to think I was a friendly one. :) Atmosphere: It does get packed at times (i.e. nice summer nights when everyone in Andersonville is out walking their dogs/babies/dog babies), but usually is pretty chill, especially around early lunch time. If it is too loud inside check out the back patio, which is nice. The other reviewers do a fine job of describing the homey interior, so I'll leave it at that. Cleanliness: Don't confuse the clutter with dirtiness. The space is small for everyone, servers, kitchen staff, and patrons, but it is kept clean and sanitary. Food: Here is where this place really shines. As you can read above, I have no real allegiance to this place and I can be as objective as anyone, as I don't live nearby anymore and don't owe them anything, and I still will say that the food here is absolutely delicious! Portabella wraps are my favorite for lunch, and the breakfast selections are all outstanding. It might be just me, but I don't really see this place as a huge dinner destination. Big portions, very affordable, everything made fresh (even the salad dressing is made in house). The desserts and sweets are incredible -- especially the apricot macaroons when they come hot out of the oven -- and are always turning over to ensure fresh products for everyone. If ratings were based on food alone I'd give this place 5+ stars. (Hint: many entrees come with choice of side; ALWAYS go with the pasta salad -- it's delicious) Bottom line: A cozy neighborhood place that caters to locals and regulars, but that has outstanding food for everyone, especially for breakfast and lunch. Sit outside when you can, come when you have time to relax and not hurry in and out, and enjoy Dan's great talent in the kitchen!
(4)
Kathleen C.
This is by FAR my favorite place to eat breakfast! I have dreams about their scones. I LOVE the blueberry, rasberry and blackberry scones! AMAZING cupcakes as well! I try to hit this place up at least once a week. We are moving to the suburbs, which breaks my heart, but I will be making the trip in to visit Taste of Heaven for sure!
(5)
Angelique R.
Very delicious veggie omelet, yup potatoes, yum fruits, yum iced coffee, and I brought home the pasty - which I'm sure is yum too. Service was friendly enough and for a Saturday not super busy. I do wish I could have grabbed something healthier but I may have missed it on the menu. Prices weren't bad.
(4)
Megan G.
Taste of Heaven is unique in that it is the only establishment I can think of that I could have rated anywhere from two to four stars...I split the difference at three but as I ponder this review I'm leaning more towards two. On the four star end, the baked goods are excellent. The food isn't as good as the baked goods, but it's fine. Drinks are solid. I also like the atmosphere - it's softly lit and quiet. It's not a place that I'd necessarily want to linger for long periods of time because the chairs aren't particularly comfy, but I find the overall atmosphere calming. The two stars are service. As I watched our counter server glare at and refuse to speak to me last night and snap at his coworker that no, he would not make a hot chocolate for her I commented to my companion that Taste of Heaven ranks with the Uptown Post Office for most unpleasant employees I've ever encountered. If you've been to the Uptown Post Office, you know that that's really saying something. In general, Taste of Heaven employees seem to go out of their way to be unpleasant. They must actually be expending additional effort to be as nasty as they are. Periodically I forget this or think that I have to have been overreacting and I'll wander back into Taste of Heaven only to be reminded that yes, the service really IS that bad. I will say that the aforementioned coworker who asked for hot chocolate for one of her tables was as sweet as pie. I doubt she'll last long.
(3)
Stefanie P.
I stopped in here the other night to satisfy a particularly nasty sweet craving, and I must say, I picked the right place. Upon the cashier's recommendation, I tried the "moon pie" cupcake. Dude. DUDE. Chocolate cupcake with marshmallowy buttercream (I think), covered in chocolate ganache. Need I say more? It was amazing. Staff was friendly and the price was fine for a specialty cupcake. I'll be back to try more. It's quite convenient that I pass them on the way home from the gym...
(4)
Sarah E.
Perfect! I was looking for somewhere quick to stop in before book club to pick up my sustenance offering for the group. I picked up apricot macaroons, lemon drop cookies, chocolate raspberry brownies, and lemon butter bar. Everything had that great small bakery quality, and nothing was terribly pricey. Except for my small tea. $2+. Good tea (chamomile) with the non-paper bag that I'm a huge fan, but that was how much? Otherwise, I would visit regularly if I lived in the neighborhood. Great atmosphere, PERFECT place to meet friends for coffee and small sugar snack. :)
(4)
Jerry B.
Quaint, little diner. Quiet and not trendy. Had egg sandwich and pesto omlette. Both okay, not great. Good coffee. Service was very good. Cupcakes look great, but didn't try them. Nice alternative to big,noisy places like m Henry. (and a little less expensive). Probably 3 stars for hipsters.
(4)
Dan F.
This is one of my favorite little spots for a nice lunch--winter or summer--they have a nice street cafe in the summer months and a small and very cozy dining area. The food here is why we go--it is unbelievably tasty--made from scratch (everything). There is not a thing on the menu that I wouldn't eat--whatever it is it will be GREAT! Now, they don't seem to keep servers more than a week or two here for some reason, but it doesn't matter--slow and sluggish service because someone is learning the ropes is a small price to pay for the excellent food that awaits your taste buds! Yum!
(4)
Curtis S.
This place is always packed and I'm not sure why. The interior looks like grandma's country kitchen during the dust bowl era. I hate to put down a local establishment, but this place is sort of gross. The coffee tastes like a paper towel and the French toast is soggy. The scones are not the best (as the huge sign states). The only good experience I've had is the huge slice of cake I had 6 months ago (the last time I was there). To be fair, I have given it a lot of chances and they have failed.
(1)
Mara S.
Cool place. Great service. Good food. Lots of food for the $$. Cute atmosphere. Highly recommend for a weekend brunch. Had I not been stuffed I would have loved to try some of their fresh bakery goods too.
(4)
Aaron R.
Small store, with to go window, a patio and a nicely kitschy dining area. After sitting at the window counter, we were brought coffee and ordered food... Though the waitress basically told us she could not allow substitutions on the menu and they were out of just abotu everything on the menu... Things they were out of, Cornbread, anything involving the cornbread, the stuff in the breakfast burrito, at least two of the 8 things on the menu, etc etc. After the coffee came out, we waited 40 minutes for food, so they brought us some raspberry and lemon bars to tide us over, both were tasty. The food came out soon after, it was good, my omelet was watery cause it was overcooked, but was okay. My friends burrito came with all of the things he asked to NOT be on it. Coffee was okay. All in all it was okay. On another note, they closed the kitchen once they realized they were out of everything. we were one of the last people seated before they shut the place down. Weird.
(3)
Chicagoguy J.
First time here, just moved to the neighborhood. Very friendly staff, great items. I had the Katie Cakes. HUGE and delicious, very sweet. Portions here are huge, may want to split some of the items. I'll definitely be back. I read the negative reviews about service, but everyone I encountered was very friendly.
(4)
Dennis B.
Eaten here several times and the food has been consistent as well as the service. I appreciate not being rushed during weekend breakfast/brunch, which many places tend to do. The service can be perceived as slow, but I really think it is more relaxed. I have attempted to meet friends here on the weekends, and the space is tight and waits can be long. The ice cream is great, as well as several brunch selections. My favorite brunch item is the burrito. I have had the breakfast casserole and it is tasty as well.
(4)
Emily K.
Came here for a Saturday brunch and got the breakfast burritos, which was pretty good. They score points for being BYOB and for the really nice waitress who didn't judge me when I debated getting a 6 pack at 10:30 am. In the end I was just too lazy to get leave. Ate outside and despite being obviously busy we weren't rushed. Had really great service from a new waitress who told us she was new in town and asked where she should go in the neighborhood to meet people. To thank us for being nice she gave us a bag full of free pastries with our check, which was awesome. I've had a better breakfast burrito (it just seemed a bit healthy- god, I'm gross- and on that end, a little plain) but I'd come back to try some other things as well.
(4)
Emily T.
The first time I walked in they shoved a warm oatmeal cookie in my face and a cup of hot coffee and I was immediately ready to move in. The service is relaxing and if you want to sit there all day with a giant piece of cheesecake the wait staff won't tap their feet. You might need an entire day to eat a piece of their cheesecake, but there is no crime in indulgence. Yesterday I went there for lunch and had the Durbin Omlette, with turkey, pear and Havarti cheese (how can you go wrong?). The turkey was real breast meat that should make Thanksgiving be ashamed of itself. The pears were super ripe and the cheese with all its melty goodness was icing on the cake. It was served with their home-style potatoes that are nothing out of the ordinary, but just tasty. It also came with a little salad of mixed greens and pickled green beans, red cabbage and black beans. Now, anything that sits in brine for several days in my book, has to be good, but these were beyond good. I was also very happy to hear that the pickled jewels were made on site. I appreciated the personal touch and pickling is definitely a science so kudos to Heaven. Heaven has a relaxing and inviting atmosphere with options for all walks of life. Places like this are what makes Andersonville so unique. Their desserts are reason enough to stop in and check the place out. If thats the kind of food they serve in Heaven then I have one less worry in life. Sidebar - This is a relaxed environment so if the kids can't leave the house without a leash, then go to the IHOP.
(4)
Josh E.
On a scale of five stars, I'd rate this a Yum. I've only been for dessert, but it's good every time. This evening I had the hot chocolate (they use half & half instead of milk) and split a piece of cake. The cake slice was giiiiiiiant. Way too big for me & my girlfriend. But delectable. Soooo good. The staff was friendly and didn't bug us too much as we talked. Great place. Not totally amazing. But definitely good enough.
(4)
Brett M.
For just take-out, I'd give the place five stars... those scones are beyond compare! Everyone in my office is addicted. Every person I bring to this bakery leaves addicted to the scones. Plus, take-out service is always fast and friendly. Dining-in gets four stars, because it gets super crowded and noisy on weekend mornings... but what brunch spot in Chicago doesn't?
(4)
Lisa K.
Taste of Heaven came recommended by friends who live in the area of Andersonville, Uptown/Edgewater. We all stopped in for a lunch on a weekend. The prices were a little higher than I imagined for such a small luncheon looking place. I tried the tomato soup. It was on the cold side and an average portion for the large price tag it came with. The chef was either getting creative or spilled the whole bottle of dill because my soup tasted like pickles it had such a strong dill flavor. Spices are accents not the entree itself. YUCK. I won't be back even if they were giving the food away.
(1)
David S.
Stopped in today and bought the Lemon Meringue cupcake and it was divine. I love well made baked goods and Dan (the owner) does them exceptionally well. ATOH never lets me down. Try them and you'll see exactly what I mean. Got a sweet tooth? Go. Just. Go. Cheers!
(5)
Carly O.
I've lived by A Taste of Heaven for many years and used to go when it was at its old location on Foster. I would say that most of my experiences here have been more on the 4 start side. However, this past Saturday, I had an amazing brunch. My boyfriend got the Silverland breakfast (biscuits in sausage gravy with lightly scrambled eggs) and I had the Katie Cakes (two perfectly cooked, large pancakes smothered with a mixed berry preserve type thing, topped with some kind of lemon-y cream and streusel crumble). AMAZING. We split our meals and marveled at the perfection. The place doesn't seat many, so you'll probably experience a bit of a wait on a Saturday or Sunday. Our server was very friendly and on top of things. If you're ever in the hood and looking for dessert, this is also a very nice place to enjoy a slice of their Jeanine's cake and sip a mug of coffee.
(5)
Go B.
perfect place to take someone you want to have a cup of coffee with...maybe someone that has been working out alot ;)
(4)
Aggie T.
After moving from Wicker Park to Ravenswood, this restaurant was one of the first I tried in my new 'hood. I've been back several times and I really like it. It's typically not crowded and it kind of makes me feel like I'm eating in someone's kitchen (not a restaurant). I think it may be the coffee-cup lamps. Most importantly, they do comfort food right. I love bakeries. This place has delicious linzer cookies and many good-but-a-bit-rich cakes and brownies. Of note is their white cake with cream cheese frosting and berries. They also have a pancake version (Katie cakes) on their brunch menu. It's very tasty but a tummy bomb. It's super rich, so if you try it, you might want to share it with a friend. Although I try to eat healthy, I'm not a fan of salads-as-a-meal. Having been raised in Ohio by round folks, I feel like I require more substance than that. But A Taste of Heaven has a wonderful salad with pecans, pears and roasted chicken and a light honey mustard dressing. I actually crave it which totally astounds me. Their chicken and biscuits, a signature meal, is intense. If you like heavy, creamy, or gravy-like stuff, then this is for you. It was a little too much for me though. I can respect it for what it is but I prefer more biscuit than gravy. This was definitely lots of gravy and two small biscuits. Not good for watching the waist-line. I went with a friend once and sampled his beef brisket meal. It came with a wedge of potatoey goodness and some sort of red vegetable side dish. It was very tasty. I think I'll get it next time. Lastly, the customer service is excellent. The staff is very friendly and I like supporting them because you can tell that the people who work there care. And there's outdoor seating in the summer, another plus.
(4)
Karen G.
I have followed Dan and his wonderful bakery creations since he first opened his store on Foster. I love the atmosphere at Taste of Heaven. It is never too loud. The food is always excellent. The staff is friendly and fast. I often meet new clients there so it serves as my business office on occasion. You will always be happy with your experience at Taste of Heaven. I always have been.
(5)
Matt R.
A very homey spot to pick up brunch or a pastry. I myself have gotten some pastries, all of which were pretty good. Seems to be pretty popular as it is always packed.
(3)
S.D. D.
i don't care how good your food and drinks are if the service is crap. I'll never return to A Taste of Heaven and I really don't understand all the good reviews. The server and the guy behind the counter were rude, unthoughtful, and I felt very hurried. It was not the pleasant sit down experience I had expected. At all.
(1)
Nicole C.
Yummy biscuits and gravy. :) A great place to stop in for a cup of coffee and a pastry after dinner. Warm and cozy environment.
(4)
K- K.
the Katie Cakes are INCREDIBLE!! The food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about A Taste of Heaven is wonderful. Once I go here several more times, I will most likely increase this to 5 stars
(4)
John B.
I liked Taste of Heaven even before the owner dropped the hammer on misbehaved kids. I liked it even before it was on Clark Street, when it was west on Foster. But then I would only get food to go, because although they had seating, it wasn't meant for lingering. Not so at the new place. Try the scones. Unless you don't eat dairy. 'Cause they're all dairy, with just a smidge of flour to hold them together. At least that's what I believe. The basked goods are all made fresh every morning, and it shows. Unfortunately, that means when they're out of something, they're out. But that's a good thing, too. As long as it's not the bread pudding cake. They do a god job with lunch too. When the weather turns cold, try their soups. The pumpkin soup is extraordinary.
(4)
Emily M.
I was looking forward to this cute little place, but I felt like their selection was a little shy of heaven. I'm a very picky eater though. My boyfriend thought the food was ok, but on the expensive side. As we were leaving we decided to buy cupcakes for dessert that night. We had two half eaten cupcakes left. Really who eats only half a cupcake?! They weren't worth the calories!
(2)
Nastassia J.
Oh man is breakfast at Taste of Heaven amazing. I've had the breakfast burrito, the biscuits and gravy, the egg sandwich. All amazing. Good, strong coffee. Friendly service. Top notch.
(5)
Kate A.
I wanted to update my earlier review that told of the table full of yogurt but no granola. I actually ended up speaking with the manager and he was extremely understanding about the incident. He sent gift certificates for us to use. So I came by again with my husband. I had the yogurt and granola and the granola was pretty exceptional. It had a hint of orange in it. The yogurt itself is very good and the strawberries have been fresh both times I've had the yogurt. If you don't want to go the yogurt route, my guy got the omelette of the day, smoked salmon, goat cheese, tomatoes... very fresh and good. I've also had the French Toast, which is no fuss and great flavor, almost tasted a little almondy. Attentive service and great food. We'll be back!
(4)
Jill A.
Go here now! Service is terrific, food is a dream. They aren't lying with the name. Or maybe stay the hell away so I don't have to wait for a table. The place isn't very big-the only down side.
(5)
Jessica S.
Very good desserts and tea. Friendly efficient staff!
(5)
Mag M.
the cakes here are so good that i am willing to overlook the mediocrity of the rest of the nosh and the fruity kitchy decor. the chocolate-hazelnut torte IS.SO.FREAKING.DELICIOUS. also, i am a big fan of anything red-velvet, and the cream cheese frosting is the creamiest i have ever tasted. i hate icing that makes you feel like you're basically eating granulated sugar, and this place really understands the balance between sweet and savory, even with dessert as a specialty. it's a rare find.
(3)
Michael M.
I have been coming here for the last four years - I like their food, but my experience today has soured me forever. I sat down with my computer to do some work, and waited for anyone to offer me any service - I received none. I was approached by a manager or someone and told that I couldn't stay if I wasn't ordering. I had not even been approached by service staff for my muffin or coffee I was interested in. I then was, rudely, asked to leave. I guess I should expect such service from a place that "REQUIRES" children to be quite. I can't understand why you wouldn't want a sale from a paying customer. Very sad, very disappointing!!!!!!! I'll never go back, ever
(1)
Chloe R.
Too many sweets to choose from (could have been from the Hopleaf effect) and knowing I like yellow cake I went with a Malted Milk ball cupcake. Some of the best frosting around and the cake was very moist. I was extremely satisfied. Also tried the bf's boston creme cupcake which was heavenly. I'd be back!
(4)
neeters m.
We've lived in Chicago five years now, and although many restaurants have come and gone in my list of favorite brunch spots, this place has withstood the test of time and remains at the top of my list. Here's why: * Consistently high-quality food across the menu: ingredients are obviously carefully chosen and carefully used. You can order anything here an it will be good. * Reasonable portions - neither too big nor too small. Just enough to fill you up. * Healthy, tasty options. I love that they always give you a side of something green with your egg dish, that you can order oatmeal that is really yummy, and that you can opt for a delicious home-made biscuit rather than a sweet roll. Nothing is too greasy; everything is very flavorful. * If you want to indulge, you can, and you won't feel sick afterward. Their sweeter offerings are delicious, but also well balanced, and made with higher quality ingredients than most places. * Kitchy yet adorable. I didn't know that was possible until I saw this place. Country-home decor chosen carefully to delight and amuse, not nauseate. * Warm and welcoming. The space is so comfortable an comforting, an the wait staff here is highly efficient, patient, and accommodating. My family and I are moving to Phili, an this is one of the places in Chicago I will really miss.
(5)
S S.
I want to like A Taste of Heaven. I like the idea of it - nice desserts, good salads and sandwiches, a place to go without children yapping everywhere. But here's the thing. The desserts are incredibly overrated. Maybe the baking schedule is once every three days, but the cake I had two visits ago was frozen in the middle, not fresh; and yesterday's chocolate chip cookie could have broken teeth. Then there's the service. I sat down at a table with liquid all over it - waited for a server to wipe it off - too bad she missed 1/4 of the table, and now I have a shirt with someone else's Diet Coke all over the sleeve. I ordered the grilled cheese with tomato on Sourdough. I've had it before, and it's good. Sure, they charge an extra buck for the tomato,but who doesn't? Well, after waiting 1/2 an hour for my sandwich, (it was 1:20 when I walked in), imagine my surprise when the one that arrived was on egg bread an inch thick (a bit much) with (I kid not) two slices of plum tomatoes. shredded cheddar cheese from a bag that wasn't melted, and a side of potato chips three weeks past their sell-by date. I know it's a small joint, but the combo of craptastic service, below-average food, and desserts that don't come close to meeting the reputation means I won't be back. Oh, and the best touch? When my sandwich came back from being reheated, it had someone else's marinara on it. Yah. High class.
(1)
Michael H.
Hands down - the best cup cakes in Chicago! Delicious almost mousse like butter cream and moist cake! Also, for breakfast? The best pancakes I have every had. Service is always friendly and professional. Superb breakfast and pretty much any of the baked goods are worthy of the carbs and calories.
(4)
amy w.
I split paying for a friend's birthday cake and another person picked up the cake. We ordered it well in advance and they said it would be ready by 11. Friend shows up at 1130 and they had the dates confused, but they "happened to be making the same cake". It was not the same and it was obvious they intended to serve it the next day or just threw everything they had on hand together. The bottom layer was extremely thin compared to the top two layers and they hid the mistake with frosting. The cake was dry, because they didn't brush on the syrup they usually have on all their cakes to keep it moist. The berries didn't have time to macerate so they were too tart. They comped my friend's coffee but didn't offer a discount off the cake for making their mistake. Keep in mind this is a $90 cake. When they get it right, they get it right. When they don't, they don't care to fix it, because they're not exactly hurting for business. All their pastries in their case are good. If you're pre-ordering, you might want to call a day ahead to make sure they have the date right.
(2)
Jennifer H.
I waver between 2 and 3 stars. The food is mediocre (we came here only b/c we were too hungry to wait 45 minutes for a table at M. Henry, our usual breakfast joint). Actually, it was downright disappointing. I don't know if the cook was just in a cranky mood that morning, but my breakfast sandwich was not satisfying at all. My breakfast partners and I decided that that visit would be our only time there -- too many yummy places to try in this city to waste money on medicore fare. I don't get why this place is crowded, seriously. I assume it profits quite a bit from the M. Henry rejects who come here and morosely accept the bland omelets and slow service.
(3)
Tory w.
A taste of heaven it is NOT, at least as far as their pastries go. I would give three stars for the lunch food and one for the cupcakes. Disappointing, considering the long list of cupcake flavors posted on the door and on the outside windows. Everything in their bakery display case does look heavenly, but the taste is where it's at and this place just doesn't have it. I had a chicken sandwich that was decent and my lunch date had the pulled pork which was tasty. Two thumbs up for the homemade chicken soup, it was really good and had a bit of a kick to it. My hazelnut cupcake was dry and was totally not worth the calories and fat, I didn't even finish it. For me not to finish a cupcake, it has to be really bad. It's my second time having a cupcake there, the first time was equally disappointing. Our waiter was (I think) new to the job because he didn't know which sandwich was which and had to have another waiter point out the difference between chicken and pork. I don't know how long he will last there either because after serving us our food we saw him eating, sitting outside smoking, and then getting into a cab and leaving, all before bringing us the check, I honestly think we could have left without paying and no one would have noticed. If you're in the neighborhood, go to Starbucks and skip this place.
(2)
April M.
Great saturday or sunday morning breakfast place! The food is good and the price is good. Sadly though I haven't been there in about a year since my boyfriend and friends have found other cute breakfast places to try. Although we will be back someday!
(4)
Annie S.
While this place is really cool and comfortable, and the staff was friendly, I did not think that much of the dinner options. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, which was ok, but the side of potato salad was very under seasoned. My friend's grilled cheese tasted ok, but at around $10 a plate I did not think it was worth it. I have not however, tried any of their deserts or breakfast/brunch items and I heard those are delicious, so I would go back to try that because the atmosphere was very enjoyable and laid back. Also, the sign telling parents to keep their children in check is about enough to get me to give it another try.
(2)
A R.
I've lived away from Chicago for a year now, and I still miss Taste of Heaven! Oh, man nothing would cure my brunch craving like the peaches and cream french toast, and my husband always got the breakfast burrito. Soooo good, man we miss it.
(5)
Matthew H.
Been going to Taste of Heaven for years!! Not anymore though, they totally changed up the Menu and the food is less than desirable. Ok, for a quick breakfast, but the dinner has totally gone down hill. So sad! :(
(1)
Stephanie H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. While it can get a bit crowded over the weekends, the food is well worth the wait. I highly recommend the Katie Cakes or the Grilled Cheese Omlette! The waitstaff can be a bit slow and frazzled, but, again, the food is well worth it.
(4)
Amy J.
I've been twice and thinks it's a pretty good place to go. I've had kind of iffy service both times, once by a rushed, pushy waitress and once by a very S-L-O-W waiter, but both times the food has been really tasty. The biscuits and gravy was delish and the breakfast burrito was very good. When you can't wait an hour and a half to eat at M Henry, this is a good alternative in the neighborhood. And in the summer, they have a shady little sidewalk cafe on the side street.
(3)
Dan B.
This review is solely based on the baked goods, I have only eaten brunch there once and I was quite sick so It's not really a good gauge. That being said, on to dessert...oh dessert! I am fully addicted to the Jeanine's cake. Double layered spongecake filled with fresh berries and covered in a thick cream frosting. It is so rich yet so light at the same time. I have tried some of the other desserts as well which were all fantastic, but this one takes the cake! (pun intended) I usually just get it to go from the counter, but last night we decided to eat in, much like several others out enjoying the niceish weather. A nice perk too is free coffee on Wednesdays whether you eat in or take it to go. I love that they are open late too because my dessert cravings usually hit me later in the evening.
(4)
Liz K.
Brunch was great but I'm not so sure about lunch. Bakery items look amazing. I had a moon pie cupcake and a molasses cookie, both amazing. So is that one cake with the white cream and fruit inside!
(4)
Ellen P.
Taste of Heaven has become my regular weekend breakfast spot. While I love the Silverland breakfast and some others, I typically can't get past the oat meal - yes, I said oat meal - which is served with peach compote, granola and currants. YUM! Staff is friendly, sometimes a short wait, but nothing to gripe about. Also: the owner is forever walking around with pastry samples - just when you think you're stuffed, you find room for a pumpkin square...
(5)
Nina G.
Taste of Heaven was originally at the old Let Them Eat Cake shop at Paulina & Foster, and that area just hasn't been the same since they left for Andersonville. Their loss is Clark Street's gain. However, as much as I love most of their pastries there are two negatives here: (a) Some of the counter staff have a MAJOR 'tude problem. Ever heard of "service with a smile" folks? And it would help if you would know the inventory so you can answer our questions. (b) One of the signature products of TOH in the autumn was a large leaf-shaped cookie with maple-flavored dough, and food coloring in no-two-alike patterns. I wonder if some people just bought the cookies, laminated them and used them for autumn decorations! But for some reason they weren't available in Fall 2007! Bring them back, please!
(4)
liz d.
A taste of heaven is really what you get with this place. No lie. After tasting a piece of Jeanine's cake, which we ordered for a party, I really thought I was floating on up to the clouds. The only reason I fought it off, was so that I could get another bite of that cake! The creamy and fresh strawberry filling was just right. The fresh flowers on top made for a perfect decoration. I would definitely suggest this place for some yummy dessert.
(4)
Lakshmi R.
I love this place for so many reasons. The food is great (I especially love the Breakfast Burrito). The staff are so sweet and so nice. If you stay late until close, they'll give you their remaining scones. It's beautiful inside: lovely lamps and sparkly decor, so cozy and nice. Tough to get a seat here on the weekends, but really worth the wait, and definitely a great place to meet up with friends or to do some work during the week. The epitome of cuteness!
(5)
Elisabeth A.
We got a scone and a coffee to go. Scone was fine; coffee was terrible, tasteless brown water. I politely pointed this out and was treated very rudely by the woman behind the counter. She did offer another cup, but when I asked if it would taste the same as the first, undrinkable one, her response was a very bitchy "I have no idea!" Of course, the second cup was no better than the first. Decent coffee is kind of a basic requirement for a breakfast place, IMO. We will not be back.
(1)
Nannette P.
Try the Jeannie's Cake. Seriously, the best cake around. The Silverland Breakfast is also delish.
(5)
Erin T.
The food is good, but the service is so-so. I think they might be nicer to regulars (fair enough, I guess). It's not outright hostile or anything, just on the cold side of indifferent. Cool, you might say. Doesn't stop me from going there, so it's not that bad. Sorry for the wishy washy review - I just feel wishy washy about A Taste of Heaven.
(3)
Christy H.
Was driving by Sunday morning with a very hungry belly craving French toast. Saw this place and man- did I hit the Jackpot!!!! I had the peaches & cream french toast and it was AWESOME!!!!! And, for back up later I grabbed a peanut butter cookie to go and it hit the spot as a tasty treat at work Monday.
(4)
Daniel S.
I have to admit that I haven't much of a sweet tooth, but I don enjoy visiting this place. So I won't dare to review the sweets, as I haven't tried them. But I can say the savouries, salads, soups, main courses and breads are well produced and presented. The only dish that I would not recommend is the pumpkin soup- it is far too sweet.
(4)
Jannis M.
I used to love going to the old Taste of Heaven when it was on Foster. Small, no waitstaff and great scones. The two times I've been to the space on Clark street I've had horrible service. My most recent visit was the worst. Our waiter barely contained his distain for us when we asked to have a few moments to decide. He had all the time in the world to gab with his friends behind us but every time he managed to come to our table, which wasn't much, his attitude dripped out of his pores. My food was slightly above ordinary. I'll continue to go up the street to M. Henry, where the food and service are far superior. In a city as big as Chicago, there are far better bakeries and scones to choose from.
(2)
Claire S.
I have been coming here for a few years now and the desserts are absolutely delicious. My friend Matt and I usually come here just to get a huge piece of Taste's cake. It can get crowded, but I've found that it's worth it. Great desserts!
(4)
Nicholle H.
Every time I eat here I am nothing less than satisfied. I always come for breakfast, which is packed on the weekends, and like to try a little something different each time. During breakfast on the weekends, they usually come around the tables with samples of scones or other baked goods that leave me salivating for more. The baked goods are a little pricey, but definitely worth it!
(5)
Allison S.
This place is super delicious. I am never disappointed with anything I get. Go here. Yay!
(5)
Theresa S.
Love love love their mackinac island fudge ice cream. Good coffee and a cute place to meet with one or two friends. The space is kind of small and can get crowded easily.
(4)
Serg H.
As I sit here enjoying a delicious slice of the German chocolate cake from a Taste of Heaven, I would like to update my review on my last visit to Heaven. Let me start by saying that after posting my first review, Dan McCauley, the owner of A Taste of Heaven replied to my post promptly and apologized for the unpleasant experience I had at his establishment. Trust me when I say that he was very humble and genuine in his multiple emails. He was willing to refund back the cost of my ticket plus tip and offered to give me a whole cake of his delicious Bread Pudding which is his mothers recipe. I replied back to Dan and no refund was necessary, my only request was to get a gift certificate for 2 people to go back to Heaven. He immediately responded back and informed me that the gift certificates would be waiting for me at the register. He even offered to mail them but that was not necessary since I live within walking distance from Heaven in my new Neighborhood Andersonville. I went to Heaven to pick up the certificates and I had a chance to meet Dan and he was very pleasant and humble and apologetic and thank me for using yelp and for giving him a chance to make things right. I got my certificates and bread pudding and when I got home I realized that Dan was more than generous with the certificates but trust me that has nothing to do with this update. Tonight my partner and I decided to go to Heaven since the bad experience with an open mind and let me just tell you that the experience was a total 180. The server that waited on us was nice, attentive and very pleasant. He welcomed us, took our order, answered menu questions, checked on us to make sure if we needed anything and suggested some desserts. Later to my surprise, I over heard him say that it was his second night at the job and in my opinion he was definitely great at his job. Extra update for those of you whom I shared or heard about my first experience and had a similar experience with that same waiter and whose most negative reviews are written I encourage you to give Heaven another chance cause thanks to Yelp he no longer works in Heaven. Good people go to Heaven and bad people..... Well you know where they go. Once again thanks Dan for making things right. Btw their 3 Mac and cheese and desserts is what keeps me coming back to Heaven!
(4)
Bleu C.
Taste of Heaven has homestyle food and a casual atmosphere, so it's a good option for grabbing breakfast (served all day), lunch or just dessert if you're in the neighborhood. They have a nice little outdoor seating area, so it tends to be a destination for me when I'd like to sit outside. I wouldn't say it's conducive to lingering unless they're not terribly busy, and there aren't a lot of options for vegetarians. This is a family-owned and operated cafe and is well-known for their wide variety of desserts. In an article on the ABC7 website, owner Dan McCauley notes that "Everything we make is homemade. These are all my great grandmother's recipes." They use all-natural ingredients, which is pretty impressive since most bakeries use mixes these days. Parking in this neighborhood is tricky. You can also get there on the #22 Clark bus or walk a few blocks west from the Berwyn stop on the Red Line train.
(3)
Joel S.
Perfect place to warm up on a f freezing night. My reward for braving the pre-windchill -17 temperature outside this morning was dinner at ATOH, including: 1) Piping hot tomato dill soup 2) Piping hot thanksgiving ingredients (turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes) in a wrap - look it wasn't a culinary classic or even the best of those ingredients, but you gotta appreciate the genius of that combo. 3) Piping hot coffee with delicious baked goods Tons of windows in this place, but it was still warm inside and a cozy atmosphere - something I appreciate after dining out yesterday in another establishment that was about 55 degrees inside. Great service, too. Nothing too "wowing" on the food menu, and that keeps it from 5 stars, but overall a very solid choice for a "homey" experience. Thanks A Taste of Heaven!
(4)
Adam S.
I love the sign when you walk in: "control your children" essentially. Small cozy place; was full when we went on a Sunday at 9:30 so get there earlier or prepare for a wait. The food was good, not great. We both ordered omelettes which came with potatoes and a "salad" which was mesclun greens and green beans in some sort of olive oil/dill dressing. All pretty good but not "holy crap this is fantastic" good, thus the 3-spot on the rank from me...Unlike other people who seemed to have service issues, ours was fine, just kind of hurried in the there are 12 tables here and 2 waitresses so i'm super busy always and am going to walk really fast style.
(3)
Anna G.
Too bad the service sucks, but I'm giving it 3 stars because the desserts are excellent. If A Taste of Heaven had semi-friendly staff, they'd get 5 stars from me. The orange cupcakes are a must if you're there.
(3)
LJ S.
We were greeted at the door warning that children should 'use their inside voices" and there were several other unfunny "tongue-in-cheek" slurs on children. We were the only people there with kids and felt uncomfortable, even through our children were quieter than most of the adults, who I guess are not asked to use their inside voices. (I would note this anti-children feeling is the fault of the owner/management, not the waitstaff.) That said, they do have high chairs and children's portions. Food was mediocre so no need to return, with or without children.
(2)
Ellen C.
The food is really good but just a tad overpriced. It's always very, very crowded, though. I don't feel rushed by the wait staff or anything, but I do think the space is far too small. This is not a place where you can just walk in and expect to be seated right away. There is definitely a wait. However, I like that there's a sign on the door admonishing people not to let their kids run wild, so I guess it's not a kid-friendly environment--which is good! Nothing like a bunch of screaming kids to ruin a good meal. Well, it's not like there would be enough room for any kids to run around in anyway.
(3)
Sheila Y.
Went here with my family looking for a casual sit down place in Andersonville and got drawn in by the bakery case. It was filled with yummy looking pastries, but we eventually sat down for brunch instead. I ordered an iced mocha and it was great...no burnt espresso or overdone chocolate syrup. We all ordered the lox quiche which was amazing with the dill addition. The quiche is the best I've had so far in Chicago, however doesn't match up to Caf Campagne in Seattle. The biscuit was also especially awesome and I slathered that sucker with butter and scarfed it down. It had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The other breakfasts looked great and I would absolutely return for another breakfast stop.
(4)
Jesse F.
I could probably eat here every day and be perfectly happy. They always seem to have whatever I'm craving and it's always delicious. I've always had pretty good service. As an added bonus, the people watching on the corner is the best.
(5)
Marisa F.
The food is really good (LOVE the Katie cakes) but I can't stand the service. I support their no-children policy but the service is usually very unwelcoming. One time during breakfast the waitress told us that there was a 2-hour limit on tables. I didnt' understand because if I was in the middle of eating would they ask me to leave? and if a left would I have to pay? LAME.
(2)
Erin D.
I am a waitress so I am always so polite to our servers when we go out to eat. I was dumbfounded by the blatant rudeness of our server. We went on a week day and there were three other tables there. We had to get up and get our own sugar, Catsup, and roll-ups because we had no silverware. I had been there two weeks prior and had a great omelette special and they had offered a similar omelette that particular day except it was missing one ingredient so I asked if I could have that in the omelette too and the waitress said that the chef would only put it on the side and not inside the omelette and I would have to put it in myself--how strange. There was also a hair in my food. I didn't complain-I didn't feel like wasting the energy on a snippy waitress. We won't go back.
(1)
Marsha C.
Love this place! The Fried Egg Sandwich is great. I love all the "different' sides you wouldn't expect with breakfast. The potato salad is fabulous. Excellent staff and service.
(5)
Sara S.
excellent desserts, amazing ice cream just right for summertime. the staff are a bunch of hipsters but really helpful. I suggest the mini cupcakes; there isn't a flavor I haven't liked. I'm glad Sweet Occasions didn't ruin them like they did themselves.
(4)
John B.
I've had dinner here several times and it was really good. But, that's not the reason to go here. They have, quite simply, the most decadent and delicious cake in Chicago: their Jeanine Cake. It will cause all other cakes to come up short. Simply awesome.
(5)
Robyn M.
I really like this place. I have walked by several times and always meant to stop in for brunch, but never had enough time. I have been there just to grab coffee or a delicious cookie or something. Husband and I went to brunch there last weekend. He had the Katie's Cakes and I had the Erin's Fried Egg Sandwich. Both were delicious and I think my husband made the pancakes disappear in record time. It's funny because I remember watching a story on the news about the sign out front saying the restaurant encourages parents to keep their children under control. I loved it -- a child free brunch experience.
(5)
Connie W.
Love their lunch/dinner menu. Whether it be a salad, sandwich, or entree - food here always tastes fresh and delicious. Service is gracious even when the small room is packed to the limit.
(5)
Erin J.
I know I'm gonna come off as the bad guy here, but I hafta say it. Both times I have been here, I have gotten the distinct (and none too subtle) impression that I was not welcome there. I really couldn't believe it, but there was no other explanation...I'm pretty sure that I and my companion were ignored because we are straight. The last time we were there, we waited for about 10 minutes for menus, then another 10 for water, and by that time 3 - THREE! - same-sex couples had been sat, placed their orders, had coffee, and one couple had even gotten their order! Absolutely no one was interested in helping us. I got smirks from the waiters as they passed right by us to coo over their other tables. We ended up leaving about 5 minutes later. Sucks, because in the time I'd had to peruse the menu, everything looked so good.
(1)
Jeff O.
This is a great place for nouvelle breakfast or deli fare. They have a great twist on all sorts of traditional favorites. In the warm weather months, they have plenty of outdoor seating. I always leave feeling satisfied and that I have just eaten something natural and healthy. The attempted boycott as kid unfriendly, is much controversy over nothing (and largely a failure). I increased my dining there after the boycott was attempted. The resturant does have a sign reminding kids and parents that they are in public and should act as such. The complainers clearly were offended by their obvious responsibilities and should stay away.
(4)
Stitchy M.
It IS a taste of heaven. Get the biscuits smothered in gravy - I forget what the dish is called. YUM, YUM, *heart attack on a plate* YUM! I also love the fact that there is this HUGE sign, that parents with misbehaving children will be asked to leave. My BFF actually saw some brats get the boot before! Bwahaha! Last time we went there, the kids at the table next to us were getting whiny and I immensely enjoyed giving them "the look."
(5)
Marie L.
If the name of the restaurant is to be believed, I can tell you now that heaven tastes decent but the gravy on their biscuits n' gravy looks exactly, and I mean exactly, like a plate of a grade school child's barf after a hot lunch of sausage pizza. It is warm, orange and chunky in the most unpleasant way. This either means that there are some sadistic practical jokers in heaven or this is false advertising.
(2)
Brian H.
Neat little neighborhood place, expect more than just the usual sandwiches from a coffee joint, great place for lunch with a creative menu filled with salads, unique sandwiches and more.
(4)
Jookie K.
I wish I lived here. Specifically, inside the Jeanine cake. Specifically, inside one of the heartbreaking, delicious morsels of crust on the outside of the cake. Right there.
(5)
Tsung-Hui K.
It's good------you will definitely find something you like. Worth a try for sure.
(4)
Heather I.
I am addicted to their cupcakes specifically their "almond joy" flavor. Yummy! Definitely do yourself fa favor and indulge in one of these little gems. If you are looking for more substantial fare check out lunch and dinner menus. Their chicken and curried rice salad is really tasty and large enough to share, or save half for lunch the next day. And they have seating outside for those lovely summer days-all in all hooray Taste of Heaven.
(4)
michele l.
Jeannine's cake, that is all you need to know. The cookies/brownies I have had are pretty bland. But Jeannine's cake and their amazing coffee (they do not sell the beans by the pound) are great. I have not had a meal there because I can just have a slice of Jeannine's cake!
(4)
Tim S.
Good food, good service. Kids are kept on a leash:) Desserts could use some work.
(4)
Jon S.
Coffee is mediocre at best; food is bland and uninspiring. The wait staff is inattentive and honestly look like they could care less, preferring to be in the back then taking care of the tables. They do have good treats, I recommend buying the treats and leaving.
(2)
Steve J.
The main reason for 2 stars is the poor service and actual rudeness of the OWNER, which other patrons I've heard agree but feel it's still good food. The soups are good, yes, quiches are hit or miss and pastries are just so-so. Everything is overpriced, including the coffee but then Andersonville has become much more gentrified over the yrs. They do allow pets at tables outside during summer. Did I mention that service is consistently poor?
(2)
Eliana S.
I have been here a couple of times and i can say with out a doubt, this place is hit and miss. Lets start in the beginning. It took a long time to get our order taken (miss). I saw two other tables that came after us get there orders taken before my table did. I ordered the Silverland (lightly scrambled eggs with sausage gravy and two cornbread biscuits) and my boyfriend ordered the turkey sandwich. My plate was great. the eggs were nicely done and the gravy was perfect (hit) although the biscuits were kind of dry. the turkey sandwich was dry and the cold pasta salad it came with was OK (miss). Maybe next time we will only have breakfast and pastries. My B/F also had the orange juice that was good, but i ordered coffee and it never came. they just forgot. To sum it all up, try the breakfast you cant go wrong there. And if you have no rush and don't mind waiting for service (maybe you have a good book or great company) then try it out. i want to give it more stars because i do love the bakery part of this place but the service keeps them down.
(3)
Irene J.
i recently went on a late night cupcake escapade at a taste of heaven! we tried the carrot, red velvet, coconut cream, and sprinkles. the coconut cream and carrot were good. the sprinkles was your typical vanilla cake with cream and sprinkles cupcake. the red velvet...eh. it's not worth trying. we also had a portabello mushroom and veggie sandwich--that was delicious! we also had coffee--it was a lighter blend than what i'm accustomed to but good nonetheless. if you have a sweet tooth, get your taste of heaven of cupcakes! yum!
(4)
Alli R.
Outstanding service, outstanding coffee, and outstanding food. Enough said.
(5)
Sarah F.
The cakes are wonderful and the coffee is pretty good too. They have free flavored syrups that you can add. The inside is pretty cute and they have some really nice photos on the walls. I find it a bit pricey here. I had a killer piece of pudding cake today, but it cost $5.
(3)
Andy S.
Tried a cupcake (read: 3 cupcakes) - As good as advertised.
(3)
Lindley E.
Hooray for metropolis. Boo for uninspiring chili. Hooray for decent scones and other baked goods like muffins. Much, much more adequate than Starbucks. No doubt about that.
(3)
J L.
The food is to die for - any of their baked goods are fantastic. When my parents come down, we love going for a scone, the apricot ones are fabulous. And brunch/lunch options are also delicious. The attention to detail on the food is really amazing. Only negative - when they're busy they don't customize the food offers. Bad for my boyfriend, who doesn't eat pork. It's a treat to go there in the afternoon for tea and a delicious confectionary. Dan, the owner, also teaches baking classes every once in awhile - they are worththe time to go! He's a very entertaining teacher, besides which you actually learn a few things about baking.
(5)
Elise P.
The customer service here was/is HORRIBLE. I'm so disappointed. I was living in VA when there was the big hoopla with the sign on the door, and I was so supportive! I thought it was awesome and vowed to visit if/when I went to Chicago. Lo and behold, a few months later, I moved here, just a few blocks from the shop! The first time I went was okay. Actually, I would have given the place about three and a half stars based on that visit. The waitstaff working were mostly young and very friendly. I tend to go to a coffee shop with my computer, and get a coffee and a small meal to savour for a few hours. This is definitely not the place for that. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop in that respect--you will be rushed along if you try to linger. I went back a second time a few days later--and that's what torpedo'd the rating. Two men were working, and I'm pretty sure one was the owner. It was a Wednesday morning, and the place was half-full. I ordered a caramel soy latte and a brownie, both of which were pretty good. However, service was slow and snarky. The non-owner guy was sort of friendly, but the owner acted like he couldn't be bothered. He seemed annoyed that he even had to work. While I was there, two women came in and wanted to sit at a window table. There was a free table, but it hadn't been cleaned off yet. Just clean it off for them, right? No. He snapped that they needed to sit at a clean table. They did, but left shortly after without ordering. As soon as they were out the door, he cleaned the table. Then he brought me my check--even though I wasn't done yet, and hadn't even given any indication that I was finished/leaving. In fact, I wanted to order more; when I told him this, he sighed heavily and snatched the check back. I can understand having a bad day, but in this business (I've worked in a coffee shop for three years), you can't bring your crap to work. You paste on a smile and you earn your tip. I'm not someone who believes that the customer is always right--but I do believe in good, courteous customer service, and you will NOT find that here.
(2)
Dawn B.
Taste of Heaven isn't cheap, but I guess you get what you pay for. The pastries are amazing and I truly believe that there is a special place in hell for those who die without trying the Jeanine Cake. I've been a fan since they were on Foster and that certainly hasn't changed. (Although I secretly miss my favorite bar - B.C. Tap - being in that location!) While the place is cute and cozy, I rarely stay, preferring to get my scone and coffee to go. All in all, Taste of Heaven is exactly what it looks like...a great place to relax, read a book, and watch the world go by.
(5)
Jackie S.
I tend to be very critical of restaurants but I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this place. I got the breakfast casserole which is basically a strata and it was the best breakfast dish I have ever had. It had havarti cheese, roasted red pepper, and ham. I think it also had a small amount of mustard seed. My friend had the oatmeal which also looked delicious with dried fruit, fresh cream, and a peach compote. I live no where near this place but I will be back soon. I am shocked by the reviews that say the service is rude. Actually I thought the service was wonderful and took note of it even before reading the reviews. We were seated right away at the table of our choice and were attended to right away. There was a couple with a child next to us and they had their food and seemed pleased. Honestly though if people with children really want to organize some boycott like someone on metromix suggested I would be the last to stop you. Relaxing brunches and loud kids don't mix.
(5)
Caroline S.
I'm really sad that I have to give Taste of Heaven two stars. Their food was so good, but their service sucks. My boyfriend and I found them one afternoon and had mediocre service. We really liked their breakfast wrap so we decided to give it one more try. The second time we went in someone yelled to us to sit wherever we wanted, we attempted to sit at a table, but the server yelled to us that we couldn't sit there because it was reserved. We were confused because there were only two tables being used, but sat at a different table just the same. The guy came over after a decent amount of time to finally take our order. My boyfriend asked for a side of sour cream, never got it, and we were ignored after our food was brought out by someone who didn't take our order. We waited and waited for our bill and for someone else to come in and sit at that "reserved" table but neither came. To call the service subpar would be generous and we told our server as much. He ended up taking care of our bill. I don't know if they're going for offensively rude or just come off that way but it put a bad taste in our mouths and we won't be going there again.
(2)
Heather R.
They have very decadent desserts, great cakes and a nice bread pudding, but also some good salads and soups.
(5)
Bella D.
Great Salads! Great bakery and great place for casual dining or tea/cocoa with cookies/cakes experience! Lov this place! So cozy!
(5)
Damon R.
Charming and Delightful at breakfast this morning! This is a cute little place in trendy Andersonville. Its certainly A Taste of Heaven. The staff was attentive and welcoming. My delicious coffee never got less than half full in my cup. I ordered the insanely delicious grilled cheese omlete that was eyes roll around in your head good, write home and tell your folks good, rush to Yelp.com and write a review good.. u know what I mean. I ordered a side of the chicken sausage which was sage spiced perfectly. The home fries styled potatoes were warm and freshly made and seasoned to perfection. The portions were so massive that I couldnt even finish it all. The entree also came with a wonderful warm fresh green bean/assorted veggie side salad.. wonderful accompaniment. I will be back again and again!! Must try this place if you havent already.
(5)
Reyna S.
food = Awesome.. service = crappy. this place is not "kid friendly". The kids I took were well behaved and used "inside voices" per request of the signs posted all over the place. Yet, we were not welcomed when we walked in (it was not busy at all) and I had to go up to the counter to ask for dessert and the check because after we got our food we were ignored. If you have kids, check out Hamburger Mary's right across the street. They are so friendly and the food is just as good.
(2)
Amy M.
Yummy little shop with great desserts. The carrot cake is to die for. The staff is always helpful and willing to accomodate my last minute calls for birthday cakes for the office.
(4)
sheena r.
i like this place. i really do. i came here on a whim with Desiree G and i'm glad we did. after checking out menus at various locations on clark, we landed on A Taste of Heaven. it's not a vary big place, and it felt very home-like inside. their pastry case was filled with delicious looking cupcakes and cakes , as well as cookies, bars and more. for lunch that day i went with The Southland -- i think that's what it was called. it was cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and lightly scrambled eggs on top. it was definitely tasty. it wasn't the kind of biscuits and gravy that make me feel like i need to puke afterwards to feel better (although i do enjoy those as well.) i didn't feel overly full, and i had room to split a moonpie cupcake. that was really tasty as well. the cake was moist and chocolatey, and the frosting w/the chocolate shell was excellent. they also have a good salad menu, as i saw a man had ordered a curried chicken salad that looked amazing. i will definitely be back for a salad and more in the future.
(4)
Meow M.
Nice place, often overlooked, surprisingly good bakery. Menu items are simple but generally tasty (chicken & biscuits is a big thumbs-up). The owner got a lot of grief for basically giving little kids the boot but I find we are extremely over-indulgent and let kids get away with way too much, not to mention the number of "adults" who seem to think the rest of us are also deaf to their children's antics in public venues. I, for one, am THRILLED to be able to eat out without trying to compete with toddlers for a conversation with my friends.
(4)
J C.
Super-cute with a homey feel. We ate here tonight, and I was impressed. I had walked by this place 100 times and wondered about it but never stopped in. We decided to give it a go tonight, and although the breakfast menu was a little overpriced, their dinner menu was very reasonable. I had a meatloaf sandwich that was yummy and filling. My husband had a breakfast burrito and said his was delicious as well. We both decided this is a place we will return to for dessert, coffee, or dinner.
(5)
Connie S.
Cozy, intimate space with great food, and service with a smile and a bit of creative sarcasm at times makes this eatery a winner for me. For a quick on-the-go cuppa & scone or a sit down breakfast (served all day), lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong. My favorites are the grilled cheese omelet and the spinach lasagna. Portions are huge and sides are inventive. Not the ordinary fare...but the staff is very accommodating for special requests. Great asset to the neighborhood!
(4)
Nellie T.
This place gets props for being super cute. It's a very homey feel and the people are really nice. However, I've come in twice for dessert in the evenings and been disappointed. I had an eclaire and a vanilla cupcake. About $3 each.. so pretty typical for a bakery-esque place. Icing I didn't like, but it's probably because I really like sugary frosting. Cake tasted stale or at least like it had been in a refridgerator.
(3)
Brian T.
Okay, so I HATE to give this cafe a bad review. I absolutely adore it. The food is amazing (the Turkey dinner rivals my own mothers). However, I was meeting a friend from out of town for dinner last night and couldn't have had a worse experience had a I tried. I was so very excited to introduce him to the amazing delights of TOH...unfortunately, the minute I stepped through the door I was overcome by an ENORMOUS stench. Sitting at the counter was one of Andersonville's homeless, who has been there on numerous occassions. Now I'm all for helping out those who are in need, and I certainly would not want to be non-inclusive, however; when it's ruining the dining experience for others, something should be done (perhaps direct him to the many local shelters or have a place for him to sit that isn't in the main dining area?) The owner should take note: this is directly affecting your business-- I, along with a few others, moved venues across the street to Hamburger Mary's (where I had a very disappointing meal with my friend) I would have emailed the owner directly about this, but I was not able to find a website or email address.
(1)
Eliot J.
good food, good coffee, good pastries. it's priced well, but there isn't a lot of space. that's basically the only drawback - you're practically sitting on each other in there. servers have always been friendly to me, too. there's not a ton of menu option, and it's only breakfast and a few lunch items but, again, it's quality. i would for sure recommend it.
(3)
Clarence E.
I go to this place mainly for the deserts. Their brownies are like crack. Everything else is on the same level. Don't go here if you can't control your cravings, or you will expire (albeit with a smile on your face). The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is delightful. This is one of the best bakeries/coffe-shops/diners in the city.
(5)
Mary C.
Known for its desserts, A Taste of Heaven also has fantastic meals too. I love their curry chicken salad. They also have delicious soups. Every time I come here there are plenty of people eating and hanging out, so I know I am not alone is saying this place is terrific. On Mondays, they have free coffee with a purchase of something else. Your best bet is to grab a slice of cake. They are all wonderful especially the white cake with fruit.
(4)
C H.
Since all the other reviews are so glowing, I'll just keep mine short and sweet. Awesome food, try the breakfast burrito and the Durbin sandwich, simply outstanding! Also, and this is very important so pay attention. Are you paying attention? Good. Here it is, best DAMN coffee in the city. Yes it is. GO!
(5)
Kitty P.
I think that jen p. might have had the same server as my friends and I did last week at this establishment. I've never walked out of a restaurant before, but the service offered by Brett was unbelievably rude and offensive, so much so that we asked for to-go cups and left. I want to say first that the other staff seemed perfectly nice, and as we looked over the cakes and pastries, the girl behind the counter was very sweet and asked if we wanted to sit down. We said, "Sure, why not?" and put our name down. We were seated after about 15 minutes, and then Brett came to take our drinks orders: two coffees and a cappuccino. He came back with two coffees and a latte, at which point I politely asked about a change since I'd ordered a cappuccino. His response was: "So, what -- you want me to put more foam on it or something?" I was taken aback, as were my companions. I answered, "Um, no, doesn't a latte have a lot more milk in it?" He sighed, then wordlessly snatched away the cup while the rest of us looked at each other in disbelief. He returned after a few minutes, plunked the cup down, then walked away. When he returned to take our food order, my friend began to ask for a piece of cake -- he interrupted her by saying, "So you're not going to order food? If you only wanted cake, you could have ordered at the counter and you could have gotten it a lot faster." We were stunned. My friend asked him if there was a problem, or if he wanted us to leave or something; he responded, "It doesn't matter to me if you stay or leave." My friend then said, "Well, it matters to us. Can you bring us some to-go cups, please?" We went up, paid, and then two of us thought we'd politely try again and find out what it was that went so wrong with this experience. He said he was "running around like an idiot trying to put something in front of everyone and keep everyone happy." He then proceeded to instruct me on the finer points between a latte and a cappuccino: "Actually, there isn't much of a difference between them -- I KNOW what a cappuccino is." We gave up, asked for his name and the owner's name, and then left. A heads-up to Dan, the owner: The sign on your wall says, "NICE MATTERS." You might want to talk to this guy, since he's pretty effective at proving that wrong.
(1)
Jason B.
No complaints about the place, but there are far better places in the Andersonville area to get a good brunch. The service is good but the place is crowded & the brunch menu is very limited. Nothing special, walk on by.
(2)
Susan W.
I've been ordering birthday cakes and coming for dessert for a long time. But after last night, I will NEVER ever go back. Let's start with the horrible service. Four of us came for dessert and they took our drink orders at the table without writing anything down. Two of us went to the case to check out what cakes we wanted. The people behind the register completely ignored us for several minutes and when I asked for help I was given the biggest helping of attitude. The waitress delivered our drinks while we were at the counter and she forgot my coffee. By the time I got my cake, I was so annoyed I just wanted to eat my cake and go. I didn't even bother going back to the counter to ask for my coffee. Half way through the cake, I feel this weird texture in my mouth and its a two inch piece of plastic. I go back to the counter and the woman tells me it's probably from the plastic wrap they keep between the slices to keep the cake moist. The piece of plastic I had IN MY MOUTH was from the center of the cake not the edge. She gave me another slice but I'd already lot my appetite. When we're in line to pay, I overhear her telling the customer in front of me that they had a power outage earlier that day and don't really think anything of it at the time. Today I find out that one person in my group who had dairy there was violently sick all night. I'm absolutely disgusted and will be reporting them to the health department.
(1)
Megan B.
I love this place! We come here for full meals but also for dessert. The Janine cake is probably the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! The staff is always really friendly, and it has a really cozy atmosphere. I highly recommend the chicken and biscuits - very old-fashioned and yummy. Overall a great little place!
(5)
Genevieve K.
My mom, grandma, and 4 aunts came to visit this past weekend. Friday evening around 8 pm, after having snacks and drinks at my place, we wanted to do the "Clark street stroll" and stop someplace cozy where everyone could get something different (small bite, large meal, sweet, savory, etc.) Taste of Heaven was PERFECT for this. Everyone loved everything they got, which was: green salad with roasted chicken breast, chili (which is vegan), biscuits and gravy, Boston cream pie cupcake (that was me - YUM), malted milk ball cupcake, and huge chocolate raspberry cake thing. Props to Taste of Heaven for being open so early in the morning and staying open well into the evening. Service was friendly and prompt. Fun times!
(4)
Rafael C.
So many quips can be made about Taste of Heaven based on the name. I unintentionally put a high barometer on the experience I would have here just in that name alone. Me thinks I was not the only one. So let me start with some heavenly praise: Good Coffee Slightly above average food Great sweets to choose from Now with the devilish scorn: I haven't had bad service but certainly not very cheerful A little bit pricey for the food that you get Wait times can be a little long at busy times during the weekend I'm sure to come back as I do like their french toast options but the great thing about Chicago is that there are many options for brunch and for now this place is not in my top tier of the brunch rotation! I'll taste this place in moderation unless I get a sign from you know who!
(3)
Jenny T.
I LOVE~LOVE~LOVE A Taste of Heaven! I've been going to a Taste of Heaven since College, and that was years and years ago. (Like, 10. Yikes...time flys!) To this day, I remain one of their BIGGEST fans. Although I now live far~ far~ away, in the city of Woodridge, IL, whenever an opportunity arise, I always go back and pick up their delicious baked goods before I head back out to the suburbs. Being a total foodie, I have not yet encounter a bakery that is of this kind; an unpretentious and scratch kitchen that makes generous and delicious baked goods that are, simply, solid. The pricing is not the cheapest. BUT, one always gets what one pays for. Here are some of my favorites: Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce - I was not a bread pudding person until I tasted this. This bread pudding was what got me to becoming a fan 10 years ago! This is not your typical bread pudding, it is REALLY very SPECIAL. Give it a try, just once, and you'll understand WHY. Jeanine Cake - A white cake with triple berries. The cake is moist, the frosting is light and fluffy and the berries brings out the deliciousness in making this cake a stand out! (I'm not sure if they still make this regularly but, just ask!) Banana Bread/Pound Cakes - You will be hooked! Cupcake varieties - I think they are all DELICIOUS and they're not super expensive like others that are trying to tap into the cupcake trend. Some of their creative flavors that I can't get my mind out of are: Melted Milk Ball & Boston Cream Pie. There are many flavors to choose from. One should go and chose with their heart! If I were to live closer to a Taste of Heaven, I maybe in trouble. (because I would stop by, everyday!) A Taste of Heaven now serves breakfast. But, I have not yet had the opportunity to try them. I am, however, confident that Dan (the owner) will not put out a disappointed plate out without it being DELICIOUS! (I say this because I got to meet him back in the days when he offered his baking classes in his bakery kitchen at another location. He really is passionate in what he does...and he's awesome at it! Way to go, Dan!) A Taste of Heaven ~ Really is, what it is. Happy Eating!
(5)
Stephen D.
Great brunch / breakfast place in the a-ville. I was on the fence about giving this place four or five stars. Ultimately, I gave this place the one star bump because of their "children must use their inside voices" rule. It's kind of nice to have a civilized (if not a tad hungover) breakfast without the constant din of screaming children.
(5)
Madeline S.
So I'm updating my earlier one-star review. Why? Because the owner reached out to me--not once but twice--to offer me a refund. That is five-star customer service! In Chicago. I'm stunned. I never get five-star customer service in Chicago. Never. I'm giving him two extra stars just for that. This owner deserves kudos for that. He really cares. Now, here's my original review: Overrated. Can't understand what all the raves are about. Very small, very Andersonville. I was kind of curious since the shop shares the same name as the title of my book! But I found the baked goods/coffee to be average. This place feels more like it belongs in Madison, my home town, than in a "big" city like Chicago. I lived in NYC for many years. I have found humble neighborhood donut shops in New York that are more interesting food-wise than this place, but that's just my opinion. As for Andersonville, the Mexican panaderia/bakery has amazing vanilla churros and it's just up the block.
(3)
Lisa D.
Love it!!! Try the cream puffs. I thought they'd be like any other cream puff but you wouldn't believe how fabulous they are. Also the muffins, the scones and the cookies... on n on n on
(5)
Sarah C.
I used to live in Andersonville and miss it a lot so I often catch the 22 and bum around on Clark. One night I was dying for ice cream and since my old standby Sweet Occasions is gone, I wanted to find something else. A Taste of Heaven was the perfect choice. My boy and I ended up sharing a waffle cone of their seasonal pumpkin ice cream-- delish! I normally am not a huge pumpkin fan but once I had a sample, I knew it was the right choice. The other ice creams we sampled were great, but the counter guy was sort of a jerk about it. Sorry, but if I'm paying for fancy ice cream, I want to make sure that I'm going to enjoy it....call me crazy. It wasn't as if we asked for samples of fifteen things-- just 3 thank you very much-- and he acted like we were being super demanding. This review would've been four stars had it not been for the service.... The pastries and such looked great too, but the ice cream was all we had appetite for. I'll definitely head back to make sure the pastries taste as good as they looked!
(3)
Joanna P.
Everything at this little bake shop/restaurant rocks my world. The people are nice, the prices are right, and the food blows me away every time, especially the turkey sandwich and the carrot cake (be warned: the portions are HUGE). Great for intimate meetings with close friends or for a little outing with your sweetie. I will come here again and again, especially when I get married. I want them to do my wedding cake.
(5)
Gabriel O.
I know they have a restaurant end, but OMG the cupcakes are absolutely to die for and the service is spot on and the employees are so friendly!
(5)
Mike F.
Been here a few times for lunch and dessert, and have always enjoyed the food here. I've had very good sandwiches and amazing desserts. Never had a surly wait staffer as other reviews mention, but from time to time was unsure whether to wait for a server or order from the counter -- the only reason I've deducted 1 star. In short, if nobody stops by the table after a minute to two, sidle up to the counter. If you can't handle that, by all means go elsewhere -- as it means more desserts available for me! The best thing here is that if you order dessert, you get a serious wedge of cake. Most places serve you a tiny sliver of cake on a manhole-sized plate featuring some kind of Rorschach drawing done in chocolate syrup. Not here. Big slice of cake, regular sized plate, no syrup artwork and its all damn good. In fact, be prepared to share, but if you want something smaller. they have great cupcakes and pastries as well.
(4)
Jade O.
A Taste of Heaven is dddddarrrrlinggg. The food is friggidy fresh and tasty. Hands down the best scones on planet Earth. The bread is made in house and the soups are delectable. And the pumpkin crumble bars? To Die For. In fact, someone died last week. The walls are decorated with old black and white family photos and coffee's free on Wednesdays. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Timothy E.
Food was good. I had the Turkey Dinner, and it was good. The GF had the beef stew, and it was good. Price was pretty good knowing the real estate that they sit on. The Carrot Cake was pricey, but was totally worth it. I have gone there before, and I had the German Chocolate Cake, and that was also amazing. I wil be back for Dessert, and maybe dinner.
(4)
cindy r.
A friend and I decided to check this place out for lunch so we did. When we first walked in there was no greeting...just a are you eatting here? That wasnt very welcoming. So we looked at the menu and the prices were kinda high. We asked what a certain food item was and the reply back was kinda like....duh! So I ordered a ham and turkey sandwich with carmelized onions for like 9 bucks and I did not enjoy it at all not only was it over priced it was just bad. My friend had a breakfast dish that was over priced as well. I dont think I will ever go there again. No affense to the restaurant or cooks. It just didnt satisfy me.
(2)
Carolynne M.
I will frequent ANY establishment that threatens to toss you and your naughty beast-child out onto the street if you insist upon disturbing the staff and the other patrons. So I go to Taste of Heaven as often as I can. However, the service is atrocious. You know its bad when you get "forgotten" at 2pm on a weekday and the place is deserted except for you and some guy at another table. And the coffee is generally weak and watery. So what you do is order take out and bypass the coffee and the ditsy waitstaff. Which is sad, really, since you don't get to take full advantage of the Children Using Their Indoor Voices policy, but oh well. Menu items tend to change often, but things I highly recommend if they are available are: the spinach and rotini salad, the grilled cheese omelette, and the Durbin sandwich. Oh and the rugelech. Divine evilness.
(3)
Suzanne P.
I recently came here for brunch with a friend and had a great experience, and I've been here a few times. I love the way this place feels like a small little restaurant without feeling cramped. I also really like how it is decorated, making you feel at home. The food is amazing here! I got the Katie Cakes, which were delicious. My friend got the Breakfast Casserole, which were also incredible. Even though I was completely stuffed, I got some cupcakes to go to bring back to my roommates. We had the orange creamsicle, boston creme pie, and moon pie cupcakes. All three were wonderful! Each time I've come here, I've really enjoyed my experience, and I know that my friends who have joined me have felt the same way! Definitely worth going to if you're going to be in the Andersonville neighborhood.
(4)
Chrissy B.
Every time I have put food from here into my mouth I feel like a million bucks. I feel so happy after I leave this place. Pulled Pork sandwich: outrageously good. Meat Loaf sandwich: huge hunks of meat. Cupcakes: Malted milk ball. Best! Durbin sandwich: the pear is a fruity touch to this turkey sandwich. Veggie chili: droooollll. Grilled cheese sandwich: lots of different kinds of cheese, hits the spot on a cold Chicago day. They put all the sandwiches on what seems like a really simple bread, but it doesn't take anything away from the tasty contents, and the bread is so soft! Every server I have had here is delightful. The place is homey and comforting.
(5)
Anna G.
Best scones in the city, most sane attitude toward babies and children, and some pretty ding-dang good coffee too. I also think the staff is particularly kind-- I spilled an entire cup of coffee on the counter, floor, myself and the woman at the register, but she calmly refilled it and was nothing but nice to my butterfingers self. They also don't bother if you just want to sit with your scone and paper in peace on quiet weekday mornings, and the windows are sunny and delightful. I really like that it isn't too much of a hassle to run in and get something to go even though they run a bustling shop in the a.m.
(4)
Michelle M.
After reading some reviews I have to agree w/Stephen D when the reviews says that this place asks that kids use their inside voice. Love the idea. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy kids but I've noticed kids not being tended to. Not cool when I'm trying to have a relaxed breakfast or lunch. Food was delicious. I find this place a gem in andersonville. Haven't had any of the desserts but I hope to one day. Place is a bit small and if you go during a weekend your likely to wait for a table.
(4)
M L.
My former review still holds. I still love this place. But I have since been seduced by their wonderful, amazing, delicious, buttery, rich, and orgasmically tasty lemon bars. "drools" Anybody who doesn't like these things seriously has to have a heart made of coal, because these are out of this world. "drools some more"
(5)
Milo M.
This place is a hidden gem. The food is gourmet-cafe comfort food style and is terrific, but even more exciting is the bakery selection at the counter (brownies, slices of cake, assorted and unique cup cakes etc...). So, even if you're not hungry, just grab a cupcake to go, and treat yourself to a guilty pleasure. I shared a dreamscicle orange flavored cupcake with a creamy filling with my girlfriend... you really learn about people under those conditions; after the first bite, I wanted to climb a tree and devour it in privacy. Instead, we glanced at each other and ate like lions at a kill leaving no trace of a bag or receipt.
(4)
Hannah D.
I usually don't like eating things that rhyme with my name. But today, I had one of their peanut butter banana cupcakes...and oh lordy was I a happy bunny! I've always loved every delectable dessert I've gotten here, from their special Jeannie's Cake (very fruity and weighs like 40lbs) to their chocolate iced creme puffs. *insert drool here* One thing I didn't especially like though was the service. It's not very reliable. While I have been treated nicely most of the time, there was one instantance where I felt like I was bothering the staff by asking a simple question about gluten free dessert availability. Oh, and their answer was *insert eyeroll here*
(4)
Tiff S.
I haven't tried the food there (yet) so I cannot comment on the quality of their food. I go there for one thing and one thing only- BREAD PUDDING! I love the warmth and the texture of the pudding. And I love the caramel sauce and the big dollop of cream that come with it. Bread pudding, you may be the reason why I am gaining all these weight, but I don't care because I love you. You make me so happy :-)
(4)
Karyn K.
Had the Blueberry Red Tea--AMAZING. Bought a cookie for a friend, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Will be back to try more things!
(4)
Stephen R.
5 stars for the children sign. The controversy lives! Good food, good wait staff. Can be crowded on weekends. But it's an Andersonville staple and has totally gotten national media coverage. We singles hate the screaming kids. Kudos on you for asking for indoor voices. Whereas I would say STFU AND LEAVE Taste of Heaven has respect for all of their clientele. And the food is fabulous. Hearty rec.
(5)
Rose O.
My mother and I stopped by this place on a whim and because we found parking -- parking is very difficult to find in this part of town! We just wanted to warm up from the frigid weather outside so we bought coffee and scones at the register. It was love at first bite! The scones were light and tasty -- I ate a blueberry scone and my mother had plain, but it did not taste plain -- it tasted wonderful! This was the best scones we've ever had -- haven't found one this good yet! I can't really comment on the service since we ordered and received our food at the counter.
(3)
F N.
From the moment we set foot in "A Taste of Heaven" we loved it. I had the brisket which in itself was a little bit of heaven. My partner had a stew which was also very tasty. Since then we've back many times and every time we have had a great experience. Make no mistakes this is no five star restaurant just place to eat wholesome homemade comfort food. Friendly service and great tasting food is what keeps us coming back even though we no longer live in Andersonville.
(5)
April B.
The Brioche French Toast with peach compote was the best French Toast I have ever had! The only thing I would have changed was the level of cloves in the compote, but some people like cloves, so I understand their inclusion. The one thing that stopped them from getting a 5 star review was the initial service. A lot of waiters standing behind the counter and not taking orders or whatever. Also, they have a waiter who takes your drink order, then a different one for your food. I could understand the logic if they anticipated that the drinks would take awhile to prepare (as fancy coffee drinks tend to), but the food server took longer to take our order than the drink server to bring our drinks back. After the food was ordered, it came out quickly, hot, and coffee and water were refilled frequently. They also only serve a Brunch menu on Sat/Sun, which in the brunch-heavy area of Andersonville is a blessing and a curse. Sure your choices are limited, but you will get seated a lot faster than if you went to M.Henry or Sathers.
(4)
Dima M.
Brunch is one of my favorite meals of the week. And A Taste of Heaven is one of my top places in the city for a good brunch. The food is just the right combination of simple and extravagant, but is neither. The menu is not too big, which is always a plus, as I am very intimidated by places that have a book for a menu. Generally, the less items on a menu, the better the quality of the food. Make sure you ask for the omelette of the day. The atmosphere of this place adds at least a star to it. It's not too big, and has that neighborhood-y feel to it. Although, it being small will definitely result in waiting almost every time you go on a weekend for brunch, but usually not too long. The nice thing is, they will seat you when your whole party is still not all there, which drives me crazy about other places that won't seat 5 people, until the 6th person comes. At this place, I've been seated once alone, when I was waiting for 4 friends. The staff is always very attentive, but not annoying, and very friendly, but not suffocating. Something about the place makes it attractive to really nice patrons. A diverse crowd that reflects the neighborhood and isn't filled with pretentious people that you may find in other places down the street. This is a nice spot to grab a coffee, or a dessert (and they have some really good ones here), but it's mostly a great place to come on a weekend, in the morning, to get a bite to eat, and catch up with friends. It's not just a come in, eat, and leave kind of place. It has a warm welcoming feel to it, just what you need on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(4)
Chris J.
Who doesn't love a taste of heaven? Great stuff, last time I was there I think I split a slice of red velvet which was just fantastic and moist. Also grabbed a berry scone to go and it was still great the next morning!
(4)
Rocky B.
Taste of Heaven is such a cute little coffee shop with so many yummy goodies to choose from. Scones, lemon drop cookies, kitchen sink cookies, cheesecake, chocolate cake, tarts, the list just goes on and on and their drink menu is just as extensive. My favorite is their white hot chocolate mocha. Wow. Creamy, sweet and so sinful. The staff are so friendly and don't rush you at all as you eye their selections. My tip for any first timers is if you are looking for a good scone go to Taste of Heaven but go early...they sell out fast! Eh, but even if they do sell out you won't leave disappointed. They always have something that leaves you walking away with a smile. :)
(4)
Jen J.
I'm confused by the ratings dipping on Taste of Heaven. This place is consistent, comfort food served in an open if a bit country environment. I can eat their cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and scrambled eggs every Sunday for brunch. Their bread pudding which has become scarce is to die for. Enjoy their outdoor seating in the summer. A great neighborhood joint. Stop hating people!
(5)
Michael C.
I love this place. Had the best piece of cake I've had in a loooooong time. It's small, but perfect on a nice night ...
(5)
Laura K.
Great chicken salad with slices of roasted pear, gobs of creamy goat cheese and tart dried cherries. This is the reason I return again and again. I also love the little triangle of bread they serve on the side. The service is slower than most places regardless of how many or how few people are around - which can be a bad or good thing depending on whether you're in a hurry or don't want to be disturbed.
(4)
Anna W.
They served me burnt coffee.
(2)
Clara S.
I had a slice (I'll be honest a few slices) of their jeanine's cake, and I was beside myself. I take cake and baked goods very seriously. I have a pretty bad addiction. I bought this cake for my birthday dinner, and everyone thought it was as amazing as I did. Best cake ever!
(5)
Jesselyn E.
The food and sweets are good, but I wasn't blown away by the cupcakes like I expected to be.
(3)
Tara P.
Cute little place with great sandwiches, desserts and service. Prices are reasonable.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Best ice cream in Andersonville!
(4)
Desiree G.
A Taste of Heaven was a great find while walking down Clark street hungry. It is a cute bakery that serves brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner and an assortment of sweets. I ordered the Brown Derby Wrap, which was basically thanksgiving dinner in a wrap and it was delicious! For dessert I split a Moon Pie Cupcake with Sheena R. The frosting and chocolate shell was really good. All the cupcakes looked wonderful and I was really curious about the peanut butter cheesecake. Overall it was a good experience and I'm totally a fan of the Brown Derby Wrap.
(4)
Melissa M.
I am updating my past 7/8/13 review. Since my review was posted, someone form Taste of Heaven as well as the owner tried to reach out to me to make things right. But as my family and I moving to a new house and work has been crazy, I haven't had time to sign in my yelp account. I finally did this so that I can post some other reviews and noticed that the Taste of Owner tried to contact me 3 times. He indicated that based on my review and others, he increased the size of the scones and offered me to come back to the restaurant with some comp'd scones. I really appreciated this "reach out" and can tell that Taste of Heaven really cares about their customers. This great customer service and the fact that they really do take in account yelp reviews is great. I will be going there soon to get my favorite scones (I usally buy a bunch and freeze them so that I can have them during the week. They freeze very well). Thanks Dan and Taste of Heaven!!!
(4)
Dan F.
While I'm sure this place has great sandwiches and breakfast items, I've just never had the occasion. Enter the obligatory coffee and dessert after a date-night dinner. The fiancee and I had just finished shoving a parma pizza from Antica Pizzeria into our faces (seriously, I have dreams about this pizza), when we decided we weren't ready to go home just yet. We wandered down Clark and couldn't help but take a seat in this quaint little restaurant, with it's sepia-toned photographs and country-style decorations. The better half ordered the chocolate whipped cream cake, which was amazing. I usually hate on cake because the frosting is just too much, too heavy for my teeth. But this stuff was fluffy and light, so delicious. I ordered a coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. The coffee was strong and black, the cookie dense with butter. These cookies are what I would imagine lembas (the Elven bread used to sustain Hobbits on their long journey to Mordor) taste like. Anyway, I'll definitely give this place a try for breakfast. Definitely.
(4)
Kathryn G.
I have eaten here a few times over the years and always enjoy the food and coffee. I don't think there is anything too special or over the top about the place but it is pretty solid food and fun to sit in the window and watch the world go by. A good lunch spot if you are looking for something good and simple while hanging out in Andersonville.
(3)
mildred v.
I haven't been here for brunch, so my rating is based only on the desserts. When my mouth is throbbing from a sweet tooth and I'm in the area I stop in for a chocolatey pastry and some nice hot plum tea. The atmosphere is nice and cozy for a quick stop. The service is okay, they're not super nice or anything and do kinda get impatient when I ask what everything is through the glass. But I don't expect red carpet treatment, so no complaints here!
(4)
Taylor G.
A Taste of Heaven is a great weekend brunch spot for small groups. The quarters are quite cramped, so don't planon more than 4 unless you want to wait a while. In genreal, the food here is delicious, but you pay for the quality. I've been here on 2 separate occasions, both on Sunday. The first time, I had biscuits & gravy, which was good, but now awe-inspiring. The second time, I lapped up the Katie Cakes. They're huge and great to split. A bit on the sweet side, but absolutely delicious. If you're up in Andersonville and never stopped in, I highly encourage you to give it a shot. I'm excited to visit again.
(4)
Deborah M.
Great baked goods, friendly staff, delicious coffee (free some days with purchases). And parents have to watch their children so they don't run wild throughout the small space and ruin the dining experience of adults. What's not to love?
(4)
iddells E.
Went here to dine on a Sunday night. The tiny place was packed! Almost every table was taken. It is always like this on a Sunday night? I think a lot of people were using their 20% off coupons. That's the only reason why we decided to go, because of the coupon. But I'm glad we did, otherwise, I would have never known what kind of great food they have. I knew that they have good pastries, but I never knew they served actual meals here. Anyways, I ordered Mario's Jambalaya with hesitation. I really was not attracted to anything on the menu. But, wow, it was amazing. It came with shrimp, andouli sausage, veggies, brown rice, and excellent sauce. The only thing that I was disappointed in was that the serving wasn't big enough for leftovers! I would have loved to take this home and let somebody taste it. I will definitely be visiting again!!
(4)
Suzy C.
I have officially cut myself off from this place out of fear that I will balloon to the size of a blimp. If I am here unsupervised, it is not an exaggeration to say that I will over-consume and go into sugar shock. I love love Taste of Heaven. I would have never gotten through law school if I had not discovered this place. Now, this is no cupcake shop so if you can't handle hugh pieces of rich sweet dessert, stay away. Some of their cakes can feel too sweet and indulgent, but that is the charm of this place. Their signature cake filled with all the creams and fresh fruit is a dream come true. I love love their cream puffs (so hard to find good ones in the city) and you can't go wrong with the bread pudding with all its gooey caramel goodness.
(4)
Peter M.
The name says it all. Their tasty pastries and good teas, keep me coming back but the service here keeps me from rating this place higher. It baffles me when so many other establishments bend themselves backwards to give excellent customer service but have sub par food stuffs, yet this place always leaves me desiring better service. Hope something changes soon, for this neighborhood has plenty of other tasty treats for me to consume.
(3)
Finola M.
I've been going here for years. And much like the rest of A-ville (especially Hopleaf and M Henry), it's become a victim of its own success. In my opinion, any restaurant/cafe/bar should not feel entitled just because they have good business, some of us will start to rebel. The food is good here, especially the chocolate eclairs, but I can't take the mean service any longer. One of the waitstaff booted us from a table for four (there were four of us sitting there with water already) because we were waiting for 2 other people. We'd called in advance, the remaining people arrived within 15 seconds of us stepping outside to re-assess. I say we Andersonvillians should strike against Anderson-villains!
(2)
Charlie M.
Fortunately my visit here wasn't marred by the bad service that's popping up in a lot of these reviews. In fact, our waitress/hostess was very friendly and attentive, especially considering the number of tables she was keeping tabs on. Everyone I went with ordered eggs of some sort, and everything we got was not only tasty but a nice departure from standard brunchtime fare. The Silverline Plate might have been my favorite, but the breakfast burrito and the Durbin omelet both were very good, and the egg casserole paired with that great salad works so well as a brunch item that you kind of start wondering why salads aren't more common at brunch. It's a bit pricey, especially if it's not too close to home, but fresh ingredients (like the burrito's guac) and inventive plates make this little corner bakery a great brunch spot.
(4)
Jenna M.
I wouldn't bother to rate a restaurant that had terrible food and service to match. I'd just steer clear. But Taste of Heaven is a different animal, because its delicious desserts are guarded by a pretty bad staff. I've been in a number of times over the last 5 years, only for take away baked goods. I don't know if things are a lot busier now, but lately I've been ignored by staff at the counter when I've been waiting to pay and go. Today, three people stared through me and talked about how they wished people lingering over their brunches would just leave. After a few minutes, I had to finally ask if I could pay for the brownie with the cash I had ready in my hand. I don't think I'll be asking for the privilege again.
(1)
Douglas O.
The food and pastries here is GREAT! We had Jeanettes (I think) special cake which was very tasty. The Peanut Butter Cheesecake was also amazing. I agree, a bit pricy, $6 for each dessert, but great flavor. I have not had a problem with the service, but the persons tend to forget what you want or need. Whether it be you need a fork, or your food to go. Food great, service, okay.
(3)
Patrick R.
Superb coffee -- I was so taken by it that I inquired about where to get some of my own. Turns out they brew Casteel Coffee, which you can procure in Evanston. Good to know... Anyway. My girlfriend and I typically come here once a week, on Sunday for brunch. Depending on what happened the night before, it's either coffee and a scone (among the best I've ever had, after my mom's) or one of TOH's famous breakfast dishes. The Silverland Breakfast and the Katie Cakes are my two personal faves.
(5)
Michael S.
Well, unlike other reviewers of this place, my daughter and I had great service, late on a busy Saturday morning. We were seated and greeted immediately. While the menu was diverse and featured many appealing dishes, we both had the eggs verde, which is basically a pesto omelette. It was delicious. And it came out quickly. We split a chocolate chip scone, which was out of this world. And then, we sat at our table for easily a half hour after we were finished eating and no one rushed us at all. Can't beat that!
(5)
Amanda M.
I dropped in for a quick coffee and picked up a blueberry scone. That. Scone. Oooowwee. Yum. Warm, crunchy outside, soft and warm on the inside. Beautiful. The gentleman who made my latte was really kind and patient while I made my choices. That soy latte was pretty slam, too. Thank you, sir! Overall the establishment is cute and friendly with a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Will return to try a full breakfast soon!
(4)
Kimberly P.
Dessert - heavenly. Breakfast - totally heavenly. I used to live mere blocks away from TOH and miss it dearly. The breakfast menu is full of stuff that's original and delicious. My personal favorite is the fried egg sandwich and I'm craving one. Roasted red pepper, mmmm cheese, fresh bread. It's honestly one of my favorite breakfasts ever. My husband prefers the breakfast casserole or...the...dangit, I can't remember. I truly never have had anything here that was less than spectacular for my tastes. When it's busy you'll be sure to find Dan, the hostess with the mostest, running around with some delicious treat for you to sample. Don't pay attention to the fact that he's often covered in flour. Now you know who's creating and baking those delicious eats. The coffee is great and the cupcakes? Oy. I miss this place.
(5)
jen p.
I have been to this lousy establishment 3 times. Once a year or so ago, and twice in the past week. The first time I went, my friend and I looked at each other in disbelief -- "Were the servers really this rude?" I told myself that I would never go back... then I had a cupcake of theirs by chance, and went in again to see what other cupcakes they had. I asked a few questions about the cupcakes and I was met with a loud sigh everytime the guy working there had to answer me. He was the most pretentious little thing I have ever met. Since I work in similar establishment, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe he was just having a bad day. Nope, I went in there again the other day, and asked him one question and it seemed to take all of his strength to ignore me and then to hardly answer me while giving me his usual attitude. When we walked out, my friend said "What was his problem?!" I had no answer for him, but I think he should pack his things up and get out of Andersonville. The yuppification by yuppies like himself is bad enough, but when they not only invade our queer spaces and then manage to soil them with their self-righteousness, it makes me miss the Chicago I used to know not so long ago. I say this... take your attitude and move to L.A. This is Chicago, not Hollywood. p.s they get a star from me because I'm sure other people that work their don't have sticks lodged perpetually in their bums, and because whoever makes the cupcakes is a god/goddess.
(1)
Juanita G.
I keep trying to like this place but something always goes wrong. The service is never consistent. I support their child policy but that just isn't enough. I've had some good brownies and muffins and great service but that's been rare. I like to support local places. More often than not I've been ignored and practically shoved aside by the waitstaff while waiting for service at the counter. Last week I bought a half dozen really cute cupcakes and a couple of eclairs to share with my girlfriends. I have to say that they were bland and lackluster and we tried each of them. We were really disappointed. I give up on the place. I'm not going back.
(2)
Jessi L.
I, like many Chicagoans, consider myself a bit of a brunch connaisseur. It's become my favorite meal to eat out because everyone puts their own spin on the same classics, making for a relative bake-off every weekend. I keep coming back to Taste of Heaven. It's cozy, the service is prompt and friendly, I have never had more than a 5 minute wait (maybe I shouldn't be writing this after all...) and then there are Katie Cakes (perfect pancakes with a clovey, lemon, blue-ligonberry concoction topped with real cream). And Eggs Verde(Eggs with cheese and pesto and just silly good. My friend and I switch off between ordering one or the other. Not that it matters because we switch at will. Then one day she really mucked it up and ordered the breakfast burrito which with homemade guac. was just as good. So we've now added a third friend and rotate. I guess necessity really is the mother of invention.
(5)
John W.
Yes, this is the child hating, anti-baby, place that God forbid, requires parents to control their children. I loved it when they got the write up in the paper talking about all the bitchy people who were offended that their perfect children couldn't run wild and then the mass amounts of support letters they got from all around the country. So ya, if you are tired of hearing babies cry and kids running around getting in your way (Southport Potbelly's) then this place is for you. The other thing they are known for is their scones but get there early because they do run out. They always have an omlet special but why bother when they got the Silver Land breakfast which is some sort of tangy orange sausage gravy with two eggs and corn biscuits. Yes its as awesome as it sounds. The service is a bit patchy in that I don't think you get an actual waiter of your own. Its some kind of socialism in dining experiment where one person takes your order, one brings your food, another fills your drinks and another takes the check. Needless to say that can get confusing for the staff and some problems do arise but the food is good and they have a place outdoors as well. They also serve those Izzie fruit drinks that I like so thats another reason I go there.
(4)
Diana M.
I had no idea this place served "actual food". I have driven by A Taste of Heaven hundreds of times and have always thought it was just coffee, pastries and desserts. Boy, was I surprised to find myself having a delicious late lunch here last Friday! I had the Havar-ya (ham and melted havarti) sandwich with the bag of Kettle chips and my mom had the 3-cheese (cheddar, feta, mozzerella) grilled cheese sandwich with ham and a side of the homemade potato salad. Let me just say that the ham was yummy, the bread was soft, yet slightly toasted and the havarti was perfectly melted. I had a taste of my mom's grilled cheese, and although I despise feta, I thought it was very good and would order it for myself. The potato salad was awesome! It's not made with a mayo base, so it seems almost healthy! We both had iced tea with our meal and it was pretty good too. All in all a great spot to just relax and have a nice leisurely lunch.
(4)
Allison H.
This is a place we return to again and again b/c they corner the market on something you cannot get anywhere else: PETERSON'S ICE CREAM! That is the best darn ice cream in the history of the creamy confection, but honestly, now that I moved from down the block, I'm not sure if it's worth the trip to deal with the rest of the place. The service is questionable at best. They are S.L.O.W. slow. Sometimes, they will INSIST (literally- will not let you order at the counter) on waiting on you. That happened to me, and after waiting 25 minutes for someone to take our order, he brought HALF the table's ice cream 25 minutes later, and we had to wait another ten minutes for him to return to get the rest of our ice cream. I won't even tell you how long it took us to pay for it!! The only thing that kept us from walking out is my grandfather- that man will wait until kingdom come for a bowl of peterson's ice cream! Their other desserts are extravagant for sure, but somewhat impracticable as you have to pay a lot of money for a dessert that is too rich or sweet for you to have any hope of finishing. I give the ice cream a solid five stars. The restaurant...meh...no comment. p.s. They are the restaurant in the papers that was "no kid friendly"- so beware!
(2)
Claire M.
its cute. it was fine. it was memorial day and i had just foolishly thought I could find a non-packed beach. I instead was starving and up north, which is out of my comfort zone... so when we saw this little place on the corner that had ice cream, f it.. Im starving. And I ate. And was pleased as punch for there to be food in front of me. Just so joyful. It is too bad that it was mediocre at best but, starving ladies on a national holiday can't be too picky. Its a really cute place, old timey and quaint... Filled with neighborhood regulars, it was packed. We sat quickly, which was great. I ordered the Nicoise salad and an Americano. ok, the salad was totally fine. And everything in it was from a can. Nothing was particularly fresh, but again, starvin marvin gobbled it up. But really. Green beans from a can is one of my all time most blech-ed things ever ever. just gross. and then the americano.. sigh.... it pains me, severely, when they are bad. Its the easiest thing to make. And when it tastes like dirty coffee water i get sad. like as if you were mean to me on purpose. This is basically a very cute over priced diner. supposedly they have great baked goods? But then maybe stick to that? In the end it was better than mcdonalds to be sure.. but i guess i would have just gone to a diner for the same stuff but it would have cost half as much. live and learn.
(2)
Mari K.
Um.. can I have a slice of heaven with that? Wow, their bread pudding (w/ hecka delish homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce) is just wonderful.. the whipped cream is just unreal. Raspberry brownie... dense, rich, and loaded with so many raspberries that I struggled with removing those little seeds from my teeth! Hello, Jeremy! =) This dude was nice enough to send each of us (there were 6) home with doggie bags full of blueberry scones! Go late at night (right before closing), and you might just go home with a goody bag!
(4)
Akiba B.
Imagine: scrambling at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday trying to get a last minute dozen of freshly baked cupcakes. "Cupcakes" was too high. "Molly's" was too far. Here is where I found it to be just right. They had an amazing assortment (Moon Pie, anyone?) and when we took them home for the b-day party, they were moist, rich, beautiful, creamy...delicious. The chick who took my order - I wish I had her name - was super cool. She was very helpful when I placed my order over the phone. And bonus points for their inside voices sign.
(4)
Jamie G.
A very cute coffee shop in Andersonville (a very cute neighborhood) that surprisingly serves a delicious dinner. The service was blah, and they didnt even ask us if we wanted dessert (which we probably would have no to but I'd at least like to be asked!). I had the macaroni and cheese which was for real the absolute worst thing for me I've ever eaten.. but it was SOOOO good!! A HUGE portion.....Made with rotini pasta and a few POUNDS of melted mozzarella cheese, and a few pieces of broccoli, mushrooms, and red peppers, and comes with a buttery piece of garlic bread. to DIE for. But probably severely clogged my arteries. But I'd totally get it again! My friend had the spinach lasagna that was a small piece (a more realistically sized portion) that came with a side salad with some delicious crumbled goat cheese. I will definitely be coming back to this place!!
(4)
tom k.
Great sweets! We've gone for breakfast lunch and dinner and we've never had a bad meal. Super friendly staff. Pulled pork sandwich is delish! Our favorites: The Jeanine Cake! The Moon Pie Cupcake! The Cream Puff w/ Chocolate on Top. Oh the ice cream is better than Georges down the street. We love the peppermint & the macinac island fudge ice creams.
(5)
Katarina X.
Raspberry Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Do I have your attention? The coffee is great too! I've eaten in, people-watched, talked art with the server, even gotton my coffee-phobic BF in for breakfast. Pick up to-go too! Grab a sandwich before seeing a play! Sit on the bench outside, feed some croissant or scone to your dog and enjoy! P.S. I have GOT to support any place where they ask kids to behave. The sign is polite and truly non-offensive. If your kids are well-behaved, it doesn't apply, right? So get over yourselves if you hate it, go somewhere else where you aren't offending ME with your tedious whining complaints. Take the brats to McDonalds!
(5)
Ryan J.
Attempted a Sunday brunch here last weekend, and it was terrrrrribly crowded. We knew the food was good, so we agreed to wait and signed in, informing the hostess that we were comfortable sitting either in *or* outside. Thirty or forty minutes later, a different employee wandered out to where we'd been waiting outside (no room to wait inside) for a table, and told us there were tables inside if we didn't want to wait for the patio any longer (???). At any rate, once we had a table, the meal was quite good. Received a delicious sample of a pumpkin bread while waiting for our order. My friend's breakfast-in-a-block-of-food was cold in the center. My omelet was divine, and my other friends very much enjoyed their salmon quiche. The service was OK, all things considered -- they seemed understaffed for a Sunday brunch. I'll be back -- though probably not during such a busy time again.
(3)
Mark T.
I always get the smoked salmon quiche. EVERY TIME. It's that good. My most recent visit was no exception. My partner got a sumptuously savory grilled cheese omelet that was amazing and so super cheesy (in a good way). The coffee is excellent and the service is outstanding and extremely friendly.
(4)
Leah C.
grab a cupcake...TO GO... this place talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. like that annoying co-worker that won't shut up about how green she is but all her actions don't seem to follow? if you are truly passionate about something, actions speak louder than words and it will go without saying......ok, ok you get my point. i spotted at least (3) signs around the restaurant stating something like "we love kids, just as long as they behave themselves". even the bottom of the menu gives a similar shout out to the extent of "kids are great customers too as long as they use their inside voices". so to shield ourselves from the rain during midsommarfest and to grab an infamous cupcake, my husband and i strolled in with our 2 year-old niece. we got the "eye" when trying to park our stroller and was later "asked" to move it to the back of the restaurant. we got an even eviler "eye" when requesting a high chair. i quickly decided that we were going to scarf down a cupcake and get the hell's outta there. THANKFULLY our server painted a brighter picture for us. he was funny and chatted with our niece and made us feel a bit more welcome. nonetheless, i already felt like we had a target on our heads. so the visit was worth it for the cupcakes - tried out a vanilla and a chocolate both of which were very good - moist and not over the top sweet. i tried a cup of the veggie chili which was just okay - overall tasted good but it was olive-laden (i hate olives). there were TONS of other baked goods that looked scrumptious as well including a lemon bar and blondie but next time i'll do a drive by.
(3)
Melissa R.
Yum yum. The food is sooo good. I have only been for Sunday brunch, but everything i have had was delicious. The peach french toast with peach whipped cream. Yummy Omelettes Yummy Yogurt with fruit and granola yummy All the snadwhiches yummy yummy. And do not come just kinda hungry. They really do give you your monies worth.
(4)
Veronica S.
This was one of the first places I tried when I moved into Andersonville ... and I was impressed. The servers are always helpful in recommending something & I really enjoy the Chicken & Biscuits. The gravy wasn't too heavy and there was a good amount of food. But I enjoy pretty much everything on the menu. They do get quite busy for Weekend brunch so it does take a bit longer to get your order but they always have a table open at any other time. For dessert: the Bread Pudding, raspberry squares, and Hot Chocolate cake are my favorites.
(4)
Jessica R.
Nice little cozy place with a personable and friendly staff, and quality eats. This place also has some great loose teas and hot drinks and is a great spot to get some work done or read a book, with the little cute lamps at each table. I have eaten dinner there once and gone there another time to get a cake for a get together, in addition to having gone there on a Saturday morning for brunch, relaxation and to get some work done. Each time I have been very pleased and satisfied. The cake we got - which was a white cake with a berry and cream swirl filling and a thick white icing on the outside, was delicious and I definitely recommend their scones and other pastries, such as the caramel bread pudding. For breakfast, if you like oatmeal, try the steal cut oats with peach compote, healthy, filling and tasty. Also, the grilled veggie sandwich with house-made potato salad is a great meal for vegetarians. Basically, it's a cute, cozy, casual place that specializes in it's baked goods and quality comfort food, and it does a solid job of it. Nothing over the top, but plain solid good.
(4)
cara r.
I'm really bummed that they were out of the moon pie cupcake yesterday when we came in! But the ones that we did get were out of this world good. I had plain old vanilla with vanilla frosting, and it just about melted in my mouth and was so deliciously good. The Boy got a Malt cupcake - marble cake with frosting that had bits of Whoppers candies in it. He loved it so much that I didn't even get a bite! We also got a chocolate raspberry that my sister loved, and an Elvis (banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting). I will definitely be back to Taste of Heaven as soon as possible to try some more of these deliciously good cupcakes! Update 6/1/08: We went back for brunch today and absolutely loved it. I had the grilled cheese omelet, and I loved the omelets and the potatoes that came with it - but I was a little confused by the haricot verts salad - not really my cup of tea so early in the morning. Mike had the breakfast burrito, and he really enjoyed it. We each had a moon pie cupcake to go, and it's probably good that I don't live so close to Taste of Heaven, because I could eat at least 2 of those a day. Can't wait to go back...
(5)
K G.
Is it considered cheating to think about cake while you're engaged in coitus with your lover? That cake...that yellow cake smothered in buttercream frosting, layered with cream and berries. Little buttercrunches out the outside...like the white pieces in the Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake coating. Cannot stop thinking about it. Fevered, quickened breath, mind racing. Moist cake...fluffy frosting...fresh, juicy berries... Oh, GOD..!!
(5)
Laura V.
I should start this review fairly by saying that I never actually sat down and ate food/brunch at TOH, but I have been a customer for years as I celebrate every special occasion in my family with one of their amazing cakes. I order the same cake (Jeanine's cake) several times throughout the year and it never ever disappoints. The TOH staff is very courteous, polite and helpful both on the phone and in person and I will continue to patronize them. While the cakes aren't cheap, I actually don't mind spending my money on them because the taste is well worth it! And guests love coming to my parties to eat it! Thanks, TOH!
(5)
Kori M.
I have to say I am a little conflicted but overall I like this place. I came here for brunch with my girlfriend, puppy and two friends. We were told there would be a bit of a wait but then were immediately seated outside (it was a gorgeous day to be outside!). The waitress was super friendly and she told us we could stay for as long as we wanted. She also brought my puppy a bowl of water which I thought was awesome! As far as brunch goes it was pretty good. However please stay away from the grilled cheese omelette. It's basically a dry cheese omelette placed on to a slice of bread. Definitely pass on that one. Everything else was super yummy! Except for the bacon. It was undercooked and rubber. Tasted kind of funny actually but as I said everything else was delicious! I also really liked how they brought out samples of their desserts. I ALWAYS like free stuff! :-) The waitress was really bubbly and nice (in a sincere and not annoying way). I would definitely come back.
(4)
Anne-Michelle F.
I'm glad I started going to this place right as winter descended. Such great comfort food!! I had the Biscuits and Gravy with eggs the first time I went. Perfection. I loved that it came with Corn biscuits instead of the usual buttermilk. I'm looking forward to trying everything on the menu...and curious to see how it changes for the hotter months!
(4)
Elizabeth K.
We decided to meet a friend for lunchish stuff (guess it's "brunch" since it's Sunday. Still unclear as to what exactly "brunch" is.) She suggested Angel's or Taste of Heaven, and of course we promptly chose Taste of Heaven, since Angel's SUCKS. Unfortunately, if you're vegan, Taste of Heaven sucks as well. There was not A SINGLE ITEM on their brunch menu that wasn't made with dairy or egg or meat. NOT ONE. Not even a salad. Plus there was a disclaimer in big letters at the bottom of the menu, explaining that there were no substitutions or special orders during brunch. WTF?!? You know, that whole hoopla a couple of years ago about ToH and the kids thing, I actually took their side. I chose to believe that ToH wasn't being stodgy and that they were really actually assaulted by a stampede of rude children and badly behaved parents on a regular basis. Now I'm beginning to wonder ... When we explained to our waiter guy that we couldn't order anything if they couldn't make accomodations for us, what was his suggestion? A ham sandwich. The speedy semite looked at the item he was pointing at on the menu. "There's ham on that." She said. "Oh. You could get it without the ham," he said. Making it a lettuce sandwich on white bread? Seriously. Even the SALADS were covered in meat and cheese.
(2)
Robert M.
The fried egg sandwich (with roasted red peppers/red pepper mayo) and phenomenal home fries is one of the best breakfast dishes in Chicago and their pancakes are great, too. Bread pudding is world-class. The only critique is that their coffee is consistently mediocre. This is unacceptable in a place doing breakfast and desserts at such a high level.
(4)
Dianna D.
I've never had a meal here, but this is the number one choice (in my book) for take-away desserts. I frequest a lot of the Andersonville restaurants that are close to TOH, and I never get dessert there because I can just croiss the street and get delicious desserts from Taste of Heaven. Great ice cream, all of thier pastries are great, cookies, cakes, etc... all are delicious. The cupcakes are to die for and I have finally found a place that makes a DELICIOUS Bread Pudding that comes without raisins! Yay! (and FYI, I completely supported them during their "children use your inside voices" campaign!)
(4)
Amy H.
Three stars because I've had really inconsistent experiences here. The first time I ate, I ordered pancakes and coffee. The coffee was awesome; the pancakes were raw in the middle. Instead of giving me new ones, or discounting my bill, they gave me toast for free. Toast =/= pancakes. The second time I came here, I had a burrito that was amazing, with a fantastic black bean salad on the side. Service was prompt and friendly, and it was a near-perfect dining experience. Third time - better than the first, but I waited far too long for my check. When I'm done eating, I want out the door, you know? I'm DONE. I don't like waiting around for the waitstaff to get to me with my check, I prefer to give you my card right then instead of having them drop off the check and come back ten minutes later for the payment. Fourth time (I live in the area, it's convenient, haha) - an amazing breakfast. Full stars. This would be a four-star review if there were any kind of consistency. As it is- three stars is the best I can do. They're lucky I came back after that first raw-pancake experience, omg. :P
(3)
Steve A.
This was my first time to "A Taste of Heaven." Got the Goodman sandwich and it blew my mind. Plus the service was super nice. Made you feel at home. Strongly recommend it. Haven't had a sandwich this good in a while. I'm going back.
(5)
Lisa F.
Five stars for food, one star for service (including a hot coffee incident) = Three stars total My friend and I split the Katy Cakes and the breakfast strata-type thing (can't remember the name right now). The food was absolutely delicious, and it passed the Savory/Sweet Brunch Test with flying colors. But my waitress, smiling though she was, was a total flake. I asked for extra napkins and she never brought them, then came by after we'd almost finished our meal to say, "Didn't you want extra napkins?" I said yes, but now maybe I just needed one extra; she said "Okay" and never returned with napkins. My favorite moment, however, was when she was pouring coffee into my friend's mug (I don't even drink the stuff). We were outside, so the table was a patio one with holes in it, and she poured hot coffee on my foot. I shrieked and took a napkin to it, and luckily I wasn't really burned, but her only reaction was, "Oh are you okay?" As soon as I said yes, she walked away. No offer of a napkin, no "I'm sorry," no nothin'. That's not cool. I'll go again because the food is delicious, but I will guard my body parts carefully and keep a wary eye on my server.
(3)
Melissa B.
I will agree with some of the posts that the service isn't all that great, but it wasn't anything that bothered me. Now, on to the food. The black bean soup was TASTY. I could have had a giant bowl of it for lunch alone. I had the chicken caesar salad, and I thought the salad was good, but I wasn't a fan of the chicken. The boy had chili and a sandwich which he said was very good also. We also bought a few cupcakes to go, since we're trying to find our wedding cupcakes (in lieu of a wedding cake). I thought they were ok, although it gave me a stomach ache, whereas the boy didn't like his.
(3)
Sheena F.
This place was amazing. This was my first time in Chicago and I was only there for a short time, so I really wanted to see what the city had to offer in terms of brunch. I looove brunch and this place did not disappoint. It was a gray, rainy day and everyone was out for brunch that day. Not wanting to wait forever at another brunch place nearby, we decided to come to A Taste of Heaven. We only had to wait outside for less than 10 minutes and there was an awning so it wasn't terrible. Once we got inside, it truly was heaven. It was warm and cozy with a mixed group of patrons. We ordered coffees while we waited and were offered a tasting of a homemade chocolate chip cookie. It was ridiculous how happy I was by this point! Not to mention that I order soy lattes everywhere I go and this place, for some reason, was the best ever! Although it was pretty crowded we didn't have to wait too long for our food. The service was perfect... not too annoying attentive but just attentive enough. My girlfriend ordered a really filling breakfast sandwich with Fontina and rosemary ham and I had a very fresh egg, guacamole, and salsa whole wheat burrito with black beans, salsa and rice. During our meal, we were also given another sample of a cinnamon raisin roll. All in all, one of the best brunch places I've ever been to for the service, quality of food, and cozy atmosphere.
(4)
Becky S.
The grilled cheese is To Die For!
(5)
Elizabeth H.
Good place to grab a cup of coffee and a baked good. but that may be about all. The service does indeed leave much to be desired, which is a shame because when the store was located on Foster, I never remember that being the case as I always had really great service. Those days are long gone given my last dozen or so visits. The non-baked food on the menu is really just OK. Not bad if you happen to be right there for lunch, but I would never go out of my way for one of their sandwiches. I love their policy on children. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but they expect you to control them here and I can get behind that any day.
(3)
Keith Z.
Great food, reasonable prices, and a cozy atmosphere.
(5)
Angela K.
I had a good time here with my friends chatting over some desserts. The brownie had too much of a caramel-y texture, but the carrot bundt cake was good. I liked the music that was playing in the background (perhaps samba?)
(3)
Lynne B.
I called right before Thanksgiving and they were able to accomodate my last minute request for a holiday dessert. I ordered pumpkin crumble squares and they were fabulous. There was a long list of wonderful sounding desserts I could have ordered. The staff was pleasant.
(5)
Yvette M.
Cupcakes are literally a taste of heaven! Price is a bit stiff $3 for one cupcake but worth it!!
(5)
Chillie D.
The baked goods are excellent -- it is obvious that they use high quality and fresh ingredients. The Owner lives in the neighborhood and usually rides his bike to "A Taste of Heaven" and is a very nice young man. This is a great place to go for coffee and dessert (on a date or with friends). It is family friendly too. The restaurant is charming and casual. The servers are very nice and friendly (don't be afraid to ask for a recommendation if you are not sure about what to order). My favorite goodies are: any thing with lemon, apple pie and any thing that has the word "pudding" in it -- go for any of the cupcakes -- they are truly the best in Chicago!
(3)
David C.
I enjoy Janeans Cake... it is really good... not sure there are many other cakes as desirable as this cake. I recently had a problem with one of my orders and the staff went above and beyond to correct the problem. Its a nice gem in Andersonville.
(4)
Gretchen O.
This place is great! I appreciate their having a full breakfast and lunch menu available, and their list of salads was enticing - I love places that move away from iceberg lettuce and dried carrot splinters. The service was good (frequent but not too frequent water fill-ups, and the waitress was happy to answer my friend's questions about some of the sandwiches). If I don't go back, it'll be because it's so far north, but if I do, I'm trying an omelette!
(4)
Kristen W.
I am thrilled with having found a place that puts the smackdown on unruly kids. I didn't realize it until about halfway through my breakfast but it was like a 'what is that noise? SILENCE!!! ' type of revelation. I love it! The food here is great too. I had the breakfast burrito which was yummy. I loved that it was not goopy and over-loaded with bad-for-you crap. I took a scone to go because I know from previous experience that they are great. Such a yummy snack in the afternoon. Only docking a star because the coffee was kind of sour tasting. I think they use Casteel but mine tasted like it had been sitting in a pot on heat all night. Blech.
(4)
Pedantic S.
One of the best bakeries in town. Tried the 100 chocolate chip cake (and am not the biggest fan of desserts loaded with chocolate), and it was one of the most delectable desserts I have had! Also tried some cookies and they were quite inventive and creative.
(5)
Scott D.
I have always loved Taste of Heaven. It was, in fact, the very first restaurant that I ate at in Chicago when I moved here in 2005. I have been there for dinners almost every other week since. Sadly, they recently reduced the menu offerings and got rid of entrees for dinner (except for a "special" which is one of the entrees that they used to offer). The meatloaf was great, but neither the meatloaf nor the meatloaf sandwich (2 of my favorites) are available. The server, Sam, was great and apologetic about the changes and understanding. We heard 3 other tables mention that they were disappointed with the reduced menu as well, as well as watched 2 tables get up and leave because of the reduced menu. I am saddened that this is no longer really the dinner option that it had been. The food that they have is very good, and the baked goods are great. The low score is because of how limited the options have become.
(2)
Jen N.
FANTASTIC FOOD. The best cupcakes I've ever had, the malted milk ball cupcake, try it. I've been here multiple times and the service is GREAT. The portabella wrap= excellent, the Vegetarian Chili= excellent. Love it. The omelet was great, too, it had pesto and spinach in it; they have breakfast all day. The cream of spinach soup= Perfection. I LOVE this place. It is not boring diner food, it's much better, and maybe some people don't appreciate something different. The cupcakes are the best in the city. Ooooh I had the spinach lasagna recently and it was A+, the service was A+ and very quick and polite.
(5)
Bill M.
This bakery moved from its former location on West Foster to the busier Andersonville neighborhood. Apparently a bit too busy, as the owner has posted a controversial sign asking youngsters to use their "indoor" voices while in the shop. I am with him on this one, but many parents who do not like to be told what to do are very upset and say they will not come here anymore. Oh well, more tasty treats for us dessert lovers.
(4)
Inspector G.
It's hit or miss with the kitchen. Sometimes, the food is o-kay; at others, it's downright lousy. The sandwiches are experimental, but are tasty when they get it right. The real surprise here is that the baked goods aren't better. They tend to be a little on the dry side. Inconsistency aside, the patio dining is still a big draw. This is a great little neighborhood place to sit and enjoy the summer weather and watch the sidewalk traffic go by. On the upside, the table service is usually very friendly.
(3)
Denise W.
Might be as close to heaven as one can get through food. Everything is delicious. The owner/chef often walks around during the brunch rush and passes out free samples of his unbelievable seasonal crumb bars. Flavors include, pumpkin (fall), raspberry (spring). I haven't tried the summer and winter selections but I don't think I'll be disappointed. IF you're going for weekend brunch prepare to wait 5-15 minutes. The place is in demand in Andersonville. It's my go-to place during the week when i want cheap eats in my hood. Diner style without the greasiness and bland taste.
(5)
T M.
I feel very conflicted about Taste of Heaven, and if I could give them a 3.5, I would. While I appreciate their attempts to eliminate the unruly children of parents inconsiderate enough to bring said children to a place where people might want someplace calm to reflect and imbibe more coffee than any reasonable culture should encourage, it is too small a place inside to make it a good place for reading a book or studying. There are just too many tables, and too many people up and down and in and out. When it's open, the outdoor patio area more than makes up for this, though. I'm also not a huge fan of their baked goods, which is a shame, because it's a much better deal than the food, which is alright, but not worth the price, by my reckoning. Although you would expect nothing short of divine from a place with a name like this, the pastries are rather more mundane. I've tried a lot of stuff: the lemon bars, raspberry brownies, cakes, chocolate chip cookies and small apple pies. Each was just average. The best tasting items to me are the mini bundt cakes, but I don't go out of my way for them. But then again, I admit I'm extremely judgmental about baked goods. I do think their excellent (albeit fairly expensive) coffee makes up for this, though, and the baristas/servers really know how to use the espresso machine. In fact, they are pretty excellent as well, and are almost always friendly and attentive. But seriously, more than $2 for a double espresso is too much, and way more than any of the local competition. Finally, they serve Peterson's ice cream. I've never had this any where else, and I don't know where else one can find it, but holy crap is it good.
(3)
Suz C.
Like fellow Yelper John B., I was a fan of Taste of Heaven long before the whole misbehaving kids debate. (I supported Dan on that issue). This is a great little place in Andersonville, and I enjoy coming here for a treat, a drink, and even brunch. The interior is very small, but there are little touches that make it cute like the artwork on the wall. Although servers there are generally very friendly, it is spotty -- sometimes you get awesome service, sometimes you are lucky to get service. Love, love, love their canopy tea, and I love their sandwiches. I do not like their biscuits and gravy, which smells a little like barf on a biscuit. I love their chicken salad sandwich and their homemade soups, and I think their little pastries and cakes are truly heavenly. My boyfriend enjoys the coffee there quite a bit, and my absolute favorite item at TOH, when they have it, is their homemade peach ice cream. Oh my god. It's so creamy and smooth on your tongue...I am drooling and panting just thinking about it. Okay, I better quit before this review starts sounding sex-crazed. I enjoy Taste of Heaven, and I think you will, too. Just don't expect restaurant service, and don't plan to stay for hours on end...although in the summer time, it is tempting to do so when you're outside at one of their tables on a warm summery night....
(4)
Lilith B.
The five star rating is for their bread pudding alone. It's amazing and delicious and I can never finish an entire piece because it's so big and rich. It's smothered in what has to be the best caramel sauce ever. I really can't say much about anything else here because the bread pudding is too good not to get every time I go in, but I've heard good things about the rest. Also, the staff is very friendly.
(5)
Briana J.
Love this place. I have had the whole spectrum of food-- omelets, oatmeal, sandwiches and desserts. I loved each and everything. The mixed berry cake and chocolate vanilla swirl cupcakes are my favorite. The food is fresh, tasty and they keep the coffee coming. There are a few draw backs, namely the size. There is often a wait which is a bummer but the food is so good. The chicken salad sand which was awesome. Keep is mind that this would be a terrible place to study. It is always loud and hopeful eaters will have no problem staring you down while they wait for a seat.
(5)
Justin H.
The Silverland breakfast here is amazing. Taste of heaven? It Sure Is. Katie cakes and breakfast casserole are amazing too. As is the Peach Compote french toast. Service here can be a hit or miss but usually I get what I need. Always great for breakfast. Dinner is good as well but the dinner fare seems to be a little bland the 4 or 5 times I have had dinner there. Also always good for an evening snack and coffee! I prefer mine iced!
(4)
Alison T.
I want to revise my earlier review of TOH. We've been steady customers over the years, and I feel I can write an informed opinion. TOH is always really solid. They have a good brunch and their salads are fantastic. We have never tried their dinner menu. I know they get a lot of flack for not being "kid friendly," but my husband and I find them the opposite. We regularly eat here with our 2 young children. They are friendly to the kids and have good options for them. TOH just asks that if your kid misbehaves you either take them outside or control them, ie...don't let your kid run around the place screaming. This is something I completely agree with. Since our older daughter (now 4) was young, we've taught her how to behave in public - she knows how to sit in her chair and eat nicely. If she's acting out, we go outside or leave, simple as that. I wish all parents did the same.
(4)
Kathryn R.
I didn't try any dessert, just lunch. Service was TERRIBLE from start to finish. The food was OK, but way overpriced for OK food. I had heard that this place was good and looked forward to trying it. What a disappointment. They seem to think they are doing you a favor by letting you spend your money there. Maybe that is the attraction for some people????
(1)
Robyn T.
This place is a gem! Located in the heart of Andersonville alongside some other fabulous restaurants this is a wonderful neighborhood destination. The inside decor is slightly country kitsch but in a cute way, and there's a great outdoor seating space. The staff was very friendly when I was there for brunch. Love, love, love the pancakes with berries. I'm not a huge pancake fan but I had a hunch that I NEEDED to order these and boy was I right. The pancakes are fluffy but have a sort of crispy, golden outside if you will. I could have licked the homeade whipped cream off the plate but I thought I might offend my fellow diners. The egg dishes were good (take a pass on the egg sandwich) as are the hashbrowns.
(5)
Cynthia C.
The food's mediocre on a good day. Service is surly. Pass.
(2)
Belle L.
Plentiful of ridiculously delicious sounding Daily Specials. Price is relative to food portion, ingredients, quality and preparation. FRENCH ONION SOUP ($3.75) -- comes with 3 pcs of housemade bread. Delicioso. Good balance of ingredients. Broth is NOT dark brown. Yay! QUICHE ($10.75) -- a risky custard combination of ham and pineapple. Hawaiian pizza in a pie. Skip it! Soggy crust. Comes with default mixed green salad with vinaigrette. LEMONADE ($4.75) -- expensive with an impressive strong lemon flavor that is not sour. ELVIS CUPCAKE -- peanut butter icing was a tad sweet with banana cake. A version of Elvis' favorite food. COFFEE -- La Colombe brand. SERVICE -- excellent, well-informed, friendly, charming. VENUE -- the relax atmosphere of a cafe. Lots of stuff that is neatly organized. Comfy. Welcoming. 1-star less: - presence of housefly - box your own brown bag
(4)
Shubham C.
Lovely meal that's perfect for a quick bite with a friend. Overall the service was nothing remarkable - the waitress checked in once or twice but we waited a bit to get our check. Water flowed quickly and often. I ordered the quiche and was satisfied. The quiche of the day was steak and cheese. The portion was generous and the side salad was fresh. The crust was light and flaky and had a hint of sweetness that complimented the salted egg and steak filling. The pie top wasn't as crunchy or chewy as I would've liked but still was nice!
(4)
Claire S.
Simply delicious food! The atmosphere is cute and small and diner-like, but with a lot of cupcakes. It's great for sitting and hanging out, and the owner and servers are really nice, quick, and chill. I tried the roasted pear salad and iced coffee (both recommended from the server). The salad was awesome--big and filling, with crispy roasted chicken, delicious roasted pears, and goat cheese and cherries to keep things interesting. Salad dressing came on the side (which was thoughtful). The iced coffee was big, delicious, and FREE because it was a Wednesday! What a pleasant surprise! The prices seem high ($12 for the salad) but the quality of food was well worth it. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!
(5)
Megan L.
Dan's customer service (the owner) was incredible - upon reading my first review, he immediately contacted me to make my experience at Taste of Heaven right. He sympathized with wasting money and calories at a restaurant only to be disappointed and invited me to come back and give Taste another chance with a guest. I appreciated how FAST and KIND he was when responding to my concerns. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! I was not disappointed during my return visit! Mike's pesto sandwich is hands-down one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Chicago. The thick cut, slightly sweet brioche is perfectly toasted and complemented by a mountain of goat cheese, pesto, tomato, bacon, spinach and 2 eggs. It is definitely big enough to be shared (or hoarded for second brunch later in the day)! It comes with a side of fresh fruit and potatoes. I also tried the sparkling lemonade - served in a big mason jar and not too sour or sweet, with the right amount of fizz. Perfect for a warm day! The place gets crowded during the weekend, but they also have a pretty big patio area on the southeast side of the restaurant to accommodate more patrons. It's nicely shaded and worth checking out!
(5)
Meredith C.
I'm not usually one for sweet breakfasts but so happy I tried the coconut almond cakes! They were incredibly flavorful and came with banana slices and fresh whipped cream. Iced coffee refills were free and much appreciated during the hot morning. There was somewhat of a wait for the food but not appalling my any means. With the intriguing items on the menu, I will definitely come by for breakfast again.
(4)
Kyle D.
Overall: Great little cafe with delicious eats and friendly service. The good: Great bakery treats to choose from with specialty cupcakes, cakes, brownies, etc. All were great. Good coffee and plenty of other options. Service was friendly and attentive. A good amount of seating. Cute decor. The bad: Not much! Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)
Nikki L.
I had just moved into the neighborhood, and my sister decided to take me to brunch here. The restaurant decor is very eclectic, and gives it a "Grandma's house" vibe. Not to say this is a bad thing, because it is quite endearing. We both ordered the Mike's Pesto Sandwich, which will go down in history as one of the best breakfast sandwiches I have had. Our waitress was friendly, but towards the end seemed to be losing steam. Since I am a server, I understand. She didn't close out our check, but one of her colleagues did instead. Overall a very positive experience here.
(5)
Jenny D.
Just love it here! Every single thing I've ever tried has been delicious, from their coffee to their entrees to their desserts....heaven. The servers are always very friendly and we've never had a problem being seated. We like to stop in here for brunch and we always get coffee(me-fancy coffee, him-straight black). I usually order the quiche because it's so good, but I have gotten their Durbin sandwich before, too. Both were so good. The quiche is my to-go-to though because they are such a pain in the ass to make yourself and they always get the texture right. They are always light and fluffy. My husband usually goes for something a bit more hearty. The last time he got a portobello sandwich which was really good. I never can leave without getting a cupcake, which I have a love/hate relationship with. Love, because they are so good. Hate because then I have to go to the gym later. It's worth it.
(5)
Mary Z.
MMM- Been here 2x now and really impressed. Both times were for brunch. Great dog friendly patio, service is good and the staff is really friendly. The food is so fresh and tasty. I'm looking forward to trying lunch and dinner.
(4)
Debbie M.
Great breakfast. I had the chorizo skillet - so tasty. My boyfriend had the Carmel pancakes- sugary treat. Friendly staff. If you haven't tried this place give it a try.
(4)
Cynthia T.
I had the steel cut oatmeal with peach compote. Who knew oatmeal could be so delicious! It was very filling as well. Everyone's dishes looked so good and hearty. It was a clean restaurant and our waitress was very friendly. I hope I can come back and taste the chicken and biscuit breakfast.
(4)
Sheila K.
I have been wanting to try out this place for a while now and I finally did. We came on a Sunday around 1:30 and didn't have a problem getting a seat. The place is pretty small, but has a lot of homemade goods from cupcakes to cakes and bars, etc... My husband got the Steak and Eggs and I tried the Havar Ya Sandwich with a side of soup. The steak and eggs were ok and the potatoes were tasty, nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. My sandwich was okay as well. The homemade baguette bread was good and held the sandwich quite well. But it was kinda dry and perhaps could use some sauce to make it tastier. Service was also okay. Overall, this place is okay.
(3)
Angie M.
Honestly? There's nothing to NOT like about Taste of Heaven. Biscuits? Divine. Scones? Like whoa. Omelets? Perfection. Service? Phenomenal. I think the only problem with Taste of Heaven is that they don't have fountain beverages. You ask for a diet Coke and get it in a 20oz bottle. Oh... and that you'll want to leave with plenty of goodies in the bakery case, which will add lbs to your ass. Not sure if this is a pro or a con. I'll let you choose.
(5)
Rikki C.
The food was good the service was good neither great but all in all a good experience. I would definitely go here again. I would, however have to say that their banana pound cake was amazing, so 5 stars on that. Oh, and they never rushed us out the door, so my friends and I were able to catch up for 2.5 hours.
(4)
Hannah C.
Breakfast all day is always a key to my heart. But breakfast all day AND PASTRY? That will get me every time. (Note: it will look just like a pastry shop when you walk in. The boards will say nothing about food, just pastry. But if you say you want to dine in, they will give you table service and a menu of delights. The best thing we tried was, surprisingly, the almond and coconut pancakes. Actual coconut. Actual homemade whipped cream. They were amazing. The grilled cheese sandwich was also great - lots of flavors and fresh bread. The roasted potatoes had almost no flavor, so skip those in favor of another side. For dessert we tried the cream puff with whipped cream (heavenly) and the moon pie cupcake (very good). I will admit, these cupcakes didn't stack up to Molly's or Sugar Bliss for me. They had just a little less flavor and creativity. But for a meal AND a cupcake, I was quite impressed.
(4)
Ritu R.
God we've been coming here for 8 years! We live in River North but will make the trek for this little gem of goodness. Comfort food, breakfast all day and decadent desserts! Note the prices on the menu on yelp are not accurate as they are not posted by the business ;) Happy Eating!
(5)
Emily B.
This place is so delicious, I'm having a hard time finding words. Scrumptious is probably the best one. I ate here for lunch on a beautiful summer day with my son. We sat outside. It was a Thursday and I was surprised we were the only ones out there. But I have passed this place on the weekends and there's a line out the door. We will definitely be back for brunch! The service was great, from the moment we walked in to when we paid and left. Speedy and attentive servers. I ordered the Grilled Cheese Sandwich. The BEST grilled cheese I've ever had. The three cheeses they choose to put into this sandwich is a home run. They are feta, cheddar and mozzarella. And the bread... oh the bread! Homemade sourdough but did not taste like sourdough. Pure baked goodness in your mouth! I also got the potato salad for a side. I liked it, very tasty, but different than what I have ever had. If you do not like dill or onions, don't order it. But I do, so I enjoyed. I ordered a piece of Jeanine's Cake to go. Again, so freaking good! The perfect summer cake. The streusel crumbs on the frosting are what took it over the top for me. Yum, yum. A Taste of Heaven really is just that. So go and get full!
(5)
Randy H.
First experience at Taste of Heaven was disappointing. I had a Niçoise salad that was just not fresh. A throw together of pre-prepped items that had been in the walk-in several days too long, all tossed in a tarragon dressing that was supposed to be creamy, but which, extraordinarily, was dry. I ate about half of it and got a candy bar and protein shake on the way home. My husband's basic bacon and eggs breakfast was quite good, so he liked the place. On the whole, the ambience is good and I rate the service okay even though our meals were pretty slow coming out (probably took a while to find the salad makings in the back of the cooler ). I might go back if in the immediate area, but definitely would not order a salad there.
(3)
Nikki G.
Get the coconut almond pancakes, you will NOT regret it! They are super generous with the whipped cream. Also: the cornmeal biscuits are AWESOME.
(5)
William F.
What a grew a find! I've walked past this place at least 100 times and have to say I should have ventured in sooner! No wait on a Sunday at brunch time and the biscuits and whipped cream was the best I've had in so long if not ever. This gem is well worth traveling halfway across the city for breakfast.
(5)
Kathy T.
We came across this place by accident one Sunday. Our original plan was to go to Big Jones but the wait time was almost two hours. Upon arrival, we were seated at the corner near the cupcake display. The place is some what small and very crowded. My boyfriend ordered some sandwich with peaches, it was okay. I had the steak and eggs, the steak was cooked medium like how I like it. I could only eat a couple of bites, it was too heavy for my taste. When we received our bill I'm was surprised at how much this breakfast had cost. For a sandwich, steak and eggs, coffee and tea $42 definitely was not worth our money. I'm not sure what the hype is all about maybe people haven't had real good breakfast. Nothing was special about this breakfast, glad I tried it. I would probably not come back. Overpriced.
(3)
Syed N.
This place is a hidden gem. Good service, good food, great location and the best lemonade in Chicago.
(5)
Roseann M.
Each time I go to A Taste of Heaven, I wonder why I don't go more often. The food is always good. The atmosphere is homey and cozy -- that means, the room isn't very big. The service is efficient and friendly. The prices are reasonable. Maybe it's the competition in Andersonville. There are so many new, sexier places, you forget about the old reliable places. Miss Finland and I went for lunch today. I drank copious amounts of coffee. I ordered the quiche of the day, which was bacon/cheddar/tomato with a side salad. Miss Finland ordered a sandwich called the Havar Ya, which she assures me is not in the Finnish language. Her sandwich consisted of ham, Havarti cheese and roasted red peppers on a big bun, and also came with a side salad. Both portions were generous. She wondered if she could eat it all, but somehow she managed to do just that. My slice of quiche was much taller and thicker than the typical paltry, girly-sized quiche slices you get in other places. We ate everything. I made the mistake of walking past the counter and saw a huge variety of cupcakes. Somehow, through sheer strength of will, I forced myself to order a Red Velvet Cupcake. Miss Finland took one bite. We agreed that it was heavier than we expected, but it still tasted delicious. The restaurant stayed pretty busy during the whole Tuesday lunch period. We were there for almost 2.5 hours. The waitress forget she hadn't dropped off the check, but we were under no pressure to clear the table for another party of diners. I did stop by on a recent Saturday to buy a carrot cake cupcake, which was very good, by the way, and the place was very very busy with the weekend brunch crowd. There is no waiting area. You have to stand alongside the south wall. I think the staff was very relieved that I just wanted to get something to go. I like Taste of Heaven very much. I'm looking forward to returning when the weather is a little warmer - say, August - and eating at one of their outdoor tables.
(4)
Leah K.
Oh my goodness the Jeanine cake....just get the Jeanine cake! I think for the last (at least) 5 years I've requested a slice of the Jeanine cake here for my birthday and it never disappoints! And you can easily share one piece with several people because they're huge. Honestly there hasn't been anything from here that we haven't liked - they always have a good selection of cupcakes and they're ALL delicious. Can't say we've ever had anything else but sweets from here but who needs food when you can have cake?
(5)
Daniel W.
This was my go to place for breakfast burritos butttt....some reason the breakfast burrito continues to "de-volve". By "de-volve" I mean regressing rather than evolving into a better thing. Per my previous review, the breakfast burrito was loaded with eggs and beans/rice were served on the side. Over the years they started tinkering with things. The next time they didn't dress the beans up with the same salsa as the first time. Then one time there were no beans/rice. Last weekend they had the beans/rice inside the burrito! We felt a little betrayed....less eggs and using the beans/rice as a filler. sighhhhh! come on now Taste of Heaven...I've been telling everyone to go here for the best breakfast burrito but now...I must bite my tongue... You don't gotta fix what ain't broken! Excellent service though! We got the Durbin omelette as well. Good amount of food is included. Breakfast potatoes, biscuit/corn muffin type thing, and fruit. Bring back the burrito from 2011!
(4)
Susan C.
I went here for brunch since I haven't been back for a long while. This restaurant is not that big but a good enough size to eat at. I like their food and order a quiche which is so good accompanied a side salad. The waitstaff is attentive coming back from time to time to make sure we have everything we need. The service was great so I will come back here when I am in the neighborhood and I love this neighborhood.
(4)
Zarnigor N.
I love their breakfast menu.. Everything made so delicious and fresh.. Workers are so sweet and helpful. They have the best cup cakes ever... They make everything from scratch.. I would recommend to anyone this wonderful place ..
(5)
Wil E.
Best. Dessert. Ever. Seriously. EVER! In fact, I can't even go here anymore. It's just not safe for my diet. And they've actually managed to ruin dessert anyplace else. It's just a bitter disappointment when I order from another restaurant and I get a huge plate with a tiny slice of store-bought cheesecake. Everything at Taste is freshly prepared and delicious, the portions are huge, and the service is friendly. The cheesecake is truly heavenly, and you get a slab of it - A FREAKIN' SLAB!!!
(5)
Megan D.
Cute place. Loved the weathered tables and unique decor. Service was good and they were prompt with coffee and water throughout our visit. I was a little disappointed in the menu offerings honestly. I was expecting a larger selection of breakfast items and was hoping for some type of combo but wasn't able to locate anything. I also didn't inquire so partly my fault. I was pleased with my meal and would go back again. I do want to get back to try the baked goods.
(3)
Lizz M.
I first visited A Taste of Heaven on a snowy Saturday evening when I had a huge craving for dessert. I got their raspberry white chocolate cheesecake. YUM. and gigantic. I couldn't eat it all in one sitting. I've since visited them twice for breakfast as it's become my boyfriend's favorite spot in Andersonville. I got their steel cut oats the other day and they are SO good. They come with a delicious peach compote and granola. Their cornmeal biscuits are also fantastic.
(4)
Patrick W.
Thanks to Dan for trying to make up for this. I found the cupcakes to be much better the second time around.
(4)
Patrick M.
One of the best diners in the city. Every meal I've had has been wonderful and the sweets are excellent. I'm always so full after the meal (read: great, big portions) that I have to get a sweet to go. Service has always been good. If we ever have friends or family visiting, this is where we take them for breakfast or lunch (or-if it was up to me-both). Try the hot chocolate- tastes like liquid gold. Check it out- you might see me there.
(5)
Kimmi M.
The ambience is adorable, probably similar to how your kindergarten teacher decorated her house. A really wonderful breakfast place. The lox entree was large and flavourful. I really enjoyed the lemon dill sauce to accompany it. The coffee was strong, and the iced tea was spiced, which was a pleasant surprise.
(4)
M. R.
Poor service. Waited an hour for food. And waiter never refilled water until he gave the check. Waiter also didn't come by to ask how we were doing or how the food was.
(1)
Zachary A.
While I could argue that every city is a brunch city, this seems to echo considerably more true with my time in Chicago than some other places. Everywhere has a brunch, and I'm not upset about it in the slightest. With that, though, comes the difficult task of narrowing a million options each Saturday and Sunday morning. After meeting a new friend days prior, she invited me to join her Saturday morning at a Taste of Heaven, and it definitely was an enjoyable taste. I highly recommend this place. It's small and not trying to be "trendy", but just good. It has a nice neighborhood vibe, although I lend a lot of that to Andersonville in general. I had the biscuits (cornmeal biscuits, I must add) and gravy and was loving every morsel. I really think everyone should get this dish. :) My friend got the breakfast casserole and it also was pretty awesome looking. The food was spot-on a wonderful brunch and I could see myself making it a regular brunch stop. Ps. If you're going to bring kids, make sure they're entertained and able to enjoy the quality experience that is A Taste of Heaven. :)
(4)
Elana B.
I wanted to have a lunch dish that didn't feel heavy but also wanted to feel full because I knows I wouldn't be eating again for a long time today. The option of getting a wrap with a side of veggie stir-fry was a dream. The wrap itself (BLT and A) was perfect - the bacon was super crispy and the mayo was just enough zest. The veggies were cooked perfectly. Also they had wifi and my server was so lovely about giving me the password without any sass like I sometimes get when I ask for a wifi password. It's also located on such a quant corner of Clark street so you could get distracted from your laptop by looking outside at all the people walking by. I didn't try any desserts because I felt so pleasantly full but next time I'll save room for sure!
(5)
Tlafi K.
I came back and this time service was exceptionally great. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a high spirited positive waiter named Ryan. He did not have any idea that I wrote a bad review and that I had been in touch with the owner Dan. I was like a secret shopper. I really enjoyed eating at this place this time around. The food was great. The honey jar was exceptionally clean. Too bad my phone died. Would have posted some pictures. I'm glad I came back and will definitely be back. We need more business owners like Dan. He really cares about his business and takes constructive criticism well. He took his time to contact me and went above and beyond to make sure that I was a satisfied customer. That really shows me how much he cares about his business. That's what I call excellent customer service. Way to go!
(5)
Mark M.
this place charges $3.50 for a cup o f coffee. really?
(1)
Nishan P.
Has Andersonville gone hipster? Is this the new Wicker Park? Everyone working the Saturday brunch shift at A Taste of Heaven was dressed in hipster attire, as was most of the male clientele. I fit right in because I was wearing a flannel shirt, but no skinny jeans because I want to have kids someday. The salmon scramble was a very pleasant surprise. Instead of the fish being mixed into the scrambled eggs, slices of smoked salmon, topped with capers, were served alongside it. The plate also included a corn meal biscuit, roasted potatoes, and a cucumber dill sauce. I tried the Durham omlet too and was impressed with the large chunks of turkey, pears, and havarti in it. Country kitsch is found in abundance in the restaurant. The place might be a hipster paradise but the decor is more country than Hee Haw. The service was quite attentive given no one person was responsible for our table. It was a nice team effort by all the servers. If you are looking for a good weekend brunch place in Andersonville, I suggest you don your best hipster duds and head on over to A Taste of Heaven. **UPDATE** Soon after posting the above review, I received the following message: Hahahaa! I work at a Taste of Heaven and the uniform is plaid. And we do joke with customers who wear plaid that they can easily become an employee. : ) I'm glad you enjoyed your meal and experience at ATOH. Hopefully we see you again soon! I would like to apologize to the employees of a Taste of Heaven for assuming that you were all hipsters... not that there is anything wrong with being a hipster, besides the reduced ability to beget offspring.
(4)
Karyn C.
After living in Andersonville for over two years I finally made it to Heaven. One of the reasons I'd always wanted to go is because if their policy of only allowing well-behaved children. Within a few minutes of being seated a toddler started screaming. I couldn't see the child and I couldn't see any adults leaning over like they were trying to soothe an angry child. After a few minutes of intermittent wailing I saw a server discreetly speak to a man. As the server walked away the man started yelling, "I guess they don't like kids here! No kids ever! It's too bad that you're hungry, we have to leave now." The server was kind enough to be discreet and if it hadn't been for the man's reaction, no one would've known they'd been asked to leave. The server even brought them to go boxes so they didn't need to make a scene. I understand that kids will be kids but it's nice to see a restaurant that takes a stand against poorly behaved children (and adults). As for the food, it was delicious! I had the peaches and cream French toast and my boyfriend had the breakfast burrito. Both of us were unable to finish and left very satisfied. The only thing I'd do differently is not order the iced tea. It's a spiced iced tea but that's not called out on the beverage menu. I was hoping for plain iced tea. That's the only thing though!
(4)
Russ A.
Good food, desserts and ice cream. Service is always fantastic. Check out their display of goodies, better than deciding from reading the menu. My reigning fav desserts are coconut cream cake and double chocolate bundt cake. Yes I have recently snapped out of their "anything with caramel sauce". It was my long reigning fav at one time. ;-)
(5)
Joe M.
Always a treat to come here. Great bakery items as well as the regular menu. The Mike's Pesto sandwich is one of my favorite breakfast items. Good service, great food and reasonable prices.
(4)
Ryan M.
My visit to A Taste of Heaven actually was "Plan C" for the night, after the pie shop down the street was out of pie (on Pi Day, of course!), and the other targeted destination was a block further, before we saw this great little place. We still wanted pie, and the windows said TOH had dessert, so we gave it a try. The cafe is every family-run store of my youth rolled into one: a bake shop, a coffee shop, and a diner. The desserts are seductively laid under glass at the front, the walls are decorated in old-school sweets-and-eats decor, and you expect your grandmother or favorite aunt to pop out from the back at any moment offering hugs and love-smotherings. (What? Your grandmother and aunts don't love-smother you? You're missing out.) Tonight's target was only dessert, and they had a special for apple pie! Alas, likely because of the day (and all the others who had come here after the pie shop went dry), the pie was gone. But fret not! So many other terrific, undeniably house-made options awaited. I chose the carrot cake, which came in a massive slice, and my evening companion took a slice of the banana-caramel cheesecake (they had also just run out of the peanut butter). Neither was a "Plan C" choice. The carrot cake was super moist, brimming with pecans and chewy bits of carrot. The cream-cheese frosting was not too thick , at all, and was rich. The cheesecake across the table had the best hand-made whipped cream I have ever tasted. The cake itself was very decadent, tasting like bananas foster on a crust. We also had accompanying cappuccinos, which were big and quite good. They were napalm hot when we got them, so we had to let them cool a little. The little shop was filled to capacity, and our poor server apparently was on his own. But things were not unbearably slow. Our server just appeared a bit frazzled and fried. Upon paying he assured me that were I to come back another day, things will be smoother, it will not be Pi Day (most likely), and he will not be working alone. Not a problem, I assured him, and I do plan to be back. With desserts this homemade and delicious, brunch and lunch must be great, too. So for a quick dessert (they have lots of cupcakes, cakes, bars, and other treats), a good coffee nightcap, or (I will soon see) a tasty homemade-feeling meal, Taste of Heaven is a welcoming, adorable shop that fits in perfectly in Andersonville.
(5)
Christina R.
Insanely good food in a simple, cozy cafe. Everything is fresh and homemade.. including their roasted turkey in their sandwiches...and their bread. It's a must try. I know we will be back!! Have had the egg, pesto, &bacon sandwich, the turkey , pear & havarti sandwich, great salad with homemade dressing, and the to die for German Chocolate Cake!!
(5)
Sue M.
Thanks goodness! happy that someone will take charge when neglectful parents are letting their small children run, scream, climb and play like it was outdoors, that someone will take charge and quietly ask them to control their offspring or leave! This is not a playground, it's a restaurant! And who among us wants to pay for fancy coffee and pastries to have to eat in the midst of an improvised daycare center? Like to enjoy the exquisite bakery items in full absorption. Thanks Taste of Heaven!
(4)
Susan H.
Great treasure of good food and coffee plus amazing deserts. Very cozy and warm environment with a twist of hip. Great place to meet a friend. Expect to wait for a table for weekend brunch times...but not very long.
(4)
Molly M.
I ate here last night. Stopped in to do some work and decided to order a sandwich. I got the turkey with pears and cheese. Sandwich arrived with the paper still attached and melted to the cheese. YUCK! I realized this after taking a bite of paper. Double yuck. I pointed it out to the waitress who was very kind, and asked if I wanted another sandwich (for the record -- this isn't a question to be asking....of course you should replace the sandwich). After answering in the affirmative I did get a new sandwich but the turkey tasted kind of "gamey" -- not sure how turkey can taste gamey but it did. I didn't eat the majority of the sandwich or the potato salad. So many better eats out there. Pass!
(1)
Canh-Lien N.
Had Mike's Pesto Sandwich. Perfectly cooked eggs over medium. Homemade pesto was delicious and not too garlicky or oily. Could use more bacon! The side of grilled potatoes were meh but the dill potato salad from my friend's plate was to die for. I haven't had a potato salad that I've loved (besides my own) in a while and I'm from Texas where there is an abundance of tater salad. The hot Ginger Lime tea melted the cold chills from outside. The service was quick and attentive making this the best Sunday I've had all month. Definitely a taste of heaven all around.
(4)
Katharine T.
I really love Taste of Heaven! Such an unsuspecting restaurant with seriously delicious food. My boyfriend and I put off Taste of Heaven for a while because we thought it was just a diner. Maybe nothing special, wouldn't fulfill our craving for brunch. How wrong we were. Thank god we finally we went here this past summer. My first meal here was the Silverland Breakfast: cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy. God dammit these are the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had and I have sampled a lot. This dish is what God looks like. So good. Since that visit I have tried to go a healthier route and ordered the breakfast burrito in a whole wheat tortilla with scrambled eggs, black beans, gauc and salsa. For being a pretty simple dish this is also incredibly delicious. It's really satisfying, filling and not 1000 calories. Boyfriend has ordered their Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict which looks truly sinful and he loves it. This place gets pretty packed pretty quickly on the weekends and for good reason, their food is incredible and well priced. It's a small, quaint restaurant with super friendly service but if you want to eat at 11AM, think again. Get here no later than 10AM I say. It's awkward to wait for a table because the restaurant is so small so for me, you either get a table or you cry until next weekend and try again. We have yet to try dinner, probably another mistake as I am sure it's just as delicious as their brunch/lunch.
(5)
Arocho M.
Im here! I came to brunch with my family and people did not treat us right! Food are "whatever, nothing amazing"...
(2)
Lila S.
Really great food, really great service, really friendly staff. I've gotten two of their egg omelettes on two different occasions and both were both super good. U honestly can't go wrong w any of their omelettes- it just depends on what ur in the mood for. Biscuit in the side was really good too, along w their scones! Breakfast potatoes on the side were crispy and flavorable... Just had their pumpkin cobbler bar- it's absolutely DELICIOUS! paired w a cup of their coffee- yummmm. They seriously have one of the best bakers in town!
(5)
Jeremy T.
The good: A place in the neighborhood to get breakfast any time of the day. Good coffee, too. The bad: Overpriced, seemingly microwaved food. Very overpriced for the quality.
(3)
Luke H.
Brought my Texan mother here and she adored it. She's been back to Texas for a week now and she still brings up out trip there. I love this place as well, I get pick up from there often and my favorites include, the breakfast burrito, and the biscuits and gravy. Do meat kolaches taste of heaven!
(5)
atrack b.
I've been here twice for dessert only. Both times, I've been impressed by the deliciousness of the desserts and the friendliness of the service. So far, I'd recommend the banana cream layer cake, the chocolate chip cheesecake, the loaf cakes, and the big cookies.
(5)
B K.
I thought the food was decent. My wife did not like her food at all. She thought it was way too heavy. Three stars from me and one star from my wife. Therefore, two stars.
(2)
Marcee W.
Coconut crème cake is to die for!
(5)
Kristy S.
I come here for the boston cream pie cupcakes (yum!) and the free coffee Wednesdays with freshly baked scones.
(4)
Paolo U.
This is an excellent simple pastry shop with a few surprises for breakfast and lunch. It has one of the most delectable sausage gravy, biscuits and egg breakfasts in the entire city that is not well known but to the locals it's a neighborhood secret. I am biased sentimentally as this place did the pastry cupcake delights for my wedding over a decade ago when they first moved to Clark St. from Foster Ave, and it has been a pleasure to see them grow in their spot as the dessert and coffee stop in a vibrant locale. Highly recommend their scones of all varieties, and their drip coffee is brewed often and fresh to complement any one of their tasty cupcakes and pound bread delights. Highly recommend the Silverland breakfast dish for new folks looking for a filling, decadent, and tasty meal that will convince you to come back. Open until 11PM makes it a great spot for late desserts on an evening out.
(4)
vitaliy v.
This charming bakery is my go-to late-night dessert and tea spot and lazy Sunday brunch place. 100% unpretentious, the friendly staff and good food make it a perfect neighborhood place to meet a friend, work a little or just grab a scone to go. My only complaint is the flavorless coffee, but otherwise it's great. The food is always fresh and they have excellent and interesting specials, along with all the typical fare. I only wish they had more European-style sweets, but if you like cupcakes, this is the place to be. ~V
(5)
Mark D.
I guess it all depends on your perception of "heaven" - but there is something quite heavenly about this place. Excellent service, great food, tea and coffee and I have NEVER had to wait for a table! EVER! Its always busy, especially on the weekend but never seems to be a wait.
(5)
Tiffany Y.
I came here for dessert with a friend and I was blown away by their delicious sweets. I had a slice of coconut cream cake and a chocolate covered strawberry. Loved the cake, it was dense and moist and very coconutty. The strawberry was huge, red, and the chocolate was laid on thick. I'd love to come back sometime to try their coffee and do an update review. I only removed one star because the set up is very small and awkward. Also, don't try to come during saturday lunch, its a madhouse! It's very small, hipster cafe type atmosphere and the workers were very friendly.
(4)
Rachel K.
I love that A Taste of Heaven serves real maple syrups with their pancakes. I'm not a pancake maniac who wants a million toppings piled on so other spots like the Bongo Room are a waste on me. The breakfast selection here will make health conscious eaters happy too. They do a variety of veggie omelettes well, served with tasty potatoes. Is probably be back more often if their coffee weren't so pricey. A drip cup shouldn't cost $4+ dollars. Personally I find it too strong too but I'm sure someone else will say it's the best on the street. That said, they get points for serving breakfast all day. This spot is great for dessert lovers since you'll have a big display of fresh cupcakes, cakes, cookies and breads to choose from for eating there or taking out.
(4)
Nicole R.
We gave them three chances and each visit left something to be desired. On the first visit, the food was mediocre, but we thought we had ordered incorrectly. Maybe we didn't choose the all-stars on the menu? The second time, we brought a friend. Halfway through her sandwich, she discovered parchment paper stuck to the cheese in her sandwich. She'd been eating it the whole time. Management did the correct thing and comped her meal and gave us a free cupcake. The third time was the worst. The air conditioning was off, despite it being in the mid-80's and humid outside. They kindly turned it on when we mentioned the heat. We ordered our food and even though the restaurant was empty, our food took 25 minutes to arrive. The breakfast burrito arrived in a cold tortilla with runny eggs and odd seasoning. The potatoes were overcooked and dry, could've chipped a tooth. The garnishes were two overlyrippened pineapple pieces that had probably been sitting in a prep bucket since 9am. We didn't finish our food and while we were paying the bill, noticed a little roach walking across the floor. We paid our bill quickly and left. Although, the wait staff is very nice, the food and cleanliness of the establishment needs some work, especially when nestled in the competitive Andersonville restaurant scene.
(1)
Caren C.
Whenever I think brunch in Chicago I think Taste of Heaven. The choices are plentiful and unique. They also have your typical options as well. My favorite is the Peaches and Cream French Toast, mouth watering spiced peach compote over homemade Brioche. I feel like I'm celebrating with each bite! They have great scones, amazing coffees and teas as well. Not up early enough for brunch? You're in luck, the entire menu is available all day. Try the omelets, soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners, they are all homemade and taste great too!!! It's like going to Grandma's
(5)
Adam S.
Very very very very good sweets & treats! Unfortunately I've never eaten breakfast, brunch or lunch there so I will limit my review to only their delicious sweets. Their cupcakes are very good. No matter what time of the day you go, they always have a nice variety of flavors/styles. My favorite is the raspberry rapture! It is a raspberry flavored cake with an insanely good filling of some type, with a THICK layer of frosting topped off with a raspberry! You only need one of these bad boys to fill up your sweet tooth (although buy more for later). On the cake side, I can not say enough about the 1000 chip cake. Hands down one of the best cakes I have ever had in my life!!! Vanilla-ish cake with a chocolate filling and then TONS of mini chocolate chips coating the side. SUPER delicious!! I've had their cookies and brownies too and those are also very good! Definitely recommed for those looking to get their sweets fixing!
(4)
Caroline M.
Love this place. The food is great and the homemade brioche bread is out of control good. They make everything (other than the tortillas) in house. The french toast is great but I love the egg sandwich the most. Also major points to the fact that the fruit they serve on your place is actually ripe and edible. I would give 5 stars except that the random decorations they have around the restaurant appear to have never been dusted and it grosses me out. I prefer to eat outside for this very reason. They should just do away with them so they can wipe down the window sills every day.
(4)
Adam K.
In my new neighborhood, this was the first brunch spot I hit up over the weekend. Loved the outdoor patio. In addition to getting a nice face tan on Saturday, I had a great special egg white omelette with asparagus, red pepper and goat cheese. The lemon biscuit it came with on the side was divine. The hash browns perfectly crisped. In salivated over my friends' choices to each get the shrimp benedict and they loved it. I will totes be back to this place over and over again, eventually someone will need to roll me out of this place. Can't wait to go back. Also, there's lots of handsome guys in the area who pass by or eat alone sometimes, for you gay single guys out there...smile and make some eye contact, I sure will next time :-)
(4)
Alec K.
Great little place with nice service. Overall a little expensive but the food was great. Their special creations are phenomenal and that syrup was spot on. Definitely have to invest in one of their homemade cookies next time.
(5)
K B.
The chicken and biscuits had the best biscuits I've ever had - they were made with cream corn and were simply incredible. Otherwise, it's a cute little diner spot. Although the cupcakes looked amazing, we didn't have room.
(4)
Jessica S.
I must have been having a very bad day when I wrote that review. I still am not wowed by Taste of Heaven but I love their desserts.
(4)
Hector T.
Friendly and efficient staff. Brioche bread was great. Breakfast all day. Reasonably priced. Good flavors. The turkey they use is real carved roasted turkey. I will be back.
(4)
Markesha W.
My husband and I had breakfast here on our anniversary, I ordered the salmon dill quiche and Carmel Apple French toast My husband ordered the smothered biscuits an omelette and sausage the food was amazing the name of the restaurant is definitely the perfect description of the food served. The icing on the cake is the service Samuel and Ryan were really friendly and provided excellent service. It's needless to say we will be returning regularly. Thanks Ryan and Samuel see you guys soon.
(5)
Samia G.
Is a ok place , don't like his baking ,as far food is something that u can do home. Service is soooo slow I'm updating my review from 3 to 4 stars based on caring respectful email received from dan M that his take business seriously!
(3)
Magen M.
The oreo ice cream is the best in the world! The staff here is always so nice and helpful, too!
(4)
Nancy F.
I love this place...not only for the desserts but for the service and breakfast! The sausage and biscuits is amazing, good lattes and fun staff! Hot chocolate is also an amazing treat.
(5)
Valerie W.
What do you do after partying hard all night at the Drake for the best wedding of the season? BRUNCH. A Taste of Heaven was recommended by the boyfriend's family who lives in Edgewater. We arrived shortly before 10am and were able to park right in front without any problems (you do have to feed the meter!) When we arrived, we were seated right away, told the specials, and offered coffee. The coffee was strong, fresh, hot, and just what I needed. That, my sunglasses, a tall glass of water, and some greasy goodness. They have both a breakfast and lunch brunch menu, which is great, because the bf usually wants lunch type things even in the breakfast type hours. To my surprise, he ordered the brioche French toast. I ordered the corned beef hash, which comes topped with two fried eggs. We were joined by some of his family, so we also had on the table an omelette of the day (sausage, fontina, and some sort of veg, I can't remember) and a breakfast burrito. There was a wait after us, and all of the food coming out was really tasty looking. My stomach was definitely growling while we waited. The only thing that I found wrong with our visit is that our server seemed to be a little all over the place. She was busy, and I understand that, but we had to ask for coffee refills, syrup for the French toast, and my dish came out at least 5 minutes after everything else did (we had to ask about that too.) The flavors were great, the French toast almost tasted like cake. It was rich and eggy, not soggy at all, and I'm not much of a French toast lover. I would order this, for sure. The hash was made to order, with big chunks of corned beef, peppers, onions, and potatoes. It was served with a ramekin of creamy stone ground mustard which was the perfect accompaniment. I pretty much want to eat my way through brunch in Chicago... and this was a good place to start.
(3)
KC F.
I SO miss living down the street from this place. Such a great brunch option- especially in the summer when you can sit on their great patio. The interior is cozy/inviting and their cupcakes are great. I've only dabbled with their lunch/dinner fair a few times but everything was just as good as the many brunch items I've inhaled. Definitely recommend!
(4)
Michael U.
For the final snack stop on this particular visit to Chicago my sister and her friend wanted to grab some pastries for their brunch and studio tour with Martin Kastner of Crucial Design and being in the Edgewater area the decision was made to stop by Chicago stalwart A Taste of Heaven; a small comfort food cafe and bakery recommended to us nearly a year earlier by their neighbors at Great Lake. Arriving at the restaurant and locating free parking with ease we made our way through the doors of A Taste of Heaven to find the space quite full but approaching the pastry counter we were greeted by a friendly young woman ready, willing, and able to help despite the hustle and bustle all around. With cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, and scones abound I waited patiently while my sister made her selection - a Baker's Dozen of scones offered at a discount and hot from the oven - before making a few selections of my own and with the modest tab settled we made our way back to the car. With the scones permeating the air with notes of butter vanilla my sister noted that only eleven people would be attending the brunch and as such suggested I should take one, an offer I gladly accepted in picking out a hefty blackberry scone from a mixed batch including chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, and raisin walnut options. Warm, dense, soft, and studded with pockets of butter juxtaposing the sweet berries I have to say that all things being equal the texture of the pastry was more muffin or buttermilk biscuit than scone, but considering the quality of the flavor it is hard to nitpick because no matter what you call it the 'scone' was delicious. Moving next to my selections, a requisite trio of cupcakes weighing in at $3 each, my first "Taste of Heaven" (sorry, couldn't resist) would be the standard Red Velvet, a decent representation of the classic with a moist base and cream cheese frosting in a good ratio but the frosting a bit less tart than I generally prefer and easily overwhelmed by the cocoa notes of the cake. Moving next to two of the more interesting options, the first titled Malted Milk Ball and the second "Elvis," both of these options would prove to be quite good, though the first - a black and white base topped loosely with a cap of milk chocolate and small malt balls - was a bit dry while the second was by far the best of the group with a banana bread quality cake topped in peanut butter cream and a hemisected peanut butter cup - a great presentation that could have only been improved by a little bit of bacon.
(4)
Dayna S.
I want to love this place because of their biscuits and homemade whip which are amazing (especially a biscuit topped with whipped!) BUT the cost of a cup of coffee is a bit pricey, in addition the quality of the food for brunch has not been justified on my past two visits. If you compare Heaven to Bongo Room, you will definitely get more bang for your buck at Bongo and a lot better quality of food. I'm sorry Taste of Heaven, but I just wish you would improve the quality/quantity of your food for brunch.
(2)
Barb L.
A very nice place for breakfast lunch or a snack. Delicious home made soups and pastry items. Service is friendly and attentive
(4)
Sid B.
Hooked to coconut creme ! Their pastries and cakes are top stuff... A touch expensive though
(4)
Marie D.
I'm upgrading my review from two to three stars based on an extremely positive, respectful message exchange with Dan, the owner, about my experiences at TofH. Dan obviously cares about his customers and takes our complaints seriously, and that's as important as the food and service, in my book.
(3)
Deyte D.
We went to A Taste of Heaven yesterday for Sunday Brunch. When we arrived at the register area, the individual behind the counter pointed to a table across the room and told us we could sit there. We did and waited for over 10 minutes for someone to bring us the menus. We were still being ignored so we got up and left. We ended up across the street at Vincent, where the service and the food were great!
(1)
D D.
I have eaten here with my wife and child two times now. First time was a so so dinner(can't remember the food we ordered), second time was brunch today and it was as fabulous as the men in Andersonville. The Katie cake is the best pancake(really more like dessert) that I have ever had, and the breakfast burrito was also up there with my wife's gourmet cooking. My 2 year old daughter is quite the foodie for her age and had to be held back from devouring the entire Katie cake. The place had slower service and they made us wait twenty minutes despite having 6 open two person tables for space reasons (high chair space) which really annoyed my wife, but besides that we were really happy we decided to go there today!
(4)
Beth R.
Losing a star simply because of the web site. 1) No hours posted. I actually need to know this, because the last time a friend and I planned dinner there, we arrived to find it closed. We were going to try again tonight but my annoyance might override my appetite. 2) No phone number posted, and the Contact Us page has a simple form that does not work. I tried it in both Internet Explorer and Firefox, just to be sure it wasn't a browser issue. Nope, it's theirs. You actually cannot submit the form. Say what? In the immortal words of the Beastie Boys, get it together.
(3)
Noa N.
What a treat - it would be dangerous for me to live in walking distance of A Taste of Heaven! The atmosphere is part grammy's kitchen and part diner - warm, inviting, comfortable, and eclectic at the same time. Somehow my fiancee spotted the Elvis cupcake in the display case from the moment we walked in the door. He has radar for that peanut butter/banana/chocolate combination. We split the cupcake as an appie and it was very tasty - it was a banana cake - maybe a little bit denser and less pillowy than some other cupcakes but it was good - the peanut butter chocolate mousse on top - with the cupcake and the peanut butter cup on top of that is a score - the combination of flavors - the light mousse with the cake and pb cup - worked very well and my fiancee practically inhaled his half. The coffee paired well with it - A Taste of Heaven offers a strong basic coffee. We split the grilled cheese omelette - it was presented on two plates with fresh fruit - it felt like 2 entrees but was a split one - awesome! The omelette was cooked perfectly - I could taste all of the cheeses and yet it wasn't overly cheesy. The brioche bread underneath it was denser than I expected but worked well with the omelette on top - allowing for a touch of sweetness after a bite of the omelette. Service was super friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this place and look forward to coming back for another visit.
(5)
Michelle L.
Taste of Heaven is very close to my apartment and one of my favorite things to do is go for breakfast in the morning so naturally I have been here quite often. I tried Paulines and Bongo Room but I think if you are looking for a delicious, comfortable, neighborhood type place...this is it. They are always friendly and the food is VERY good. I love the biscuits that come with most of the dishes. That being said I recently had an experience with Taste of Heaven that really put them above and beyond my expectations. I got engaged last Saturday in California and my fiance's parents were staying at our house from Friday to Saturday. I was planning on proposing around 7:30am California time which would be around 9:30am in Chicago. I wanted to do something nice for her parents since they were generous enough to stay over and watch the dogs...plus I wanted to tell them about the proposal in a personal way. My plan was to send them to breakfast and have the waitress bring out two mimosas and a card at 9:30am...at the exact same time I would be proposing to their daughter. Originally I went to Bongo Room on Clark since I know her parents had been there and liked it. I went in and explained the situation and asked if they would be able to help me. I was shocked that they offered absolutely no assistance. They told me they were unable to take reservations no matter what and that they would probably lose the card if it was left there overnight. This was the response even after the manager spoke to the owner who never even came out to speak with me directly. I'm a wedding photographer and I have helped numerous people with surprise engagements so I really expected a different response. Getting engaged is a huge part of someone's life and I am constantly seeing vendors and restaurants go above and beyond to help out someone when they are proposing so I left Bongo Room in complete disbelief. I immediately went by Taste of Heaven as I had been their earlier that day having breakfast and I explained the situation to them to see if they could help. They could not have been MORE HELPFUL. I was told to come back the next day to drop off the champagne and the card so I did just that. The next day I spoke to the manager and to the waitress who would be working on Saturday. She listened patiently to my plan and read through the instructions I left to make sure that she understood exactly what I was going for. Honestly they were so helpful (in such stark contrast to the response I previously received) that I almost became emotional! It was just so nice to have complete strangers be so excited to help you out and be genuinely excited for you. Saturday came and they pulled it off flawlessly! The waitress brought everything out at 9:30am on the dot and even took a photo of my parents in law to be at the table with the mimosas. It could not have gone off better! I can not thank the staff enough for the effort and care they put in to help make a special day even that more special. For that reason (and the amazing food) I will be a lifelong patron.
(5)
Nate B.
Place lives up to it's name. I had The Durbin sandwich, delicious!! Great service as well.
(5)
BforBulky B.
THE BEST breakfast your tastebuds will ever experience - the Silverland Breakfast is to die for. Go here and order it. I've never had their pastries, but have heard they're amazing as well.
I tried out this place last night, and highly enjoyed it. The staff was super friendly. I ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate hazelnut cupcake and while they are priced slightly on the higher end, I definitely felt that the taste, presentation, and quality was worth it. I was slightly confused when I ordered at the counter and was told that it would be brought out to me without them asking for me to pay, then the person I was meeting up with paid at the counter. It wasn't a big deal, since at the end of the evening a bill was brought out to me. I was just confused. :-) Overall, this is a great place to meet up with friends and share a special treat since there isn't a whole lot of noice, so you can have a conversation. I enjoyed myself and would go again.
(4)
Ryan G.
Immediately I was put off by the sign on the front door commanding all children to maintain their "indoor voices" implying that my 1year old might not be welcome. We decided to stay, however, and ordered the omelette of the day which was bacon apple and havarti cheese (just ok), the corned beef hash (slightly above average) and an order of peaches and cream French toast (delicious). Unfortunately, 1/3 of the way through the hash my girlfriend found a big ass fly in her dish. They did the right thing and comped the dish and our drinks. Although the waiter was attentive and very apologetic they establishment as a whole failed to gain our repeat business.
(2)
Shanna K.
My husband and I went for our first time on Saturday morning for brunch. The service was wonderful- a warm greeting from walking in and attentiveness from the entire staff throughout our meal. The food was great- very large portions! We also purchased some cupcakes to go which were very delicious!
(4)
Cameron H.
After leaving Opart Thai, someone wanted to do dessert. With it being close to 1030p, we needed to find a place and quick. Someone mentioned A Taste of Heaven as the selections are plentiful and they are open late. Just as we arrived, no one was in the restaurant. It looked like we got there 5 minutes before the close. As usual, all choices were excellent. Thanks for not letting us down!!!
(5)
Cynthia N.
5 stars based on the cake but I deducted a star because the cupcakes I bought were stale and hard..I expected it to taste amazing like the Jeannine cake :(
(4)
Nicole C.
I went in here on a whim the other day simply to find a place to read my new book. I often saw a nice crowd here, and I wanted to check it out. I ordered a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of their zucchini bread. The hot chocolate was delicious. It tasted like someone melted a bar of chocolate and put it in my cup. It was rich and warmed me right up. The zucchini bread was tasty, but it was dry. It tasted like it had been made the day before and wasn't stored properly. However, the service was good and I loved the lamps along the window tables. It was a very cozy atmosphere and I cannot wait to go back.
(3)
Danielle C.
I know, I know. I am tardy to the party. A day late, dollar short- whatever! I am not GOING TO LET IT STOP ME!! Taste of Heaven may already have 349 reviews but they really, really need to hit 350 and I am going to make that happen for them!! I have had a love affair with this place since they were in their other location (NOT on Clark-Foster & Paulina - ish on the south side of the street). It was over 12 years ago, I was at my old job and we had a birthday cake from them. IT BLEW my MIND. I decided I wanted to try out the food and brought my picky mom in for soup late one evening. My love grew. It became my PLACE to go on rainy nights, a soup hangout if you will. The owner secured my unrequited love when he openly posted his thoughts on how children should behave in eating establishments and earned the wrath of early soccer moms across the country. Thankfully, he has never backed down. As I was enjoying my late lunch of a pesto chicken focaccia sandwich(w/rosemary mayo) with a friend today, a well placed sign specifying that children should use their inside voices and behave was placed on the wall. THANK YOU. The atmosphere is quiet and calm. The food is wonderful. The soups are always an amazing choice. The specialty sandwiches will NOT do you wrong. The grilled cheese? Go for it. In fact, choose whatever you want, I have never had a bad meal. The desserts? I could go on for hours. Really. CARROT CAKE!. I walked out today without any- my body thanks me, my mind is STILL protesting. The cup cakes are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. And really. Order a specialty cake. They are AMAZING.
(5)
J. Terrell A.
I'm in love with A Taste of Heaven! I was craving brioche and french toast and what... they have Brioche French Toast with peach compote on the menu! The portions are very generous and delicious. To make thing more exciting I added a side of Applewood Bacon!! The servers at ATOH are friendly and engaging. This is my new go to spot.
(5)
Kathy S.
I got a kind message from the owner who said he took my review seriously and is now testing different cupcake recipes. This is what yelp should always be like. I love when owners can take feedback from yelp and use that in a constructive way to improve on their business (which sadly not all do). I'm looking forward to my next visit for some more delicious bread pudding and a second chance on those cupcakes.
(4)
Tricia D.
Brunch here not too long ago was the first time I had had ToH's real food (as opposed to their sweets). I highly reco the Durbin omelette. It's a hearty omelette that includes turkey, pear slices, and havarti cheese. While the cubed potatoes were slightly bland, the green bean salad was way more delicious than it might sound. If you like strong coffee, this is the place to order it. And as much as I want to give this place 5 stars, the fact that the Katie cakes came with fruit jam/sauce vs. fresh berries was a let down. Sniffle. P.S. Don't leave without a cupcake!
(4)
Mark F.
Awesome lil' diner with a friendly staff and fresh, wholesome menu items. No deep fryer, which stinks when you're craving fries, but it also means that the food is generally cooked to a higher culinary standard than your average diner. Definitely worth a visit for dinner. For dessert, try the mackinaw island fudge ice cream or the rugelach.
(5)
Marissa G.
My favorite of the hodge podge of decorations on the wall is this: "What if the hokey pokey really IS what it's all about?" Truly, a question of the ages. And yes, cakes that will stand the test of time, much like the hokey pokey. My best friend introduced me to Taste of Heaven specifically for their bread pudding. It was heavenly, and it's wonders have been extolled by other Yelpers, so I will talk about my second favorite sweet on the menu. On a trip with my brother to share in the joy of my first favorite thing, we found that they had run out of it for the day! Dissapointed, we trudged to the glass counter to see if there was anything else worth getting. The cupcakes looked lovely enough, but we just weren't in the mood. So we "settled" on a slice of the Jeannine cake. According to the dictionary, to settle means: to accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction. Okay, so it wasn't my first choice, but I was more than satisfied. - Perfect yellow cake, that is not too airy, and not too dense, instead, it has a delightful, almost doughy texture to it that screams homemade goodness. - Light, not too sweet whip cream frosting. - Fresh sweet berry filling. - Lemon streusel on the sides adds the perfect sweet crunch. It's everything you want in a yellow cake and more. This will officially become my future birthday cake of choice. Other greats on the menu? Every salad is fresh, but if they have the seasonal melon salad with prosciutto, go for it. The servings for the lasagna and meatloaf are insanely large, so be ready to bring some home since you'll be saving yourself for dessert!
(5)
Zack M.
Forgive me father, for I have sinned against (A Taste of) Heaven! Well, not really. But when I last left a review, I had unfortunately just left Taste of Heaven after a really unfortunate lapse in service on a busy Sunday. Yet as I noted at the time, I had heard great things about the food and the blondie I had was delicious. Absent the service faux pas, they'd be a solid outing. Then the owners decided to kick it in high gear... Dan reached out to apologize for the mistake, and not in just some generic "We're sorry" type message, but instead with one that specifically noticed the day I had come in and explained how they had actually been worried about the very situation took place. He explained that the regular brunch manager had the day off, and the people filling in were doing a terribly weak job, and weren't getting along very well. Not a great scenario to be in, but if that was the case, it takes a lot for an establishment to admit that openly and honestly. In an attempt to set things right, they invited me back to try something on them (full disclosure) and it was everything I had hoped: extraordinarily polite (even before I identified myself), everything was delicious, good coffee, great people and quick service. All's well that ends well, and there's a reason that Taste of Heaven is an Andersonville mainstay with mostly 5 stars review -- they deserve it. Everyone makes mistakes, but it's the five star restaurant that goes above and beyond in realizing that great service needs to be the standard for every visit and rectifies the situation when something goes wrong.
(5)
brian w.
I don't eat sweet things for breakfast with one exception: Katie's Cakes at this funktabulous establishment. I have ordered many other delicious items off the menu, but there's just no sense in passing up those floppy joy pads with ambrosia compote, or some shit. Oh yeah, the scones are delectable.
(5)
Damian C.
When I was a young child, my grandparents would tell me that Heaven is a place where you have all of your favorite things, you can ride around on unicorns, all food tastes delicious like pizza and ice cream, and you can eat as much candy as you want to without getting sick. Everything is wonderful and you will never have to want for anything. They had such a way of putting things in perspective for my cousins and I. God bless their souls. I had an unheavenly hangover one morning and met some friends here for a quick breakfast. I generally shy away from breakfast food but have a weakness for biscuits & gravy, and I was told by a friend that the ones here are "the best". We were seated and brought water pretty quickly, but our waiter was ungodly slow the entire time. I'm a go-go-go type of person with entirely too many obligations, and everything seems to go much slower here. Our waiter was pretty unattentive and I could swear that he was passively ignoring us... you know, where he knows you need something, sees you out of the corner of his eye from across the restaurant, but tries to appear occupied and looks at the floor when walking past instead of making eye contact. Naturally, I chose the biscuits & gravy, nixed the complimentary side of eggs and ordered the potatoes instead. A good chunk of time later, the food came out. At this point I was about to eat my hand, and seeing two fairly small and dense cornbread-style biscuits overlooking a sea of orange sausage gravy made me sad. It was kind of pretty, but utterly disappointing since I expected so. much. more. I just wonder what makes sausage gravy turn orange?! The seasoning was ok, but nothing to write home about, and required a bit of hot sauce. Worse, the biscuits were not soft and each bite sent more of it into the gravy pool and I pretty much ended up slopping it up into my mouth with a fork. Some redemption came in the form of dark brown, seasoned potato cubes. Not enough redemption to offset the disappointment with the biscuits & gravy. When we got the check, I noticed that they charged me menu price for both the biscuits & gravy and the potatoes, so I left $14 + tip lighter, unfulfilled, hungry, and with an unnecessary amount of idle time lost in my day. Maybe the "no annoying children" policy is heavenly, but everything else was pretty lackluster at best. If this is what Heaven tastes like, I want to stay on Earth forever.
(2)
Scott B.
My brother knew of this place through a friend. Stopped by late on a Saturday to pick up some cupcakes and bread pudding to go. I had the bread pudding right away and it was awesome! I had the cupcakes later and was not disappointed! They have a small cafe area for dining in with a small menu of breakfast items along with salads and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. This place is in a nice area and seems like a quaint little hole in the wall place!
(5)
Mimi C.
I love this place!! It's pricey but worth it! It's a small diner/coffee shop but the cooks are great and the staff are super friendly. And the coffee is Soooo delicious. I have had a breakfast wrap which over the top, my mouth waters just thinking about it. and I had the basic breakfast plate, eggs, bacon, home fries and this amazing french bread. I have not been disappointed yet with breakfast. I did not care for the Lemon Meringue cupcake, to much sugar Yuk!! The zucchini bread/cake was really good! Yayy On Wednesday's you get a free coffee any size if you buy a pastry. I Love the coffee so they will see me on Wednesday's.
(4)
Megan W.
I went here for breakfast with a friend on a weekday. Right off the bat, I would like to warn everyone who eats at "A Taste of Heaven" to add their bill to make sure it is correct because we were overcharged by $3. Luckily, I caught it. They took it back behind the register and brought back the corrected check and said "Here you go". NO customer service skills whatsoever. No we are truly sorry, we will take 10% discount off your bill for our mistake. No we're sorry please accept a free dessert for our mistake......How about we're truly sorry about the mistake by itself????? To continue with my review, when we walked in there were 3 female employees behind the counter and 5 tables that were full. We sat down and was greeted with what would you like to drink? I had my morning coffee already so I didn't feel like another coffee. I was feeling orange juice so quickly looked to see if they had fresh squeezed orange juice but they didn't so I just said water is fine. My friend ordered coffee. As we sat there for 10 minutes, another employee came over to take our order. She said "What will you be having?" I ordered the Salmon Scramble which came out with scrambled eggs, a few slices of smoked salmon with capers, roasted potatoes squares, some chopped spinach with a tablespoon of cucumber dill yogurt. I read in a different review that their salmon scramble plate came with a corn meal biscuit....mine didn't. Overall the plate was ok, nothing special to me. My friend had a breakfast burrito with a little salad that had half a teaspoon of dressing. He described it as mediocre. Here is what really got me to write this review. The same waitress who seated 2 tables with 2 people in each gave the table behind me her "Today's special is"....reading off a list then asking them what will you have? Then she did the same "Today's Special is" routine to the table in front of us. I'm sitting here thinking, seriously? It was not like I came in and was rude or grumpy....I came in with a big smile and said Hi, how are you to everyone? Inconsistency and no customer service skills. Bottom line, I live in a big city with tons of restaurants.....I will never recommend this place to my worst enemy!
(1)
WmTomas S.
Being cheap ... I thought the meals were just a tad expensive .... but the quality of the food was excellent and the ambience and energy of the place was great. The staff are all friendly and helpful and its obviously a place where the neighborhood can meet up for as much a a full meal or as little as a cup of coffee and a danish. I recommend it.
(4)
Maranda W.
This place has the best hot cocoa I've ever had.
(5)
Cornelius T.
Great desserts and even better food make this Andersonville gem a lovely place to enjoy creative culinary creations at any point throughout the day. What's even better is the "bratty child" (a description which seems to suit most anymore) stance encourages those who would otherwise disrupt the peaceful setting with their untamed offspring to go elsewhere.
(4)
Carrie B.
This place is so charming! Came here on a Saturday night for dessert and coffee and had a great time. Everyone working there was so welcoming and happy to give suggestions on their favorite treats. I ordered a slice of Jeannine's Pie and it was fantastic. I loved that the fruit in the pie was fresh, not that gross canned stuff some places use. I can't wait to come back and try more goodies.
(5)
Matthew C.
My praise to Taste of Heaven for its policy on disruptive children -- and their entitled, inconsiderate parents. Stupid, immature parents are not entitled to bring disruptive children into any public place, let alone a coffee or restaurant. You do not wheel a loud 3-year-old in to any establishment for an hour or more and let them scream or run around. Even worse, you and your pig family and/or friends don't trash the table and leave debris all over the place -- in the process disgusting other patrons and showing contempt for the employees. To top it off, these types of "guests" generally spend hardly any money and tip less. DO THAT AT HOME OR IN THE CORNER OF A PARK !!! Coffee shops and restaurants are public places for well-behaved people of all ages. Some parents do a great job at teaching their kids how to behave, and it's adorable. Some have the common sense not to bring a small, naturally unpredictable child to a restaurant at all. There's room for liveliness and quirkiness, but keep the entitled, ignorant cows and their offspring on the farm. Other coffee houses and restaurants should learn from Taste of Heaven: Empower your personnel and restrict bad behavior. It will be a case of addition by subtraction. You will make much more money from guests who appreciate the environment -- and who spend more and tip 20 percent or better for good service.
(4)
Michelle L.
After my first review I went back and tried the Coconut Cream Cake...and I fell in love. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place was still packed but after giving "A Taste of Heaven" a second try, I understand why the place is always busy. The staff is so nice and attentive. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming. Patrons included families, couples and individuals reading their paper while sipping on coffee and enjoying lunch. The prices are cheap, the food/dessert/drinks are delicious and the staff is wonderful. Would definitely go back again!
(4)
Melanie S.
I keep meaning to try TOH for one of their legendary scones, but I never seem to make it in here during breakfast hours. One of these days I will. After dinner on Friday night, my friend and I wanted to continue catching up over coffee and dessert and we both agreed that Taste of Heaven was probably our best shot; I was worried we might not find parking, so we let that be the deciding factor on whether we'd finish catching up or call it a night. Luckily parking was fairly easy and there were plenty of empty tables. The inside of TOH is bright and cheery and comfortable enough to hang out. We split a slice of the "Jeanine's cake," which is a white cake with a buttercream frosting and a filling of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries - which just so happen to be the stuff of all my dessert fantasies. As much as I love chocolate, I can never pass on any dessert in which berries are featured prominently. I also managed to get my chocolate fix in and ordered a mocha, which I didn't really like. I was sad that it didn't come with whipped cream; had no discernible chocolate OR coffee taste (it pretty much just tasted like milk) and it also wasn't hot enough. The cake, however, was delicious. There were plenty of fresh, ripe berries and the icing wasn't overly dense or too sweet. The cake itself was moist and fluffy and the outside of the cake had some crunchy things going on, like a streusel of some sort. That cake will stay with me a long time.
(3)
Adrian D.
I visit A Taste Of Heaven, but this was my first time in for breakfast. The Earl Grey tea was great as well as the omelet with artichokes, goat cheese and bacon. Yum! BTW..the Mexican Wedding cookies are sooo darn good.
(4)
Diana J.
So I know their breakfasts are good but I went in for dinner last night to see how they're doing things nowadays. I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of entrees and chose the grilled chicken with pesto cream and orzo. The bf had the fish with green and yellow beans dish. Both were pretty good and you'll be happy to know they're serving ice cream now. The new paint job is under way, and it looks to be pretty cute so far. The service was very good, as per usual. It's worth checking out as a dinner spot in the neighborhood.
(4)
Harriet T.
Place was fantastic. I would def go again if ever in the area. I ordered 2 eggs over medium, brioche, and bacon with orange juice. Everything was fantastic. Place was also clean and everyone was friendly
(5)
Nel A.
nice patio area to sit and chill. tasted some of the salted caramel cupcake...yummy! and had darjeeling tea. pretty simple. no complaints.
(3)
J D.
Yum! We love this place for dinner and lunch. Food is delicious and clearly homemade. The desserts are beyond delicious! Seriously if are near here and want dessert you must go to Taste of Heaven! Better than any bakery. Also the staff is great!
(5)
D P.
My opinion on this place waivers depending on when I go in. I used to go to this place all the time back at its old location on foster. I still remember my first time here- I was still in high school, and was going into Chicago to catch a "Too Much Light..." show with a couple friends. It was the only place still open at that time of night- actually I'm pretty sure they were closing but they stayed open late because we walked in. Got a latte, a slice of mushroom quiche and a slice of chocolate hazelnut cake. True to the name- pure heaven! Now, the last time I had the cake and the quiche they were still both very good, and the staff is still pretty friendly. But with the "new" location (new I say- its been there for how many years now?), the expanded menu (also, higher prices) and the yuppified neighborhood (hence... higher prices) something's changed... not as cozy and friendly, food overall isn't as good- I'm not as crazy about a lot of the expanded (non bakery) menu items. Also, while some of the baked goods are just as rich they seem more sugary... so I feel the quality has suffered a bit Maybe I'm older and my tastes have changed, maybe I'm reveling in nostalgia and my memory is off, or maybe it's really not as good as it used to be- I can't really say for certain. What I do know is that I definitely used to love this place- and now my reaction is kind-of *meh.* :-/
(3)
Christina M.
The cupcakes are a far cry from a taste of heaven. It's pretty expensive and there is too much cake and the frosting is okay. I love cupcakes and I'm not a picky eater. The day we went to this place - We stopped in - I bought a few cupcakes, I took a few bites of each cupcake, & they all weren't that good. So I balled them all up in napkin and put them back in the little brown box it came in and then shoved it my purse and headed across the street to Hamburger Marys. When I got home it was just a mass of cupcake in the brown box. I thought "that was a waste of 13 bucks" and almost threw it out but I put it in the refrigerator. A few days later I just unwrapped my chilled, cupcake mass and picked at it and ate the good pieces while I watched the TMZ. BOTTOM LINE: The cupcakes are C+ at best
(2)
Matthew T.
Okay I have been here several times both for breakfast lunch dinner and brunch. I have enjoyed my experience every time. I enjoyed the Brown Derby sandwich a lot. I also like the free coffee special on Wednesday. This is a most stop restaurant for great food and reasonable prices. Great service as well.
(5)
Patrick S.
This is a perfect place for a nice relaxing sunday brunch. You cant beat October 80s in chicago. There is a little patio area which took total advantage of the day. I love outdoor seating because you are able to enjoy the weather out as well as take in the vibe of the neighborhood. The menu is very minimalistic and straight forward. Not to say that the food offered is bland and boring. Its just one of those places that isnt vain with appearances and lets the quality of the food shine through. You know..the way it should be. From the moment I woke up this afternoon I knew I had to have french toast. Its like the powers that be knew exactly what I was after. I guess its that 10-10-10 magic where things just line up. Let me just clarify that this was no ordinary french toast. Im talking about caramel apple french toast. I love sweets like these that incorporate fruit. Especially these overly decadent offerings that completely rot your teeth, and make your dentist cry; in a last ditch effort to redeem any notion of nutrition..fruit is thrown into the mix. I guess anything to appease your institution. I have no such delusions and am able to enjoy this conflict for its pure form. A plate of thick cut, fluffy french toast...swimming in caramel infused syrup. Topped off with apples seemingly gutted from grandmas freshly baked apple pies. And accompanied by a heaping, generous mound of creme fresh. Apparently this place has some great omelettes. Which includes but is not limited to the grilled cheese omelette. The grill cheese inspiration met its momentary demises briefly on my fork. I hope to sample this as well as others in their entirety in the future. On a few side notes..I stepped inside briefly and it had a great breakfast nook feel to it. And a great sign was displayed that read: "What if the hokey pokey IS what its all about?" Trivial matters such as this should only be discussed fueled by breakfast (or in my case, brunch) of champions like this place.
(5)
Camille S.
OH MY GOD WHAT DELICIOUS BREAKFAST! I came to Chicago for a conference and found myself becoming a repeat customer. The quirky friendly staff gave great service. Great coffee. Delicious desserts to go. Get their breakfast burrito and put it in your mouth hole. Do it.
(5)
Anna B.
Consistently good food and service. Love the salmon scrambler. My friend raved about the french toast.
(5)
Yvonne Y.
Burrito was so so. My pancakes were alright. If you have kids or babies, I highly recommend you not to come here. The minute you walk in, they have 2 enormous signs warning you your children better behave. Some taste of heaven that is... After my husband moved the extra chair away to an empty table (to accommodate the high chair), some random waiter had to make a point of telling the new customers that we were the culprits for putting an extra chair there. I would have given the place 2 stars if it weren't for our waitress (tall lady) who was friendly, prompt and courteous.
(3)
Sandra G.
So back to A Taste of Heaven, and $9.19 for 2 cupcakes and a cookie left us in disbelief. Hmmmm, guess we didn't pay attention to the price a week ago. Unlike places such as Phoebe's where the cupcakes will not be priced higher than $2.50, here they run $2.95 each. That's not that terrible, but when it's not your specialty and the decorations are simple, it's a little pricey. No complaints, just a "hmmm..."
(3)
Veronica M.
Been here a couple of times it's pretty yummy. I have to admit my breakfast was better than my dinner experience and you have to try one of there cupcakes they are to die for.
(4)
Maya C.
So I'm a breakfast food junkie. I love breakfast for all meals. Oatmeal for dinner, eggs in a basket for lunch, whatever. So I typical choose a good diner at any point in the day. Portions here are massive. Come hungry. I didn't even get to eat in the restaurant because I was working, but I dropped my sister & cousin off here because I knew it would be delicious. And I was right. I had a fried egg sandwich that they brought me that blew my mind. I'm an egg snob because my family raised chickens for eggs (not meat you terrible people who think I'd eat my pets!!!). So, the fried eggs on my sandwich, whether they were different than the jumbo whites at the store or not, were delish. Fried perfectly, with a little crisp on the edges and just enough butter so I didn't have a film of grease lining my mouth at the end of my meal. Chipotle mayo of some sort, red and green peppers, ham and cheese on what tasted/looked like Cuban/French bread. Both of them woofed down their food in about 10 minutes or less because I dropped them off and within a half hour they were back. So they power ate and had some power service I take it. I'm definitely heading back there to take another look. It's a cute corner diner, but definitely not the breakfast place you go to get a mimosa.
(4)
Sue H.
My first time here and I can't wait to go back . I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with the potato salad. Both were awesome. I want the potato salad recipe!!!!! Then I noticed they had cinnamon raisin rugelach and I was really sold on this place had to get a few pieces to go. One thing I do have to say is the waitress we had was just awesome I wished I would of gotten her name she was so friendly, and what great service. Actually every person we spoke with on the staff couldn't of been more helpful or friendlier. This is one place I will now frequent every time I come to Chicago!! Wish they had a place like this in Detroit. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Annie C.
Gosh I've been meaning to review this place since years ago, but I guess it just slipped my mind. Let me start off by saying, oh yes you'll get a taste of heaven at A Taste of Heaven! Why else would they market themselves like that if they weren't the real deal?? Cupcakes? I think yes...try the Elvis cupcake, you shall not be disappointed. Moist heavy banana cake and light frosting, it's just right. Really any kind of dessert there is good...although be careful if you don't have a huge sweet tooth, the lemon cloud cake is super super sweet like your teeth are going to rot sweet, but in a good way. Anyways...now I'm just ranting. The people that work here are quite amazing. They're super nice and I'm never disappointed in the service. And the atmosphere? It's like out of a movie, so cute and cozy and warm. Yes, try out heaven, it will be nice for you. It's perfect on a fall day, sit back read a book, drink your hot tea with a nice cupcake while sitting in this cute little place.
(4)
Debby P.
Delicious cakes in a traditional American style. Think... The best birthday cake a grown up ever had. Think also of many cute and tasty cupcakes, sweet quick breads, and the best scones ever on a variety of flavored. All that plus tasty food and a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. Servers are very cordial and helpful too.
(5)
Marcus J.
We ate here last Sunday. It was nothing as I expected. It was better. This little restaurant on a corner blew me away. The food is amazing. I ate the coconut creme pancakes. Honestly, they were the best pancakes I have ever tasted in my life. The only con I can give to this restaurant is it's size. It is very small and becomes packed very fast. They have a patio but when it's very hot or rainy that doesn't help. They need to expand because their restaurant is just not big enough for their amazing food. We will go back. This restaurant lives up to its name. I recommend this place to anyone who is looking to have their socks blown off.
(5)
Robyn G.
My girlfriend and I have only lived in Andersonville for three months so far, and we have already fallen in love with A Taste of Heaven. It is our go-to place for brunch or lunch. We go AT LEAST once a week. We haven't tried dinner yet, but we plan to! For brunch I highly recommend Mike's Pesto Sandwich--a delicious egg sandwich with pesto, spinach, and goat cheese. For lunch, I highly recommend the Durbin or any of their salads. My girlfriend is obsessed with the biscuits. We also are big fans of the malt ball cupcake and apple pie! By the way...free coffee on Wednesdays with the purchase of a baked good! I've always had excellent service here, and I love the small restaurant feel. I will continue to come back here again and again. For all the people who wrote a review saying that the food is overpriced--you get what you pay for, and I will happily pay more for a higher standard of food. Every single ingredient is fresh and high quality. The flavor combinations are delicious. You can definitely tell the difference.
(5)
Emann B.
I ordered a Jeanine's cake for a birthday party and it was by far one of the tastiest cakes ever! So fresh, lots whipped cream, delicious fruit, and layers of moist yellow cake. Also, they decorated it so wonderfully! Fun, colorful, absolutely festive. Seamless ordering and pick up, very friendly service. It's my new go to place for celebration treats!
(5)
Realtor Karl B.
I like the proactive store owners. You get an extra star for taking the time to write an explanation. Thanks!
(4)
E. P.
The silvercloud (aka biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs) is excellent. This is a dish I'm passionate about and I just spent two weeks in the south very disappointed at the B&G I found. Who knew the biscuits and gravy I craved were here at home.
(4)
Dorvella W.
The best hot chocolate is sold here! It's made from pure chocolate and yes I stop and grab a cup- including in 90 degree weather!
(5)
Netta S.
After sandwiches at BaLe(awesome ),we stopped here for coffee and dessert. Perfect carrot cake not overwhelmed by icing and apple pie with warm caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. My hubby is not a sweet freak but he is craving more of this pie..... Delicious. Now let's go walk some of this off!!!!
(5)
Caeleigh R.
I stopped in here on a Wednesday a while back to grab some coffee and a treat and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was free coffee Wednesday! Yay! Who doesn't love free coffee? I got a cupcake, something with hazelnut and chocolate, and all I remember was that it was pretty good but maybe not as fresh as it could be. Fast forward 2 months and I find myself in Andersonville looking for a place to take my mom for brunch and we stumble across A Taste of Heaven! We went in and were greeted right away once we sat at a table next to the window. The service was good and the water was always filled. I ordered the hummus wrap which sounded better than it was. My only problem was that on the menu it did not mention that there were mushrooms in the wrap, so I was disappointed to see big chunks of mushroom in my wrap when it got to the table. I didn't make a stink of it though because my mom loves mushrooms, so I just picked them out and she enjoyed them. The wrap was pretty tasty and it came with fresh fruit. My mom got the fried egg sandwich, which she would not stop talking about in the car ride home. Her sandwich looked super delicious and she said that the bread they used for the sandwich was super fresh and yummy. Overall, this place is a quaint, little place to grab brunch. The menu was rather varied, much to my surprise, and they served not only your typical breakfast items but interesting lunch items as well. I will probably be back when I'm in the neighborhood and it's a Wednesday so I can grab some free coffee with my meal/dessert.
(4)
David R.
Still my second-favorite scones after Fraiche in Evanston. I only get them on the weekends now though. I haven't taken these to work in quite some time, but people in my office still ask about them. If you have the patience (and the psychosis) to stake them out for opening time (7am, or 8 on Sundays), you will be rewarded with hot scones right from the oven--HOT, not warm. These things will burn your mouf! I'm sorry to report that yesterday I ordered one blueberry and one cinnamon-raisin, and received three blueberry. Score on the free scone, but I really wanted raisin. (sad face) And I'm a glutton, but three scones in one morning is a bit much even for me.
(4)
Justin B.
I liked Taste of Heaven, Ill admit. For a october day and it being 85 degrees, patio was definitely a good choice. The service was very quick and curteous. I noticed some of the other reviews on here and was expecting the worst but on this occassion it was seamless. My water was refilled like clockwork (which is a BIG point for me) so that was another plus. The menu looked quite interesting, but I chose to go for the omelette of the day. Chicken sausage, red pepper and cheddar cheese, the omelette was quite fluffy and light. The only gripe I had was the hash browns. I wish they were more flavorful? They were perfectly cooked, just seemed like they were placed on there. Maybe some herbs or something to make them pop a bit more. I didnt get a chance to try any of the sweets, but I wouldnt mind checking this place out again sometime
(4)
Kristina F.
The friends of ours that took us here are regulars and were very excited about taking us to their favorite neighborhood dessert spot. I tried to manage my expectations, but with a name like "A Taste of Heaven", they're not exactly being modest about the quality of their treats. The guy behind the counter was friendly and since it was "Free Coffee Wednesday!" we got free coffee with our purchase. Our group ordered the rugelah, chocolate chip pound cake and peanut butter banana cupcake. Of the treats we tasted there, the warm chocolate chip pound cake was easily the best. Our friend was very excited about the rugelah but I thought it was pretty blah - the crust wasn't flaky and it didn't have that nice sugary coating and fruit paste filling like rugelah usually have. My fiance described his cupcake as - and I quote, "Eeehhhh". I had a bite and it was pretty uninteresting. Here's the part where you're going to think I'm crazy. I got a slice of fruitcake to eat for breakfast the next day and it easily beat everything else we got there! It was 1 1/4 inch thick slice studded with giant hunks of dried fruit. It was made, I believe, from the same tasty batter as the chocolate chip pound cake, only it had fruit instead of chips. Really, I'm not crazy - it was delicious!
(3)
Elizabeth W.
I love this place! I have been here for both breakfast and lunch and have never been disappointed. I love their sandwich selection, particularly the Durbin: turkey breast, roasted pear, havarti cheese and a honey mustard mayo. It is divine! Service is good too and I have never had an unpleasant experience with staff. The only downside is the size of the place, which makes it harder to get a table during their busier hours ( the weekend). Still, this is a great place to eat and I find the prices reasonable. Sadly, I have not been acquainted with their dessert menu, but definitely plan to as it is one of my favorite places in Andersonville.
(5)
Ellen Z.
We ordered a Jeanine cake and Buttercream cake with yellow cake, caramel filling and fudge frosting for our daughters graduation party. Both cakes were so good, literally everyone had a piece of each! The Jeanine cake is a yellow cake with whipped cream frosting and fresh berries in the filling. The edges are a vanilla cookie crumble that is truly mouthwatering. The actual cake for each of these was so good it could have been eaten with no filling or frosting - my mothers test of a good cake. However the combination of caramel and fudge was absolutely amazing. One other true test was the number of emails I got requesting a link to the webpage so people could get cakes for their own future parties. I know there are a number of good bakeries in the area, but none has the interesting variety and such fresh ingredients of Taste of Heaven.
(5)
Laura S.
Another "fine" restaurant review from yours truly. I've stopped in a few times since I moved to the neighborhood, sampling different goods each time. Today I went in for brunch, and had a real hankering for pancakes. I was rather dismayed to see that two plain pancakes would set me back $8.50, but I nevertheless decided to "upgrade" to Katie's Cakes, which are smothered in a three-berry compote, whipped cream and lemon streusel crumbs. Sorry, Katie, but if I can't cut through my pancakes with my fork, something's wrong. I was miffed to find my pancakes thin and chewy. Serious sawing action aside, the cakes were completely overloaded with the other ingredients, turning my meal into a rather sloppy mess. My server was sweet and attentive, but my breakfast wasn't enough to lure me back anytime soon.
(3)
Laura B.
I just have to add that the atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is always friendly and accommodating!
(5)
Paul H.
We were a bit underwhelmed. It has an indie greasy-spoon type appeal, with a few items you wouldn't see at the typical breakfast spot. The service was average, and the katie cakes, while good, don't measure up to some of the offerings nearby.
(3)
William R.
Okay so maybe the first time I went to A Taste of Heaven I wasn't overly-impressed, but the owner had contacted me to ask me to come back in and of course I was more than happy to do so! :) My partner and I have been back 2 times since and haven't had anything that we didn't enjoy! The baked goods are AMAZING, I couldn't have been more wrong to give a 3 star review to A Taste of Heaven, they UNDERSTAND how business should be run, we will be back very often! AND FREE COFFEE ON WEDNESDAY WITH YOUR PURCHASE OF A BAKED GOOD!?!? so cool.... ignore my first review, I am proud to say I have no problem admitting that I was wrong......so so wrong :) THANK YOU A Taste of Heaven!!!
(5)
Gregory K.
I have been here several times and every time it is A-ok. However I do have a few issues, why do the cupcakes have to be cold and stale? Refrigerated cupcakes?? Also they make it so difficult to modify the meal. I just want a wrap instead of bread why is that so difficult for a sandwich? The servers always have to go to the back to ask the cook. What he says no and then you tell me I can't have my food made how I want it?? Service is always good there and I will come back for sure. The last server I think her name was Larissa was as sweet as their pie she was on top of it I think she was the server for the whole place I didn't see any other servers and she was very efficient. Also one note is the place is looking a little tired its time for a refresh. The tiles are coming up and the tables are wobbly and beat up. However the place is great and I will for sure be back.
(3)
Kaitlin P.
Best grilled cheese sandwich! Also love the Jeanine's cake. Taste of Heaven is simple and delicious. It has a laid back feel that's great for brunch, a home style dinner, or dessert.
(5)
Maryanne D.
The coffee is so disgusting that I've been I'll for the past 24 hours! I put 6 + mini creamers in it and it was still almost black. The decor was like my mothers 80's era country kitchen. The music was equally creepy ranging from Styx to Olivia Newton John. Paid forty dollars for two people, mostly because the unattentive waiter never brought my change back. The food..... Most of it was left on the plate.
(1)
Tammy C.
(See pics) Nice place and I only had breaky here before. Great friendly service and the wait usually is less than 15 mins at most. Food wise, the dishes are all pretty big and heavy but delicious.
(3)
Aaron S.
I adore this place. It makes me feel like I stepped into a cozy kitchen that belongs to a grandmother of some close friend. The menu offers a lot and the sweets are fantastic. I also like that it is laid back and unpretentious. Staff are very friendly.
(5)
Carolyn M.
Though their food might be good, I am obviously not the first to be put off my their incredibly rude staff. From my observations, it really is just poor management and a bitter angry manger/owner. The wait staff are not very professional, inviting, or tidy? The manager yelled at a waitress for dropping dishes (jerk!) and came off as a creep. Save yourself! There are plenty of other places with good food AND good people.
(1)
Tim R.
Best veggie chili I have ever had.
(4)
Anne B.
So, honestly I haven't been back since my last post. But, after my last review (which was not actually negative), I got a message from a manager (? Owner?) who responded to my comments and said that there will be more non-egg, vegetarian items on the menu soon. Excellent excellent excellent customer service. That's really cool. I'll be back.
(4)
Nari H.
Came with a foodie friend on a Saturday evening. It was pretty quiet in the restaurant. Food: We had the meatloaf (good comfort food), the pulled pork sandwich (very nice and tasty and pretty good portions for half or full size sandwich), and their bread pudding (amazing - a must try). Service: Great! Friendly, a little less on the attentive side, but they were accessible as it's not a huge restaurant. Atmosphere It's cute, casual, clean. Conclusion & Tips: I'm not in this area very much, so don't know when I'll be back, but if you check this out you gotta try their bread pudding. I hear their scones are marvelous too.
(3)
chris h.
Always good coffee and great servic ein a cozy atmosphere............but Sometimes change is good, but not this time at one of our fav. breakfast/coffee shops. One of the very best b-fast entre's THE SILVERLAND BREAKFAST was almost inedible today. Too much wine in the gravy but worse were the WHITEBREAD-TYPE biscuits. Whatever happened to the special corn biscuits?? too bad...we won't be back for awhile until they realize a good dish when they have one and not cahnge it for the worse.
(4)
Jeff A.
Just ate here again this morning... Just as good as you ever were! Thanks for being a consistent ROCK STAR! Oh the cake, oh the cake, how I love theeee! ;)
(5)
Sandra H.
This is one of the places that makes me sad I don't live in Chicago anymore. Best scones ever. Seriously. I had a friend ship me about 6 of them. Pancakes are at the same level of amazing, delicious goodness. My husband mentions them about weekly. If you haven't been, go. Good service, friendly wait staff, and a great neighborhood feel.
(5)
Oliver S.
The name of the restaurant is in no way hyperbolic! I don't know how anyone could write a review of this place and not have it be 5 stars. I have been going here for more than 5 years now and have never had anything less than awesome food. Baked goods, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all off the hook, and Dan, the owner and chef, is always walking around the dining room sampling his newest creations, which are invariably heavenly. Sure, when it is busy it can get a little slow, but that's how restaurants work, and to all of the people on here who would complain about that, grow up, you live in the big city. (The members of the staff also saved my Ray Ban's for me when I left them there, and remembered my face when I came back in 3 weeks later. Truly a neighborhood place if there ever was one.)
(5)
Joanna T.
service fantastic, I forgot the name of their vegetarian wrap but it was a A+ in my book. I can't wait to come to go back!
(5)
Jen G.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this Heavenly place sooner! I moved to Chicago in September and we stumbled upon this gem because some friends live just down the street. We live about a half miles walk away, but will still brave the cold and wind at 8am to get some Heaven. Every time we go it is amazing! The staff is attentive and courteous. The owner is almost always there and frequents the tables asking how everything is. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner; we have never had a bad experience! I crave the oatmeal on a frequent basis. Just this morning I woke up with sweet thoughts of that peachy, creamy goodness. Topped with just the right amount of granola! Superb every time. My boyfriend has gotten pretty much everything on the breakfast menu and has yet to not like something. Oh and the hot chocolate is the best in town. thick and creamy with just the right amount of chocolate and real, yes real whipped cream. Job well done Taste of Heaven! We will be back many, many times!
(5)
Erika G.
This place never disappoints. Went here for breakfast this morning with my cousin. We both ordered "Erica's Fried Egg Sandwich" and neither one of us could stop exclaiming how GOOD it was. Cute, friendly servers - just a great, chill place for breakfast on a snowy day, SO cozy.
(5)
Esther K.
Shared a HUGE slice of Jeanine's cake- fresh fruit, light frosting, absolutely delicious crumbly bits (? hehe) and lovedlovedloved the cakey part (? lol). The moon pie was a bit dry. A cute little spot. Would definitely recommend Jeanine's cake!
(4)
Hillary M.
This is one of my favorite neighborhood places. The decor and space are cozy, the staff is always friendly, and the food is good. It's a perfect place for a rainy day cup of tea and pastry and book, or a low-key brunch with a friend.
(5)
Leigh C.
Probably the best meal I had while visiting Chicago. Service was awesome. We had a short wait for a table and once seated were not rushed through any aspect of dining, even though the place was packed with people waiting. Had the homemade brioche french toast with caramel sauce and cooked apples. Covered with thick caramel and enough whipped cream for ten breakfasts. Believe me, I'm not complaining. I somehow managed to run out of caramel before I ran out toast. Maybe I should have used the bread to sop it up instead of just eating it with a spoon. Had a big plate of home fries with melted cheese to top it off. (I was hungry.) All the food was excellent. Would definitely make a trip back if I'm in Chicago anytime soon.
(4)
Leo T.
Its got a ton of reviews, so just the facts. The service was slower than I expected but the food was excellent. Given the size the seating is , lets say, cozy. Otherwise a very nice neighborhood coffee shop/bakery/restaurant.
(4)
Nick M.
I know you're shocked... A place in A-ville that I don't like. Well, based on my early morning breakfast before a flight out of town. Taste of Heaven was more like Taste of Heave -what is this crap I'm eating?!? I will say that if I ever come back for the pastries they will probably get more stars because they looked delicious but as far as breakfast I will not be returning. It was so bad that the Golden Nugget would have been a better choice. I won't go into specifics but both of our meals were majorly lacking in taste and freshness. I know I should have gotten up and left when it took almost 20 min before we got an service. There was maybe four small tables of two with two servers. Most of their time was spent talking to one another. I have no problem with that but don't neglect your clients. I know I'm a little upset but how can an establishment in the greatest area ever be so bad?!?
(2)
Fe T.
Good lord! How I hated cupcakes. I used to cringe at the sights of tiny, nauseously sweet cakes. But Taste of Heaven changed everything. Their cupcakes are heavenly. And now, I dislike Taste of Heaven because thanks to them, I realized I was not the minority who luckily escape the sweet temptation of cupcakes. The neighborhood is ethnic and the inside decor is warm and cozy. I recommend it to anybody who wanna find a place for a sunday afternoon and be tempted just like I was (*evil laugh*)
(4)
Stephen F.
I have only got the scones and cupcakes to go and they are fantastic.
(5)
Grace O.
I have never posted a Yelp review before, and don't particularly use this site that much, but my mom was coming to town and I had to figure out dinner plans. She's a pretty boring American diner/sandwich shop kind of person, so I needed to find something simple for her in Andersonville. THIS PLACE WAS IT! It had sandwiches and amazing ones at that. I looked up their menu online, obviously, while deciding on places, and found for myself something called 'Katie's Chaos' which is this amazing looking veggie wrap. I was sold. I knew both my mother (meat eater) and myself (vegetarian) would find something to eat here, and it was decently priced. We get there, and I look at the menu. My mom finds something she likes, but Katie's Chaos is not on the menu. I ask our server about it. She was new, but asked her co-worker and the cook. They didn't know about it, but I was able to pull up the online menu on my phone and she showed it to the cook who was able to make it. And trust me, it should be on their diner menu because it's amazing. As one of the few vegetarians I seem to know who doesn't care for mushrooms and onions, I was delighted to be served a veggie sandwich with things like artichokes, red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, feta, vinaigrette, etc.. And it came with a side of pesto pasta. I told the server I never wanted my sandwich to end. This place came recommended to me in passing conversation, but it wasn't until I saw the menu and interacted with the staff (I never did get the cook's name, but THANK YOU!!!) that I was sold. If you're looking for chill, not loud bar scene, dining experience, or coffee place with a menu, GO HERE! I know I will be frequenting the place.
(5)
Susan L.
Still average. Skip it.
(2)
Lindsay M.
I no longer live in Chicago. Taste of Heaven, I miss your Katie Cakes.
(4)
Mandy G.
I picked a cake up from Taste of Heaven recently. They were RUDE. Rude, Rude, Rude. Rude on the phone, rude in person. RUDE. But, the cake was FANTASTIC. Honestly, I would like to knock off a few stars off the top because service is important, but COME ON. The cake is to die for. As long as you're there for the cake and not the service, you'll be a happy camper.
(5)
Mercedes R.
Had the coconut cream cake. It was okay. I am not picky at all. It was a bit dense and very oily/margarine-y. Other than that the flavor was good.
(3)
Monica G.
I absolutely love this place for (late night-ish) baked goods! A group of us stopped in after a dinner for "birthday cake." We all got different items - lemon drop cookies, macaroons, pecan bar (the best item by far) and 3 cupcakes (cream puff, coconut cream and malted milk ball). I've been previously for Mexican wedding cookies and cupcakes/cake. I would hiiiiighly recommend grabbing a piece of the signature cake, jeanine's cake. I'm not even a fan of fruit filled cakes, but this one is out of this world. I loooove Taste of Heaven, keep it up!
(5)
Julia F.
A Taste of Heaven is indeed heavenly. The Andersonville dessert shop and cafe cooks everything from scratch, offering a range of sweet and savory desserts, sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, and other entrees. The desserts are a daily temptation to sin and steer away from a healthy diet. A Taste of Heaven bakes the city's best scones, hands down. The incredible blueberry scone is crumbly on the outside, soft in the middle, and stuffed full of fresh berries. The cupcakes are divine, with the cho-cho-cho and chocolate moon pie beating out similar offerings from Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park and More in the Gold Coast. The large slices of layer cakes can easily be split among two or three people -- or made into a meal by themselves. Jeanine's cake is, without a doubt, my favorite dessert selection -- layered yellow cake stuffed with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries in whipped cream frosting and topped with streusel crumbs. The 1000-chocolate chip and coconut cream cakes are close seconds. The main courses are good, albeit not as mouth-watering and satisfying as the desserts. The breakfast casserole is a nice brunch dish -- a breaded combination of ham, red pepper, and havarti. I've also enjoyed the stewed chicken and cornmeal biscuits with peas, mushrooms, and gravy. Whatever meal you choose, always save room for dessert. Service can be slow at times. Be prepared to enjoy a leisurely meal -- or just coffee and dessert -- during main lunch and dinner hours. Snagging a table by the window makes for fun people-watching along Clark Street.
(4)
Anna B.
I just took myself out to breakfast at A Taste of Heaven this morning and I have to say, I'm always sorta disappointed in their brunch food. I LOVE their baked goods (much like everyone else), but their brunch entrees are always so rich and the portions are way too big. I find myself going "man, I should have just gotten a scone." Oh well. The service is great, I never have to wait for a table, and it's a great laid-back local joint.
(3)
Olivia O.
The eggs tasted rubbery! and the cupcakes smelled weird! but the pancakes tastes like a fluffy cake! But one thing that upset me was that there is sighns all over complain that if kids are noty good they will kick you out! Im sorry but thats unexeptable!
(3)
Jon K.
Trying to brunch on a Monday? Good luck. We found that most places in town are closed Monday mornings (probably because of their Sunday blow-out), but A Taste of Heaven was open! This was my first time here and I was surprised by the portion size. The food was massive and you didn't have to worry about leaving hungry. Their baked goods looked good too, but I just didn't have room. The quality was decent. Usually when you go out to brunch, you expect something different... this wasn't it. It was traditional, safe, average (this isn't meant as an insult either). The value in this comes when you want to have something that is filling without the frills. This place is intimate and appears family-run, which adds a little bit of charm to the experience. This place seems like a local eatery that is more of a workhorse than a unique dining experience. Although I wouldn't suggest it to visitors, I'd say locals should give it a shot. As I mentioned, the baked goods looked appealing and it's worth trying some with a cuppa joe.
(3)
Neline S.
All I can say is YUMMY! I have been coming here for years to have a slice of "Janine's cake" which is literally a taste of heaven. I have a strong sweet tooth and I do EAT a lot of cake. I've experienced several bakeries but Janine's cake has me wrapped around their finger. It's definitely rich and you need to wash it down with either coffee or milk. It's fresh rasberries, opulant frosting topped with crumbled streusels just hits the right spot after dinner. Great place to chill with your friends after having dinner in Andersonville
(4)
Shonda D.
So, after I wrote my review, the owner contacted me and we had a productive discussion about what went wrong. He actually took my review serious and offered some accommodations. And said, "I want to make this right." Who does this in our age of "we take your money and don't give a squat" frame of mind? Well the owner of Taste of Heaven gave a squat and because of it, I will definitely go back and give them another shot! Word is bond.
(4)
Susan D.
Like so many places in Andersonville, this is a cute, cozy, casual eatery. I wasn't that familiar with the area, so was anxious to check out the place, since I'm soon moving to adjacent Edgewater. I stopped in for a coffee and hot chocolate with my brother, who knew the place well. The boston creme cupcake was smooth, rich and satisfying as any slice of boston creme cake I've ever had. The coffee was amazing. The service was great - and the place was busy, given that it was late Saturday afternoon. I'd give 'em 5 stars, but felt that the cupcake could have been a little bigger. I'll be back again! I'd like to try all the cupcakes, for sure!
(4)
Corbett L.
Classy and tasty.
(5)
Laura W.
Taste of Heaven, Great Lake, Vincent, and Hamburger Mary's all hug the corners of Balmoral and Clark, making this a Power Intersection, indeed. If I could historically track my foot traffic betwixt these Andersonville institutions, I'd wind up with a tangle of intersecting lines like an advanced cat's cradle move. But I want to focus my good juju on Taste of Heaven right now. Some of you previous reviewers must be nuts, in my humble opinion. Especially that one person who said that anyone in the neighborhood should skip this and go to Starbucks... shame on you. My favorite thing about this adorable corner bakery, which feels like the country home kitchen of someone's kind-hearted, plump grandmother, is that there are delicious edibles appropriate for any meal of the day. The offerings range from pastries, espresso drinks and omelets to please the brunching crowd, to sandwiches, soups, and salads to satisfy long into the evening hours. Not that anyone needs to place a time-of-day restriction on indulging your sweet tooth; I've been guilty of honoring a post-dinner brownie craving at Taste of Heaven, as it is opened later than any other nearby bakery (that I know of). The scones here are truly artful: a meal in and of themselves and perfectly soft in the middle. Many delicious savory breakfast options, and the greens that come on the side of the egg orders are lightly coated in a delicious dressing- I sort of wish they sold those greens as a dish in and of themselves. They keep bottles of Cholula on every table- automatic points from me. Keep rocking, and thanks for the Free Coffee Wednesdays.
(4)
Matthew B.
All around Taste of Heaven is pretty solid. Scones are dangerously good. When I get one, it always takes me a minute to decide... Chocolate chip, raspberry, maple walnut?! Seriously, it feels like a life decision sometimes. I saw someone complained the scones are too small now, but any bigger and it would be too much food. For $1.50 I think they are priced perfectly. Staff is awesome. Brunch is great.
(4)
Lorraine L.
I went here for lunch during Summer. I sat in a table outside. I overheard the couple next to us complaining that it was taking too long for their food to be ready. I suppose that should have been a clue to leave, but I really wanted to see how great this place was. I ordered coffee and a thanksgiving sandwich. It took about 10 minutes for my coffee to arrive, and it tasted horrible. It was like a watery filters with a bitter taste. I excused it. Then the long wait for the food. Twenty minutes elapsed after the coffee and the couple complaining still had not received their food. They complained to the server, but the server reassured them it would arrive in 1o more minutes and apologized because they were backed up on orders. I felt bad, it's probably not the servers fault. The couple eventually left without eating. Fortunately my food arrived approximately an hour after I ordered. The thanksgiving sandwich was not that spectacular, either. It was missing something that made it taste like thanksgiving.... Cranberry sauce. I was not impressed by the food or the service, really. They neglected the customers outside.
(2)
Jay B.
This place is been outstanding feature in Andersonville for years now. Great service great coffee. And fabulous desserts. Just wish they were open a little bit later on the weekends.
(4)
mia b.
I went here with a friend today. We had children with us. Big mistake. I agree children should use "inside voices" when in a restaurant, as the sign on the door demands. However, I was SHOCKED when we were told to leave. My friend's 2 year old was a little fussy, so she decided to take her child outside to deal with her. 5 minutes later, while all was calm at our table, the waitress came over and very apologetically said, the owner wanted us to leave, would we like our food to go? My friend had not yet returned with the 2 year old. I guess the owner has a very short fuse and was not going to take any chances. I asked where "the owner" was and was told he was cooking in the kitchen. He would not even acknowledge me. There was a gentleman sitting next to us, who was just as shocked as us and agreed that the owner probably does not have any children of his own. Our instinct when we sat down was to immediately leave. I wish we had.
(1)
Ilana C.
I didn't think ordering here would be so difficult.... I asked for the hummus sandwich without yogurt, and the cashier said the yogurt was already mixed in. So then I asked if the pesto had cheese in it and he said no, so I ordered the veggie sandwich, no feta. When the cashier turned to give the cook the order, the cook said the pesto did have cheese. Okay, can you ask if the hummus has yogurt in it. No? Great, can you add hummus to the sandwich? Somehow it was way more complicated than it needed to be. I also ordered it as a wrap, but got bread and asked for no onions, but got onions. The veggie sandwich was almost entirely eggplant slices, very greasy; the side of stir fried vegetables were very greasy and way too salty. Ended up having a stomachache from all the salt and oil. I just wanted a quick something to grab to go and will not be going back.
(2)
Tiffany C.
Great scones. Try the Blueberry or Raspberry. They are buttery huge and delicious.
(4)
Laura T.
Why would I write a review on my neighborhood place that already has more than 300 comments? I guess because I can - such is the hubris of the consumer voice. But a couple of observations: The Silverland breakfast is an updated version of biscuits and gravy. Delicious. And you can get it in a 1/2 order which is the perfect size if you don't want to blow all of your 1500 daily calories in one meal The ice tea has a bright cinnamon flavor to it. You may want to ask for a taste before you order a whole glass. There rarely seems to be enough wait staff. Esp. on the weekends. It's not their fault that more people aren't staffed. It doesn't seem fair to take out our generalized wait-time frustrations on them. Generally speaking they are busting it from what I see.
(4)
Mark S.
For us, Taste of Heaven is dessert. I cannot comment on the breakfast, lunch or dinner foods. The desserts here are fairly unique. Yes, they have some standbys, but mostly serve their own creations. A wide assortment of cakes, pies, cookies, bars, cupcakes, ice cream - something for everyone. My only real issue is their price. It doesn't seem too bad if you get one or two slices, but take a group or order a whole cake and you can expect to shell out the cash.
(3)
Jenny R.
I've never not enjoyed time spent at Taste of Heaven! Though breakfast here is my fave, lunch & dinner are just as nice. Warm friendly service with delicious home made food. The coffee is wonderful. The Katie Cakes are my favorite breakfast treat but if you're looking for savory, the Silverland is the best combo! The Greek yogurt with honey, berries and house made granola is to die for if you need a light bite. Add that to patio seating on a sunny morning and it's a perfect start to any day. For dinner the chicken & biscuits or the meatloaf is like eating at your grandmother's. It's that good! This place is great for an evening dessert too-esp the cakes. Jeanine's cake is my fave or the banana cake with chocolate frosting, or maybe the carrot cake. I think I need a few more visits in order to decide ;)
(5)
Rebecca B.
I love cupcakes. It's quite simple. I love them. And the cupcakes at A Taste of Heaven...yeah, well they live up to the name of the restaurant. Seriously-- heavenly. We had the red velvet, the cho cho cho, and the "Elvis" cupcakes and they were all decadently delicious. My only complaint would be the amount of time it took to get said cupcakes. The restaurant was completely empty and there was one person in front of us at the counter and yet it still took nearly 15 minutes to walk out the door with 3 cupcakes. They were sooooo worth the wait though :)
(4)
kat m.
Charming small bakery cafe, that lives up to its name. Its too hard to just choose one little cupcake they all look so good. I visited A taste of heaven last night with my girlfriend and it reminded me of when I was a little girl. I was looking into the glass case at all the different treats.. I knew I would destroy that artfully crafted cupcake and soon it would be mine! We went for a half dozen cupcakes :) Yum Yum YUM! The truest test was the Vanilla.. It did not disappoint it reminded me of a vanilla twinkie!!! I cant wait to go back. I strongly suggest to try as many as u can afford your first trip that way you know whats your favorite next time. You can purchase them individually too. A taste of Heaven is only missing one star because it is a little more $$$ than I'd like for baked treats but the quality is great.
(4)
Christine F.
So, Taste of Heaven, you know IT'S REALLY HARD TO EAT HEALTHY when you make large, delicious slices of COCONUT CREAM CAKE. Come on. My willpower can't compete with that.
(4)
Jonathan L.
Disappointed. I ordered the chicken and biscuits. Let's just say I've had better biscuits at KFC. The chicken is stewed and it was just ok. My friend ordered an omelette which came with potatoes. The potatoes tasted really good. I'll order those next time, if I ever go here again.
(3)
Calen D.
BEST SCONES EVER!!! And best quiche crust. And biscuits. Pretty much you can't go wrong with any of their bakery items. I love the vibe in the place. It is best to try to go at "off times" as their "waiting room" is just lining up along the wall between tables of people eating. My only complaint is that it is never quite clear whether you need to walk to the counter to be put on a list. I didn't realize this once and ended up getting seated after 4 other tables because they walked past me to put their names in. Either way... the scones are worth the wait. Get the cherry ones. You won't regret it.
(4)
Michelle H.
Honestly, the best scones I've had. And somehow that great baking left a bad taste in my mouth. I was in on a Saturday a.m. to pick up scones while visiting Andersonville. Lisa, the cashier server upsold me from 5 to 6 scones citing the value. I chose my scones, paid and waited. She returned 5 minutes later having no more blueberry. Hmmm. Wish I had known. I chose all new scones, waiting another 5 minutes. It so happens that I opened the box and checked my goods and 3 of the 6 were not what I ordered. Lisa took the box and assured me she replaced the mis-order. So happens I checked again and the order was STILL incorrect. She looks at me and yelled "what do you want me to do?" I smiled, and said - why are you upset with me? All I did was order and pay for food I'm not getting. She turned and waited on the next customer, leaving me with a 1/3 incorrect order. Super weird and fully rude. There have got to be better businesses to patronize.
(1)
stephen r.
A sign on the front door reads something like the following paraphrase "Only well behaved children allowed using indoor voices." Hmm. That could be rewritten as "families not welcome" or "breeders go home". Talk about offensive. This is on the door - no kidding. Not quite my cup of tea. I guess we can always hope their slumlord releases their lease and they turn into a Starbucks.
(1)
Courtney R.
Best. Carrot cake. EVER. I've also had salads and sandwiches which were all very good. But the carrot cake... oh my.
(4)
Willem V.
With much closed on Labor Day even in Andersonville we were pleased to find Taste...open! Had been there once before as it is one of our daughter's favorite breakfast places. It was packed, but we didn't have to wait too long, they also have a clear but friendly written policy on weekend table-lingering..... We asked our waiter about the size of certain dishes, and he politely steered us in the direction of no-splitting dishes as they would be rather smallish. Wrooong, we could have easily split our enormous Fried Egg Sandwich, but alright, we were out in the city. It's not the money, it's just that we hate throwing away good food as not everything lends itself to doggy bags. All in all again a very nice, polite and clean restaurant experience. Will definitely come back but perhaps a little more educated this time.
(4)
shannon s.
This place is delicious. The atmosphere is great.. the wait staff is friendly and happy which always makes a meal that much better. The food is also great.. we usually stick to the breakfast because that's what we're craving when we decide to make the trip to Andersonville. The pancakes and French toast are decadent and delicious. The silverland breakfast (eggs/biscuits/sausage gravy) are fantastic. The only downside is the portions are way too big for me to finish on my own. I need about half of what they serve me and always feel bad when I have no room for dessert.
(5)
Miharu H.
I just moved back into the area and always wanted to try it because it looked so cute and comfy inside. HOWEVER, when I went in to order some pastries to go, the male staff at the counter was incredibly rude. Since it was my first time and some cakes were missing their signs, I asked the counter guy about the cakes and he answered me in a way that he couldn't be bothered to talk to me. Afterward he proceeded to talk to the other staff about how it was annoying to always explain the pastries to customers. Although the place looks cute and pastries look yummy, I was completely turned off by the rude service.
(1)
Ken L.
This place doesn't disappoint, unless it is out of Bread Pudding! Don't get me wrong their other dessert and food are still great. But I love the bread pudding so much it is a 'must have' for me. I usually go there for dessert but surprisingly their breakfast/brunch is pretty good (4 star) too. This place isn't very big so expect to wait a little bit during breakfast and brunch time. The staff there are always nice and friendly. Great place to hang out after dinner and have some delicious desserts!
(5)
Jeffrey B.
this taste of heaven was between purgatory and heaven. i say this because i have had other great breakfast spots i would go to before this but the food here is still good. i ordered the grilled cheese omelette which had cheddar, fontina and feta cheese served on grilled bread. it also came with a nice assortment of fruits. the biscuit that came with the meal was amazing. perfectly fluffy but the outside had a nice toastiness to it. the dish itself was really good the cheeses were melted perfectly and the egg was nice and fluffy just the way i like it. the grilled bread was under the omelet so whenever i cut into the omelet i would grab some of the bread at the same time and the grilled bread gave the omelet a nice texture. my only gripe was the potatoes that it came with. i wish they were a bit more cooked and crispier. added ketchup to the potatoes because the flavors of the potatoes were not that great. all in all my experience went well. the service was good and my waiter was cool. my water was getting filled every second which i really liked.
(4)
Ben F.
Hard for me to stop ordering food here. Great quality and variety.
(5)
Jessica M.
I miss the dinner menu. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point recently Taste of Heaven stopped offering these meals, and now offer only their brunch and sandwiches all day (they also still have a few salads and soup, and obviously the desserts haven't gone anywhere.) I still like their food, and baked goods, but I sorely miss the chicken and biscuits, and macaroni and cheese (my personal favorites from the old menu). I think they still offer some of these meals as specials occasionally though, so maybe I will get to eat these things again sometime.
(4)
Kyle C.
Had the Breakfast Bake and it was super good! Not to heavy and it came with a big side salad. Service for really friendly and cute. What a great place!
(5)
Rebecca G.
"Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices." That's the sign that greets you, which rubbed me the wrong way. As if most parents don't hope for that anyway. But despite that, the place is cozy and the food fresh and awesome! It's a great place to come yourself with a newspaper, or to catch up with a friend. Even for a special lunch with your children! They do have high chairs. I would recommend this great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)
Tariq D.
I ate at this place yesterday with a few friends who have already been there. They had plenty of good things to say about it but I have learned to wait on my own opinion. I had the Chicken Gumbo. Phenominal! The food is amazing here, and the service is awesome. They even served us a sample of their chocolate cookies while we waited which were so good I bought a dozen. The only, ONLY thing I could say is that it would have been a bit more comfortable if the A/C was on. It was quite toasty in there.
(5)
Halleh C.
A group of four of us walked down here from my house, and I was excited to try because I had passed by before. The service was quick when we got there to take orders. I got a turkey (real turkey breast slice) with pears, havarti, and a honey mustard mayo. It was served on this lovely soft sourdough roll, accompanied by pasta salad. I enjoyed my sandwich SO much, and the pasta salad even more! I emphasize my enjoyment, because my friend absolutely hated his dish (with good reason) So my friend matt is boring with breakfast, he got eggs with cheese and potatoes. His preference, whatever. So, we get served our food, and I am thoroughly enjoying my food as he is discovering a hair in his. Pretty gross, and we all felt bad, because he lost his appetite right there. We tried to get our servers attention multiple times (it wasnt busy) but he never even came to ask us how everything was. The hair in the food, I needed more water (I never got any by the way). So my friend had to get up and talk to the counter girl about it, who graciously offered to re make it, however he declined. Our server never even came by after that happened to apologize or anything, which, I know wasn't his fault, but if its your table you are the face of the place and should acknowledge it. After we finished eating, we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting to ask for our check (my water was still empty). Finally, I had to leave to go to work, and I had to just estimate my cost and leave money and friends because I would not have been on time. Even though I LOVED my sandwich, I doubt I will make the trip back here again. I saw a help wanted sign on the window, and I think that its true..help needed.
(2)
Sarah L.
Food is great, but a little on the expensive side. It would have another star, but the staff couldn't seem to care less about customer service. They also refuse to post a current menu online or have one available to fax or e-mail, so it makes ordering group lunches for our office impossible. Seems like a silly business decision.
(3)
Joel W.
After dinner at Big Jones we were in a rush to get to a show so I stopped in as we hurried by for my chocolate fix. Spontaneous stops can sometimes be the best. I pointed at the moon pie behind the glass. Got it to go. Asked for plastic fork. Yup and it came with a napkin. It was delicious. Saved half for the next day. On my way out i saw a glimpse of the coffee cup lamps on the table; i wish i would of had time to stay a bit.
(4)
Philip K.
Only ever eaten there once--I should go back to give them a fair chance. But I just remember being unimpressed. Me and my partner weren't wild about our breakfasts. Sounds like we should try desserts and scones next time. Cute, kitschy scene. I like all the windows and the view of andersonville from a corner of an intersection.
(2)
Art P.
I've always had just enough time to only grab a cookie or cupcake from A Taste of Heaven while passing by... but never enough time to actually take in a meal there. Well, that changed with yesterday's snowstorm. A Taste of Heaven was on my shopping route, so I made it a point to investigate further. They've got a "breakfast anytime" mandate, but I was in the mood for something more hearty. Their lunch menu ranges from: - Homemade soups and veggie chili - Sandwiches: Skirt Steak, Arlene's Hot Meatloaf, Barbeque Pulled Pork, etc. - Salads: Nicoise, Curried Rice, Breast of Chicken, Skirt Steak, etc. - Entrees: Braised Beef Brisket, Chicken and Biscuits, Spinach Lasagna, etc. I went with an item that isn't always on the menu (as evidenced by the fact it wasn't on the to-go menu I grabbed), but I hope that they have it available every single time that I go there from now on: - The Brown Derby Wrap: roasted turkey breast in a whole wheat wrap with corn meal stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and a side of brown gravy; with scalloped potatoes. Wow! It's like Thanksgiving in the palm of your hand! I'm seriously contemplating serving Thanksgiving dinner in this style next year. Do yourself a favor and give this wrap a go (photo of my Brown Derby wrap uploaded for your viewing pleasure.)
(4)
Samantha L.
I think this place is great. I have been here a number of times. I guess that I could see people giving it less stars for the price, but it's Chicago, so get over it. For one, their coffee is awesome. I think that when I go here I usually go for the grilled cheese omelet. It is open faced, kind of a morph of a sandwich and omelet, comes with a really nice salad and potatoes. I would rather eat here than pay just as much down the street at that place that sucks [cough (Paulines) cough] but it would be rude for me to name any names. It is quaint also, and I can't wait for it to get nice again because they have outdoor seating. Their sandwiches are really good too. They have a glass case of nice looking baked goods that I haven't tried yet, maybe next time.
(5)
Shawn T.
*RUN* here for Bread Pudding and all the other amazing deserts... By far the top desert place ever! Brunch here is good - would give it 4/5 stars..... Better come here for coffee and some desert!
(5)
Jen F.
Good cupcakes, not great but defintely good!
(4)
Jill W.
Brunch menu: the biscuits & gravy (Silverland?) and the caramel apple French toast are amazing. As adventurous as I want to be, I can't help but oder one of these every time I go there. The biscuits & gravy have a unique flavor and is much lighter than you'd think. As for the caramel apple French toast, if the name isn't enough to entice you, I can't do any better. The owner always brings around free samples of goodies and most of them are fantastic. Dinner: The derby wrap or turkey dinners are perfect (I have a thing for Thanksgiving -- don't you judge me). The place itself is very tiny, definitely not for a large group. While there are signs up about noisy kids (lighten up, everyone) -- I've never seen anyone be rude to children. The wait staff used to be awesome -- there was a girl with curly brown hair that worked her tush off that we always liked. Lately, it seems to have a high turn over rate of young men that think they're too good for the universe, let alone food service. But it has been getting better, so give it another try.
(4)
kay b.
TOH has been a standard even before it made it's location change from foster ave. or the current location on clark. i have to say that the what limits this place are the following: -inconsistent service. either your servers are unmatched or way off the mark. -portions have decreased as far as meals are concerned. -the ambiance can be overwhelmingly kitschy. ultimately i trust such basic fare as their quiche and salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, and their any of their salads. savories are a treat here, made with fresh ingredients, and a down home northside intuition. now, i obviously support the sweet tooth and since midwest portions make for a pleased glutton like myself, i have to say that their desserts are trustworthy. desserts such as the janine cake are made with a light whipped cream, a thick vanilla cake, and a satisfyingly sweet and clean taste. another highly recommended dessert is their bread pudding: lusciously draped in caramel, warm, soft and velvety inside layered to a perfection. this is not an exaggeration. the lemon bars, the pecan bars, the pound cakes, and scones are reliably tasty as well.
(4)
Kayla F.
The katie cakes are to die for. Love this place. I ordered a cupcake too....it was kinda stale but the frosting was yummm! Go here!
(4)
Len L.
Today is a perfect day, sitting outside of Taste of Heaven's outdoor patio. The sun was hot and slight breeze shaking the leaves above our heads. It felt like we were in heaven, then the food came, we ate and we did not feel like we were in heaven anymore. It was not perfect, but ordinary. We ordered a breakfast burrito and caramel apple french toast. The french toast was an inch high, couple of slices of apples and a rich side of whipped cream, it lacked apple flavor. The burrito too doughy. The only thing I can say, that I liked was the service, the clean restroom and the rustic look of the restaurant. The cost for brunch was reasonable and plenty of FREE parking on the side streets.
(3)
Amy A.
I haven't been in a while. The coffee isn't good. Last time I went it was soapy, and I couldn't even drink it. Too bad I got it to go. So it doesn't matter if the baked goods are good - because I can't get a nice cup of coffee to go with them. Bummer.
(2)
Dimitry G.
I fell in love with this place the second i walked in, the decor is really cool and unique, yes you can really just walk around looking at the different things hanging on the wall.... bla bla bla, the main part, Cupcakes are AMAZING! as a huge fan of cupcakes i have to say those tasted like... like as good as it gets for cup cakes, i have the Elvis cup cake, and well... i am addicted now. Also, the employees are nice, always smiling and helpful, and you just get the feeling like you are in "your own" neighborhood bakery. try it guys!
(5)
Bethany L.
I won't waste time writing a long review, because this is all you need to know: Best scones in Chicago. Maybe best scones anywhere. Hands down. Myself and my boss live in the area and any time that one of us brings them in, people go insane and devour them within seconds. I like the apricot, but I had the raspberry for the time yesterday and it was amazing. Cherry's good too. Yesterday I got them just after they opened at 7 and they were fresh out of the oven. Good God were they delicious.
(5)
April P.
Well, I cant rate this place on location, parking of decor because I hadn't been there, but I will rate them on their cake. Best buddy Big C got a mixed berry shortcake with whipped cream filling, and vanlla creme, strudel topping for his bday party. OH MY GOSH. Yes, it is so play on words to say, but it is a taste of heaven!!! the cake was light, airy and not overly sweet. The whipped cream was not too sweet. The frosting was good, but the strusel on top stole the show oh btw, healthy turkey lasagna is worth a review on its own, but since I'm new to this yelp game and dont know how to rate a party, I'll add it to this. Thanks Big C for making a wonderful dish that was disguised and made so well, it did not taste healthy at all. You put your foot in it ps- i thought the waitress there serving coffee was quite cute :) lol muah muah to friends steve and don
(4)
Caitlin G.
It means a lot when a business owner reaches out to rectify a situation--it makes up quite a bit for a nasty experience. Thanks to Dan for reaching out, apologizing and offering a refund after a bad experience at Taste of Heaven. It makes a huge impact when one can see an owner cares about his establishment.
(3)
Marni P.
If this is what Heaven tastes like, I need to start misbehaving more. Went here after a long bike ride. Starving. Got "Katie's Chaos". So appropriately named. I asked for no peppers, and it came without peppers- as well as without half of the other listed ingredients. I let our waitress know that I was actually looking forward to having these other items in it. She brings it back with SOME of the other items, but now with onions (not on the menu description). I deal with it because I'd eat anything at this point. Including the random chunk of heavily burnt hash brown that made it's way in the wrap just for added fun. The Boy had some rubbery skirt steak. I don't recall the attitude some of the other reviewers have complained about. I always feel uncomfortable sending stuff back, but I remember our server being pretty cool about it. We liked our ice cream. I guess you can can go for the ice cream if you're really itching to try this place...
(2)
Josh H.
Being able to take a simple, childhood favorite and turn it into a rich, gourmet experience perfectly describes their grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and feta and the very buttery sourdough bread - grilled to perfection - will definitely bring me back to this restaurant. I also got a tomato added to it...which I'd highly recommend. A lot of people like to eat tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich...however their version can stand on its own.
(4)
Kate W.
I haven't actually eaten a meal here, but I did get some cupcakes. They had a list of the cupcakes available posted on the door. I wanted to try a coconut cream cupcake (or whatever it was called) but when I went in there weren't any. Given the options I got a vanilla cupcake w/ vanilla frosting and what I thought was a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting (and 1/4 of a peanut butter cup on top). When I tried the cupcake I was surprised to find that what I thought was a chocolate cupcake wasn't. I can't be sure but I think it was banana. I dislike bananas but banana bread I can deal with. That's kinda what the cupcake tasted like. The frosting left a little something to be desired. I've had way better peanut butter frosting. Still, I don't think there's a such thing as a bad cupcake. The vanilla cupcake was good but nothing special. If I were in the area again looking for cupcakes I would stop in again but I'm not about to make a special trip out there anytime soon. As a side note while I was in the shop there was a man picking up a cake he had ordered. Obviously it was not what he ordered. He was upset but not yelling at the girl at the counter because it was obviously not her fault. Still, while I was there it didn't seem like they were doing much to resolve the problem for him.
(3)
Jessica B.
All that I have to say is "Jeanine cake" and those who have tried it know the experience. For those curious?...it's pretty much the best damn cake in this entire world. Get this, they have cupcakes. Tons of them. And they're good. Really good. Go forth and have your taste buds blessed with deliciousness.
(5)
Katy H.
This is a cute little place! I stopped in for dessert with a friend on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was fairly crowded. We both ordered a cupcake and I had some hot chocolate. The cupcakes were delicious and very filling. The hot chocolate was delicious and not oily like some places. Also, the staff was quite friendly! I work just a few blocks away, so I'll definitely be back- next time for dinner!
(4)
nina c.
Ran by this place on our way home from Edgewater Produce. BF grabbed the food because I was waiting with the puppy outside - not much clue what the place is like inside - seemed cozy through the windows though. But here is the thing ... I had this cupcake thing.. and I really do think it might have been heaven. I don't know what the heck kind of hazelnut concoction was on top, but it was on top of a chocolate cupcake that was really good, and it was covered with yummy chocolate, and it was just sooooooo f-in good!!! My!!! Yeah...
(4)
Denise B.
I asked my friend to take me to a cool, local place in her new Chicago neighborhood, and she took me to A Taste of Heaven. I feel badly for not loving a homey local place, but I guess you could say I wasn't in Heaven here. har har. Everyone who worked there was nice, and the crowd was very local. The air conditioning was welcome on a hot, humid Chicago day. But they weren't nice enough or welcoming enough to change the fact that my mushroom wrap sandwich was seriously mediocre. Normally I love big mushrooms, and I'm always fond of a good sandwich. There was just something about the combination of flavors that made me dislike the taste to the point that I could barely finish it. Looking at the reviews, it appears I should've gone for a dessert and perhaps breakfast food instead of a sandwich, and the experience would've been better. I'll definitely be open to coming back and trying some of their other food when I'm back in Chicago again.
(2)
Steve D.
I've been here on multiple occasions now, and each time has been enjoyable. Andersonville rules and Taste of Heaven now qualifies as a top choice for brunch when in the area. The first time through I had the Silverland breakfast, and for a connoisseur of fine biscuits and gravy like myself, this was very good, everything cooked just right. Their French toast, omelettes, and other egg dishes are also very good. Add the fact that they bring around samples of their baked goods for you to try, and yes I would qualify it as a taste of heaven. Haven't had to wait yet, the staff is attentive and overall it's a very pleasing experience. The only thing I have yet to get is something from the bakery counter even though my knees buckle when I walk past it. For brunch or sweets this place is worth a look.
(4)
a w.
Not the best bakery in the area -- but they do make some great brownies here! Give it a try if you're in the area -- but don't go out of your way for this one.
(3)
joanne y.
this cozy little nook is a perfect place to warm yourself up with some coffee and pastry in the winter and a refreshing getaway in the summer. what i mean, basically, is that this place is yummy. the prices are reasonable for the large slices of cake they serve. the name says it all, it truly is a taste of heaven.
(4)
vitas z.
my favorite chocolate chip cookie in the city. hands down.
(4)
j d.
consistently great. friendly. salmon quice, eggs verde, or pancakes are sure winners.
(5)
Jack E.
Chill Cape Cod aesthetic. Good affordable coffee and loose leaf tea. Excellent sandwiches and desserts. Sorta in between a coffeehouse and a restaurant. Definitely a great place to do work, cuz of the nice golden lighting. No Wifi is a bummer bit it IS in the middle of Andersonville so you can always steal from someone else. Its open til 10 which is a plus.
(5)
G G.
Not so great on the decor, but the desserts are AMAZING. Very rich and decadent.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Steve A.
This was my first time to "A Taste of Heaven." Got the Goodman sandwich and it blew my mind. Plus the service was super nice. Made you feel at home. Strongly recommend it. Haven't had a sandwich this good in a while. I'm going back.
(5)Elizabeth H.
Good place to grab a cup of coffee and a baked good. but that may be about all. The service does indeed leave much to be desired, which is a shame because when the store was located on Foster, I never remember that being the case as I always had really great service. Those days are long gone given my last dozen or so visits. The non-baked food on the menu is really just OK. Not bad if you happen to be right there for lunch, but I would never go out of my way for one of their sandwiches. I love their policy on children. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but they expect you to control them here and I can get behind that any day.
(3)Keith Z.
Great food, reasonable prices, and a cozy atmosphere.
(5)Lisa F.
Five stars for food, one star for service (including a hot coffee incident) = Three stars total My friend and I split the Katy Cakes and the breakfast strata-type thing (can't remember the name right now). The food was absolutely delicious, and it passed the Savory/Sweet Brunch Test with flying colors. But my waitress, smiling though she was, was a total flake. I asked for extra napkins and she never brought them, then came by after we'd almost finished our meal to say, "Didn't you want extra napkins?" I said yes, but now maybe I just needed one extra; she said "Okay" and never returned with napkins. My favorite moment, however, was when she was pouring coffee into my friend's mug (I don't even drink the stuff). We were outside, so the table was a patio one with holes in it, and she poured hot coffee on my foot. I shrieked and took a napkin to it, and luckily I wasn't really burned, but her only reaction was, "Oh are you okay?" As soon as I said yes, she walked away. No offer of a napkin, no "I'm sorry," no nothin'. That's not cool. I'll go again because the food is delicious, but I will guard my body parts carefully and keep a wary eye on my server.
(3)Melissa B.
I will agree with some of the posts that the service isn't all that great, but it wasn't anything that bothered me. Now, on to the food. The black bean soup was TASTY. I could have had a giant bowl of it for lunch alone. I had the chicken caesar salad, and I thought the salad was good, but I wasn't a fan of the chicken. The boy had chili and a sandwich which he said was very good also. We also bought a few cupcakes to go, since we're trying to find our wedding cupcakes (in lieu of a wedding cake). I thought they were ok, although it gave me a stomach ache, whereas the boy didn't like his.
(3)Sheena F.
This place was amazing. This was my first time in Chicago and I was only there for a short time, so I really wanted to see what the city had to offer in terms of brunch. I looove brunch and this place did not disappoint. It was a gray, rainy day and everyone was out for brunch that day. Not wanting to wait forever at another brunch place nearby, we decided to come to A Taste of Heaven. We only had to wait outside for less than 10 minutes and there was an awning so it wasn't terrible. Once we got inside, it truly was heaven. It was warm and cozy with a mixed group of patrons. We ordered coffees while we waited and were offered a tasting of a homemade chocolate chip cookie. It was ridiculous how happy I was by this point! Not to mention that I order soy lattes everywhere I go and this place, for some reason, was the best ever! Although it was pretty crowded we didn't have to wait too long for our food. The service was perfect... not too annoying attentive but just attentive enough. My girlfriend ordered a really filling breakfast sandwich with Fontina and rosemary ham and I had a very fresh egg, guacamole, and salsa whole wheat burrito with black beans, salsa and rice. During our meal, we were also given another sample of a cinnamon raisin roll. All in all, one of the best brunch places I've ever been to for the service, quality of food, and cozy atmosphere.
(4)Becky S.
The grilled cheese is To Die For!
(5)Angela K.
I had a good time here with my friends chatting over some desserts. The brownie had too much of a caramel-y texture, but the carrot bundt cake was good. I liked the music that was playing in the background (perhaps samba?)
(3)Lynne B.
I called right before Thanksgiving and they were able to accomodate my last minute request for a holiday dessert. I ordered pumpkin crumble squares and they were fabulous. There was a long list of wonderful sounding desserts I could have ordered. The staff was pleasant.
(5)Yvette M.
Cupcakes are literally a taste of heaven! Price is a bit stiff $3 for one cupcake but worth it!!
(5)Chillie D.
The baked goods are excellent -- it is obvious that they use high quality and fresh ingredients. The Owner lives in the neighborhood and usually rides his bike to "A Taste of Heaven" and is a very nice young man. This is a great place to go for coffee and dessert (on a date or with friends). It is family friendly too. The restaurant is charming and casual. The servers are very nice and friendly (don't be afraid to ask for a recommendation if you are not sure about what to order). My favorite goodies are: any thing with lemon, apple pie and any thing that has the word "pudding" in it -- go for any of the cupcakes -- they are truly the best in Chicago!
(3)David C.
I enjoy Janeans Cake... it is really good... not sure there are many other cakes as desirable as this cake. I recently had a problem with one of my orders and the staff went above and beyond to correct the problem. Its a nice gem in Andersonville.
(4)Gretchen O.
This place is great! I appreciate their having a full breakfast and lunch menu available, and their list of salads was enticing - I love places that move away from iceberg lettuce and dried carrot splinters. The service was good (frequent but not too frequent water fill-ups, and the waitress was happy to answer my friend's questions about some of the sandwiches). If I don't go back, it'll be because it's so far north, but if I do, I'm trying an omelette!
(4)Kristen W.
I am thrilled with having found a place that puts the smackdown on unruly kids. I didn't realize it until about halfway through my breakfast but it was like a 'what is that noise? SILENCE!!! ' type of revelation. I love it! The food here is great too. I had the breakfast burrito which was yummy. I loved that it was not goopy and over-loaded with bad-for-you crap. I took a scone to go because I know from previous experience that they are great. Such a yummy snack in the afternoon. Only docking a star because the coffee was kind of sour tasting. I think they use Casteel but mine tasted like it had been sitting in a pot on heat all night. Blech.
(4)Scott D.
I have always loved Taste of Heaven. It was, in fact, the very first restaurant that I ate at in Chicago when I moved here in 2005. I have been there for dinners almost every other week since. Sadly, they recently reduced the menu offerings and got rid of entrees for dinner (except for a "special" which is one of the entrees that they used to offer). The meatloaf was great, but neither the meatloaf nor the meatloaf sandwich (2 of my favorites) are available. The server, Sam, was great and apologetic about the changes and understanding. We heard 3 other tables mention that they were disappointed with the reduced menu as well, as well as watched 2 tables get up and leave because of the reduced menu. I am saddened that this is no longer really the dinner option that it had been. The food that they have is very good, and the baked goods are great. The low score is because of how limited the options have become.
(2)Jen N.
FANTASTIC FOOD. The best cupcakes I've ever had, the malted milk ball cupcake, try it. I've been here multiple times and the service is GREAT. The portabella wrap= excellent, the Vegetarian Chili= excellent. Love it. The omelet was great, too, it had pesto and spinach in it; they have breakfast all day. The cream of spinach soup= Perfection. I LOVE this place. It is not boring diner food, it's much better, and maybe some people don't appreciate something different. The cupcakes are the best in the city. Ooooh I had the spinach lasagna recently and it was A+, the service was A+ and very quick and polite.
(5)Bill M.
This bakery moved from its former location on West Foster to the busier Andersonville neighborhood. Apparently a bit too busy, as the owner has posted a controversial sign asking youngsters to use their "indoor" voices while in the shop. I am with him on this one, but many parents who do not like to be told what to do are very upset and say they will not come here anymore. Oh well, more tasty treats for us dessert lovers.
(4)Inspector G.
It's hit or miss with the kitchen. Sometimes, the food is o-kay; at others, it's downright lousy. The sandwiches are experimental, but are tasty when they get it right. The real surprise here is that the baked goods aren't better. They tend to be a little on the dry side. Inconsistency aside, the patio dining is still a big draw. This is a great little neighborhood place to sit and enjoy the summer weather and watch the sidewalk traffic go by. On the upside, the table service is usually very friendly.
(3)Denise W.
Might be as close to heaven as one can get through food. Everything is delicious. The owner/chef often walks around during the brunch rush and passes out free samples of his unbelievable seasonal crumb bars. Flavors include, pumpkin (fall), raspberry (spring). I haven't tried the summer and winter selections but I don't think I'll be disappointed. IF you're going for weekend brunch prepare to wait 5-15 minutes. The place is in demand in Andersonville. It's my go-to place during the week when i want cheap eats in my hood. Diner style without the greasiness and bland taste.
(5)Cynthia C.
The food's mediocre on a good day. Service is surly. Pass.
(2)T M.
I feel very conflicted about Taste of Heaven, and if I could give them a 3.5, I would. While I appreciate their attempts to eliminate the unruly children of parents inconsiderate enough to bring said children to a place where people might want someplace calm to reflect and imbibe more coffee than any reasonable culture should encourage, it is too small a place inside to make it a good place for reading a book or studying. There are just too many tables, and too many people up and down and in and out. When it's open, the outdoor patio area more than makes up for this, though. I'm also not a huge fan of their baked goods, which is a shame, because it's a much better deal than the food, which is alright, but not worth the price, by my reckoning. Although you would expect nothing short of divine from a place with a name like this, the pastries are rather more mundane. I've tried a lot of stuff: the lemon bars, raspberry brownies, cakes, chocolate chip cookies and small apple pies. Each was just average. The best tasting items to me are the mini bundt cakes, but I don't go out of my way for them. But then again, I admit I'm extremely judgmental about baked goods. I do think their excellent (albeit fairly expensive) coffee makes up for this, though, and the baristas/servers really know how to use the espresso machine. In fact, they are pretty excellent as well, and are almost always friendly and attentive. But seriously, more than $2 for a double espresso is too much, and way more than any of the local competition. Finally, they serve Peterson's ice cream. I've never had this any where else, and I don't know where else one can find it, but holy crap is it good.
(3)Suz C.
Like fellow Yelper John B., I was a fan of Taste of Heaven long before the whole misbehaving kids debate. (I supported Dan on that issue). This is a great little place in Andersonville, and I enjoy coming here for a treat, a drink, and even brunch. The interior is very small, but there are little touches that make it cute like the artwork on the wall. Although servers there are generally very friendly, it is spotty -- sometimes you get awesome service, sometimes you are lucky to get service. Love, love, love their canopy tea, and I love their sandwiches. I do not like their biscuits and gravy, which smells a little like barf on a biscuit. I love their chicken salad sandwich and their homemade soups, and I think their little pastries and cakes are truly heavenly. My boyfriend enjoys the coffee there quite a bit, and my absolute favorite item at TOH, when they have it, is their homemade peach ice cream. Oh my god. It's so creamy and smooth on your tongue...I am drooling and panting just thinking about it. Okay, I better quit before this review starts sounding sex-crazed. I enjoy Taste of Heaven, and I think you will, too. Just don't expect restaurant service, and don't plan to stay for hours on end...although in the summer time, it is tempting to do so when you're outside at one of their tables on a warm summery night....
(4)Lilith B.
The five star rating is for their bread pudding alone. It's amazing and delicious and I can never finish an entire piece because it's so big and rich. It's smothered in what has to be the best caramel sauce ever. I really can't say much about anything else here because the bread pudding is too good not to get every time I go in, but I've heard good things about the rest. Also, the staff is very friendly.
(5)Pedantic S.
One of the best bakeries in town. Tried the 100 chocolate chip cake (and am not the biggest fan of desserts loaded with chocolate), and it was one of the most delectable desserts I have had! Also tried some cookies and they were quite inventive and creative.
(5)Briana J.
Love this place. I have had the whole spectrum of food-- omelets, oatmeal, sandwiches and desserts. I loved each and everything. The mixed berry cake and chocolate vanilla swirl cupcakes are my favorite. The food is fresh, tasty and they keep the coffee coming. There are a few draw backs, namely the size. There is often a wait which is a bummer but the food is so good. The chicken salad sand which was awesome. Keep is mind that this would be a terrible place to study. It is always loud and hopeful eaters will have no problem staring you down while they wait for a seat.
(5)Justin H.
The Silverland breakfast here is amazing. Taste of heaven? It Sure Is. Katie cakes and breakfast casserole are amazing too. As is the Peach Compote french toast. Service here can be a hit or miss but usually I get what I need. Always great for breakfast. Dinner is good as well but the dinner fare seems to be a little bland the 4 or 5 times I have had dinner there. Also always good for an evening snack and coffee! I prefer mine iced!
(4)Alison T.
I want to revise my earlier review of TOH. We've been steady customers over the years, and I feel I can write an informed opinion. TOH is always really solid. They have a good brunch and their salads are fantastic. We have never tried their dinner menu. I know they get a lot of flack for not being "kid friendly," but my husband and I find them the opposite. We regularly eat here with our 2 young children. They are friendly to the kids and have good options for them. TOH just asks that if your kid misbehaves you either take them outside or control them, ie...don't let your kid run around the place screaming. This is something I completely agree with. Since our older daughter (now 4) was young, we've taught her how to behave in public - she knows how to sit in her chair and eat nicely. If she's acting out, we go outside or leave, simple as that. I wish all parents did the same.
(4)Kathryn R.
I didn't try any dessert, just lunch. Service was TERRIBLE from start to finish. The food was OK, but way overpriced for OK food. I had heard that this place was good and looked forward to trying it. What a disappointment. They seem to think they are doing you a favor by letting you spend your money there. Maybe that is the attraction for some people????
(1)Robyn T.
This place is a gem! Located in the heart of Andersonville alongside some other fabulous restaurants this is a wonderful neighborhood destination. The inside decor is slightly country kitsch but in a cute way, and there's a great outdoor seating space. The staff was very friendly when I was there for brunch. Love, love, love the pancakes with berries. I'm not a huge pancake fan but I had a hunch that I NEEDED to order these and boy was I right. The pancakes are fluffy but have a sort of crispy, golden outside if you will. I could have licked the homeade whipped cream off the plate but I thought I might offend my fellow diners. The egg dishes were good (take a pass on the egg sandwich) as are the hashbrowns.
(5)Curtis S.
This place is always packed and I'm not sure why. The interior looks like grandma's country kitchen during the dust bowl era. I hate to put down a local establishment, but this place is sort of gross. The coffee tastes like a paper towel and the French toast is soggy. The scones are not the best (as the huge sign states). The only good experience I've had is the huge slice of cake I had 6 months ago (the last time I was there). To be fair, I have given it a lot of chances and they have failed.
(1)Mara S.
Cool place. Great service. Good food. Lots of food for the $$. Cute atmosphere. Highly recommend for a weekend brunch. Had I not been stuffed I would have loved to try some of their fresh bakery goods too.
(4)Aaron R.
Small store, with to go window, a patio and a nicely kitschy dining area. After sitting at the window counter, we were brought coffee and ordered food... Though the waitress basically told us she could not allow substitutions on the menu and they were out of just abotu everything on the menu... Things they were out of, Cornbread, anything involving the cornbread, the stuff in the breakfast burrito, at least two of the 8 things on the menu, etc etc. After the coffee came out, we waited 40 minutes for food, so they brought us some raspberry and lemon bars to tide us over, both were tasty. The food came out soon after, it was good, my omelet was watery cause it was overcooked, but was okay. My friends burrito came with all of the things he asked to NOT be on it. Coffee was okay. All in all it was okay. On another note, they closed the kitchen once they realized they were out of everything. we were one of the last people seated before they shut the place down. Weird.
(3)Chicagoguy J.
First time here, just moved to the neighborhood. Very friendly staff, great items. I had the Katie Cakes. HUGE and delicious, very sweet. Portions here are huge, may want to split some of the items. I'll definitely be back. I read the negative reviews about service, but everyone I encountered was very friendly.
(4)K- K.
the Katie Cakes are INCREDIBLE!! The food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about A Taste of Heaven is wonderful. Once I go here several more times, I will most likely increase this to 5 stars
(4)John B.
I liked Taste of Heaven even before the owner dropped the hammer on misbehaved kids. I liked it even before it was on Clark Street, when it was west on Foster. But then I would only get food to go, because although they had seating, it wasn't meant for lingering. Not so at the new place. Try the scones. Unless you don't eat dairy. 'Cause they're all dairy, with just a smidge of flour to hold them together. At least that's what I believe. The basked goods are all made fresh every morning, and it shows. Unfortunately, that means when they're out of something, they're out. But that's a good thing, too. As long as it's not the bread pudding cake. They do a god job with lunch too. When the weather turns cold, try their soups. The pumpkin soup is extraordinary.
(4)Emily T.
The first time I walked in they shoved a warm oatmeal cookie in my face and a cup of hot coffee and I was immediately ready to move in. The service is relaxing and if you want to sit there all day with a giant piece of cheesecake the wait staff won't tap their feet. You might need an entire day to eat a piece of their cheesecake, but there is no crime in indulgence. Yesterday I went there for lunch and had the Durbin Omlette, with turkey, pear and Havarti cheese (how can you go wrong?). The turkey was real breast meat that should make Thanksgiving be ashamed of itself. The pears were super ripe and the cheese with all its melty goodness was icing on the cake. It was served with their home-style potatoes that are nothing out of the ordinary, but just tasty. It also came with a little salad of mixed greens and pickled green beans, red cabbage and black beans. Now, anything that sits in brine for several days in my book, has to be good, but these were beyond good. I was also very happy to hear that the pickled jewels were made on site. I appreciated the personal touch and pickling is definitely a science so kudos to Heaven. Heaven has a relaxing and inviting atmosphere with options for all walks of life. Places like this are what makes Andersonville so unique. Their desserts are reason enough to stop in and check the place out. If thats the kind of food they serve in Heaven then I have one less worry in life. Sidebar - This is a relaxed environment so if the kids can't leave the house without a leash, then go to the IHOP.
(4)Theresa S.
Love love love their mackinac island fudge ice cream. Good coffee and a cute place to meet with one or two friends. The space is kind of small and can get crowded easily.
(4)Joel S.
Perfect place to warm up on a f freezing night. My reward for braving the pre-windchill -17 temperature outside this morning was dinner at ATOH, including: 1) Piping hot tomato dill soup 2) Piping hot thanksgiving ingredients (turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes) in a wrap - look it wasn't a culinary classic or even the best of those ingredients, but you gotta appreciate the genius of that combo. 3) Piping hot coffee with delicious baked goods Tons of windows in this place, but it was still warm inside and a cozy atmosphere - something I appreciate after dining out yesterday in another establishment that was about 55 degrees inside. Great service, too. Nothing too "wowing" on the food menu, and that keeps it from 5 stars, but overall a very solid choice for a "homey" experience. Thanks A Taste of Heaven!
(4)Matt R.
A very homey spot to pick up brunch or a pastry. I myself have gotten some pastries, all of which were pretty good. Seems to be pretty popular as it is always packed.
(3)S.D. D.
i don't care how good your food and drinks are if the service is crap. I'll never return to A Taste of Heaven and I really don't understand all the good reviews. The server and the guy behind the counter were rude, unthoughtful, and I felt very hurried. It was not the pleasant sit down experience I had expected. At all.
(1)Nicole C.
Yummy biscuits and gravy. :) A great place to stop in for a cup of coffee and a pastry after dinner. Warm and cozy environment.
(4)Serg H.
As I sit here enjoying a delicious slice of the German chocolate cake from a Taste of Heaven, I would like to update my review on my last visit to Heaven. Let me start by saying that after posting my first review, Dan McCauley, the owner of A Taste of Heaven replied to my post promptly and apologized for the unpleasant experience I had at his establishment. Trust me when I say that he was very humble and genuine in his multiple emails. He was willing to refund back the cost of my ticket plus tip and offered to give me a whole cake of his delicious Bread Pudding which is his mothers recipe. I replied back to Dan and no refund was necessary, my only request was to get a gift certificate for 2 people to go back to Heaven. He immediately responded back and informed me that the gift certificates would be waiting for me at the register. He even offered to mail them but that was not necessary since I live within walking distance from Heaven in my new Neighborhood Andersonville. I went to Heaven to pick up the certificates and I had a chance to meet Dan and he was very pleasant and humble and apologetic and thank me for using yelp and for giving him a chance to make things right. I got my certificates and bread pudding and when I got home I realized that Dan was more than generous with the certificates but trust me that has nothing to do with this update. Tonight my partner and I decided to go to Heaven since the bad experience with an open mind and let me just tell you that the experience was a total 180. The server that waited on us was nice, attentive and very pleasant. He welcomed us, took our order, answered menu questions, checked on us to make sure if we needed anything and suggested some desserts. Later to my surprise, I over heard him say that it was his second night at the job and in my opinion he was definitely great at his job. Extra update for those of you whom I shared or heard about my first experience and had a similar experience with that same waiter and whose most negative reviews are written I encourage you to give Heaven another chance cause thanks to Yelp he no longer works in Heaven. Good people go to Heaven and bad people..... Well you know where they go. Once again thanks Dan for making things right. Btw their 3 Mac and cheese and desserts is what keeps me coming back to Heaven!
(4)Bleu C.
Taste of Heaven has homestyle food and a casual atmosphere, so it's a good option for grabbing breakfast (served all day), lunch or just dessert if you're in the neighborhood. They have a nice little outdoor seating area, so it tends to be a destination for me when I'd like to sit outside. I wouldn't say it's conducive to lingering unless they're not terribly busy, and there aren't a lot of options for vegetarians. This is a family-owned and operated cafe and is well-known for their wide variety of desserts. In an article on the ABC7 website, owner Dan McCauley notes that "Everything we make is homemade. These are all my great grandmother's recipes." They use all-natural ingredients, which is pretty impressive since most bakeries use mixes these days. Parking in this neighborhood is tricky. You can also get there on the #22 Clark bus or walk a few blocks west from the Berwyn stop on the Red Line train.
(3)Emily M.
I was looking forward to this cute little place, but I felt like their selection was a little shy of heaven. I'm a very picky eater though. My boyfriend thought the food was ok, but on the expensive side. As we were leaving we decided to buy cupcakes for dessert that night. We had two half eaten cupcakes left. Really who eats only half a cupcake?! They weren't worth the calories!
(2)Nastassia J.
Oh man is breakfast at Taste of Heaven amazing. I've had the breakfast burrito, the biscuits and gravy, the egg sandwich. All amazing. Good, strong coffee. Friendly service. Top notch.
(5)Kate A.
I wanted to update my earlier review that told of the table full of yogurt but no granola. I actually ended up speaking with the manager and he was extremely understanding about the incident. He sent gift certificates for us to use. So I came by again with my husband. I had the yogurt and granola and the granola was pretty exceptional. It had a hint of orange in it. The yogurt itself is very good and the strawberries have been fresh both times I've had the yogurt. If you don't want to go the yogurt route, my guy got the omelette of the day, smoked salmon, goat cheese, tomatoes... very fresh and good. I've also had the French Toast, which is no fuss and great flavor, almost tasted a little almondy. Attentive service and great food. We'll be back!
(4)Jill A.
Go here now! Service is terrific, food is a dream. They aren't lying with the name. Or maybe stay the hell away so I don't have to wait for a table. The place isn't very big-the only down side.
(5)Jessica S.
Very good desserts and tea. Friendly efficient staff!
(5)Mag M.
the cakes here are so good that i am willing to overlook the mediocrity of the rest of the nosh and the fruity kitchy decor. the chocolate-hazelnut torte IS.SO.FREAKING.DELICIOUS. also, i am a big fan of anything red-velvet, and the cream cheese frosting is the creamiest i have ever tasted. i hate icing that makes you feel like you're basically eating granulated sugar, and this place really understands the balance between sweet and savory, even with dessert as a specialty. it's a rare find.
(3)Michael M.
I have been coming here for the last four years - I like their food, but my experience today has soured me forever. I sat down with my computer to do some work, and waited for anyone to offer me any service - I received none. I was approached by a manager or someone and told that I couldn't stay if I wasn't ordering. I had not even been approached by service staff for my muffin or coffee I was interested in. I then was, rudely, asked to leave. I guess I should expect such service from a place that "REQUIRES" children to be quite. I can't understand why you wouldn't want a sale from a paying customer. Very sad, very disappointing!!!!!!! I'll never go back, ever
(1)Chloe R.
Too many sweets to choose from (could have been from the Hopleaf effect) and knowing I like yellow cake I went with a Malted Milk ball cupcake. Some of the best frosting around and the cake was very moist. I was extremely satisfied. Also tried the bf's boston creme cupcake which was heavenly. I'd be back!
(4)neeters m.
We've lived in Chicago five years now, and although many restaurants have come and gone in my list of favorite brunch spots, this place has withstood the test of time and remains at the top of my list. Here's why: * Consistently high-quality food across the menu: ingredients are obviously carefully chosen and carefully used. You can order anything here an it will be good. * Reasonable portions - neither too big nor too small. Just enough to fill you up. * Healthy, tasty options. I love that they always give you a side of something green with your egg dish, that you can order oatmeal that is really yummy, and that you can opt for a delicious home-made biscuit rather than a sweet roll. Nothing is too greasy; everything is very flavorful. * If you want to indulge, you can, and you won't feel sick afterward. Their sweeter offerings are delicious, but also well balanced, and made with higher quality ingredients than most places. * Kitchy yet adorable. I didn't know that was possible until I saw this place. Country-home decor chosen carefully to delight and amuse, not nauseate. * Warm and welcoming. The space is so comfortable an comforting, an the wait staff here is highly efficient, patient, and accommodating. My family and I are moving to Phili, an this is one of the places in Chicago I will really miss.
(5)S S.
I want to like A Taste of Heaven. I like the idea of it - nice desserts, good salads and sandwiches, a place to go without children yapping everywhere. But here's the thing. The desserts are incredibly overrated. Maybe the baking schedule is once every three days, but the cake I had two visits ago was frozen in the middle, not fresh; and yesterday's chocolate chip cookie could have broken teeth. Then there's the service. I sat down at a table with liquid all over it - waited for a server to wipe it off - too bad she missed 1/4 of the table, and now I have a shirt with someone else's Diet Coke all over the sleeve. I ordered the grilled cheese with tomato on Sourdough. I've had it before, and it's good. Sure, they charge an extra buck for the tomato,but who doesn't? Well, after waiting 1/2 an hour for my sandwich, (it was 1:20 when I walked in), imagine my surprise when the one that arrived was on egg bread an inch thick (a bit much) with (I kid not) two slices of plum tomatoes. shredded cheddar cheese from a bag that wasn't melted, and a side of potato chips three weeks past their sell-by date. I know it's a small joint, but the combo of craptastic service, below-average food, and desserts that don't come close to meeting the reputation means I won't be back. Oh, and the best touch? When my sandwich came back from being reheated, it had someone else's marinara on it. Yah. High class.
(1)Michael H.
Hands down - the best cup cakes in Chicago! Delicious almost mousse like butter cream and moist cake! Also, for breakfast? The best pancakes I have every had. Service is always friendly and professional. Superb breakfast and pretty much any of the baked goods are worthy of the carbs and calories.
(4)amy w.
I split paying for a friend's birthday cake and another person picked up the cake. We ordered it well in advance and they said it would be ready by 11. Friend shows up at 1130 and they had the dates confused, but they "happened to be making the same cake". It was not the same and it was obvious they intended to serve it the next day or just threw everything they had on hand together. The bottom layer was extremely thin compared to the top two layers and they hid the mistake with frosting. The cake was dry, because they didn't brush on the syrup they usually have on all their cakes to keep it moist. The berries didn't have time to macerate so they were too tart. They comped my friend's coffee but didn't offer a discount off the cake for making their mistake. Keep in mind this is a $90 cake. When they get it right, they get it right. When they don't, they don't care to fix it, because they're not exactly hurting for business. All their pastries in their case are good. If you're pre-ordering, you might want to call a day ahead to make sure they have the date right.
(2)Tory w.
A taste of heaven it is NOT, at least as far as their pastries go. I would give three stars for the lunch food and one for the cupcakes. Disappointing, considering the long list of cupcake flavors posted on the door and on the outside windows. Everything in their bakery display case does look heavenly, but the taste is where it's at and this place just doesn't have it. I had a chicken sandwich that was decent and my lunch date had the pulled pork which was tasty. Two thumbs up for the homemade chicken soup, it was really good and had a bit of a kick to it. My hazelnut cupcake was dry and was totally not worth the calories and fat, I didn't even finish it. For me not to finish a cupcake, it has to be really bad. It's my second time having a cupcake there, the first time was equally disappointing. Our waiter was (I think) new to the job because he didn't know which sandwich was which and had to have another waiter point out the difference between chicken and pork. I don't know how long he will last there either because after serving us our food we saw him eating, sitting outside smoking, and then getting into a cab and leaving, all before bringing us the check, I honestly think we could have left without paying and no one would have noticed. If you're in the neighborhood, go to Starbucks and skip this place.
(2)April M.
Great saturday or sunday morning breakfast place! The food is good and the price is good. Sadly though I haven't been there in about a year since my boyfriend and friends have found other cute breakfast places to try. Although we will be back someday!
(4)Annie S.
While this place is really cool and comfortable, and the staff was friendly, I did not think that much of the dinner options. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, which was ok, but the side of potato salad was very under seasoned. My friend's grilled cheese tasted ok, but at around $10 a plate I did not think it was worth it. I have not however, tried any of their deserts or breakfast/brunch items and I heard those are delicious, so I would go back to try that because the atmosphere was very enjoyable and laid back. Also, the sign telling parents to keep their children in check is about enough to get me to give it another try.
(2)A R.
I've lived away from Chicago for a year now, and I still miss Taste of Heaven! Oh, man nothing would cure my brunch craving like the peaches and cream french toast, and my husband always got the breakfast burrito. Soooo good, man we miss it.
(5)Matthew H.
Been going to Taste of Heaven for years!! Not anymore though, they totally changed up the Menu and the food is less than desirable. Ok, for a quick breakfast, but the dinner has totally gone down hill. So sad! :(
(1)Stephanie H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. While it can get a bit crowded over the weekends, the food is well worth the wait. I highly recommend the Katie Cakes or the Grilled Cheese Omlette! The waitstaff can be a bit slow and frazzled, but, again, the food is well worth it.
(4)Jennifer H.
I waver between 2 and 3 stars. The food is mediocre (we came here only b/c we were too hungry to wait 45 minutes for a table at M. Henry, our usual breakfast joint). Actually, it was downright disappointing. I don't know if the cook was just in a cranky mood that morning, but my breakfast sandwich was not satisfying at all. My breakfast partners and I decided that that visit would be our only time there -- too many yummy places to try in this city to waste money on medicore fare. I don't get why this place is crowded, seriously. I assume it profits quite a bit from the M. Henry rejects who come here and morosely accept the bland omelets and slow service.
(3)Amy J.
I've been twice and thinks it's a pretty good place to go. I've had kind of iffy service both times, once by a rushed, pushy waitress and once by a very S-L-O-W waiter, but both times the food has been really tasty. The biscuits and gravy was delish and the breakfast burrito was very good. When you can't wait an hour and a half to eat at M Henry, this is a good alternative in the neighborhood. And in the summer, they have a shady little sidewalk cafe on the side street.
(3)Dan B.
This review is solely based on the baked goods, I have only eaten brunch there once and I was quite sick so It's not really a good gauge. That being said, on to dessert...oh dessert! I am fully addicted to the Jeanine's cake. Double layered spongecake filled with fresh berries and covered in a thick cream frosting. It is so rich yet so light at the same time. I have tried some of the other desserts as well which were all fantastic, but this one takes the cake! (pun intended) I usually just get it to go from the counter, but last night we decided to eat in, much like several others out enjoying the niceish weather. A nice perk too is free coffee on Wednesdays whether you eat in or take it to go. I love that they are open late too because my dessert cravings usually hit me later in the evening.
(4)Liz K.
Brunch was great but I'm not so sure about lunch. Bakery items look amazing. I had a moon pie cupcake and a molasses cookie, both amazing. So is that one cake with the white cream and fruit inside!
(4)Ellen P.
Taste of Heaven has become my regular weekend breakfast spot. While I love the Silverland breakfast and some others, I typically can't get past the oat meal - yes, I said oat meal - which is served with peach compote, granola and currants. YUM! Staff is friendly, sometimes a short wait, but nothing to gripe about. Also: the owner is forever walking around with pastry samples - just when you think you're stuffed, you find room for a pumpkin square...
(5)Nina G.
Taste of Heaven was originally at the old Let Them Eat Cake shop at Paulina & Foster, and that area just hasn't been the same since they left for Andersonville. Their loss is Clark Street's gain. However, as much as I love most of their pastries there are two negatives here: (a) Some of the counter staff have a MAJOR 'tude problem. Ever heard of "service with a smile" folks? And it would help if you would know the inventory so you can answer our questions. (b) One of the signature products of TOH in the autumn was a large leaf-shaped cookie with maple-flavored dough, and food coloring in no-two-alike patterns. I wonder if some people just bought the cookies, laminated them and used them for autumn decorations! But for some reason they weren't available in Fall 2007! Bring them back, please!
(4)liz d.
A taste of heaven is really what you get with this place. No lie. After tasting a piece of Jeanine's cake, which we ordered for a party, I really thought I was floating on up to the clouds. The only reason I fought it off, was so that I could get another bite of that cake! The creamy and fresh strawberry filling was just right. The fresh flowers on top made for a perfect decoration. I would definitely suggest this place for some yummy dessert.
(4)Lakshmi R.
I love this place for so many reasons. The food is great (I especially love the Breakfast Burrito). The staff are so sweet and so nice. If you stay late until close, they'll give you their remaining scones. It's beautiful inside: lovely lamps and sparkly decor, so cozy and nice. Tough to get a seat here on the weekends, but really worth the wait, and definitely a great place to meet up with friends or to do some work during the week. The epitome of cuteness!
(5)Elisabeth A.
We got a scone and a coffee to go. Scone was fine; coffee was terrible, tasteless brown water. I politely pointed this out and was treated very rudely by the woman behind the counter. She did offer another cup, but when I asked if it would taste the same as the first, undrinkable one, her response was a very bitchy "I have no idea!" Of course, the second cup was no better than the first. Decent coffee is kind of a basic requirement for a breakfast place, IMO. We will not be back.
(1)Nannette P.
Try the Jeannie's Cake. Seriously, the best cake around. The Silverland Breakfast is also delish.
(5)Erin T.
The food is good, but the service is so-so. I think they might be nicer to regulars (fair enough, I guess). It's not outright hostile or anything, just on the cold side of indifferent. Cool, you might say. Doesn't stop me from going there, so it's not that bad. Sorry for the wishy washy review - I just feel wishy washy about A Taste of Heaven.
(3)Christy H.
Was driving by Sunday morning with a very hungry belly craving French toast. Saw this place and man- did I hit the Jackpot!!!! I had the peaches & cream french toast and it was AWESOME!!!!! And, for back up later I grabbed a peanut butter cookie to go and it hit the spot as a tasty treat at work Monday.
(4)Daniel S.
I have to admit that I haven't much of a sweet tooth, but I don enjoy visiting this place. So I won't dare to review the sweets, as I haven't tried them. But I can say the savouries, salads, soups, main courses and breads are well produced and presented. The only dish that I would not recommend is the pumpkin soup- it is far too sweet.
(4)Jannis M.
I used to love going to the old Taste of Heaven when it was on Foster. Small, no waitstaff and great scones. The two times I've been to the space on Clark street I've had horrible service. My most recent visit was the worst. Our waiter barely contained his distain for us when we asked to have a few moments to decide. He had all the time in the world to gab with his friends behind us but every time he managed to come to our table, which wasn't much, his attitude dripped out of his pores. My food was slightly above ordinary. I'll continue to go up the street to M. Henry, where the food and service are far superior. In a city as big as Chicago, there are far better bakeries and scones to choose from.
(2)Claire S.
I have been coming here for a few years now and the desserts are absolutely delicious. My friend Matt and I usually come here just to get a huge piece of Taste's cake. It can get crowded, but I've found that it's worth it. Great desserts!
(4)Nicholle H.
Every time I eat here I am nothing less than satisfied. I always come for breakfast, which is packed on the weekends, and like to try a little something different each time. During breakfast on the weekends, they usually come around the tables with samples of scones or other baked goods that leave me salivating for more. The baked goods are a little pricey, but definitely worth it!
(5)Allison S.
This place is super delicious. I am never disappointed with anything I get. Go here. Yay!
(5)Adam S.
I love the sign when you walk in: "control your children" essentially. Small cozy place; was full when we went on a Sunday at 9:30 so get there earlier or prepare for a wait. The food was good, not great. We both ordered omelettes which came with potatoes and a "salad" which was mesclun greens and green beans in some sort of olive oil/dill dressing. All pretty good but not "holy crap this is fantastic" good, thus the 3-spot on the rank from me...Unlike other people who seemed to have service issues, ours was fine, just kind of hurried in the there are 12 tables here and 2 waitresses so i'm super busy always and am going to walk really fast style.
(3)Anna G.
Too bad the service sucks, but I'm giving it 3 stars because the desserts are excellent. If A Taste of Heaven had semi-friendly staff, they'd get 5 stars from me. The orange cupcakes are a must if you're there.
(3)LJ S.
We were greeted at the door warning that children should 'use their inside voices" and there were several other unfunny "tongue-in-cheek" slurs on children. We were the only people there with kids and felt uncomfortable, even through our children were quieter than most of the adults, who I guess are not asked to use their inside voices. (I would note this anti-children feeling is the fault of the owner/management, not the waitstaff.) That said, they do have high chairs and children's portions. Food was mediocre so no need to return, with or without children.
(2)Ellen C.
The food is really good but just a tad overpriced. It's always very, very crowded, though. I don't feel rushed by the wait staff or anything, but I do think the space is far too small. This is not a place where you can just walk in and expect to be seated right away. There is definitely a wait. However, I like that there's a sign on the door admonishing people not to let their kids run wild, so I guess it's not a kid-friendly environment--which is good! Nothing like a bunch of screaming kids to ruin a good meal. Well, it's not like there would be enough room for any kids to run around in anyway.
(3)Sheila Y.
Went here with my family looking for a casual sit down place in Andersonville and got drawn in by the bakery case. It was filled with yummy looking pastries, but we eventually sat down for brunch instead. I ordered an iced mocha and it was great...no burnt espresso or overdone chocolate syrup. We all ordered the lox quiche which was amazing with the dill addition. The quiche is the best I've had so far in Chicago, however doesn't match up to Caf Campagne in Seattle. The biscuit was also especially awesome and I slathered that sucker with butter and scarfed it down. It had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The other breakfasts looked great and I would absolutely return for another breakfast stop.
(4)Jesse F.
I could probably eat here every day and be perfectly happy. They always seem to have whatever I'm craving and it's always delicious. I've always had pretty good service. As an added bonus, the people watching on the corner is the best.
(5)Marisa F.
The food is really good (LOVE the Katie cakes) but I can't stand the service. I support their no-children policy but the service is usually very unwelcoming. One time during breakfast the waitress told us that there was a 2-hour limit on tables. I didnt' understand because if I was in the middle of eating would they ask me to leave? and if a left would I have to pay? LAME.
(2)Erin D.
I am a waitress so I am always so polite to our servers when we go out to eat. I was dumbfounded by the blatant rudeness of our server. We went on a week day and there were three other tables there. We had to get up and get our own sugar, Catsup, and roll-ups because we had no silverware. I had been there two weeks prior and had a great omelette special and they had offered a similar omelette that particular day except it was missing one ingredient so I asked if I could have that in the omelette too and the waitress said that the chef would only put it on the side and not inside the omelette and I would have to put it in myself--how strange. There was also a hair in my food. I didn't complain-I didn't feel like wasting the energy on a snippy waitress. We won't go back.
(1)Marsha C.
Love this place! The Fried Egg Sandwich is great. I love all the "different' sides you wouldn't expect with breakfast. The potato salad is fabulous. Excellent staff and service.
(5)Sara S.
excellent desserts, amazing ice cream just right for summertime. the staff are a bunch of hipsters but really helpful. I suggest the mini cupcakes; there isn't a flavor I haven't liked. I'm glad Sweet Occasions didn't ruin them like they did themselves.
(4)John B.
I've had dinner here several times and it was really good. But, that's not the reason to go here. They have, quite simply, the most decadent and delicious cake in Chicago: their Jeanine Cake. It will cause all other cakes to come up short. Simply awesome.
(5)Robyn M.
I really like this place. I have walked by several times and always meant to stop in for brunch, but never had enough time. I have been there just to grab coffee or a delicious cookie or something. Husband and I went to brunch there last weekend. He had the Katie's Cakes and I had the Erin's Fried Egg Sandwich. Both were delicious and I think my husband made the pancakes disappear in record time. It's funny because I remember watching a story on the news about the sign out front saying the restaurant encourages parents to keep their children under control. I loved it -- a child free brunch experience.
(5)Connie W.
Love their lunch/dinner menu. Whether it be a salad, sandwich, or entree - food here always tastes fresh and delicious. Service is gracious even when the small room is packed to the limit.
(5)Erin J.
I know I'm gonna come off as the bad guy here, but I hafta say it. Both times I have been here, I have gotten the distinct (and none too subtle) impression that I was not welcome there. I really couldn't believe it, but there was no other explanation...I'm pretty sure that I and my companion were ignored because we are straight. The last time we were there, we waited for about 10 minutes for menus, then another 10 for water, and by that time 3 - THREE! - same-sex couples had been sat, placed their orders, had coffee, and one couple had even gotten their order! Absolutely no one was interested in helping us. I got smirks from the waiters as they passed right by us to coo over their other tables. We ended up leaving about 5 minutes later. Sucks, because in the time I'd had to peruse the menu, everything looked so good.
(1)Jeff O.
This is a great place for nouvelle breakfast or deli fare. They have a great twist on all sorts of traditional favorites. In the warm weather months, they have plenty of outdoor seating. I always leave feeling satisfied and that I have just eaten something natural and healthy. The attempted boycott as kid unfriendly, is much controversy over nothing (and largely a failure). I increased my dining there after the boycott was attempted. The resturant does have a sign reminding kids and parents that they are in public and should act as such. The complainers clearly were offended by their obvious responsibilities and should stay away.
(4)Stitchy M.
It IS a taste of heaven. Get the biscuits smothered in gravy - I forget what the dish is called. YUM, YUM, *heart attack on a plate* YUM! I also love the fact that there is this HUGE sign, that parents with misbehaving children will be asked to leave. My BFF actually saw some brats get the boot before! Bwahaha! Last time we went there, the kids at the table next to us were getting whiny and I immensely enjoyed giving them "the look."
(5)Marie L.
If the name of the restaurant is to be believed, I can tell you now that heaven tastes decent but the gravy on their biscuits n' gravy looks exactly, and I mean exactly, like a plate of a grade school child's barf after a hot lunch of sausage pizza. It is warm, orange and chunky in the most unpleasant way. This either means that there are some sadistic practical jokers in heaven or this is false advertising.
(2)Brian H.
Neat little neighborhood place, expect more than just the usual sandwiches from a coffee joint, great place for lunch with a creative menu filled with salads, unique sandwiches and more.
(4)Jookie K.
I wish I lived here. Specifically, inside the Jeanine cake. Specifically, inside one of the heartbreaking, delicious morsels of crust on the outside of the cake. Right there.
(5)Tsung-Hui K.
It's good------you will definitely find something you like. Worth a try for sure.
(4)Heather I.
I am addicted to their cupcakes specifically their "almond joy" flavor. Yummy! Definitely do yourself fa favor and indulge in one of these little gems. If you are looking for more substantial fare check out lunch and dinner menus. Their chicken and curried rice salad is really tasty and large enough to share, or save half for lunch the next day. And they have seating outside for those lovely summer days-all in all hooray Taste of Heaven.
(4)michele l.
Jeannine's cake, that is all you need to know. The cookies/brownies I have had are pretty bland. But Jeannine's cake and their amazing coffee (they do not sell the beans by the pound) are great. I have not had a meal there because I can just have a slice of Jeannine's cake!
(4)Tim S.
Good food, good service. Kids are kept on a leash:) Desserts could use some work.
(4)Jon S.
Coffee is mediocre at best; food is bland and uninspiring. The wait staff is inattentive and honestly look like they could care less, preferring to be in the back then taking care of the tables. They do have good treats, I recommend buying the treats and leaving.
(2)Eliana S.
I have been here a couple of times and i can say with out a doubt, this place is hit and miss. Lets start in the beginning. It took a long time to get our order taken (miss). I saw two other tables that came after us get there orders taken before my table did. I ordered the Silverland (lightly scrambled eggs with sausage gravy and two cornbread biscuits) and my boyfriend ordered the turkey sandwich. My plate was great. the eggs were nicely done and the gravy was perfect (hit) although the biscuits were kind of dry. the turkey sandwich was dry and the cold pasta salad it came with was OK (miss). Maybe next time we will only have breakfast and pastries. My B/F also had the orange juice that was good, but i ordered coffee and it never came. they just forgot. To sum it all up, try the breakfast you cant go wrong there. And if you have no rush and don't mind waiting for service (maybe you have a good book or great company) then try it out. i want to give it more stars because i do love the bakery part of this place but the service keeps them down.
(3)Irene J.
i recently went on a late night cupcake escapade at a taste of heaven! we tried the carrot, red velvet, coconut cream, and sprinkles. the coconut cream and carrot were good. the sprinkles was your typical vanilla cake with cream and sprinkles cupcake. the red velvet...eh. it's not worth trying. we also had a portabello mushroom and veggie sandwich--that was delicious! we also had coffee--it was a lighter blend than what i'm accustomed to but good nonetheless. if you have a sweet tooth, get your taste of heaven of cupcakes! yum!
(4)Alli R.
Outstanding service, outstanding coffee, and outstanding food. Enough said.
(5)Sarah F.
The cakes are wonderful and the coffee is pretty good too. They have free flavored syrups that you can add. The inside is pretty cute and they have some really nice photos on the walls. I find it a bit pricey here. I had a killer piece of pudding cake today, but it cost $5.
(3)Andy S.
Tried a cupcake (read: 3 cupcakes) - As good as advertised.
(3)Lindley E.
Hooray for metropolis. Boo for uninspiring chili. Hooray for decent scones and other baked goods like muffins. Much, much more adequate than Starbucks. No doubt about that.
(3)J L.
The food is to die for - any of their baked goods are fantastic. When my parents come down, we love going for a scone, the apricot ones are fabulous. And brunch/lunch options are also delicious. The attention to detail on the food is really amazing. Only negative - when they're busy they don't customize the food offers. Bad for my boyfriend, who doesn't eat pork. It's a treat to go there in the afternoon for tea and a delicious confectionary. Dan, the owner, also teaches baking classes every once in awhile - they are worththe time to go! He's a very entertaining teacher, besides which you actually learn a few things about baking.
(5)kat m.
Charming small bakery cafe, that lives up to its name. Its too hard to just choose one little cupcake they all look so good. I visited A taste of heaven last night with my girlfriend and it reminded me of when I was a little girl. I was looking into the glass case at all the different treats.. I knew I would destroy that artfully crafted cupcake and soon it would be mine! We went for a half dozen cupcakes :) Yum Yum YUM! The truest test was the Vanilla.. It did not disappoint it reminded me of a vanilla twinkie!!! I cant wait to go back. I strongly suggest to try as many as u can afford your first trip that way you know whats your favorite next time. You can purchase them individually too. A taste of Heaven is only missing one star because it is a little more $$$ than I'd like for baked treats but the quality is great.
(4)Christine F.
So, Taste of Heaven, you know IT'S REALLY HARD TO EAT HEALTHY when you make large, delicious slices of COCONUT CREAM CAKE. Come on. My willpower can't compete with that.
(4)Jonathan L.
Disappointed. I ordered the chicken and biscuits. Let's just say I've had better biscuits at KFC. The chicken is stewed and it was just ok. My friend ordered an omelette which came with potatoes. The potatoes tasted really good. I'll order those next time, if I ever go here again.
(3)Calen D.
BEST SCONES EVER!!! And best quiche crust. And biscuits. Pretty much you can't go wrong with any of their bakery items. I love the vibe in the place. It is best to try to go at "off times" as their "waiting room" is just lining up along the wall between tables of people eating. My only complaint is that it is never quite clear whether you need to walk to the counter to be put on a list. I didn't realize this once and ended up getting seated after 4 other tables because they walked past me to put their names in. Either way... the scones are worth the wait. Get the cherry ones. You won't regret it.
(4)Mark S.
For us, Taste of Heaven is dessert. I cannot comment on the breakfast, lunch or dinner foods. The desserts here are fairly unique. Yes, they have some standbys, but mostly serve their own creations. A wide assortment of cakes, pies, cookies, bars, cupcakes, ice cream - something for everyone. My only real issue is their price. It doesn't seem too bad if you get one or two slices, but take a group or order a whole cake and you can expect to shell out the cash.
(3)Rebecca B.
I love cupcakes. It's quite simple. I love them. And the cupcakes at A Taste of Heaven...yeah, well they live up to the name of the restaurant. Seriously-- heavenly. We had the red velvet, the cho cho cho, and the "Elvis" cupcakes and they were all decadently delicious. My only complaint would be the amount of time it took to get said cupcakes. The restaurant was completely empty and there was one person in front of us at the counter and yet it still took nearly 15 minutes to walk out the door with 3 cupcakes. They were sooooo worth the wait though :)
(4)Michelle H.
Honestly, the best scones I've had. And somehow that great baking left a bad taste in my mouth. I was in on a Saturday a.m. to pick up scones while visiting Andersonville. Lisa, the cashier server upsold me from 5 to 6 scones citing the value. I chose my scones, paid and waited. She returned 5 minutes later having no more blueberry. Hmmm. Wish I had known. I chose all new scones, waiting another 5 minutes. It so happens that I opened the box and checked my goods and 3 of the 6 were not what I ordered. Lisa took the box and assured me she replaced the mis-order. So happens I checked again and the order was STILL incorrect. She looks at me and yelled "what do you want me to do?" I smiled, and said - why are you upset with me? All I did was order and pay for food I'm not getting. She turned and waited on the next customer, leaving me with a 1/3 incorrect order. Super weird and fully rude. There have got to be better businesses to patronize.
(1)stephen r.
A sign on the front door reads something like the following paraphrase "Only well behaved children allowed using indoor voices." Hmm. That could be rewritten as "families not welcome" or "breeders go home". Talk about offensive. This is on the door - no kidding. Not quite my cup of tea. I guess we can always hope their slumlord releases their lease and they turn into a Starbucks.
(1)Courtney R.
Best. Carrot cake. EVER. I've also had salads and sandwiches which were all very good. But the carrot cake... oh my.
(4)Willem V.
With much closed on Labor Day even in Andersonville we were pleased to find Taste...open! Had been there once before as it is one of our daughter's favorite breakfast places. It was packed, but we didn't have to wait too long, they also have a clear but friendly written policy on weekend table-lingering..... We asked our waiter about the size of certain dishes, and he politely steered us in the direction of no-splitting dishes as they would be rather smallish. Wrooong, we could have easily split our enormous Fried Egg Sandwich, but alright, we were out in the city. It's not the money, it's just that we hate throwing away good food as not everything lends itself to doggy bags. All in all again a very nice, polite and clean restaurant experience. Will definitely come back but perhaps a little more educated this time.
(4)shannon s.
This place is delicious. The atmosphere is great.. the wait staff is friendly and happy which always makes a meal that much better. The food is also great.. we usually stick to the breakfast because that's what we're craving when we decide to make the trip to Andersonville. The pancakes and French toast are decadent and delicious. The silverland breakfast (eggs/biscuits/sausage gravy) are fantastic. The only downside is the portions are way too big for me to finish on my own. I need about half of what they serve me and always feel bad when I have no room for dessert.
(5)Miharu H.
I just moved back into the area and always wanted to try it because it looked so cute and comfy inside. HOWEVER, when I went in to order some pastries to go, the male staff at the counter was incredibly rude. Since it was my first time and some cakes were missing their signs, I asked the counter guy about the cakes and he answered me in a way that he couldn't be bothered to talk to me. Afterward he proceeded to talk to the other staff about how it was annoying to always explain the pastries to customers. Although the place looks cute and pastries look yummy, I was completely turned off by the rude service.
(1)Ken L.
This place doesn't disappoint, unless it is out of Bread Pudding! Don't get me wrong their other dessert and food are still great. But I love the bread pudding so much it is a 'must have' for me. I usually go there for dessert but surprisingly their breakfast/brunch is pretty good (4 star) too. This place isn't very big so expect to wait a little bit during breakfast and brunch time. The staff there are always nice and friendly. Great place to hang out after dinner and have some delicious desserts!
(5)Jeffrey B.
this taste of heaven was between purgatory and heaven. i say this because i have had other great breakfast spots i would go to before this but the food here is still good. i ordered the grilled cheese omelette which had cheddar, fontina and feta cheese served on grilled bread. it also came with a nice assortment of fruits. the biscuit that came with the meal was amazing. perfectly fluffy but the outside had a nice toastiness to it. the dish itself was really good the cheeses were melted perfectly and the egg was nice and fluffy just the way i like it. the grilled bread was under the omelet so whenever i cut into the omelet i would grab some of the bread at the same time and the grilled bread gave the omelet a nice texture. my only gripe was the potatoes that it came with. i wish they were a bit more cooked and crispier. added ketchup to the potatoes because the flavors of the potatoes were not that great. all in all my experience went well. the service was good and my waiter was cool. my water was getting filled every second which i really liked.
(4)Ben F.
Hard for me to stop ordering food here. Great quality and variety.
(5)Jessica M.
I miss the dinner menu. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point recently Taste of Heaven stopped offering these meals, and now offer only their brunch and sandwiches all day (they also still have a few salads and soup, and obviously the desserts haven't gone anywhere.) I still like their food, and baked goods, but I sorely miss the chicken and biscuits, and macaroni and cheese (my personal favorites from the old menu). I think they still offer some of these meals as specials occasionally though, so maybe I will get to eat these things again sometime.
(4)Kyle C.
Had the Breakfast Bake and it was super good! Not to heavy and it came with a big side salad. Service for really friendly and cute. What a great place!
(5)Rebecca G.
"Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices." That's the sign that greets you, which rubbed me the wrong way. As if most parents don't hope for that anyway. But despite that, the place is cozy and the food fresh and awesome! It's a great place to come yourself with a newspaper, or to catch up with a friend. Even for a special lunch with your children! They do have high chairs. I would recommend this great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)Tariq D.
I ate at this place yesterday with a few friends who have already been there. They had plenty of good things to say about it but I have learned to wait on my own opinion. I had the Chicken Gumbo. Phenominal! The food is amazing here, and the service is awesome. They even served us a sample of their chocolate cookies while we waited which were so good I bought a dozen. The only, ONLY thing I could say is that it would have been a bit more comfortable if the A/C was on. It was quite toasty in there.
(5)Halleh C.
A group of four of us walked down here from my house, and I was excited to try because I had passed by before. The service was quick when we got there to take orders. I got a turkey (real turkey breast slice) with pears, havarti, and a honey mustard mayo. It was served on this lovely soft sourdough roll, accompanied by pasta salad. I enjoyed my sandwich SO much, and the pasta salad even more! I emphasize my enjoyment, because my friend absolutely hated his dish (with good reason) So my friend matt is boring with breakfast, he got eggs with cheese and potatoes. His preference, whatever. So, we get served our food, and I am thoroughly enjoying my food as he is discovering a hair in his. Pretty gross, and we all felt bad, because he lost his appetite right there. We tried to get our servers attention multiple times (it wasnt busy) but he never even came to ask us how everything was. The hair in the food, I needed more water (I never got any by the way). So my friend had to get up and talk to the counter girl about it, who graciously offered to re make it, however he declined. Our server never even came by after that happened to apologize or anything, which, I know wasn't his fault, but if its your table you are the face of the place and should acknowledge it. After we finished eating, we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting to ask for our check (my water was still empty). Finally, I had to leave to go to work, and I had to just estimate my cost and leave money and friends because I would not have been on time. Even though I LOVED my sandwich, I doubt I will make the trip back here again. I saw a help wanted sign on the window, and I think that its true..help needed.
(2)Sarah L.
Food is great, but a little on the expensive side. It would have another star, but the staff couldn't seem to care less about customer service. They also refuse to post a current menu online or have one available to fax or e-mail, so it makes ordering group lunches for our office impossible. Seems like a silly business decision.
(3)Joel W.
After dinner at Big Jones we were in a rush to get to a show so I stopped in as we hurried by for my chocolate fix. Spontaneous stops can sometimes be the best. I pointed at the moon pie behind the glass. Got it to go. Asked for plastic fork. Yup and it came with a napkin. It was delicious. Saved half for the next day. On my way out i saw a glimpse of the coffee cup lamps on the table; i wish i would of had time to stay a bit.
(4)Philip K.
Only ever eaten there once--I should go back to give them a fair chance. But I just remember being unimpressed. Me and my partner weren't wild about our breakfasts. Sounds like we should try desserts and scones next time. Cute, kitschy scene. I like all the windows and the view of andersonville from a corner of an intersection.
(2)Art P.
I've always had just enough time to only grab a cookie or cupcake from A Taste of Heaven while passing by... but never enough time to actually take in a meal there. Well, that changed with yesterday's snowstorm. A Taste of Heaven was on my shopping route, so I made it a point to investigate further. They've got a "breakfast anytime" mandate, but I was in the mood for something more hearty. Their lunch menu ranges from: - Homemade soups and veggie chili - Sandwiches: Skirt Steak, Arlene's Hot Meatloaf, Barbeque Pulled Pork, etc. - Salads: Nicoise, Curried Rice, Breast of Chicken, Skirt Steak, etc. - Entrees: Braised Beef Brisket, Chicken and Biscuits, Spinach Lasagna, etc. I went with an item that isn't always on the menu (as evidenced by the fact it wasn't on the to-go menu I grabbed), but I hope that they have it available every single time that I go there from now on: - The Brown Derby Wrap: roasted turkey breast in a whole wheat wrap with corn meal stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and a side of brown gravy; with scalloped potatoes. Wow! It's like Thanksgiving in the palm of your hand! I'm seriously contemplating serving Thanksgiving dinner in this style next year. Do yourself a favor and give this wrap a go (photo of my Brown Derby wrap uploaded for your viewing pleasure.)
(4)Samantha L.
I think this place is great. I have been here a number of times. I guess that I could see people giving it less stars for the price, but it's Chicago, so get over it. For one, their coffee is awesome. I think that when I go here I usually go for the grilled cheese omelet. It is open faced, kind of a morph of a sandwich and omelet, comes with a really nice salad and potatoes. I would rather eat here than pay just as much down the street at that place that sucks [cough (Paulines) cough] but it would be rude for me to name any names. It is quaint also, and I can't wait for it to get nice again because they have outdoor seating. Their sandwiches are really good too. They have a glass case of nice looking baked goods that I haven't tried yet, maybe next time.
(5)Shawn T.
*RUN* here for Bread Pudding and all the other amazing deserts... By far the top desert place ever! Brunch here is good - would give it 4/5 stars..... Better come here for coffee and some desert!
(5)Jen F.
Good cupcakes, not great but defintely good!
(4)Jill W.
Brunch menu: the biscuits & gravy (Silverland?) and the caramel apple French toast are amazing. As adventurous as I want to be, I can't help but oder one of these every time I go there. The biscuits & gravy have a unique flavor and is much lighter than you'd think. As for the caramel apple French toast, if the name isn't enough to entice you, I can't do any better. The owner always brings around free samples of goodies and most of them are fantastic. Dinner: The derby wrap or turkey dinners are perfect (I have a thing for Thanksgiving -- don't you judge me). The place itself is very tiny, definitely not for a large group. While there are signs up about noisy kids (lighten up, everyone) -- I've never seen anyone be rude to children. The wait staff used to be awesome -- there was a girl with curly brown hair that worked her tush off that we always liked. Lately, it seems to have a high turn over rate of young men that think they're too good for the universe, let alone food service. But it has been getting better, so give it another try.
(4)kay b.
TOH has been a standard even before it made it's location change from foster ave. or the current location on clark. i have to say that the what limits this place are the following: -inconsistent service. either your servers are unmatched or way off the mark. -portions have decreased as far as meals are concerned. -the ambiance can be overwhelmingly kitschy. ultimately i trust such basic fare as their quiche and salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, and their any of their salads. savories are a treat here, made with fresh ingredients, and a down home northside intuition. now, i obviously support the sweet tooth and since midwest portions make for a pleased glutton like myself, i have to say that their desserts are trustworthy. desserts such as the janine cake are made with a light whipped cream, a thick vanilla cake, and a satisfyingly sweet and clean taste. another highly recommended dessert is their bread pudding: lusciously draped in caramel, warm, soft and velvety inside layered to a perfection. this is not an exaggeration. the lemon bars, the pecan bars, the pound cakes, and scones are reliably tasty as well.
(4)Kayla F.
The katie cakes are to die for. Love this place. I ordered a cupcake too....it was kinda stale but the frosting was yummm! Go here!
(4)Len L.
Today is a perfect day, sitting outside of Taste of Heaven's outdoor patio. The sun was hot and slight breeze shaking the leaves above our heads. It felt like we were in heaven, then the food came, we ate and we did not feel like we were in heaven anymore. It was not perfect, but ordinary. We ordered a breakfast burrito and caramel apple french toast. The french toast was an inch high, couple of slices of apples and a rich side of whipped cream, it lacked apple flavor. The burrito too doughy. The only thing I can say, that I liked was the service, the clean restroom and the rustic look of the restaurant. The cost for brunch was reasonable and plenty of FREE parking on the side streets.
(3)Amy A.
I haven't been in a while. The coffee isn't good. Last time I went it was soapy, and I couldn't even drink it. Too bad I got it to go. So it doesn't matter if the baked goods are good - because I can't get a nice cup of coffee to go with them. Bummer.
(2)Dimitry G.
I fell in love with this place the second i walked in, the decor is really cool and unique, yes you can really just walk around looking at the different things hanging on the wall.... bla bla bla, the main part, Cupcakes are AMAZING! as a huge fan of cupcakes i have to say those tasted like... like as good as it gets for cup cakes, i have the Elvis cup cake, and well... i am addicted now. Also, the employees are nice, always smiling and helpful, and you just get the feeling like you are in "your own" neighborhood bakery. try it guys!
(5)Bethany L.
I won't waste time writing a long review, because this is all you need to know: Best scones in Chicago. Maybe best scones anywhere. Hands down. Myself and my boss live in the area and any time that one of us brings them in, people go insane and devour them within seconds. I like the apricot, but I had the raspberry for the time yesterday and it was amazing. Cherry's good too. Yesterday I got them just after they opened at 7 and they were fresh out of the oven. Good God were they delicious.
(5)April P.
Well, I cant rate this place on location, parking of decor because I hadn't been there, but I will rate them on their cake. Best buddy Big C got a mixed berry shortcake with whipped cream filling, and vanlla creme, strudel topping for his bday party. OH MY GOSH. Yes, it is so play on words to say, but it is a taste of heaven!!! the cake was light, airy and not overly sweet. The whipped cream was not too sweet. The frosting was good, but the strusel on top stole the show oh btw, healthy turkey lasagna is worth a review on its own, but since I'm new to this yelp game and dont know how to rate a party, I'll add it to this. Thanks Big C for making a wonderful dish that was disguised and made so well, it did not taste healthy at all. You put your foot in it ps- i thought the waitress there serving coffee was quite cute :) lol muah muah to friends steve and don
(4)Caitlin G.
It means a lot when a business owner reaches out to rectify a situation--it makes up quite a bit for a nasty experience. Thanks to Dan for reaching out, apologizing and offering a refund after a bad experience at Taste of Heaven. It makes a huge impact when one can see an owner cares about his establishment.
(3)Marni P.
If this is what Heaven tastes like, I need to start misbehaving more. Went here after a long bike ride. Starving. Got "Katie's Chaos". So appropriately named. I asked for no peppers, and it came without peppers- as well as without half of the other listed ingredients. I let our waitress know that I was actually looking forward to having these other items in it. She brings it back with SOME of the other items, but now with onions (not on the menu description). I deal with it because I'd eat anything at this point. Including the random chunk of heavily burnt hash brown that made it's way in the wrap just for added fun. The Boy had some rubbery skirt steak. I don't recall the attitude some of the other reviewers have complained about. I always feel uncomfortable sending stuff back, but I remember our server being pretty cool about it. We liked our ice cream. I guess you can can go for the ice cream if you're really itching to try this place...
(2)Josh H.
Being able to take a simple, childhood favorite and turn it into a rich, gourmet experience perfectly describes their grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and feta and the very buttery sourdough bread - grilled to perfection - will definitely bring me back to this restaurant. I also got a tomato added to it...which I'd highly recommend. A lot of people like to eat tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich...however their version can stand on its own.
(4)Kate W.
I haven't actually eaten a meal here, but I did get some cupcakes. They had a list of the cupcakes available posted on the door. I wanted to try a coconut cream cupcake (or whatever it was called) but when I went in there weren't any. Given the options I got a vanilla cupcake w/ vanilla frosting and what I thought was a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting (and 1/4 of a peanut butter cup on top). When I tried the cupcake I was surprised to find that what I thought was a chocolate cupcake wasn't. I can't be sure but I think it was banana. I dislike bananas but banana bread I can deal with. That's kinda what the cupcake tasted like. The frosting left a little something to be desired. I've had way better peanut butter frosting. Still, I don't think there's a such thing as a bad cupcake. The vanilla cupcake was good but nothing special. If I were in the area again looking for cupcakes I would stop in again but I'm not about to make a special trip out there anytime soon. As a side note while I was in the shop there was a man picking up a cake he had ordered. Obviously it was not what he ordered. He was upset but not yelling at the girl at the counter because it was obviously not her fault. Still, while I was there it didn't seem like they were doing much to resolve the problem for him.
(3)Jessica B.
All that I have to say is "Jeanine cake" and those who have tried it know the experience. For those curious?...it's pretty much the best damn cake in this entire world. Get this, they have cupcakes. Tons of them. And they're good. Really good. Go forth and have your taste buds blessed with deliciousness.
(5)Elise P.
The customer service here was/is HORRIBLE. I'm so disappointed. I was living in VA when there was the big hoopla with the sign on the door, and I was so supportive! I thought it was awesome and vowed to visit if/when I went to Chicago. Lo and behold, a few months later, I moved here, just a few blocks from the shop! The first time I went was okay. Actually, I would have given the place about three and a half stars based on that visit. The waitstaff working were mostly young and very friendly. I tend to go to a coffee shop with my computer, and get a coffee and a small meal to savour for a few hours. This is definitely not the place for that. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop in that respect--you will be rushed along if you try to linger. I went back a second time a few days later--and that's what torpedo'd the rating. Two men were working, and I'm pretty sure one was the owner. It was a Wednesday morning, and the place was half-full. I ordered a caramel soy latte and a brownie, both of which were pretty good. However, service was slow and snarky. The non-owner guy was sort of friendly, but the owner acted like he couldn't be bothered. He seemed annoyed that he even had to work. While I was there, two women came in and wanted to sit at a window table. There was a free table, but it hadn't been cleaned off yet. Just clean it off for them, right? No. He snapped that they needed to sit at a clean table. They did, but left shortly after without ordering. As soon as they were out the door, he cleaned the table. Then he brought me my check--even though I wasn't done yet, and hadn't even given any indication that I was finished/leaving. In fact, I wanted to order more; when I told him this, he sighed heavily and snatched the check back. I can understand having a bad day, but in this business (I've worked in a coffee shop for three years), you can't bring your crap to work. You paste on a smile and you earn your tip. I'm not someone who believes that the customer is always right--but I do believe in good, courteous customer service, and you will NOT find that here.
(2)Dawn B.
Taste of Heaven isn't cheap, but I guess you get what you pay for. The pastries are amazing and I truly believe that there is a special place in hell for those who die without trying the Jeanine Cake. I've been a fan since they were on Foster and that certainly hasn't changed. (Although I secretly miss my favorite bar - B.C. Tap - being in that location!) While the place is cute and cozy, I rarely stay, preferring to get my scone and coffee to go. All in all, Taste of Heaven is exactly what it looks like...a great place to relax, read a book, and watch the world go by.
(5)Jackie S.
I tend to be very critical of restaurants but I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this place. I got the breakfast casserole which is basically a strata and it was the best breakfast dish I have ever had. It had havarti cheese, roasted red pepper, and ham. I think it also had a small amount of mustard seed. My friend had the oatmeal which also looked delicious with dried fruit, fresh cream, and a peach compote. I live no where near this place but I will be back soon. I am shocked by the reviews that say the service is rude. Actually I thought the service was wonderful and took note of it even before reading the reviews. We were seated right away at the table of our choice and were attended to right away. There was a couple with a child next to us and they had their food and seemed pleased. Honestly though if people with children really want to organize some boycott like someone on metromix suggested I would be the last to stop you. Relaxing brunches and loud kids don't mix.
(5)Caroline S.
I'm really sad that I have to give Taste of Heaven two stars. Their food was so good, but their service sucks. My boyfriend and I found them one afternoon and had mediocre service. We really liked their breakfast wrap so we decided to give it one more try. The second time we went in someone yelled to us to sit wherever we wanted, we attempted to sit at a table, but the server yelled to us that we couldn't sit there because it was reserved. We were confused because there were only two tables being used, but sat at a different table just the same. The guy came over after a decent amount of time to finally take our order. My boyfriend asked for a side of sour cream, never got it, and we were ignored after our food was brought out by someone who didn't take our order. We waited and waited for our bill and for someone else to come in and sit at that "reserved" table but neither came. To call the service subpar would be generous and we told our server as much. He ended up taking care of our bill. I don't know if they're going for offensively rude or just come off that way but it put a bad taste in our mouths and we won't be going there again.
(2)Heather R.
They have very decadent desserts, great cakes and a nice bread pudding, but also some good salads and soups.
(5)Bella D.
Great Salads! Great bakery and great place for casual dining or tea/cocoa with cookies/cakes experience! Lov this place! So cozy!
(5)Damon R.
Charming and Delightful at breakfast this morning! This is a cute little place in trendy Andersonville. Its certainly A Taste of Heaven. The staff was attentive and welcoming. My delicious coffee never got less than half full in my cup. I ordered the insanely delicious grilled cheese omlete that was eyes roll around in your head good, write home and tell your folks good, rush to Yelp.com and write a review good.. u know what I mean. I ordered a side of the chicken sausage which was sage spiced perfectly. The home fries styled potatoes were warm and freshly made and seasoned to perfection. The portions were so massive that I couldnt even finish it all. The entree also came with a wonderful warm fresh green bean/assorted veggie side salad.. wonderful accompaniment. I will be back again and again!! Must try this place if you havent already.
(5)Reyna S.
food = Awesome.. service = crappy. this place is not "kid friendly". The kids I took were well behaved and used "inside voices" per request of the signs posted all over the place. Yet, we were not welcomed when we walked in (it was not busy at all) and I had to go up to the counter to ask for dessert and the check because after we got our food we were ignored. If you have kids, check out Hamburger Mary's right across the street. They are so friendly and the food is just as good.
(2)Amy M.
Yummy little shop with great desserts. The carrot cake is to die for. The staff is always helpful and willing to accomodate my last minute calls for birthday cakes for the office.
(4)Steve J.
The main reason for 2 stars is the poor service and actual rudeness of the OWNER, which other patrons I've heard agree but feel it's still good food. The soups are good, yes, quiches are hit or miss and pastries are just so-so. Everything is overpriced, including the coffee but then Andersonville has become much more gentrified over the yrs. They do allow pets at tables outside during summer. Did I mention that service is consistently poor?
(2)sheena r.
i like this place. i really do. i came here on a whim with Desiree G and i'm glad we did. after checking out menus at various locations on clark, we landed on A Taste of Heaven. it's not a vary big place, and it felt very home-like inside. their pastry case was filled with delicious looking cupcakes and cakes , as well as cookies, bars and more. for lunch that day i went with The Southland -- i think that's what it was called. it was cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and lightly scrambled eggs on top. it was definitely tasty. it wasn't the kind of biscuits and gravy that make me feel like i need to puke afterwards to feel better (although i do enjoy those as well.) i didn't feel overly full, and i had room to split a moonpie cupcake. that was really tasty as well. the cake was moist and chocolatey, and the frosting w/the chocolate shell was excellent. they also have a good salad menu, as i saw a man had ordered a curried chicken salad that looked amazing. i will definitely be back for a salad and more in the future.
(4)Meow M.
Nice place, often overlooked, surprisingly good bakery. Menu items are simple but generally tasty (chicken & biscuits is a big thumbs-up). The owner got a lot of grief for basically giving little kids the boot but I find we are extremely over-indulgent and let kids get away with way too much, not to mention the number of "adults" who seem to think the rest of us are also deaf to their children's antics in public venues. I, for one, am THRILLED to be able to eat out without trying to compete with toddlers for a conversation with my friends.
(4)J C.
Super-cute with a homey feel. We ate here tonight, and I was impressed. I had walked by this place 100 times and wondered about it but never stopped in. We decided to give it a go tonight, and although the breakfast menu was a little overpriced, their dinner menu was very reasonable. I had a meatloaf sandwich that was yummy and filling. My husband had a breakfast burrito and said his was delicious as well. We both decided this is a place we will return to for dessert, coffee, or dinner.
(5)Connie S.
Cozy, intimate space with great food, and service with a smile and a bit of creative sarcasm at times makes this eatery a winner for me. For a quick on-the-go cuppa & scone or a sit down breakfast (served all day), lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong. My favorites are the grilled cheese omelet and the spinach lasagna. Portions are huge and sides are inventive. Not the ordinary fare...but the staff is very accommodating for special requests. Great asset to the neighborhood!
(4)Nellie T.
This place gets props for being super cute. It's a very homey feel and the people are really nice. However, I've come in twice for dessert in the evenings and been disappointed. I had an eclaire and a vanilla cupcake. About $3 each.. so pretty typical for a bakery-esque place. Icing I didn't like, but it's probably because I really like sugary frosting. Cake tasted stale or at least like it had been in a refridgerator.
(3)Brian T.
Okay, so I HATE to give this cafe a bad review. I absolutely adore it. The food is amazing (the Turkey dinner rivals my own mothers). However, I was meeting a friend from out of town for dinner last night and couldn't have had a worse experience had a I tried. I was so very excited to introduce him to the amazing delights of TOH...unfortunately, the minute I stepped through the door I was overcome by an ENORMOUS stench. Sitting at the counter was one of Andersonville's homeless, who has been there on numerous occassions. Now I'm all for helping out those who are in need, and I certainly would not want to be non-inclusive, however; when it's ruining the dining experience for others, something should be done (perhaps direct him to the many local shelters or have a place for him to sit that isn't in the main dining area?) The owner should take note: this is directly affecting your business-- I, along with a few others, moved venues across the street to Hamburger Mary's (where I had a very disappointing meal with my friend) I would have emailed the owner directly about this, but I was not able to find a website or email address.
(1)Eliot J.
good food, good coffee, good pastries. it's priced well, but there isn't a lot of space. that's basically the only drawback - you're practically sitting on each other in there. servers have always been friendly to me, too. there's not a ton of menu option, and it's only breakfast and a few lunch items but, again, it's quality. i would for sure recommend it.
(3)Clarence E.
I go to this place mainly for the deserts. Their brownies are like crack. Everything else is on the same level. Don't go here if you can't control your cravings, or you will expire (albeit with a smile on your face). The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is delightful. This is one of the best bakeries/coffe-shops/diners in the city.
(5)Mary C.
Known for its desserts, A Taste of Heaven also has fantastic meals too. I love their curry chicken salad. They also have delicious soups. Every time I come here there are plenty of people eating and hanging out, so I know I am not alone is saying this place is terrific. On Mondays, they have free coffee with a purchase of something else. Your best bet is to grab a slice of cake. They are all wonderful especially the white cake with fruit.
(4)C H.
Since all the other reviews are so glowing, I'll just keep mine short and sweet. Awesome food, try the breakfast burrito and the Durbin sandwich, simply outstanding! Also, and this is very important so pay attention. Are you paying attention? Good. Here it is, best DAMN coffee in the city. Yes it is. GO!
(5)Kitty P.
I think that jen p. might have had the same server as my friends and I did last week at this establishment. I've never walked out of a restaurant before, but the service offered by Brett was unbelievably rude and offensive, so much so that we asked for to-go cups and left. I want to say first that the other staff seemed perfectly nice, and as we looked over the cakes and pastries, the girl behind the counter was very sweet and asked if we wanted to sit down. We said, "Sure, why not?" and put our name down. We were seated after about 15 minutes, and then Brett came to take our drinks orders: two coffees and a cappuccino. He came back with two coffees and a latte, at which point I politely asked about a change since I'd ordered a cappuccino. His response was: "So, what -- you want me to put more foam on it or something?" I was taken aback, as were my companions. I answered, "Um, no, doesn't a latte have a lot more milk in it?" He sighed, then wordlessly snatched away the cup while the rest of us looked at each other in disbelief. He returned after a few minutes, plunked the cup down, then walked away. When he returned to take our food order, my friend began to ask for a piece of cake -- he interrupted her by saying, "So you're not going to order food? If you only wanted cake, you could have ordered at the counter and you could have gotten it a lot faster." We were stunned. My friend asked him if there was a problem, or if he wanted us to leave or something; he responded, "It doesn't matter to me if you stay or leave." My friend then said, "Well, it matters to us. Can you bring us some to-go cups, please?" We went up, paid, and then two of us thought we'd politely try again and find out what it was that went so wrong with this experience. He said he was "running around like an idiot trying to put something in front of everyone and keep everyone happy." He then proceeded to instruct me on the finer points between a latte and a cappuccino: "Actually, there isn't much of a difference between them -- I KNOW what a cappuccino is." We gave up, asked for his name and the owner's name, and then left. A heads-up to Dan, the owner: The sign on your wall says, "NICE MATTERS." You might want to talk to this guy, since he's pretty effective at proving that wrong.
(1)Jason B.
No complaints about the place, but there are far better places in the Andersonville area to get a good brunch. The service is good but the place is crowded & the brunch menu is very limited. Nothing special, walk on by.
(2)Susan W.
I've been ordering birthday cakes and coming for dessert for a long time. But after last night, I will NEVER ever go back. Let's start with the horrible service. Four of us came for dessert and they took our drink orders at the table without writing anything down. Two of us went to the case to check out what cakes we wanted. The people behind the register completely ignored us for several minutes and when I asked for help I was given the biggest helping of attitude. The waitress delivered our drinks while we were at the counter and she forgot my coffee. By the time I got my cake, I was so annoyed I just wanted to eat my cake and go. I didn't even bother going back to the counter to ask for my coffee. Half way through the cake, I feel this weird texture in my mouth and its a two inch piece of plastic. I go back to the counter and the woman tells me it's probably from the plastic wrap they keep between the slices to keep the cake moist. The piece of plastic I had IN MY MOUTH was from the center of the cake not the edge. She gave me another slice but I'd already lot my appetite. When we're in line to pay, I overhear her telling the customer in front of me that they had a power outage earlier that day and don't really think anything of it at the time. Today I find out that one person in my group who had dairy there was violently sick all night. I'm absolutely disgusted and will be reporting them to the health department.
(1)Megan B.
I love this place! We come here for full meals but also for dessert. The Janine cake is probably the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! The staff is always really friendly, and it has a really cozy atmosphere. I highly recommend the chicken and biscuits - very old-fashioned and yummy. Overall a great little place!
(5)a w.
Not the best bakery in the area -- but they do make some great brownies here! Give it a try if you're in the area -- but don't go out of your way for this one.
(3)joanne y.
this cozy little nook is a perfect place to warm yourself up with some coffee and pastry in the winter and a refreshing getaway in the summer. what i mean, basically, is that this place is yummy. the prices are reasonable for the large slices of cake they serve. the name says it all, it truly is a taste of heaven.
(4)vitas z.
my favorite chocolate chip cookie in the city. hands down.
(4)j d.
consistently great. friendly. salmon quice, eggs verde, or pancakes are sure winners.
(5)Jack E.
Chill Cape Cod aesthetic. Good affordable coffee and loose leaf tea. Excellent sandwiches and desserts. Sorta in between a coffeehouse and a restaurant. Definitely a great place to do work, cuz of the nice golden lighting. No Wifi is a bummer bit it IS in the middle of Andersonville so you can always steal from someone else. Its open til 10 which is a plus.
(5)G G.
Not so great on the decor, but the desserts are AMAZING. Very rich and decadent.
(4)Shubham C.
Lovely meal that's perfect for a quick bite with a friend. Overall the service was nothing remarkable - the waitress checked in once or twice but we waited a bit to get our check. Water flowed quickly and often. I ordered the quiche and was satisfied. The quiche of the day was steak and cheese. The portion was generous and the side salad was fresh. The crust was light and flaky and had a hint of sweetness that complimented the salted egg and steak filling. The pie top wasn't as crunchy or chewy as I would've liked but still was nice!
(4)Belle L.
Plentiful of ridiculously delicious sounding Daily Specials. Price is relative to food portion, ingredients, quality and preparation. FRENCH ONION SOUP ($3.75) -- comes with 3 pcs of housemade bread. Delicioso. Good balance of ingredients. Broth is NOT dark brown. Yay! QUICHE ($10.75) -- a risky custard combination of ham and pineapple. Hawaiian pizza in a pie. Skip it! Soggy crust. Comes with default mixed green salad with vinaigrette. LEMONADE ($4.75) -- expensive with an impressive strong lemon flavor that is not sour. ELVIS CUPCAKE -- peanut butter icing was a tad sweet with banana cake. A version of Elvis' favorite food. COFFEE -- La Colombe brand. SERVICE -- excellent, well-informed, friendly, charming. VENUE -- the relax atmosphere of a cafe. Lots of stuff that is neatly organized. Comfy. Welcoming. 1-star less: - presence of housefly - box your own brown bag
(4)Claire S.
Simply delicious food! The atmosphere is cute and small and diner-like, but with a lot of cupcakes. It's great for sitting and hanging out, and the owner and servers are really nice, quick, and chill. I tried the roasted pear salad and iced coffee (both recommended from the server). The salad was awesome--big and filling, with crispy roasted chicken, delicious roasted pears, and goat cheese and cherries to keep things interesting. Salad dressing came on the side (which was thoughtful). The iced coffee was big, delicious, and FREE because it was a Wednesday! What a pleasant surprise! The prices seem high ($12 for the salad) but the quality of food was well worth it. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!
(5)Megan L.
Dan's customer service (the owner) was incredible - upon reading my first review, he immediately contacted me to make my experience at Taste of Heaven right. He sympathized with wasting money and calories at a restaurant only to be disappointed and invited me to come back and give Taste another chance with a guest. I appreciated how FAST and KIND he was when responding to my concerns. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! I was not disappointed during my return visit! Mike's pesto sandwich is hands-down one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Chicago. The thick cut, slightly sweet brioche is perfectly toasted and complemented by a mountain of goat cheese, pesto, tomato, bacon, spinach and 2 eggs. It is definitely big enough to be shared (or hoarded for second brunch later in the day)! It comes with a side of fresh fruit and potatoes. I also tried the sparkling lemonade - served in a big mason jar and not too sour or sweet, with the right amount of fizz. Perfect for a warm day! The place gets crowded during the weekend, but they also have a pretty big patio area on the southeast side of the restaurant to accommodate more patrons. It's nicely shaded and worth checking out!
(5)Meredith C.
I'm not usually one for sweet breakfasts but so happy I tried the coconut almond cakes! They were incredibly flavorful and came with banana slices and fresh whipped cream. Iced coffee refills were free and much appreciated during the hot morning. There was somewhat of a wait for the food but not appalling my any means. With the intriguing items on the menu, I will definitely come by for breakfast again.
(4)Kyle D.
Overall: Great little cafe with delicious eats and friendly service. The good: Great bakery treats to choose from with specialty cupcakes, cakes, brownies, etc. All were great. Good coffee and plenty of other options. Service was friendly and attentive. A good amount of seating. Cute decor. The bad: Not much! Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)Nikki L.
I had just moved into the neighborhood, and my sister decided to take me to brunch here. The restaurant decor is very eclectic, and gives it a "Grandma's house" vibe. Not to say this is a bad thing, because it is quite endearing. We both ordered the Mike's Pesto Sandwich, which will go down in history as one of the best breakfast sandwiches I have had. Our waitress was friendly, but towards the end seemed to be losing steam. Since I am a server, I understand. She didn't close out our check, but one of her colleagues did instead. Overall a very positive experience here.
(5)Jenny D.
Just love it here! Every single thing I've ever tried has been delicious, from their coffee to their entrees to their desserts....heaven. The servers are always very friendly and we've never had a problem being seated. We like to stop in here for brunch and we always get coffee(me-fancy coffee, him-straight black). I usually order the quiche because it's so good, but I have gotten their Durbin sandwich before, too. Both were so good. The quiche is my to-go-to though because they are such a pain in the ass to make yourself and they always get the texture right. They are always light and fluffy. My husband usually goes for something a bit more hearty. The last time he got a portobello sandwich which was really good. I never can leave without getting a cupcake, which I have a love/hate relationship with. Love, because they are so good. Hate because then I have to go to the gym later. It's worth it.
(5)Mary Z.
MMM- Been here 2x now and really impressed. Both times were for brunch. Great dog friendly patio, service is good and the staff is really friendly. The food is so fresh and tasty. I'm looking forward to trying lunch and dinner.
(4)Debbie M.
Great breakfast. I had the chorizo skillet - so tasty. My boyfriend had the Carmel pancakes- sugary treat. Friendly staff. If you haven't tried this place give it a try.
(4)Cynthia T.
I had the steel cut oatmeal with peach compote. Who knew oatmeal could be so delicious! It was very filling as well. Everyone's dishes looked so good and hearty. It was a clean restaurant and our waitress was very friendly. I hope I can come back and taste the chicken and biscuit breakfast.
(4)Sheila K.
I have been wanting to try out this place for a while now and I finally did. We came on a Sunday around 1:30 and didn't have a problem getting a seat. The place is pretty small, but has a lot of homemade goods from cupcakes to cakes and bars, etc... My husband got the Steak and Eggs and I tried the Havar Ya Sandwich with a side of soup. The steak and eggs were ok and the potatoes were tasty, nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. My sandwich was okay as well. The homemade baguette bread was good and held the sandwich quite well. But it was kinda dry and perhaps could use some sauce to make it tastier. Service was also okay. Overall, this place is okay.
(3)Angie M.
Honestly? There's nothing to NOT like about Taste of Heaven. Biscuits? Divine. Scones? Like whoa. Omelets? Perfection. Service? Phenomenal. I think the only problem with Taste of Heaven is that they don't have fountain beverages. You ask for a diet Coke and get it in a 20oz bottle. Oh... and that you'll want to leave with plenty of goodies in the bakery case, which will add lbs to your ass. Not sure if this is a pro or a con. I'll let you choose.
(5)Rikki C.
The food was good the service was good neither great but all in all a good experience. I would definitely go here again. I would, however have to say that their banana pound cake was amazing, so 5 stars on that. Oh, and they never rushed us out the door, so my friends and I were able to catch up for 2.5 hours.
(4)Hannah C.
Breakfast all day is always a key to my heart. But breakfast all day AND PASTRY? That will get me every time. (Note: it will look just like a pastry shop when you walk in. The boards will say nothing about food, just pastry. But if you say you want to dine in, they will give you table service and a menu of delights. The best thing we tried was, surprisingly, the almond and coconut pancakes. Actual coconut. Actual homemade whipped cream. They were amazing. The grilled cheese sandwich was also great - lots of flavors and fresh bread. The roasted potatoes had almost no flavor, so skip those in favor of another side. For dessert we tried the cream puff with whipped cream (heavenly) and the moon pie cupcake (very good). I will admit, these cupcakes didn't stack up to Molly's or Sugar Bliss for me. They had just a little less flavor and creativity. But for a meal AND a cupcake, I was quite impressed.
(4)Ritu R.
God we've been coming here for 8 years! We live in River North but will make the trek for this little gem of goodness. Comfort food, breakfast all day and decadent desserts! Note the prices on the menu on yelp are not accurate as they are not posted by the business ;) Happy Eating!
(5)Emily B.
This place is so delicious, I'm having a hard time finding words. Scrumptious is probably the best one. I ate here for lunch on a beautiful summer day with my son. We sat outside. It was a Thursday and I was surprised we were the only ones out there. But I have passed this place on the weekends and there's a line out the door. We will definitely be back for brunch! The service was great, from the moment we walked in to when we paid and left. Speedy and attentive servers. I ordered the Grilled Cheese Sandwich. The BEST grilled cheese I've ever had. The three cheeses they choose to put into this sandwich is a home run. They are feta, cheddar and mozzarella. And the bread... oh the bread! Homemade sourdough but did not taste like sourdough. Pure baked goodness in your mouth! I also got the potato salad for a side. I liked it, very tasty, but different than what I have ever had. If you do not like dill or onions, don't order it. But I do, so I enjoyed. I ordered a piece of Jeanine's Cake to go. Again, so freaking good! The perfect summer cake. The streusel crumbs on the frosting are what took it over the top for me. Yum, yum. A Taste of Heaven really is just that. So go and get full!
(5)Randy H.
First experience at Taste of Heaven was disappointing. I had a Niçoise salad that was just not fresh. A throw together of pre-prepped items that had been in the walk-in several days too long, all tossed in a tarragon dressing that was supposed to be creamy, but which, extraordinarily, was dry. I ate about half of it and got a candy bar and protein shake on the way home. My husband's basic bacon and eggs breakfast was quite good, so he liked the place. On the whole, the ambience is good and I rate the service okay even though our meals were pretty slow coming out (probably took a while to find the salad makings in the back of the cooler ). I might go back if in the immediate area, but definitely would not order a salad there.
(3)Nikki G.
Get the coconut almond pancakes, you will NOT regret it! They are super generous with the whipped cream. Also: the cornmeal biscuits are AWESOME.
(5)William F.
What a grew a find! I've walked past this place at least 100 times and have to say I should have ventured in sooner! No wait on a Sunday at brunch time and the biscuits and whipped cream was the best I've had in so long if not ever. This gem is well worth traveling halfway across the city for breakfast.
(5)Kathy T.
We came across this place by accident one Sunday. Our original plan was to go to Big Jones but the wait time was almost two hours. Upon arrival, we were seated at the corner near the cupcake display. The place is some what small and very crowded. My boyfriend ordered some sandwich with peaches, it was okay. I had the steak and eggs, the steak was cooked medium like how I like it. I could only eat a couple of bites, it was too heavy for my taste. When we received our bill I'm was surprised at how much this breakfast had cost. For a sandwich, steak and eggs, coffee and tea $42 definitely was not worth our money. I'm not sure what the hype is all about maybe people haven't had real good breakfast. Nothing was special about this breakfast, glad I tried it. I would probably not come back. Overpriced.
(3)Syed N.
This place is a hidden gem. Good service, good food, great location and the best lemonade in Chicago.
(5)Roseann M.
Each time I go to A Taste of Heaven, I wonder why I don't go more often. The food is always good. The atmosphere is homey and cozy -- that means, the room isn't very big. The service is efficient and friendly. The prices are reasonable. Maybe it's the competition in Andersonville. There are so many new, sexier places, you forget about the old reliable places. Miss Finland and I went for lunch today. I drank copious amounts of coffee. I ordered the quiche of the day, which was bacon/cheddar/tomato with a side salad. Miss Finland ordered a sandwich called the Havar Ya, which she assures me is not in the Finnish language. Her sandwich consisted of ham, Havarti cheese and roasted red peppers on a big bun, and also came with a side salad. Both portions were generous. She wondered if she could eat it all, but somehow she managed to do just that. My slice of quiche was much taller and thicker than the typical paltry, girly-sized quiche slices you get in other places. We ate everything. I made the mistake of walking past the counter and saw a huge variety of cupcakes. Somehow, through sheer strength of will, I forced myself to order a Red Velvet Cupcake. Miss Finland took one bite. We agreed that it was heavier than we expected, but it still tasted delicious. The restaurant stayed pretty busy during the whole Tuesday lunch period. We were there for almost 2.5 hours. The waitress forget she hadn't dropped off the check, but we were under no pressure to clear the table for another party of diners. I did stop by on a recent Saturday to buy a carrot cake cupcake, which was very good, by the way, and the place was very very busy with the weekend brunch crowd. There is no waiting area. You have to stand alongside the south wall. I think the staff was very relieved that I just wanted to get something to go. I like Taste of Heaven very much. I'm looking forward to returning when the weather is a little warmer - say, August - and eating at one of their outdoor tables.
(4)Leah K.
Oh my goodness the Jeanine cake....just get the Jeanine cake! I think for the last (at least) 5 years I've requested a slice of the Jeanine cake here for my birthday and it never disappoints! And you can easily share one piece with several people because they're huge. Honestly there hasn't been anything from here that we haven't liked - they always have a good selection of cupcakes and they're ALL delicious. Can't say we've ever had anything else but sweets from here but who needs food when you can have cake?
(5)Daniel W.
This was my go to place for breakfast burritos butttt....some reason the breakfast burrito continues to "de-volve". By "de-volve" I mean regressing rather than evolving into a better thing. Per my previous review, the breakfast burrito was loaded with eggs and beans/rice were served on the side. Over the years they started tinkering with things. The next time they didn't dress the beans up with the same salsa as the first time. Then one time there were no beans/rice. Last weekend they had the beans/rice inside the burrito! We felt a little betrayed....less eggs and using the beans/rice as a filler. sighhhhh! come on now Taste of Heaven...I've been telling everyone to go here for the best breakfast burrito but now...I must bite my tongue... You don't gotta fix what ain't broken! Excellent service though! We got the Durbin omelette as well. Good amount of food is included. Breakfast potatoes, biscuit/corn muffin type thing, and fruit. Bring back the burrito from 2011!
(4)Susan C.
I went here for brunch since I haven't been back for a long while. This restaurant is not that big but a good enough size to eat at. I like their food and order a quiche which is so good accompanied a side salad. The waitstaff is attentive coming back from time to time to make sure we have everything we need. The service was great so I will come back here when I am in the neighborhood and I love this neighborhood.
(4)Zarnigor N.
I love their breakfast menu.. Everything made so delicious and fresh.. Workers are so sweet and helpful. They have the best cup cakes ever... They make everything from scratch.. I would recommend to anyone this wonderful place ..
(5)Wil E.
Best. Dessert. Ever. Seriously. EVER! In fact, I can't even go here anymore. It's just not safe for my diet. And they've actually managed to ruin dessert anyplace else. It's just a bitter disappointment when I order from another restaurant and I get a huge plate with a tiny slice of store-bought cheesecake. Everything at Taste is freshly prepared and delicious, the portions are huge, and the service is friendly. The cheesecake is truly heavenly, and you get a slab of it - A FREAKIN' SLAB!!!
(5)Megan D.
Cute place. Loved the weathered tables and unique decor. Service was good and they were prompt with coffee and water throughout our visit. I was a little disappointed in the menu offerings honestly. I was expecting a larger selection of breakfast items and was hoping for some type of combo but wasn't able to locate anything. I also didn't inquire so partly my fault. I was pleased with my meal and would go back again. I do want to get back to try the baked goods.
(3)Lizz M.
I first visited A Taste of Heaven on a snowy Saturday evening when I had a huge craving for dessert. I got their raspberry white chocolate cheesecake. YUM. and gigantic. I couldn't eat it all in one sitting. I've since visited them twice for breakfast as it's become my boyfriend's favorite spot in Andersonville. I got their steel cut oats the other day and they are SO good. They come with a delicious peach compote and granola. Their cornmeal biscuits are also fantastic.
(4)Patrick W.
Thanks to Dan for trying to make up for this. I found the cupcakes to be much better the second time around.
(4)Patrick M.
One of the best diners in the city. Every meal I've had has been wonderful and the sweets are excellent. I'm always so full after the meal (read: great, big portions) that I have to get a sweet to go. Service has always been good. If we ever have friends or family visiting, this is where we take them for breakfast or lunch (or-if it was up to me-both). Try the hot chocolate- tastes like liquid gold. Check it out- you might see me there.
(5)Kimmi M.
The ambience is adorable, probably similar to how your kindergarten teacher decorated her house. A really wonderful breakfast place. The lox entree was large and flavourful. I really enjoyed the lemon dill sauce to accompany it. The coffee was strong, and the iced tea was spiced, which was a pleasant surprise.
(4)M. R.
Poor service. Waited an hour for food. And waiter never refilled water until he gave the check. Waiter also didn't come by to ask how we were doing or how the food was.
(1)Zachary A.
While I could argue that every city is a brunch city, this seems to echo considerably more true with my time in Chicago than some other places. Everywhere has a brunch, and I'm not upset about it in the slightest. With that, though, comes the difficult task of narrowing a million options each Saturday and Sunday morning. After meeting a new friend days prior, she invited me to join her Saturday morning at a Taste of Heaven, and it definitely was an enjoyable taste. I highly recommend this place. It's small and not trying to be "trendy", but just good. It has a nice neighborhood vibe, although I lend a lot of that to Andersonville in general. I had the biscuits (cornmeal biscuits, I must add) and gravy and was loving every morsel. I really think everyone should get this dish. :) My friend got the breakfast casserole and it also was pretty awesome looking. The food was spot-on a wonderful brunch and I could see myself making it a regular brunch stop. Ps. If you're going to bring kids, make sure they're entertained and able to enjoy the quality experience that is A Taste of Heaven. :)
(4)Elana B.
I wanted to have a lunch dish that didn't feel heavy but also wanted to feel full because I knows I wouldn't be eating again for a long time today. The option of getting a wrap with a side of veggie stir-fry was a dream. The wrap itself (BLT and A) was perfect - the bacon was super crispy and the mayo was just enough zest. The veggies were cooked perfectly. Also they had wifi and my server was so lovely about giving me the password without any sass like I sometimes get when I ask for a wifi password. It's also located on such a quant corner of Clark street so you could get distracted from your laptop by looking outside at all the people walking by. I didn't try any desserts because I felt so pleasantly full but next time I'll save room for sure!
(5)Tlafi K.
I came back and this time service was exceptionally great. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a high spirited positive waiter named Ryan. He did not have any idea that I wrote a bad review and that I had been in touch with the owner Dan. I was like a secret shopper. I really enjoyed eating at this place this time around. The food was great. The honey jar was exceptionally clean. Too bad my phone died. Would have posted some pictures. I'm glad I came back and will definitely be back. We need more business owners like Dan. He really cares about his business and takes constructive criticism well. He took his time to contact me and went above and beyond to make sure that I was a satisfied customer. That really shows me how much he cares about his business. That's what I call excellent customer service. Way to go!
(5)Nishan P.
Has Andersonville gone hipster? Is this the new Wicker Park? Everyone working the Saturday brunch shift at A Taste of Heaven was dressed in hipster attire, as was most of the male clientele. I fit right in because I was wearing a flannel shirt, but no skinny jeans because I want to have kids someday. The salmon scramble was a very pleasant surprise. Instead of the fish being mixed into the scrambled eggs, slices of smoked salmon, topped with capers, were served alongside it. The plate also included a corn meal biscuit, roasted potatoes, and a cucumber dill sauce. I tried the Durham omlet too and was impressed with the large chunks of turkey, pears, and havarti in it. Country kitsch is found in abundance in the restaurant. The place might be a hipster paradise but the decor is more country than Hee Haw. The service was quite attentive given no one person was responsible for our table. It was a nice team effort by all the servers. If you are looking for a good weekend brunch place in Andersonville, I suggest you don your best hipster duds and head on over to A Taste of Heaven. **UPDATE** Soon after posting the above review, I received the following message: Hahahaa! I work at a Taste of Heaven and the uniform is plaid. And we do joke with customers who wear plaid that they can easily become an employee. : ) I'm glad you enjoyed your meal and experience at ATOH. Hopefully we see you again soon! I would like to apologize to the employees of a Taste of Heaven for assuming that you were all hipsters... not that there is anything wrong with being a hipster, besides the reduced ability to beget offspring.
(4)Ryan M.
My visit to A Taste of Heaven actually was "Plan C" for the night, after the pie shop down the street was out of pie (on Pi Day, of course!), and the other targeted destination was a block further, before we saw this great little place. We still wanted pie, and the windows said TOH had dessert, so we gave it a try. The cafe is every family-run store of my youth rolled into one: a bake shop, a coffee shop, and a diner. The desserts are seductively laid under glass at the front, the walls are decorated in old-school sweets-and-eats decor, and you expect your grandmother or favorite aunt to pop out from the back at any moment offering hugs and love-smotherings. (What? Your grandmother and aunts don't love-smother you? You're missing out.) Tonight's target was only dessert, and they had a special for apple pie! Alas, likely because of the day (and all the others who had come here after the pie shop went dry), the pie was gone. But fret not! So many other terrific, undeniably house-made options awaited. I chose the carrot cake, which came in a massive slice, and my evening companion took a slice of the banana-caramel cheesecake (they had also just run out of the peanut butter). Neither was a "Plan C" choice. The carrot cake was super moist, brimming with pecans and chewy bits of carrot. The cream-cheese frosting was not too thick , at all, and was rich. The cheesecake across the table had the best hand-made whipped cream I have ever tasted. The cake itself was very decadent, tasting like bananas foster on a crust. We also had accompanying cappuccinos, which were big and quite good. They were napalm hot when we got them, so we had to let them cool a little. The little shop was filled to capacity, and our poor server apparently was on his own. But things were not unbearably slow. Our server just appeared a bit frazzled and fried. Upon paying he assured me that were I to come back another day, things will be smoother, it will not be Pi Day (most likely), and he will not be working alone. Not a problem, I assured him, and I do plan to be back. With desserts this homemade and delicious, brunch and lunch must be great, too. So for a quick dessert (they have lots of cupcakes, cakes, bars, and other treats), a good coffee nightcap, or (I will soon see) a tasty homemade-feeling meal, Taste of Heaven is a welcoming, adorable shop that fits in perfectly in Andersonville.
(5)Christina R.
Insanely good food in a simple, cozy cafe. Everything is fresh and homemade.. including their roasted turkey in their sandwiches...and their bread. It's a must try. I know we will be back!! Have had the egg, pesto, &bacon sandwich, the turkey , pear & havarti sandwich, great salad with homemade dressing, and the to die for German Chocolate Cake!!
(5)Luke H.
Brought my Texan mother here and she adored it. She's been back to Texas for a week now and she still brings up out trip there. I love this place as well, I get pick up from there often and my favorites include, the breakfast burrito, and the biscuits and gravy. Do meat kolaches taste of heaven!
(5)atrack b.
I've been here twice for dessert only. Both times, I've been impressed by the deliciousness of the desserts and the friendliness of the service. So far, I'd recommend the banana cream layer cake, the chocolate chip cheesecake, the loaf cakes, and the big cookies.
(5)Karyn C.
After living in Andersonville for over two years I finally made it to Heaven. One of the reasons I'd always wanted to go is because if their policy of only allowing well-behaved children. Within a few minutes of being seated a toddler started screaming. I couldn't see the child and I couldn't see any adults leaning over like they were trying to soothe an angry child. After a few minutes of intermittent wailing I saw a server discreetly speak to a man. As the server walked away the man started yelling, "I guess they don't like kids here! No kids ever! It's too bad that you're hungry, we have to leave now." The server was kind enough to be discreet and if it hadn't been for the man's reaction, no one would've known they'd been asked to leave. The server even brought them to go boxes so they didn't need to make a scene. I understand that kids will be kids but it's nice to see a restaurant that takes a stand against poorly behaved children (and adults). As for the food, it was delicious! I had the peaches and cream French toast and my boyfriend had the breakfast burrito. Both of us were unable to finish and left very satisfied. The only thing I'd do differently is not order the iced tea. It's a spiced iced tea but that's not called out on the beverage menu. I was hoping for plain iced tea. That's the only thing though!
(4)Russ A.
Good food, desserts and ice cream. Service is always fantastic. Check out their display of goodies, better than deciding from reading the menu. My reigning fav desserts are coconut cream cake and double chocolate bundt cake. Yes I have recently snapped out of their "anything with caramel sauce". It was my long reigning fav at one time. ;-)
(5)Joe M.
Always a treat to come here. Great bakery items as well as the regular menu. The Mike's Pesto sandwich is one of my favorite breakfast items. Good service, great food and reasonable prices.
(4)Molly M.
I ate here last night. Stopped in to do some work and decided to order a sandwich. I got the turkey with pears and cheese. Sandwich arrived with the paper still attached and melted to the cheese. YUCK! I realized this after taking a bite of paper. Double yuck. I pointed it out to the waitress who was very kind, and asked if I wanted another sandwich (for the record -- this isn't a question to be asking....of course you should replace the sandwich). After answering in the affirmative I did get a new sandwich but the turkey tasted kind of "gamey" -- not sure how turkey can taste gamey but it did. I didn't eat the majority of the sandwich or the potato salad. So many better eats out there. Pass!
(1)Canh-Lien N.
Had Mike's Pesto Sandwich. Perfectly cooked eggs over medium. Homemade pesto was delicious and not too garlicky or oily. Could use more bacon! The side of grilled potatoes were meh but the dill potato salad from my friend's plate was to die for. I haven't had a potato salad that I've loved (besides my own) in a while and I'm from Texas where there is an abundance of tater salad. The hot Ginger Lime tea melted the cold chills from outside. The service was quick and attentive making this the best Sunday I've had all month. Definitely a taste of heaven all around.
(4)Katharine T.
I really love Taste of Heaven! Such an unsuspecting restaurant with seriously delicious food. My boyfriend and I put off Taste of Heaven for a while because we thought it was just a diner. Maybe nothing special, wouldn't fulfill our craving for brunch. How wrong we were. Thank god we finally we went here this past summer. My first meal here was the Silverland Breakfast: cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy. God dammit these are the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had and I have sampled a lot. This dish is what God looks like. So good. Since that visit I have tried to go a healthier route and ordered the breakfast burrito in a whole wheat tortilla with scrambled eggs, black beans, gauc and salsa. For being a pretty simple dish this is also incredibly delicious. It's really satisfying, filling and not 1000 calories. Boyfriend has ordered their Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict which looks truly sinful and he loves it. This place gets pretty packed pretty quickly on the weekends and for good reason, their food is incredible and well priced. It's a small, quaint restaurant with super friendly service but if you want to eat at 11AM, think again. Get here no later than 10AM I say. It's awkward to wait for a table because the restaurant is so small so for me, you either get a table or you cry until next weekend and try again. We have yet to try dinner, probably another mistake as I am sure it's just as delicious as their brunch/lunch.
(5)Arocho M.
Im here! I came to brunch with my family and people did not treat us right! Food are "whatever, nothing amazing"...
(2)Lila S.
Really great food, really great service, really friendly staff. I've gotten two of their egg omelettes on two different occasions and both were both super good. U honestly can't go wrong w any of their omelettes- it just depends on what ur in the mood for. Biscuit in the side was really good too, along w their scones! Breakfast potatoes on the side were crispy and flavorable... Just had their pumpkin cobbler bar- it's absolutely DELICIOUS! paired w a cup of their coffee- yummmm. They seriously have one of the best bakers in town!
(5)Sue M.
Thanks goodness! happy that someone will take charge when neglectful parents are letting their small children run, scream, climb and play like it was outdoors, that someone will take charge and quietly ask them to control their offspring or leave! This is not a playground, it's a restaurant! And who among us wants to pay for fancy coffee and pastries to have to eat in the midst of an improvised daycare center? Like to enjoy the exquisite bakery items in full absorption. Thanks Taste of Heaven!
(4)Susan H.
Great treasure of good food and coffee plus amazing deserts. Very cozy and warm environment with a twist of hip. Great place to meet a friend. Expect to wait for a table for weekend brunch times...but not very long.
(4)Jeremy T.
The good: A place in the neighborhood to get breakfast any time of the day. Good coffee, too. The bad: Overpriced, seemingly microwaved food. Very overpriced for the quality.
(3)B K.
I thought the food was decent. My wife did not like her food at all. She thought it was way too heavy. Three stars from me and one star from my wife. Therefore, two stars.
(2)Marcee W.
Coconut crème cake is to die for!
(5)Kristy S.
I come here for the boston cream pie cupcakes (yum!) and the free coffee Wednesdays with freshly baked scones.
(4)Paolo U.
This is an excellent simple pastry shop with a few surprises for breakfast and lunch. It has one of the most delectable sausage gravy, biscuits and egg breakfasts in the entire city that is not well known but to the locals it's a neighborhood secret. I am biased sentimentally as this place did the pastry cupcake delights for my wedding over a decade ago when they first moved to Clark St. from Foster Ave, and it has been a pleasure to see them grow in their spot as the dessert and coffee stop in a vibrant locale. Highly recommend their scones of all varieties, and their drip coffee is brewed often and fresh to complement any one of their tasty cupcakes and pound bread delights. Highly recommend the Silverland breakfast dish for new folks looking for a filling, decadent, and tasty meal that will convince you to come back. Open until 11PM makes it a great spot for late desserts on an evening out.
(4)vitaliy v.
This charming bakery is my go-to late-night dessert and tea spot and lazy Sunday brunch place. 100% unpretentious, the friendly staff and good food make it a perfect neighborhood place to meet a friend, work a little or just grab a scone to go. My only complaint is the flavorless coffee, but otherwise it's great. The food is always fresh and they have excellent and interesting specials, along with all the typical fare. I only wish they had more European-style sweets, but if you like cupcakes, this is the place to be. ~V
(5)Mark D.
I guess it all depends on your perception of "heaven" - but there is something quite heavenly about this place. Excellent service, great food, tea and coffee and I have NEVER had to wait for a table! EVER! Its always busy, especially on the weekend but never seems to be a wait.
(5)Tiffany Y.
I came here for dessert with a friend and I was blown away by their delicious sweets. I had a slice of coconut cream cake and a chocolate covered strawberry. Loved the cake, it was dense and moist and very coconutty. The strawberry was huge, red, and the chocolate was laid on thick. I'd love to come back sometime to try their coffee and do an update review. I only removed one star because the set up is very small and awkward. Also, don't try to come during saturday lunch, its a madhouse! It's very small, hipster cafe type atmosphere and the workers were very friendly.
(4)Rachel K.
I love that A Taste of Heaven serves real maple syrups with their pancakes. I'm not a pancake maniac who wants a million toppings piled on so other spots like the Bongo Room are a waste on me. The breakfast selection here will make health conscious eaters happy too. They do a variety of veggie omelettes well, served with tasty potatoes. Is probably be back more often if their coffee weren't so pricey. A drip cup shouldn't cost $4+ dollars. Personally I find it too strong too but I'm sure someone else will say it's the best on the street. That said, they get points for serving breakfast all day. This spot is great for dessert lovers since you'll have a big display of fresh cupcakes, cakes, cookies and breads to choose from for eating there or taking out.
(4)Nicole R.
We gave them three chances and each visit left something to be desired. On the first visit, the food was mediocre, but we thought we had ordered incorrectly. Maybe we didn't choose the all-stars on the menu? The second time, we brought a friend. Halfway through her sandwich, she discovered parchment paper stuck to the cheese in her sandwich. She'd been eating it the whole time. Management did the correct thing and comped her meal and gave us a free cupcake. The third time was the worst. The air conditioning was off, despite it being in the mid-80's and humid outside. They kindly turned it on when we mentioned the heat. We ordered our food and even though the restaurant was empty, our food took 25 minutes to arrive. The breakfast burrito arrived in a cold tortilla with runny eggs and odd seasoning. The potatoes were overcooked and dry, could've chipped a tooth. The garnishes were two overlyrippened pineapple pieces that had probably been sitting in a prep bucket since 9am. We didn't finish our food and while we were paying the bill, noticed a little roach walking across the floor. We paid our bill quickly and left. Although, the wait staff is very nice, the food and cleanliness of the establishment needs some work, especially when nestled in the competitive Andersonville restaurant scene.
(1)Adam S.
Very very very very good sweets & treats! Unfortunately I've never eaten breakfast, brunch or lunch there so I will limit my review to only their delicious sweets. Their cupcakes are very good. No matter what time of the day you go, they always have a nice variety of flavors/styles. My favorite is the raspberry rapture! It is a raspberry flavored cake with an insanely good filling of some type, with a THICK layer of frosting topped off with a raspberry! You only need one of these bad boys to fill up your sweet tooth (although buy more for later). On the cake side, I can not say enough about the 1000 chip cake. Hands down one of the best cakes I have ever had in my life!!! Vanilla-ish cake with a chocolate filling and then TONS of mini chocolate chips coating the side. SUPER delicious!! I've had their cookies and brownies too and those are also very good! Definitely recommed for those looking to get their sweets fixing!
(4)Caroline M.
Love this place. The food is great and the homemade brioche bread is out of control good. They make everything (other than the tortillas) in house. The french toast is great but I love the egg sandwich the most. Also major points to the fact that the fruit they serve on your place is actually ripe and edible. I would give 5 stars except that the random decorations they have around the restaurant appear to have never been dusted and it grosses me out. I prefer to eat outside for this very reason. They should just do away with them so they can wipe down the window sills every day.
(4)Adam K.
In my new neighborhood, this was the first brunch spot I hit up over the weekend. Loved the outdoor patio. In addition to getting a nice face tan on Saturday, I had a great special egg white omelette with asparagus, red pepper and goat cheese. The lemon biscuit it came with on the side was divine. The hash browns perfectly crisped. In salivated over my friends' choices to each get the shrimp benedict and they loved it. I will totes be back to this place over and over again, eventually someone will need to roll me out of this place. Can't wait to go back. Also, there's lots of handsome guys in the area who pass by or eat alone sometimes, for you gay single guys out there...smile and make some eye contact, I sure will next time :-)
(4)Alec K.
Great little place with nice service. Overall a little expensive but the food was great. Their special creations are phenomenal and that syrup was spot on. Definitely have to invest in one of their homemade cookies next time.
(5)K B.
The chicken and biscuits had the best biscuits I've ever had - they were made with cream corn and were simply incredible. Otherwise, it's a cute little diner spot. Although the cupcakes looked amazing, we didn't have room.
(4)Jessica S.
I must have been having a very bad day when I wrote that review. I still am not wowed by Taste of Heaven but I love their desserts.
(4)Hector T.
Friendly and efficient staff. Brioche bread was great. Breakfast all day. Reasonably priced. Good flavors. The turkey they use is real carved roasted turkey. I will be back.
(4)Caren C.
Whenever I think brunch in Chicago I think Taste of Heaven. The choices are plentiful and unique. They also have your typical options as well. My favorite is the Peaches and Cream French Toast, mouth watering spiced peach compote over homemade Brioche. I feel like I'm celebrating with each bite! They have great scones, amazing coffees and teas as well. Not up early enough for brunch? You're in luck, the entire menu is available all day. Try the omelets, soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners, they are all homemade and taste great too!!! It's like going to Grandma's
(5)Markesha W.
My husband and I had breakfast here on our anniversary, I ordered the salmon dill quiche and Carmel Apple French toast My husband ordered the smothered biscuits an omelette and sausage the food was amazing the name of the restaurant is definitely the perfect description of the food served. The icing on the cake is the service Samuel and Ryan were really friendly and provided excellent service. It's needless to say we will be returning regularly. Thanks Ryan and Samuel see you guys soon.
(5)Samia G.
Is a ok place , don't like his baking ,as far food is something that u can do home. Service is soooo slow I'm updating my review from 3 to 4 stars based on caring respectful email received from dan M that his take business seriously!
(3)Magen M.
The oreo ice cream is the best in the world! The staff here is always so nice and helpful, too!
(4)Nancy F.
I love this place...not only for the desserts but for the service and breakfast! The sausage and biscuits is amazing, good lattes and fun staff! Hot chocolate is also an amazing treat.
(5)Valerie W.
What do you do after partying hard all night at the Drake for the best wedding of the season? BRUNCH. A Taste of Heaven was recommended by the boyfriend's family who lives in Edgewater. We arrived shortly before 10am and were able to park right in front without any problems (you do have to feed the meter!) When we arrived, we were seated right away, told the specials, and offered coffee. The coffee was strong, fresh, hot, and just what I needed. That, my sunglasses, a tall glass of water, and some greasy goodness. They have both a breakfast and lunch brunch menu, which is great, because the bf usually wants lunch type things even in the breakfast type hours. To my surprise, he ordered the brioche French toast. I ordered the corned beef hash, which comes topped with two fried eggs. We were joined by some of his family, so we also had on the table an omelette of the day (sausage, fontina, and some sort of veg, I can't remember) and a breakfast burrito. There was a wait after us, and all of the food coming out was really tasty looking. My stomach was definitely growling while we waited. The only thing that I found wrong with our visit is that our server seemed to be a little all over the place. She was busy, and I understand that, but we had to ask for coffee refills, syrup for the French toast, and my dish came out at least 5 minutes after everything else did (we had to ask about that too.) The flavors were great, the French toast almost tasted like cake. It was rich and eggy, not soggy at all, and I'm not much of a French toast lover. I would order this, for sure. The hash was made to order, with big chunks of corned beef, peppers, onions, and potatoes. It was served with a ramekin of creamy stone ground mustard which was the perfect accompaniment. I pretty much want to eat my way through brunch in Chicago... and this was a good place to start.
(3)KC F.
I SO miss living down the street from this place. Such a great brunch option- especially in the summer when you can sit on their great patio. The interior is cozy/inviting and their cupcakes are great. I've only dabbled with their lunch/dinner fair a few times but everything was just as good as the many brunch items I've inhaled. Definitely recommend!
(4)Michael U.
For the final snack stop on this particular visit to Chicago my sister and her friend wanted to grab some pastries for their brunch and studio tour with Martin Kastner of Crucial Design and being in the Edgewater area the decision was made to stop by Chicago stalwart A Taste of Heaven; a small comfort food cafe and bakery recommended to us nearly a year earlier by their neighbors at Great Lake. Arriving at the restaurant and locating free parking with ease we made our way through the doors of A Taste of Heaven to find the space quite full but approaching the pastry counter we were greeted by a friendly young woman ready, willing, and able to help despite the hustle and bustle all around. With cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, and scones abound I waited patiently while my sister made her selection - a Baker's Dozen of scones offered at a discount and hot from the oven - before making a few selections of my own and with the modest tab settled we made our way back to the car. With the scones permeating the air with notes of butter vanilla my sister noted that only eleven people would be attending the brunch and as such suggested I should take one, an offer I gladly accepted in picking out a hefty blackberry scone from a mixed batch including chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, and raisin walnut options. Warm, dense, soft, and studded with pockets of butter juxtaposing the sweet berries I have to say that all things being equal the texture of the pastry was more muffin or buttermilk biscuit than scone, but considering the quality of the flavor it is hard to nitpick because no matter what you call it the 'scone' was delicious. Moving next to my selections, a requisite trio of cupcakes weighing in at $3 each, my first "Taste of Heaven" (sorry, couldn't resist) would be the standard Red Velvet, a decent representation of the classic with a moist base and cream cheese frosting in a good ratio but the frosting a bit less tart than I generally prefer and easily overwhelmed by the cocoa notes of the cake. Moving next to two of the more interesting options, the first titled Malted Milk Ball and the second "Elvis," both of these options would prove to be quite good, though the first - a black and white base topped loosely with a cap of milk chocolate and small malt balls - was a bit dry while the second was by far the best of the group with a banana bread quality cake topped in peanut butter cream and a hemisected peanut butter cup - a great presentation that could have only been improved by a little bit of bacon.
(4)Dayna S.
I want to love this place because of their biscuits and homemade whip which are amazing (especially a biscuit topped with whipped!) BUT the cost of a cup of coffee is a bit pricey, in addition the quality of the food for brunch has not been justified on my past two visits. If you compare Heaven to Bongo Room, you will definitely get more bang for your buck at Bongo and a lot better quality of food. I'm sorry Taste of Heaven, but I just wish you would improve the quality/quantity of your food for brunch.
(2)Barb L.
A very nice place for breakfast lunch or a snack. Delicious home made soups and pastry items. Service is friendly and attentive
(4)Sid B.
Hooked to coconut creme ! Their pastries and cakes are top stuff... A touch expensive though
(4)Annie C.
Gosh I've been meaning to review this place since years ago, but I guess it just slipped my mind. Let me start off by saying, oh yes you'll get a taste of heaven at A Taste of Heaven! Why else would they market themselves like that if they weren't the real deal?? Cupcakes? I think yes...try the Elvis cupcake, you shall not be disappointed. Moist heavy banana cake and light frosting, it's just right. Really any kind of dessert there is good...although be careful if you don't have a huge sweet tooth, the lemon cloud cake is super super sweet like your teeth are going to rot sweet, but in a good way. Anyways...now I'm just ranting. The people that work here are quite amazing. They're super nice and I'm never disappointed in the service. And the atmosphere? It's like out of a movie, so cute and cozy and warm. Yes, try out heaven, it will be nice for you. It's perfect on a fall day, sit back read a book, drink your hot tea with a nice cupcake while sitting in this cute little place.
(4)Debby P.
Delicious cakes in a traditional American style. Think... The best birthday cake a grown up ever had. Think also of many cute and tasty cupcakes, sweet quick breads, and the best scones ever on a variety of flavored. All that plus tasty food and a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. Servers are very cordial and helpful too.
(5)Marcus J.
We ate here last Sunday. It was nothing as I expected. It was better. This little restaurant on a corner blew me away. The food is amazing. I ate the coconut creme pancakes. Honestly, they were the best pancakes I have ever tasted in my life. The only con I can give to this restaurant is it's size. It is very small and becomes packed very fast. They have a patio but when it's very hot or rainy that doesn't help. They need to expand because their restaurant is just not big enough for their amazing food. We will go back. This restaurant lives up to its name. I recommend this place to anyone who is looking to have their socks blown off.
(5)Robyn G.
My girlfriend and I have only lived in Andersonville for three months so far, and we have already fallen in love with A Taste of Heaven. It is our go-to place for brunch or lunch. We go AT LEAST once a week. We haven't tried dinner yet, but we plan to! For brunch I highly recommend Mike's Pesto Sandwich--a delicious egg sandwich with pesto, spinach, and goat cheese. For lunch, I highly recommend the Durbin or any of their salads. My girlfriend is obsessed with the biscuits. We also are big fans of the malt ball cupcake and apple pie! By the way...free coffee on Wednesdays with the purchase of a baked good! I've always had excellent service here, and I love the small restaurant feel. I will continue to come back here again and again. For all the people who wrote a review saying that the food is overpriced--you get what you pay for, and I will happily pay more for a higher standard of food. Every single ingredient is fresh and high quality. The flavor combinations are delicious. You can definitely tell the difference.
(5)Sue H.
My first time here and I can't wait to go back . I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with the potato salad. Both were awesome. I want the potato salad recipe!!!!! Then I noticed they had cinnamon raisin rugelach and I was really sold on this place had to get a few pieces to go. One thing I do have to say is the waitress we had was just awesome I wished I would of gotten her name she was so friendly, and what great service. Actually every person we spoke with on the staff couldn't of been more helpful or friendlier. This is one place I will now frequent every time I come to Chicago!! Wish they had a place like this in Detroit. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Emann B.
I ordered a Jeanine's cake for a birthday party and it was by far one of the tastiest cakes ever! So fresh, lots whipped cream, delicious fruit, and layers of moist yellow cake. Also, they decorated it so wonderfully! Fun, colorful, absolutely festive. Seamless ordering and pick up, very friendly service. It's my new go to place for celebration treats!
(5)Marie D.
I'm upgrading my review from two to three stars based on an extremely positive, respectful message exchange with Dan, the owner, about my experiences at TofH. Dan obviously cares about his customers and takes our complaints seriously, and that's as important as the food and service, in my book.
(3)Deyte D.
We went to A Taste of Heaven yesterday for Sunday Brunch. When we arrived at the register area, the individual behind the counter pointed to a table across the room and told us we could sit there. We did and waited for over 10 minutes for someone to bring us the menus. We were still being ignored so we got up and left. We ended up across the street at Vincent, where the service and the food were great!
(1)D D.
I have eaten here with my wife and child two times now. First time was a so so dinner(can't remember the food we ordered), second time was brunch today and it was as fabulous as the men in Andersonville. The Katie cake is the best pancake(really more like dessert) that I have ever had, and the breakfast burrito was also up there with my wife's gourmet cooking. My 2 year old daughter is quite the foodie for her age and had to be held back from devouring the entire Katie cake. The place had slower service and they made us wait twenty minutes despite having 6 open two person tables for space reasons (high chair space) which really annoyed my wife, but besides that we were really happy we decided to go there today!
(4)Beth R.
Losing a star simply because of the web site. 1) No hours posted. I actually need to know this, because the last time a friend and I planned dinner there, we arrived to find it closed. We were going to try again tonight but my annoyance might override my appetite. 2) No phone number posted, and the Contact Us page has a simple form that does not work. I tried it in both Internet Explorer and Firefox, just to be sure it wasn't a browser issue. Nope, it's theirs. You actually cannot submit the form. Say what? In the immortal words of the Beastie Boys, get it together.
(3)Michelle L.
Taste of Heaven is very close to my apartment and one of my favorite things to do is go for breakfast in the morning so naturally I have been here quite often. I tried Paulines and Bongo Room but I think if you are looking for a delicious, comfortable, neighborhood type place...this is it. They are always friendly and the food is VERY good. I love the biscuits that come with most of the dishes. That being said I recently had an experience with Taste of Heaven that really put them above and beyond my expectations. I got engaged last Saturday in California and my fiance's parents were staying at our house from Friday to Saturday. I was planning on proposing around 7:30am California time which would be around 9:30am in Chicago. I wanted to do something nice for her parents since they were generous enough to stay over and watch the dogs...plus I wanted to tell them about the proposal in a personal way. My plan was to send them to breakfast and have the waitress bring out two mimosas and a card at 9:30am...at the exact same time I would be proposing to their daughter. Originally I went to Bongo Room on Clark since I know her parents had been there and liked it. I went in and explained the situation and asked if they would be able to help me. I was shocked that they offered absolutely no assistance. They told me they were unable to take reservations no matter what and that they would probably lose the card if it was left there overnight. This was the response even after the manager spoke to the owner who never even came out to speak with me directly. I'm a wedding photographer and I have helped numerous people with surprise engagements so I really expected a different response. Getting engaged is a huge part of someone's life and I am constantly seeing vendors and restaurants go above and beyond to help out someone when they are proposing so I left Bongo Room in complete disbelief. I immediately went by Taste of Heaven as I had been their earlier that day having breakfast and I explained the situation to them to see if they could help. They could not have been MORE HELPFUL. I was told to come back the next day to drop off the champagne and the card so I did just that. The next day I spoke to the manager and to the waitress who would be working on Saturday. She listened patiently to my plan and read through the instructions I left to make sure that she understood exactly what I was going for. Honestly they were so helpful (in such stark contrast to the response I previously received) that I almost became emotional! It was just so nice to have complete strangers be so excited to help you out and be genuinely excited for you. Saturday came and they pulled it off flawlessly! The waitress brought everything out at 9:30am on the dot and even took a photo of my parents in law to be at the table with the mimosas. It could not have gone off better! I can not thank the staff enough for the effort and care they put in to help make a special day even that more special. For that reason (and the amazing food) I will be a lifelong patron.
(5)Nate B.
Place lives up to it's name. I had The Durbin sandwich, delicious!! Great service as well.
(5)BforBulky B.
THE BEST breakfast your tastebuds will ever experience - the Silverland Breakfast is to die for. Go here and order it. I've never had their pastries, but have heard they're amazing as well.
(5)Noa N.
What a treat - it would be dangerous for me to live in walking distance of A Taste of Heaven! The atmosphere is part grammy's kitchen and part diner - warm, inviting, comfortable, and eclectic at the same time. Somehow my fiancee spotted the Elvis cupcake in the display case from the moment we walked in the door. He has radar for that peanut butter/banana/chocolate combination. We split the cupcake as an appie and it was very tasty - it was a banana cake - maybe a little bit denser and less pillowy than some other cupcakes but it was good - the peanut butter chocolate mousse on top - with the cupcake and the peanut butter cup on top of that is a score - the combination of flavors - the light mousse with the cake and pb cup - worked very well and my fiancee practically inhaled his half. The coffee paired well with it - A Taste of Heaven offers a strong basic coffee. We split the grilled cheese omelette - it was presented on two plates with fresh fruit - it felt like 2 entrees but was a split one - awesome! The omelette was cooked perfectly - I could taste all of the cheeses and yet it wasn't overly cheesy. The brioche bread underneath it was denser than I expected but worked well with the omelette on top - allowing for a touch of sweetness after a bite of the omelette. Service was super friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this place and look forward to coming back for another visit.
(5)Mike R.
I went here one time and I was impressed. Both my honey Dijon cranberry and roasted pear salad and my fiancées breakfast burrito were really tasty. Will be back for round 2.
(4)Phaedra S.
I tried out this place last night, and highly enjoyed it. The staff was super friendly. I ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate hazelnut cupcake and while they are priced slightly on the higher end, I definitely felt that the taste, presentation, and quality was worth it. I was slightly confused when I ordered at the counter and was told that it would be brought out to me without them asking for me to pay, then the person I was meeting up with paid at the counter. It wasn't a big deal, since at the end of the evening a bill was brought out to me. I was just confused. :-) Overall, this is a great place to meet up with friends and share a special treat since there isn't a whole lot of noice, so you can have a conversation. I enjoyed myself and would go again.
(4)Ryan G.
Immediately I was put off by the sign on the front door commanding all children to maintain their "indoor voices" implying that my 1year old might not be welcome. We decided to stay, however, and ordered the omelette of the day which was bacon apple and havarti cheese (just ok), the corned beef hash (slightly above average) and an order of peaches and cream French toast (delicious). Unfortunately, 1/3 of the way through the hash my girlfriend found a big ass fly in her dish. They did the right thing and comped the dish and our drinks. Although the waiter was attentive and very apologetic they establishment as a whole failed to gain our repeat business.
(2)Shanna K.
My husband and I went for our first time on Saturday morning for brunch. The service was wonderful- a warm greeting from walking in and attentiveness from the entire staff throughout our meal. The food was great- very large portions! We also purchased some cupcakes to go which were very delicious!
(4)Danielle C.
I know, I know. I am tardy to the party. A day late, dollar short- whatever! I am not GOING TO LET IT STOP ME!! Taste of Heaven may already have 349 reviews but they really, really need to hit 350 and I am going to make that happen for them!! I have had a love affair with this place since they were in their other location (NOT on Clark-Foster & Paulina - ish on the south side of the street). It was over 12 years ago, I was at my old job and we had a birthday cake from them. IT BLEW my MIND. I decided I wanted to try out the food and brought my picky mom in for soup late one evening. My love grew. It became my PLACE to go on rainy nights, a soup hangout if you will. The owner secured my unrequited love when he openly posted his thoughts on how children should behave in eating establishments and earned the wrath of early soccer moms across the country. Thankfully, he has never backed down. As I was enjoying my late lunch of a pesto chicken focaccia sandwich(w/rosemary mayo) with a friend today, a well placed sign specifying that children should use their inside voices and behave was placed on the wall. THANK YOU. The atmosphere is quiet and calm. The food is wonderful. The soups are always an amazing choice. The specialty sandwiches will NOT do you wrong. The grilled cheese? Go for it. In fact, choose whatever you want, I have never had a bad meal. The desserts? I could go on for hours. Really. CARROT CAKE!. I walked out today without any- my body thanks me, my mind is STILL protesting. The cup cakes are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. And really. Order a specialty cake. They are AMAZING.
(5)J. Terrell A.
I'm in love with A Taste of Heaven! I was craving brioche and french toast and what... they have Brioche French Toast with peach compote on the menu! The portions are very generous and delicious. To make thing more exciting I added a side of Applewood Bacon!! The servers at ATOH are friendly and engaging. This is my new go to spot.
(5)Kathy S.
I got a kind message from the owner who said he took my review seriously and is now testing different cupcake recipes. This is what yelp should always be like. I love when owners can take feedback from yelp and use that in a constructive way to improve on their business (which sadly not all do). I'm looking forward to my next visit for some more delicious bread pudding and a second chance on those cupcakes.
(4)Tricia D.
Brunch here not too long ago was the first time I had had ToH's real food (as opposed to their sweets). I highly reco the Durbin omelette. It's a hearty omelette that includes turkey, pear slices, and havarti cheese. While the cubed potatoes were slightly bland, the green bean salad was way more delicious than it might sound. If you like strong coffee, this is the place to order it. And as much as I want to give this place 5 stars, the fact that the Katie cakes came with fruit jam/sauce vs. fresh berries was a let down. Sniffle. P.S. Don't leave without a cupcake!
(4)Mark F.
Awesome lil' diner with a friendly staff and fresh, wholesome menu items. No deep fryer, which stinks when you're craving fries, but it also means that the food is generally cooked to a higher culinary standard than your average diner. Definitely worth a visit for dinner. For dessert, try the mackinaw island fudge ice cream or the rugelach.
(5)Marissa G.
My favorite of the hodge podge of decorations on the wall is this: "What if the hokey pokey really IS what it's all about?" Truly, a question of the ages. And yes, cakes that will stand the test of time, much like the hokey pokey. My best friend introduced me to Taste of Heaven specifically for their bread pudding. It was heavenly, and it's wonders have been extolled by other Yelpers, so I will talk about my second favorite sweet on the menu. On a trip with my brother to share in the joy of my first favorite thing, we found that they had run out of it for the day! Dissapointed, we trudged to the glass counter to see if there was anything else worth getting. The cupcakes looked lovely enough, but we just weren't in the mood. So we "settled" on a slice of the Jeannine cake. According to the dictionary, to settle means: to accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction. Okay, so it wasn't my first choice, but I was more than satisfied. - Perfect yellow cake, that is not too airy, and not too dense, instead, it has a delightful, almost doughy texture to it that screams homemade goodness. - Light, not too sweet whip cream frosting. - Fresh sweet berry filling. - Lemon streusel on the sides adds the perfect sweet crunch. It's everything you want in a yellow cake and more. This will officially become my future birthday cake of choice. Other greats on the menu? Every salad is fresh, but if they have the seasonal melon salad with prosciutto, go for it. The servings for the lasagna and meatloaf are insanely large, so be ready to bring some home since you'll be saving yourself for dessert!
(5)Zack M.
Forgive me father, for I have sinned against (A Taste of) Heaven! Well, not really. But when I last left a review, I had unfortunately just left Taste of Heaven after a really unfortunate lapse in service on a busy Sunday. Yet as I noted at the time, I had heard great things about the food and the blondie I had was delicious. Absent the service faux pas, they'd be a solid outing. Then the owners decided to kick it in high gear... Dan reached out to apologize for the mistake, and not in just some generic "We're sorry" type message, but instead with one that specifically noticed the day I had come in and explained how they had actually been worried about the very situation took place. He explained that the regular brunch manager had the day off, and the people filling in were doing a terribly weak job, and weren't getting along very well. Not a great scenario to be in, but if that was the case, it takes a lot for an establishment to admit that openly and honestly. In an attempt to set things right, they invited me back to try something on them (full disclosure) and it was everything I had hoped: extraordinarily polite (even before I identified myself), everything was delicious, good coffee, great people and quick service. All's well that ends well, and there's a reason that Taste of Heaven is an Andersonville mainstay with mostly 5 stars review -- they deserve it. Everyone makes mistakes, but it's the five star restaurant that goes above and beyond in realizing that great service needs to be the standard for every visit and rectifies the situation when something goes wrong.
(5)brian w.
I don't eat sweet things for breakfast with one exception: Katie's Cakes at this funktabulous establishment. I have ordered many other delicious items off the menu, but there's just no sense in passing up those floppy joy pads with ambrosia compote, or some shit. Oh yeah, the scones are delectable.
(5)Cameron H.
After leaving Opart Thai, someone wanted to do dessert. With it being close to 1030p, we needed to find a place and quick. Someone mentioned A Taste of Heaven as the selections are plentiful and they are open late. Just as we arrived, no one was in the restaurant. It looked like we got there 5 minutes before the close. As usual, all choices were excellent. Thanks for not letting us down!!!
(5)Damian C.
When I was a young child, my grandparents would tell me that Heaven is a place where you have all of your favorite things, you can ride around on unicorns, all food tastes delicious like pizza and ice cream, and you can eat as much candy as you want to without getting sick. Everything is wonderful and you will never have to want for anything. They had such a way of putting things in perspective for my cousins and I. God bless their souls. I had an unheavenly hangover one morning and met some friends here for a quick breakfast. I generally shy away from breakfast food but have a weakness for biscuits & gravy, and I was told by a friend that the ones here are "the best". We were seated and brought water pretty quickly, but our waiter was ungodly slow the entire time. I'm a go-go-go type of person with entirely too many obligations, and everything seems to go much slower here. Our waiter was pretty unattentive and I could swear that he was passively ignoring us... you know, where he knows you need something, sees you out of the corner of his eye from across the restaurant, but tries to appear occupied and looks at the floor when walking past instead of making eye contact. Naturally, I chose the biscuits & gravy, nixed the complimentary side of eggs and ordered the potatoes instead. A good chunk of time later, the food came out. At this point I was about to eat my hand, and seeing two fairly small and dense cornbread-style biscuits overlooking a sea of orange sausage gravy made me sad. It was kind of pretty, but utterly disappointing since I expected so. much. more. I just wonder what makes sausage gravy turn orange?! The seasoning was ok, but nothing to write home about, and required a bit of hot sauce. Worse, the biscuits were not soft and each bite sent more of it into the gravy pool and I pretty much ended up slopping it up into my mouth with a fork. Some redemption came in the form of dark brown, seasoned potato cubes. Not enough redemption to offset the disappointment with the biscuits & gravy. When we got the check, I noticed that they charged me menu price for both the biscuits & gravy and the potatoes, so I left $14 + tip lighter, unfulfilled, hungry, and with an unnecessary amount of idle time lost in my day. Maybe the "no annoying children" policy is heavenly, but everything else was pretty lackluster at best. If this is what Heaven tastes like, I want to stay on Earth forever.
(2)Scott B.
My brother knew of this place through a friend. Stopped by late on a Saturday to pick up some cupcakes and bread pudding to go. I had the bread pudding right away and it was awesome! I had the cupcakes later and was not disappointed! They have a small cafe area for dining in with a small menu of breakfast items along with salads and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. This place is in a nice area and seems like a quaint little hole in the wall place!
(5)Mimi C.
I love this place!! It's pricey but worth it! It's a small diner/coffee shop but the cooks are great and the staff are super friendly. And the coffee is Soooo delicious. I have had a breakfast wrap which over the top, my mouth waters just thinking about it. and I had the basic breakfast plate, eggs, bacon, home fries and this amazing french bread. I have not been disappointed yet with breakfast. I did not care for the Lemon Meringue cupcake, to much sugar Yuk!! The zucchini bread/cake was really good! Yayy On Wednesday's you get a free coffee any size if you buy a pastry. I Love the coffee so they will see me on Wednesday's.
(4)Cynthia N.
5 stars based on the cake but I deducted a star because the cupcakes I bought were stale and hard..I expected it to taste amazing like the Jeannine cake :(
(4)Megan W.
I went here for breakfast with a friend on a weekday. Right off the bat, I would like to warn everyone who eats at "A Taste of Heaven" to add their bill to make sure it is correct because we were overcharged by $3. Luckily, I caught it. They took it back behind the register and brought back the corrected check and said "Here you go". NO customer service skills whatsoever. No we are truly sorry, we will take 10% discount off your bill for our mistake. No we're sorry please accept a free dessert for our mistake......How about we're truly sorry about the mistake by itself????? To continue with my review, when we walked in there were 3 female employees behind the counter and 5 tables that were full. We sat down and was greeted with what would you like to drink? I had my morning coffee already so I didn't feel like another coffee. I was feeling orange juice so quickly looked to see if they had fresh squeezed orange juice but they didn't so I just said water is fine. My friend ordered coffee. As we sat there for 10 minutes, another employee came over to take our order. She said "What will you be having?" I ordered the Salmon Scramble which came out with scrambled eggs, a few slices of smoked salmon with capers, roasted potatoes squares, some chopped spinach with a tablespoon of cucumber dill yogurt. I read in a different review that their salmon scramble plate came with a corn meal biscuit....mine didn't. Overall the plate was ok, nothing special to me. My friend had a breakfast burrito with a little salad that had half a teaspoon of dressing. He described it as mediocre. Here is what really got me to write this review. The same waitress who seated 2 tables with 2 people in each gave the table behind me her "Today's special is"....reading off a list then asking them what will you have? Then she did the same "Today's Special is" routine to the table in front of us. I'm sitting here thinking, seriously? It was not like I came in and was rude or grumpy....I came in with a big smile and said Hi, how are you to everyone? Inconsistency and no customer service skills. Bottom line, I live in a big city with tons of restaurants.....I will never recommend this place to my worst enemy!
(1)WmTomas S.
Being cheap ... I thought the meals were just a tad expensive .... but the quality of the food was excellent and the ambience and energy of the place was great. The staff are all friendly and helpful and its obviously a place where the neighborhood can meet up for as much a a full meal or as little as a cup of coffee and a danish. I recommend it.
(4)Maranda W.
This place has the best hot cocoa I've ever had.
(5)Cornelius T.
Great desserts and even better food make this Andersonville gem a lovely place to enjoy creative culinary creations at any point throughout the day. What's even better is the "bratty child" (a description which seems to suit most anymore) stance encourages those who would otherwise disrupt the peaceful setting with their untamed offspring to go elsewhere.
(4)Carrie B.
This place is so charming! Came here on a Saturday night for dessert and coffee and had a great time. Everyone working there was so welcoming and happy to give suggestions on their favorite treats. I ordered a slice of Jeannine's Pie and it was fantastic. I loved that the fruit in the pie was fresh, not that gross canned stuff some places use. I can't wait to come back and try more goodies.
(5)Nicole C.
I went in here on a whim the other day simply to find a place to read my new book. I often saw a nice crowd here, and I wanted to check it out. I ordered a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of their zucchini bread. The hot chocolate was delicious. It tasted like someone melted a bar of chocolate and put it in my cup. It was rich and warmed me right up. The zucchini bread was tasty, but it was dry. It tasted like it had been made the day before and wasn't stored properly. However, the service was good and I loved the lamps along the window tables. It was a very cozy atmosphere and I cannot wait to go back.
(3)Mark M.
this place charges $3.50 for a cup o f coffee. really?
(1)Matthew C.
My praise to Taste of Heaven for its policy on disruptive children -- and their entitled, inconsiderate parents. Stupid, immature parents are not entitled to bring disruptive children into any public place, let alone a coffee or restaurant. You do not wheel a loud 3-year-old in to any establishment for an hour or more and let them scream or run around. Even worse, you and your pig family and/or friends don't trash the table and leave debris all over the place -- in the process disgusting other patrons and showing contempt for the employees. To top it off, these types of "guests" generally spend hardly any money and tip less. DO THAT AT HOME OR IN THE CORNER OF A PARK !!! Coffee shops and restaurants are public places for well-behaved people of all ages. Some parents do a great job at teaching their kids how to behave, and it's adorable. Some have the common sense not to bring a small, naturally unpredictable child to a restaurant at all. There's room for liveliness and quirkiness, but keep the entitled, ignorant cows and their offspring on the farm. Other coffee houses and restaurants should learn from Taste of Heaven: Empower your personnel and restrict bad behavior. It will be a case of addition by subtraction. You will make much more money from guests who appreciate the environment -- and who spend more and tip 20 percent or better for good service.
(4)Michelle L.
After my first review I went back and tried the Coconut Cream Cake...and I fell in love. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place was still packed but after giving "A Taste of Heaven" a second try, I understand why the place is always busy. The staff is so nice and attentive. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming. Patrons included families, couples and individuals reading their paper while sipping on coffee and enjoying lunch. The prices are cheap, the food/dessert/drinks are delicious and the staff is wonderful. Would definitely go back again!
(4)Melanie S.
I keep meaning to try TOH for one of their legendary scones, but I never seem to make it in here during breakfast hours. One of these days I will. After dinner on Friday night, my friend and I wanted to continue catching up over coffee and dessert and we both agreed that Taste of Heaven was probably our best shot; I was worried we might not find parking, so we let that be the deciding factor on whether we'd finish catching up or call it a night. Luckily parking was fairly easy and there were plenty of empty tables. The inside of TOH is bright and cheery and comfortable enough to hang out. We split a slice of the "Jeanine's cake," which is a white cake with a buttercream frosting and a filling of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries - which just so happen to be the stuff of all my dessert fantasies. As much as I love chocolate, I can never pass on any dessert in which berries are featured prominently. I also managed to get my chocolate fix in and ordered a mocha, which I didn't really like. I was sad that it didn't come with whipped cream; had no discernible chocolate OR coffee taste (it pretty much just tasted like milk) and it also wasn't hot enough. The cake, however, was delicious. There were plenty of fresh, ripe berries and the icing wasn't overly dense or too sweet. The cake itself was moist and fluffy and the outside of the cake had some crunchy things going on, like a streusel of some sort. That cake will stay with me a long time.
(3)Adrian D.
I visit A Taste Of Heaven, but this was my first time in for breakfast. The Earl Grey tea was great as well as the omelet with artichokes, goat cheese and bacon. Yum! BTW..the Mexican Wedding cookies are sooo darn good.
(4)Diana J.
So I know their breakfasts are good but I went in for dinner last night to see how they're doing things nowadays. I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of entrees and chose the grilled chicken with pesto cream and orzo. The bf had the fish with green and yellow beans dish. Both were pretty good and you'll be happy to know they're serving ice cream now. The new paint job is under way, and it looks to be pretty cute so far. The service was very good, as per usual. It's worth checking out as a dinner spot in the neighborhood.
(4)Harriet T.
Place was fantastic. I would def go again if ever in the area. I ordered 2 eggs over medium, brioche, and bacon with orange juice. Everything was fantastic. Place was also clean and everyone was friendly
(5)Nel A.
nice patio area to sit and chill. tasted some of the salted caramel cupcake...yummy! and had darjeeling tea. pretty simple. no complaints.
(3)J D.
Yum! We love this place for dinner and lunch. Food is delicious and clearly homemade. The desserts are beyond delicious! Seriously if are near here and want dessert you must go to Taste of Heaven! Better than any bakery. Also the staff is great!
(5)D P.
My opinion on this place waivers depending on when I go in. I used to go to this place all the time back at its old location on foster. I still remember my first time here- I was still in high school, and was going into Chicago to catch a "Too Much Light..." show with a couple friends. It was the only place still open at that time of night- actually I'm pretty sure they were closing but they stayed open late because we walked in. Got a latte, a slice of mushroom quiche and a slice of chocolate hazelnut cake. True to the name- pure heaven! Now, the last time I had the cake and the quiche they were still both very good, and the staff is still pretty friendly. But with the "new" location (new I say- its been there for how many years now?), the expanded menu (also, higher prices) and the yuppified neighborhood (hence... higher prices) something's changed... not as cozy and friendly, food overall isn't as good- I'm not as crazy about a lot of the expanded (non bakery) menu items. Also, while some of the baked goods are just as rich they seem more sugary... so I feel the quality has suffered a bit Maybe I'm older and my tastes have changed, maybe I'm reveling in nostalgia and my memory is off, or maybe it's really not as good as it used to be- I can't really say for certain. What I do know is that I definitely used to love this place- and now my reaction is kind-of *meh.* :-/
(3)Christina M.
The cupcakes are a far cry from a taste of heaven. It's pretty expensive and there is too much cake and the frosting is okay. I love cupcakes and I'm not a picky eater. The day we went to this place - We stopped in - I bought a few cupcakes, I took a few bites of each cupcake, & they all weren't that good. So I balled them all up in napkin and put them back in the little brown box it came in and then shoved it my purse and headed across the street to Hamburger Marys. When I got home it was just a mass of cupcake in the brown box. I thought "that was a waste of 13 bucks" and almost threw it out but I put it in the refrigerator. A few days later I just unwrapped my chilled, cupcake mass and picked at it and ate the good pieces while I watched the TMZ. BOTTOM LINE: The cupcakes are C+ at best
(2)Matthew T.
Okay I have been here several times both for breakfast lunch dinner and brunch. I have enjoyed my experience every time. I enjoyed the Brown Derby sandwich a lot. I also like the free coffee special on Wednesday. This is a most stop restaurant for great food and reasonable prices. Great service as well.
(5)Veronica M.
Been here a couple of times it's pretty yummy. I have to admit my breakfast was better than my dinner experience and you have to try one of there cupcakes they are to die for.
(4)Patrick S.
This is a perfect place for a nice relaxing sunday brunch. You cant beat October 80s in chicago. There is a little patio area which took total advantage of the day. I love outdoor seating because you are able to enjoy the weather out as well as take in the vibe of the neighborhood. The menu is very minimalistic and straight forward. Not to say that the food offered is bland and boring. Its just one of those places that isnt vain with appearances and lets the quality of the food shine through. You know..the way it should be. From the moment I woke up this afternoon I knew I had to have french toast. Its like the powers that be knew exactly what I was after. I guess its that 10-10-10 magic where things just line up. Let me just clarify that this was no ordinary french toast. Im talking about caramel apple french toast. I love sweets like these that incorporate fruit. Especially these overly decadent offerings that completely rot your teeth, and make your dentist cry; in a last ditch effort to redeem any notion of nutrition..fruit is thrown into the mix. I guess anything to appease your institution. I have no such delusions and am able to enjoy this conflict for its pure form. A plate of thick cut, fluffy french toast...swimming in caramel infused syrup. Topped off with apples seemingly gutted from grandmas freshly baked apple pies. And accompanied by a heaping, generous mound of creme fresh. Apparently this place has some great omelettes. Which includes but is not limited to the grilled cheese omelette. The grill cheese inspiration met its momentary demises briefly on my fork. I hope to sample this as well as others in their entirety in the future. On a few side notes..I stepped inside briefly and it had a great breakfast nook feel to it. And a great sign was displayed that read: "What if the hokey pokey IS what its all about?" Trivial matters such as this should only be discussed fueled by breakfast (or in my case, brunch) of champions like this place.
(5)Camille S.
OH MY GOD WHAT DELICIOUS BREAKFAST! I came to Chicago for a conference and found myself becoming a repeat customer. The quirky friendly staff gave great service. Great coffee. Delicious desserts to go. Get their breakfast burrito and put it in your mouth hole. Do it.
(5)Anna B.
Consistently good food and service. Love the salmon scrambler. My friend raved about the french toast.
(5)Yvonne Y.
Burrito was so so. My pancakes were alright. If you have kids or babies, I highly recommend you not to come here. The minute you walk in, they have 2 enormous signs warning you your children better behave. Some taste of heaven that is... After my husband moved the extra chair away to an empty table (to accommodate the high chair), some random waiter had to make a point of telling the new customers that we were the culprits for putting an extra chair there. I would have given the place 2 stars if it weren't for our waitress (tall lady) who was friendly, prompt and courteous.
(3)Sandra G.
So back to A Taste of Heaven, and $9.19 for 2 cupcakes and a cookie left us in disbelief. Hmmmm, guess we didn't pay attention to the price a week ago. Unlike places such as Phoebe's where the cupcakes will not be priced higher than $2.50, here they run $2.95 each. That's not that terrible, but when it's not your specialty and the decorations are simple, it's a little pricey. No complaints, just a "hmmm..."
(3)Maya C.
So I'm a breakfast food junkie. I love breakfast for all meals. Oatmeal for dinner, eggs in a basket for lunch, whatever. So I typical choose a good diner at any point in the day. Portions here are massive. Come hungry. I didn't even get to eat in the restaurant because I was working, but I dropped my sister & cousin off here because I knew it would be delicious. And I was right. I had a fried egg sandwich that they brought me that blew my mind. I'm an egg snob because my family raised chickens for eggs (not meat you terrible people who think I'd eat my pets!!!). So, the fried eggs on my sandwich, whether they were different than the jumbo whites at the store or not, were delish. Fried perfectly, with a little crisp on the edges and just enough butter so I didn't have a film of grease lining my mouth at the end of my meal. Chipotle mayo of some sort, red and green peppers, ham and cheese on what tasted/looked like Cuban/French bread. Both of them woofed down their food in about 10 minutes or less because I dropped them off and within a half hour they were back. So they power ate and had some power service I take it. I'm definitely heading back there to take another look. It's a cute corner diner, but definitely not the breakfast place you go to get a mimosa.
(4)Matthew B.
All around Taste of Heaven is pretty solid. Scones are dangerously good. When I get one, it always takes me a minute to decide... Chocolate chip, raspberry, maple walnut?! Seriously, it feels like a life decision sometimes. I saw someone complained the scones are too small now, but any bigger and it would be too much food. For $1.50 I think they are priced perfectly. Staff is awesome. Brunch is great.
(4)Lorraine L.
I went here for lunch during Summer. I sat in a table outside. I overheard the couple next to us complaining that it was taking too long for their food to be ready. I suppose that should have been a clue to leave, but I really wanted to see how great this place was. I ordered coffee and a thanksgiving sandwich. It took about 10 minutes for my coffee to arrive, and it tasted horrible. It was like a watery filters with a bitter taste. I excused it. Then the long wait for the food. Twenty minutes elapsed after the coffee and the couple complaining still had not received their food. They complained to the server, but the server reassured them it would arrive in 1o more minutes and apologized because they were backed up on orders. I felt bad, it's probably not the servers fault. The couple eventually left without eating. Fortunately my food arrived approximately an hour after I ordered. The thanksgiving sandwich was not that spectacular, either. It was missing something that made it taste like thanksgiving.... Cranberry sauce. I was not impressed by the food or the service, really. They neglected the customers outside.
(2)Jay B.
This place is been outstanding feature in Andersonville for years now. Great service great coffee. And fabulous desserts. Just wish they were open a little bit later on the weekends.
(4)Susan D.
Like so many places in Andersonville, this is a cute, cozy, casual eatery. I wasn't that familiar with the area, so was anxious to check out the place, since I'm soon moving to adjacent Edgewater. I stopped in for a coffee and hot chocolate with my brother, who knew the place well. The boston creme cupcake was smooth, rich and satisfying as any slice of boston creme cake I've ever had. The coffee was amazing. The service was great - and the place was busy, given that it was late Saturday afternoon. I'd give 'em 5 stars, but felt that the cupcake could have been a little bigger. I'll be back again! I'd like to try all the cupcakes, for sure!
(4)Corbett L.
Classy and tasty.
(5)mia b.
I went here with a friend today. We had children with us. Big mistake. I agree children should use "inside voices" when in a restaurant, as the sign on the door demands. However, I was SHOCKED when we were told to leave. My friend's 2 year old was a little fussy, so she decided to take her child outside to deal with her. 5 minutes later, while all was calm at our table, the waitress came over and very apologetically said, the owner wanted us to leave, would we like our food to go? My friend had not yet returned with the 2 year old. I guess the owner has a very short fuse and was not going to take any chances. I asked where "the owner" was and was told he was cooking in the kitchen. He would not even acknowledge me. There was a gentleman sitting next to us, who was just as shocked as us and agreed that the owner probably does not have any children of his own. Our instinct when we sat down was to immediately leave. I wish we had.
(1)Ilana C.
I didn't think ordering here would be so difficult.... I asked for the hummus sandwich without yogurt, and the cashier said the yogurt was already mixed in. So then I asked if the pesto had cheese in it and he said no, so I ordered the veggie sandwich, no feta. When the cashier turned to give the cook the order, the cook said the pesto did have cheese. Okay, can you ask if the hummus has yogurt in it. No? Great, can you add hummus to the sandwich? Somehow it was way more complicated than it needed to be. I also ordered it as a wrap, but got bread and asked for no onions, but got onions. The veggie sandwich was almost entirely eggplant slices, very greasy; the side of stir fried vegetables were very greasy and way too salty. Ended up having a stomachache from all the salt and oil. I just wanted a quick something to grab to go and will not be going back.
(2)Tiffany C.
Great scones. Try the Blueberry or Raspberry. They are buttery huge and delicious.
(4)Elizabeth W.
I love this place! I have been here for both breakfast and lunch and have never been disappointed. I love their sandwich selection, particularly the Durbin: turkey breast, roasted pear, havarti cheese and a honey mustard mayo. It is divine! Service is good too and I have never had an unpleasant experience with staff. The only downside is the size of the place, which makes it harder to get a table during their busier hours ( the weekend). Still, this is a great place to eat and I find the prices reasonable. Sadly, I have not been acquainted with their dessert menu, but definitely plan to as it is one of my favorite places in Andersonville.
(5)Laura T.
Why would I write a review on my neighborhood place that already has more than 300 comments? I guess because I can - such is the hubris of the consumer voice. But a couple of observations: The Silverland breakfast is an updated version of biscuits and gravy. Delicious. And you can get it in a 1/2 order which is the perfect size if you don't want to blow all of your 1500 daily calories in one meal The ice tea has a bright cinnamon flavor to it. You may want to ask for a taste before you order a whole glass. There rarely seems to be enough wait staff. Esp. on the weekends. It's not their fault that more people aren't staffed. It doesn't seem fair to take out our generalized wait-time frustrations on them. Generally speaking they are busting it from what I see.
(4)Jenny R.
I've never not enjoyed time spent at Taste of Heaven! Though breakfast here is my fave, lunch & dinner are just as nice. Warm friendly service with delicious home made food. The coffee is wonderful. The Katie Cakes are my favorite breakfast treat but if you're looking for savory, the Silverland is the best combo! The Greek yogurt with honey, berries and house made granola is to die for if you need a light bite. Add that to patio seating on a sunny morning and it's a perfect start to any day. For dinner the chicken & biscuits or the meatloaf is like eating at your grandmother's. It's that good! This place is great for an evening dessert too-esp the cakes. Jeanine's cake is my fave or the banana cake with chocolate frosting, or maybe the carrot cake. I think I need a few more visits in order to decide ;)
(5)Realtor Karl B.
I like the proactive store owners. You get an extra star for taking the time to write an explanation. Thanks!
(4)E. P.
The silvercloud (aka biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs) is excellent. This is a dish I'm passionate about and I just spent two weeks in the south very disappointed at the B&G I found. Who knew the biscuits and gravy I craved were here at home.
(4)Dorvella W.
The best hot chocolate is sold here! It's made from pure chocolate and yes I stop and grab a cup- including in 90 degree weather!
(5)Netta S.
After sandwiches at BaLe(awesome ),we stopped here for coffee and dessert. Perfect carrot cake not overwhelmed by icing and apple pie with warm caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. My hubby is not a sweet freak but he is craving more of this pie..... Delicious. Now let's go walk some of this off!!!!
(5)William R.
Okay so maybe the first time I went to A Taste of Heaven I wasn't overly-impressed, but the owner had contacted me to ask me to come back in and of course I was more than happy to do so! :) My partner and I have been back 2 times since and haven't had anything that we didn't enjoy! The baked goods are AMAZING, I couldn't have been more wrong to give a 3 star review to A Taste of Heaven, they UNDERSTAND how business should be run, we will be back very often! AND FREE COFFEE ON WEDNESDAY WITH YOUR PURCHASE OF A BAKED GOOD!?!? so cool.... ignore my first review, I am proud to say I have no problem admitting that I was wrong......so so wrong :) THANK YOU A Taste of Heaven!!!
(5)Caeleigh R.
I stopped in here on a Wednesday a while back to grab some coffee and a treat and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was free coffee Wednesday! Yay! Who doesn't love free coffee? I got a cupcake, something with hazelnut and chocolate, and all I remember was that it was pretty good but maybe not as fresh as it could be. Fast forward 2 months and I find myself in Andersonville looking for a place to take my mom for brunch and we stumble across A Taste of Heaven! We went in and were greeted right away once we sat at a table next to the window. The service was good and the water was always filled. I ordered the hummus wrap which sounded better than it was. My only problem was that on the menu it did not mention that there were mushrooms in the wrap, so I was disappointed to see big chunks of mushroom in my wrap when it got to the table. I didn't make a stink of it though because my mom loves mushrooms, so I just picked them out and she enjoyed them. The wrap was pretty tasty and it came with fresh fruit. My mom got the fried egg sandwich, which she would not stop talking about in the car ride home. Her sandwich looked super delicious and she said that the bread they used for the sandwich was super fresh and yummy. Overall, this place is a quaint, little place to grab brunch. The menu was rather varied, much to my surprise, and they served not only your typical breakfast items but interesting lunch items as well. I will probably be back when I'm in the neighborhood and it's a Wednesday so I can grab some free coffee with my meal/dessert.
(4)David R.
Still my second-favorite scones after Fraiche in Evanston. I only get them on the weekends now though. I haven't taken these to work in quite some time, but people in my office still ask about them. If you have the patience (and the psychosis) to stake them out for opening time (7am, or 8 on Sundays), you will be rewarded with hot scones right from the oven--HOT, not warm. These things will burn your mouf! I'm sorry to report that yesterday I ordered one blueberry and one cinnamon-raisin, and received three blueberry. Score on the free scone, but I really wanted raisin. (sad face) And I'm a glutton, but three scones in one morning is a bit much even for me.
(4)Justin B.
I liked Taste of Heaven, Ill admit. For a october day and it being 85 degrees, patio was definitely a good choice. The service was very quick and curteous. I noticed some of the other reviews on here and was expecting the worst but on this occassion it was seamless. My water was refilled like clockwork (which is a BIG point for me) so that was another plus. The menu looked quite interesting, but I chose to go for the omelette of the day. Chicken sausage, red pepper and cheddar cheese, the omelette was quite fluffy and light. The only gripe I had was the hash browns. I wish they were more flavorful? They were perfectly cooked, just seemed like they were placed on there. Maybe some herbs or something to make them pop a bit more. I didnt get a chance to try any of the sweets, but I wouldnt mind checking this place out again sometime
(4)Kristina F.
The friends of ours that took us here are regulars and were very excited about taking us to their favorite neighborhood dessert spot. I tried to manage my expectations, but with a name like "A Taste of Heaven", they're not exactly being modest about the quality of their treats. The guy behind the counter was friendly and since it was "Free Coffee Wednesday!" we got free coffee with our purchase. Our group ordered the rugelah, chocolate chip pound cake and peanut butter banana cupcake. Of the treats we tasted there, the warm chocolate chip pound cake was easily the best. Our friend was very excited about the rugelah but I thought it was pretty blah - the crust wasn't flaky and it didn't have that nice sugary coating and fruit paste filling like rugelah usually have. My fiance described his cupcake as - and I quote, "Eeehhhh". I had a bite and it was pretty uninteresting. Here's the part where you're going to think I'm crazy. I got a slice of fruitcake to eat for breakfast the next day and it easily beat everything else we got there! It was 1 1/4 inch thick slice studded with giant hunks of dried fruit. It was made, I believe, from the same tasty batter as the chocolate chip pound cake, only it had fruit instead of chips. Really, I'm not crazy - it was delicious!
(3)Ellen Z.
We ordered a Jeanine cake and Buttercream cake with yellow cake, caramel filling and fudge frosting for our daughters graduation party. Both cakes were so good, literally everyone had a piece of each! The Jeanine cake is a yellow cake with whipped cream frosting and fresh berries in the filling. The edges are a vanilla cookie crumble that is truly mouthwatering. The actual cake for each of these was so good it could have been eaten with no filling or frosting - my mothers test of a good cake. However the combination of caramel and fudge was absolutely amazing. One other true test was the number of emails I got requesting a link to the webpage so people could get cakes for their own future parties. I know there are a number of good bakeries in the area, but none has the interesting variety and such fresh ingredients of Taste of Heaven.
(5)Laura S.
Another "fine" restaurant review from yours truly. I've stopped in a few times since I moved to the neighborhood, sampling different goods each time. Today I went in for brunch, and had a real hankering for pancakes. I was rather dismayed to see that two plain pancakes would set me back $8.50, but I nevertheless decided to "upgrade" to Katie's Cakes, which are smothered in a three-berry compote, whipped cream and lemon streusel crumbs. Sorry, Katie, but if I can't cut through my pancakes with my fork, something's wrong. I was miffed to find my pancakes thin and chewy. Serious sawing action aside, the cakes were completely overloaded with the other ingredients, turning my meal into a rather sloppy mess. My server was sweet and attentive, but my breakfast wasn't enough to lure me back anytime soon.
(3)Laura B.
I just have to add that the atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is always friendly and accommodating!
(5)Paul H.
We were a bit underwhelmed. It has an indie greasy-spoon type appeal, with a few items you wouldn't see at the typical breakfast spot. The service was average, and the katie cakes, while good, don't measure up to some of the offerings nearby.
(3)Gregory K.
I have been here several times and every time it is A-ok. However I do have a few issues, why do the cupcakes have to be cold and stale? Refrigerated cupcakes?? Also they make it so difficult to modify the meal. I just want a wrap instead of bread why is that so difficult for a sandwich? The servers always have to go to the back to ask the cook. What he says no and then you tell me I can't have my food made how I want it?? Service is always good there and I will come back for sure. The last server I think her name was Larissa was as sweet as their pie she was on top of it I think she was the server for the whole place I didn't see any other servers and she was very efficient. Also one note is the place is looking a little tired its time for a refresh. The tiles are coming up and the tables are wobbly and beat up. However the place is great and I will for sure be back.
(3)Kaitlin P.
Best grilled cheese sandwich! Also love the Jeanine's cake. Taste of Heaven is simple and delicious. It has a laid back feel that's great for brunch, a home style dinner, or dessert.
(5)Maryanne D.
The coffee is so disgusting that I've been I'll for the past 24 hours! I put 6 + mini creamers in it and it was still almost black. The decor was like my mothers 80's era country kitchen. The music was equally creepy ranging from Styx to Olivia Newton John. Paid forty dollars for two people, mostly because the unattentive waiter never brought my change back. The food..... Most of it was left on the plate.
(1)Tammy C.
(See pics) Nice place and I only had breaky here before. Great friendly service and the wait usually is less than 15 mins at most. Food wise, the dishes are all pretty big and heavy but delicious.
(3)Aaron S.
I adore this place. It makes me feel like I stepped into a cozy kitchen that belongs to a grandmother of some close friend. The menu offers a lot and the sweets are fantastic. I also like that it is laid back and unpretentious. Staff are very friendly.
(5)Carolyn M.
Though their food might be good, I am obviously not the first to be put off my their incredibly rude staff. From my observations, it really is just poor management and a bitter angry manger/owner. The wait staff are not very professional, inviting, or tidy? The manager yelled at a waitress for dropping dishes (jerk!) and came off as a creep. Save yourself! There are plenty of other places with good food AND good people.
(1)Tim R.
Best veggie chili I have ever had.
(4)Anne B.
So, honestly I haven't been back since my last post. But, after my last review (which was not actually negative), I got a message from a manager (? Owner?) who responded to my comments and said that there will be more non-egg, vegetarian items on the menu soon. Excellent excellent excellent customer service. That's really cool. I'll be back.
(4)Nari H.
Came with a foodie friend on a Saturday evening. It was pretty quiet in the restaurant. Food: We had the meatloaf (good comfort food), the pulled pork sandwich (very nice and tasty and pretty good portions for half or full size sandwich), and their bread pudding (amazing - a must try). Service: Great! Friendly, a little less on the attentive side, but they were accessible as it's not a huge restaurant. Atmosphere It's cute, casual, clean. Conclusion & Tips: I'm not in this area very much, so don't know when I'll be back, but if you check this out you gotta try their bread pudding. I hear their scones are marvelous too.
(3)chris h.
Always good coffee and great servic ein a cozy atmosphere............but Sometimes change is good, but not this time at one of our fav. breakfast/coffee shops. One of the very best b-fast entre's THE SILVERLAND BREAKFAST was almost inedible today. Too much wine in the gravy but worse were the WHITEBREAD-TYPE biscuits. Whatever happened to the special corn biscuits?? too bad...we won't be back for awhile until they realize a good dish when they have one and not cahnge it for the worse.
(4)Jeff A.
Just ate here again this morning... Just as good as you ever were! Thanks for being a consistent ROCK STAR! Oh the cake, oh the cake, how I love theeee! ;)
(5)Sandra H.
This is one of the places that makes me sad I don't live in Chicago anymore. Best scones ever. Seriously. I had a friend ship me about 6 of them. Pancakes are at the same level of amazing, delicious goodness. My husband mentions them about weekly. If you haven't been, go. Good service, friendly wait staff, and a great neighborhood feel.
(5)Oliver S.
The name of the restaurant is in no way hyperbolic! I don't know how anyone could write a review of this place and not have it be 5 stars. I have been going here for more than 5 years now and have never had anything less than awesome food. Baked goods, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all off the hook, and Dan, the owner and chef, is always walking around the dining room sampling his newest creations, which are invariably heavenly. Sure, when it is busy it can get a little slow, but that's how restaurants work, and to all of the people on here who would complain about that, grow up, you live in the big city. (The members of the staff also saved my Ray Ban's for me when I left them there, and remembered my face when I came back in 3 weeks later. Truly a neighborhood place if there ever was one.)
(5)Joanna T.
service fantastic, I forgot the name of their vegetarian wrap but it was a A+ in my book. I can't wait to come to go back!
(5)Jen G.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this Heavenly place sooner! I moved to Chicago in September and we stumbled upon this gem because some friends live just down the street. We live about a half miles walk away, but will still brave the cold and wind at 8am to get some Heaven. Every time we go it is amazing! The staff is attentive and courteous. The owner is almost always there and frequents the tables asking how everything is. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner; we have never had a bad experience! I crave the oatmeal on a frequent basis. Just this morning I woke up with sweet thoughts of that peachy, creamy goodness. Topped with just the right amount of granola! Superb every time. My boyfriend has gotten pretty much everything on the breakfast menu and has yet to not like something. Oh and the hot chocolate is the best in town. thick and creamy with just the right amount of chocolate and real, yes real whipped cream. Job well done Taste of Heaven! We will be back many, many times!
(5)Erika G.
This place never disappoints. Went here for breakfast this morning with my cousin. We both ordered "Erica's Fried Egg Sandwich" and neither one of us could stop exclaiming how GOOD it was. Cute, friendly servers - just a great, chill place for breakfast on a snowy day, SO cozy.
(5)Esther K.
Shared a HUGE slice of Jeanine's cake- fresh fruit, light frosting, absolutely delicious crumbly bits (? hehe) and lovedlovedloved the cakey part (? lol). The moon pie was a bit dry. A cute little spot. Would definitely recommend Jeanine's cake!
(4)Hillary M.
This is one of my favorite neighborhood places. The decor and space are cozy, the staff is always friendly, and the food is good. It's a perfect place for a rainy day cup of tea and pastry and book, or a low-key brunch with a friend.
(5)Leigh C.
Probably the best meal I had while visiting Chicago. Service was awesome. We had a short wait for a table and once seated were not rushed through any aspect of dining, even though the place was packed with people waiting. Had the homemade brioche french toast with caramel sauce and cooked apples. Covered with thick caramel and enough whipped cream for ten breakfasts. Believe me, I'm not complaining. I somehow managed to run out of caramel before I ran out toast. Maybe I should have used the bread to sop it up instead of just eating it with a spoon. Had a big plate of home fries with melted cheese to top it off. (I was hungry.) All the food was excellent. Would definitely make a trip back if I'm in Chicago anytime soon.
(4)Leo T.
Its got a ton of reviews, so just the facts. The service was slower than I expected but the food was excellent. Given the size the seating is , lets say, cozy. Otherwise a very nice neighborhood coffee shop/bakery/restaurant.
(4)Nick M.
I know you're shocked... A place in A-ville that I don't like. Well, based on my early morning breakfast before a flight out of town. Taste of Heaven was more like Taste of Heave -what is this crap I'm eating?!? I will say that if I ever come back for the pastries they will probably get more stars because they looked delicious but as far as breakfast I will not be returning. It was so bad that the Golden Nugget would have been a better choice. I won't go into specifics but both of our meals were majorly lacking in taste and freshness. I know I should have gotten up and left when it took almost 20 min before we got an service. There was maybe four small tables of two with two servers. Most of their time was spent talking to one another. I have no problem with that but don't neglect your clients. I know I'm a little upset but how can an establishment in the greatest area ever be so bad?!?
(2)Fe T.
Good lord! How I hated cupcakes. I used to cringe at the sights of tiny, nauseously sweet cakes. But Taste of Heaven changed everything. Their cupcakes are heavenly. And now, I dislike Taste of Heaven because thanks to them, I realized I was not the minority who luckily escape the sweet temptation of cupcakes. The neighborhood is ethnic and the inside decor is warm and cozy. I recommend it to anybody who wanna find a place for a sunday afternoon and be tempted just like I was (*evil laugh*)
(4)Stephen F.
I have only got the scones and cupcakes to go and they are fantastic.
(5)Grace O.
I have never posted a Yelp review before, and don't particularly use this site that much, but my mom was coming to town and I had to figure out dinner plans. She's a pretty boring American diner/sandwich shop kind of person, so I needed to find something simple for her in Andersonville. THIS PLACE WAS IT! It had sandwiches and amazing ones at that. I looked up their menu online, obviously, while deciding on places, and found for myself something called 'Katie's Chaos' which is this amazing looking veggie wrap. I was sold. I knew both my mother (meat eater) and myself (vegetarian) would find something to eat here, and it was decently priced. We get there, and I look at the menu. My mom finds something she likes, but Katie's Chaos is not on the menu. I ask our server about it. She was new, but asked her co-worker and the cook. They didn't know about it, but I was able to pull up the online menu on my phone and she showed it to the cook who was able to make it. And trust me, it should be on their diner menu because it's amazing. As one of the few vegetarians I seem to know who doesn't care for mushrooms and onions, I was delighted to be served a veggie sandwich with things like artichokes, red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, feta, vinaigrette, etc.. And it came with a side of pesto pasta. I told the server I never wanted my sandwich to end. This place came recommended to me in passing conversation, but it wasn't until I saw the menu and interacted with the staff (I never did get the cook's name, but THANK YOU!!!) that I was sold. If you're looking for chill, not loud bar scene, dining experience, or coffee place with a menu, GO HERE! I know I will be frequenting the place.
(5)Susan L.
Still average. Skip it.
(2)Lindsay M.
I no longer live in Chicago. Taste of Heaven, I miss your Katie Cakes.
(4)Mandy G.
I picked a cake up from Taste of Heaven recently. They were RUDE. Rude, Rude, Rude. Rude on the phone, rude in person. RUDE. But, the cake was FANTASTIC. Honestly, I would like to knock off a few stars off the top because service is important, but COME ON. The cake is to die for. As long as you're there for the cake and not the service, you'll be a happy camper.
(5)Mercedes R.
Had the coconut cream cake. It was okay. I am not picky at all. It was a bit dense and very oily/margarine-y. Other than that the flavor was good.
(3)Monica G.
I absolutely love this place for (late night-ish) baked goods! A group of us stopped in after a dinner for "birthday cake." We all got different items - lemon drop cookies, macaroons, pecan bar (the best item by far) and 3 cupcakes (cream puff, coconut cream and malted milk ball). I've been previously for Mexican wedding cookies and cupcakes/cake. I would hiiiiighly recommend grabbing a piece of the signature cake, jeanine's cake. I'm not even a fan of fruit filled cakes, but this one is out of this world. I loooove Taste of Heaven, keep it up!
(5)Julia F.
A Taste of Heaven is indeed heavenly. The Andersonville dessert shop and cafe cooks everything from scratch, offering a range of sweet and savory desserts, sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, and other entrees. The desserts are a daily temptation to sin and steer away from a healthy diet. A Taste of Heaven bakes the city's best scones, hands down. The incredible blueberry scone is crumbly on the outside, soft in the middle, and stuffed full of fresh berries. The cupcakes are divine, with the cho-cho-cho and chocolate moon pie beating out similar offerings from Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park and More in the Gold Coast. The large slices of layer cakes can easily be split among two or three people -- or made into a meal by themselves. Jeanine's cake is, without a doubt, my favorite dessert selection -- layered yellow cake stuffed with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries in whipped cream frosting and topped with streusel crumbs. The 1000-chocolate chip and coconut cream cakes are close seconds. The main courses are good, albeit not as mouth-watering and satisfying as the desserts. The breakfast casserole is a nice brunch dish -- a breaded combination of ham, red pepper, and havarti. I've also enjoyed the stewed chicken and cornmeal biscuits with peas, mushrooms, and gravy. Whatever meal you choose, always save room for dessert. Service can be slow at times. Be prepared to enjoy a leisurely meal -- or just coffee and dessert -- during main lunch and dinner hours. Snagging a table by the window makes for fun people-watching along Clark Street.
(4)Anna B.
I just took myself out to breakfast at A Taste of Heaven this morning and I have to say, I'm always sorta disappointed in their brunch food. I LOVE their baked goods (much like everyone else), but their brunch entrees are always so rich and the portions are way too big. I find myself going "man, I should have just gotten a scone." Oh well. The service is great, I never have to wait for a table, and it's a great laid-back local joint.
(3)Olivia O.
The eggs tasted rubbery! and the cupcakes smelled weird! but the pancakes tastes like a fluffy cake! But one thing that upset me was that there is sighns all over complain that if kids are noty good they will kick you out! Im sorry but thats unexeptable!
(3)Jon K.
Trying to brunch on a Monday? Good luck. We found that most places in town are closed Monday mornings (probably because of their Sunday blow-out), but A Taste of Heaven was open! This was my first time here and I was surprised by the portion size. The food was massive and you didn't have to worry about leaving hungry. Their baked goods looked good too, but I just didn't have room. The quality was decent. Usually when you go out to brunch, you expect something different... this wasn't it. It was traditional, safe, average (this isn't meant as an insult either). The value in this comes when you want to have something that is filling without the frills. This place is intimate and appears family-run, which adds a little bit of charm to the experience. This place seems like a local eatery that is more of a workhorse than a unique dining experience. Although I wouldn't suggest it to visitors, I'd say locals should give it a shot. As I mentioned, the baked goods looked appealing and it's worth trying some with a cuppa joe.
(3)Neline S.
All I can say is YUMMY! I have been coming here for years to have a slice of "Janine's cake" which is literally a taste of heaven. I have a strong sweet tooth and I do EAT a lot of cake. I've experienced several bakeries but Janine's cake has me wrapped around their finger. It's definitely rich and you need to wash it down with either coffee or milk. It's fresh rasberries, opulant frosting topped with crumbled streusels just hits the right spot after dinner. Great place to chill with your friends after having dinner in Andersonville
(4)Shonda D.
So, after I wrote my review, the owner contacted me and we had a productive discussion about what went wrong. He actually took my review serious and offered some accommodations. And said, "I want to make this right." Who does this in our age of "we take your money and don't give a squat" frame of mind? Well the owner of Taste of Heaven gave a squat and because of it, I will definitely go back and give them another shot! Word is bond.
(4)Lawrence Y.
We were actually on our way to another dessert place down the street, when we walked past TOH and decided to try it out. I'm really glad we did, because the place is really cute. Service there was VERY friendly. We had ordered hot chocolate, oreo ice cream, and a snickerdoodle. Hot chocolate was very good, especially on a cold night like last night. It came with whipped cream and chocolate chips :) Oreo ice cream was good, and the snickerdoodle was great (asked them to warm it up... la la, la la, la!).
(4)Laura W.
Taste of Heaven, Great Lake, Vincent, and Hamburger Mary's all hug the corners of Balmoral and Clark, making this a Power Intersection, indeed. If I could historically track my foot traffic betwixt these Andersonville institutions, I'd wind up with a tangle of intersecting lines like an advanced cat's cradle move. But I want to focus my good juju on Taste of Heaven right now. Some of you previous reviewers must be nuts, in my humble opinion. Especially that one person who said that anyone in the neighborhood should skip this and go to Starbucks... shame on you. My favorite thing about this adorable corner bakery, which feels like the country home kitchen of someone's kind-hearted, plump grandmother, is that there are delicious edibles appropriate for any meal of the day. The offerings range from pastries, espresso drinks and omelets to please the brunching crowd, to sandwiches, soups, and salads to satisfy long into the evening hours. Not that anyone needs to place a time-of-day restriction on indulging your sweet tooth; I've been guilty of honoring a post-dinner brownie craving at Taste of Heaven, as it is opened later than any other nearby bakery (that I know of). The scones here are truly artful: a meal in and of themselves and perfectly soft in the middle. Many delicious savory breakfast options, and the greens that come on the side of the egg orders are lightly coated in a delicious dressing- I sort of wish they sold those greens as a dish in and of themselves. They keep bottles of Cholula on every table- automatic points from me. Keep rocking, and thanks for the Free Coffee Wednesdays.
(4)Katy H.
This is a cute little place! I stopped in for dessert with a friend on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was fairly crowded. We both ordered a cupcake and I had some hot chocolate. The cupcakes were delicious and very filling. The hot chocolate was delicious and not oily like some places. Also, the staff was quite friendly! I work just a few blocks away, so I'll definitely be back- next time for dinner!
(4)Denise B.
I asked my friend to take me to a cool, local place in her new Chicago neighborhood, and she took me to A Taste of Heaven. I feel badly for not loving a homey local place, but I guess you could say I wasn't in Heaven here. har har. Everyone who worked there was nice, and the crowd was very local. The air conditioning was welcome on a hot, humid Chicago day. But they weren't nice enough or welcoming enough to change the fact that my mushroom wrap sandwich was seriously mediocre. Normally I love big mushrooms, and I'm always fond of a good sandwich. There was just something about the combination of flavors that made me dislike the taste to the point that I could barely finish it. Looking at the reviews, it appears I should've gone for a dessert and perhaps breakfast food instead of a sandwich, and the experience would've been better. I'll definitely be open to coming back and trying some of their other food when I'm back in Chicago again.
(2)Steve D.
I've been here on multiple occasions now, and each time has been enjoyable. Andersonville rules and Taste of Heaven now qualifies as a top choice for brunch when in the area. The first time through I had the Silverland breakfast, and for a connoisseur of fine biscuits and gravy like myself, this was very good, everything cooked just right. Their French toast, omelettes, and other egg dishes are also very good. Add the fact that they bring around samples of their baked goods for you to try, and yes I would qualify it as a taste of heaven. Haven't had to wait yet, the staff is attentive and overall it's a very pleasing experience. The only thing I have yet to get is something from the bakery counter even though my knees buckle when I walk past it. For brunch or sweets this place is worth a look.
(4)Toast C.
From time to time I eat a signature dish at at a restaurant which I then crave: the Katie Cakes at Taste of Heaven are a great example. Katie cakes are pancakes smothered in blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry compote; topped with whipped cream cheese and lemon struessel. They are incredible!
(4)Heather H.
For as quaint and cozy as this place appears nestled into its own little corner of Andersonville, I was a bit disappointed when I visited for brunch recently. I felt as though the place lacked the charm the outside and even the name and area exude. Our waiter was very polite but incredibly quiet. The smaller menu will likely leave some people out in the cold with not a lot of variety. I opted for the classic french toast after seeing a table near by with their specialty peach french toast. Service is quick and when mine arrived there was a lot of fluff and powdered sugar, but my best friend's mother makes better french toast - there is a memory of it from when I was 15 that I just can't top! I will say that my friend enjoyed her omelet immensely though. Hearty servings for the price. The place, thought tight quarters is appropriate for families and small groups. I did enjoy the outside seating with a nice view of Clark Street. I would give Taste of Heaven another try, perhaps their other menu selections live up to the small but spectacular mentality that so many places in Andersonville/Edgewater strive to achieve.
(2)Judy M.
I'm going to have to give it another shot, and hopefully it will redeem itself. Stopped by after dinner Friday night because we had a craving for sweets and the line for George's Ice Cream and Sweets was out the door and onto the sidewalk. After chuckling at the signs, first thing I noticed was that it felt like a sauna in there. We decided there was no way we were going to eat what we got in. The staff were friendly, but busy, so we ordered a cupcake and went on our merry little way. I couldn't believe how dry the cupcake was, I love cupcakes and it was heartbreaking to have such a bad cupcake. I wished I had a glass of milk to dunk it in. For a good half hour after eating it I kept marveling at how disappointed I was. Hopefully it was an off night, and I'll modify my review, but as of now, dry cupcake and sauna like atmosphere = 2 stars.
(2)Timothy H.
Do yourself a favor and order the Hot Chocolate Cake - NO matter what time it is. It's a chocolate flourless cake served on a bed of fudge and a side of mousse. I was so excited for CFC that I ordered it for breakfast this morning. The food is generally "ok" and overpriced, and expect slow service, but it has a country charm which sets it apart from other places in the city. They have an extensive cupcake/bread/bakery item list, and I'm sure it's all tasty - yet overpriced at the same time. I've found myself coming here because of happenstance because it's really the only breafast joint in Andersonville, and I will probably continue to come because of happenstance, but I won't ever go out of my way to come here. Unless I turn gay, apparently it was voted best gay coffeeshop in the city. So there.
(3)Char Y.
We ordered the meatloaf and lemon tart to go. I thought the meatloaf was dry, and the lemon tart taste normal. However, I had their biscuit and gravy before, and it was very good.
(3)Melissa M.
Haha, the cupcakes look like something out of a fairy tale. Soooo given that GENERALLY nothing in life is as good as it looks unless you're either 6 years old or just really really dumb, I wasn't expecting to be too impressed by the cupcake I just haaaad to try anyway. But wow. I was wrong. Damn wrong. It was BETTER than it looked. I'd thought that was impossible. It actually flew through my mind that "A Taste of Heaven" ain't an exaggeration....!!!!! Wasn't expecting thaaaaat! :) I want to go get another one the next time I'm there (it's on my way home). Yummy! I did try their quiche too. It was tasty enough that their only having the one flavor of it made me think of the proverbial "damn kid won't live up to his potential." you know? soooo, but yeah. Cupcakes. If u like those, which I do, then hell yeah...enlarge your ass there. U won't be sorry. I also loved how they advertised "Edible Fruitcake." I get a biiiiiig kick out of stuff like that......it was cute. I've also tried their coffee before, and it was well made and tasty. Yay!
(5)Lesley A.
Have you ever wanted to grab dessert somewhere after a Sunday night dinner around Argyle or in Andersonville? A Taste of Heaven is available to accomodate until 10 pm. Three of us ordered three different cupcakes: MALTED MILK BALL: Marble cake with some good thick frosting interspersed with malted milk powder. Nicely adorned with a crunchy malted milk ball. I liked the juxtaposition of softness and crunch. MOON PIE (?): Chocolate cake with marshmallow fluff and a chocolate ganache. Too much chocolate for me. BOSTON CREAM PIE: A fake eclair. Or an eclair that opts to use cake as its base rather than a flaky crust. I liked this one the best because I was craving an eclair (since we were so close to Swedish bakery, which has the best eclairs!) The cupcakes were nice, but none of them blew me out of the park. They were also too pricey for me at $2.75 without tax. I'm also not sure how fresh they are because they keep them cold. Hm. The ambiance was warm, kitschy and full of pride (The Reader voted TOH has the best Gay Bakery or something like that. The award is displayed proudly on the wall). We also talked quietly as CeCe Peniston's "Finally" played in the background ( youtube.com/watch?v=4YfC… ) despite my inner urges to break it down. Oh yeah :-)
(3)Greg F.
hard to resist stopping in Taste Of Heaven when strolling andersonville, ordering a special treat you spot at the counter or see on their menu, and sitting down letting the waitstaff refill your cup. to paraphrase - 'slices of german chocolate cake as big as your head' knocks me out of the park maybe the puppet bike will be putting on a show right outside. maybe not. all that's missing is the rotogravure for an idyllic afternoon, but whatever you do give them a sweet try in my meddling opinion though they should drop the 'A' in their restaurant name, it complicates and leads searches astray. talk about a token complaint
(4)Jonathan C.
So good. Try their French Toast with peaches and cream. I have yet to find something on their brunch menu that isn't amazing. Even their basic eggs, sausage gravy and buscuits is good. I don't know how they do it, but they do. It can get a little long to wait for a table, but its a good place so worth the wait (nevermind its not worth it, just go to Dennys so my wait is shorter)
(5)Tim L.
Interesting reading all the feedback on Yelp about this place. I worked here for a very brief stint last summer and I would agree with most of the reviews, both the positive and the negative. "How is this possible?" you ask. Well here goes... Service: It completely depends on who is working. Dan, the owner, is a *bit* pretentious in an "I run my damn restaurant like I want to" and I don't fault him for it. He's a straight shooter and is truly dedicated to his craft/skill, which is definitely best expressed in the back of the house, where he generally stays. Some servers are amazingly friendly and others are snobby brats. They are often understaffed with only one person covering the whole restaurant and one behind the counter, so don't expect to eat in a huge hurry, but to be fair there is really no more room for 3+ staff to be able to function. (PS: I like to think I was a friendly one. :) Atmosphere: It does get packed at times (i.e. nice summer nights when everyone in Andersonville is out walking their dogs/babies/dog babies), but usually is pretty chill, especially around early lunch time. If it is too loud inside check out the back patio, which is nice. The other reviewers do a fine job of describing the homey interior, so I'll leave it at that. Cleanliness: Don't confuse the clutter with dirtiness. The space is small for everyone, servers, kitchen staff, and patrons, but it is kept clean and sanitary. Food: Here is where this place really shines. As you can read above, I have no real allegiance to this place and I can be as objective as anyone, as I don't live nearby anymore and don't owe them anything, and I still will say that the food here is absolutely delicious! Portabella wraps are my favorite for lunch, and the breakfast selections are all outstanding. It might be just me, but I don't really see this place as a huge dinner destination. Big portions, very affordable, everything made fresh (even the salad dressing is made in house). The desserts and sweets are incredible -- especially the apricot macaroons when they come hot out of the oven -- and are always turning over to ensure fresh products for everyone. If ratings were based on food alone I'd give this place 5+ stars. (Hint: many entrees come with choice of side; ALWAYS go with the pasta salad -- it's delicious) Bottom line: A cozy neighborhood place that caters to locals and regulars, but that has outstanding food for everyone, especially for breakfast and lunch. Sit outside when you can, come when you have time to relax and not hurry in and out, and enjoy Dan's great talent in the kitchen!
(4)Kathleen C.
This is by FAR my favorite place to eat breakfast! I have dreams about their scones. I LOVE the blueberry, rasberry and blackberry scones! AMAZING cupcakes as well! I try to hit this place up at least once a week. We are moving to the suburbs, which breaks my heart, but I will be making the trip in to visit Taste of Heaven for sure!
(5)Angelique R.
Very delicious veggie omelet, yup potatoes, yum fruits, yum iced coffee, and I brought home the pasty - which I'm sure is yum too. Service was friendly enough and for a Saturday not super busy. I do wish I could have grabbed something healthier but I may have missed it on the menu. Prices weren't bad.
(4)Megan G.
Taste of Heaven is unique in that it is the only establishment I can think of that I could have rated anywhere from two to four stars...I split the difference at three but as I ponder this review I'm leaning more towards two. On the four star end, the baked goods are excellent. The food isn't as good as the baked goods, but it's fine. Drinks are solid. I also like the atmosphere - it's softly lit and quiet. It's not a place that I'd necessarily want to linger for long periods of time because the chairs aren't particularly comfy, but I find the overall atmosphere calming. The two stars are service. As I watched our counter server glare at and refuse to speak to me last night and snap at his coworker that no, he would not make a hot chocolate for her I commented to my companion that Taste of Heaven ranks with the Uptown Post Office for most unpleasant employees I've ever encountered. If you've been to the Uptown Post Office, you know that that's really saying something. In general, Taste of Heaven employees seem to go out of their way to be unpleasant. They must actually be expending additional effort to be as nasty as they are. Periodically I forget this or think that I have to have been overreacting and I'll wander back into Taste of Heaven only to be reminded that yes, the service really IS that bad. I will say that the aforementioned coworker who asked for hot chocolate for one of her tables was as sweet as pie. I doubt she'll last long.
(3)Stefanie P.
I stopped in here the other night to satisfy a particularly nasty sweet craving, and I must say, I picked the right place. Upon the cashier's recommendation, I tried the "moon pie" cupcake. Dude. DUDE. Chocolate cupcake with marshmallowy buttercream (I think), covered in chocolate ganache. Need I say more? It was amazing. Staff was friendly and the price was fine for a specialty cupcake. I'll be back to try more. It's quite convenient that I pass them on the way home from the gym...
(4)Sarah E.
Perfect! I was looking for somewhere quick to stop in before book club to pick up my sustenance offering for the group. I picked up apricot macaroons, lemon drop cookies, chocolate raspberry brownies, and lemon butter bar. Everything had that great small bakery quality, and nothing was terribly pricey. Except for my small tea. $2+. Good tea (chamomile) with the non-paper bag that I'm a huge fan, but that was how much? Otherwise, I would visit regularly if I lived in the neighborhood. Great atmosphere, PERFECT place to meet friends for coffee and small sugar snack. :)
(4)Jerry B.
Quaint, little diner. Quiet and not trendy. Had egg sandwich and pesto omlette. Both okay, not great. Good coffee. Service was very good. Cupcakes look great, but didn't try them. Nice alternative to big,noisy places like m Henry. (and a little less expensive). Probably 3 stars for hipsters.
(4)Dan F.
This is one of my favorite little spots for a nice lunch--winter or summer--they have a nice street cafe in the summer months and a small and very cozy dining area. The food here is why we go--it is unbelievably tasty--made from scratch (everything). There is not a thing on the menu that I wouldn't eat--whatever it is it will be GREAT! Now, they don't seem to keep servers more than a week or two here for some reason, but it doesn't matter--slow and sluggish service because someone is learning the ropes is a small price to pay for the excellent food that awaits your taste buds! Yum!
(4)Alexander C.
I have tried a lot of cupcakes. I like the inventiveness that these guys are showing. We got a six pack to go and are working our way through them. I really like the Boston Cream Pie cupcake. It is a cupcake topped with a cream filling and a hard chocolate "crust" to keep that cream filling perfectly sitting on top of the cupcake. You bite into it and it just gushes everywhere. Awesome! Eat it over a plate for sure. You have been warned. I have read some of the bad reviews on service about this place. We had the complete opposite experience. We walked up to the counter and were immediately greeted by two of the guys working there. They made us feel comfortable and I dig that. We ended up buying more than I was expecting and left them the change and another buck in the tip jar. We will be back! Thank you!
(4)Unity O.
As of my trip there yesterday, they remain a solid 3 stars. They have a plethora of delectable delights. Things ranging from cookies, bundt cake, cupcakes, ice cream, scones, huge ass pieces of the cakes they bake in the shop, tea, and coffee. Normally I go here to get my sweet on, but have been there for their savory options as well--brunch is fantastic here, even though they do kick you out after about an hour & half (it is a small shop). One thing that keeps them at a solid 3 stars & does not bump them up is their customer service. Maybe they just don't care, but the servers could absolutely use some training--seriously. I took my niece there last night for some bonding time & our service was very sub-par. They did not bring us out utensils (I grabbed them myself) and they did not even come by our table to see if we were okay or if we needed anything. The place was not crowded--there were only 3 people in the whole shop while we were there. Mind you, I get that they were probably disappointed that we were not ordering dinner--but come on you are a coffee place too. Ordinarily I do not gripe about customer service, but last night was too much. While my niece & I sat there playing some card games & enjoying our treats--we had to sit there and listen to the 2 servers have this LONG discussion about working out their differences. Good night, they repeated the same things like 20 times in row before they were "okay" with each other--just silly! They were also very loud about it--it was unpleasant. While the food is good, the service is not--there enuf said.
(3)Stephen R.
Great coffee and all the cakes are great. I like the chocolate chip pound cake and the chocolate bundt cake.
(4)T J.
What a great place to grab a sandwich and dessert after a long day at work! A mix of a coffee shop, restaurant, and bakery, this joint has anything you could need. If you have the time, I wholeheartedly suggest dropping by with a book and spending an hour or two trying some of their creative food options and watching the foot traffic go by. The service is fantastic with an air of hospitality that many cafes don't seem to have these days.
(5)Mel A.
2 stars for customer service and dirty table lamps. Same girl who served us a month ago. Long blondish dreads. No smile... same grumpiness. When we appeared to be done with our lunch she put our check on the table and walked away. She did not ask if we wanted dessert or coffee. My boyfriend and I got caught up in a conversation forgetting the bill for a few minutes. Blondish dreads walks up to our check book-slams it open...sees there is no money/credit card-slams it shut and walks away. My boyfriend gave her over a 20% tip. I begged him not too. He said it might make her happy. I really doubt it. Food was really good. I had a breakfast burrito. Boyfriend had tomato dill soup. Mocha was good too. The place was a bit dirty but we did go around 2pm and the seats were full. A month ago it was dirty too and there were only 4 other customers. We had dessert and mochas. All very good. Just wish the service was better. Maybe Blondish dreads is the owner?
(2)Herminia I.
I have only come here for dessert, but I always stop here when friends come to visit me in Andersonville. I have never had a bad dessert here. Their desserts are kind of weird to describe. You can't really compare TOH desserts to their counterparts you've tasted elsewhere, but they are just simply amazing. I've had the german chocolate cake, the carrot cake and a few cupcakes--all AMAZING. And about the sign on the door... If parents simply taught their children manners than a shop owner who wants to keep a serene atmosphere wouldn't have to place a sign on their door. This place is not a bad place for all children--it's only a bad place for unruly children.
(4)nina c.
Ran by this place on our way home from Edgewater Produce. BF grabbed the food because I was waiting with the puppy outside - not much clue what the place is like inside - seemed cozy through the windows though. But here is the thing ... I had this cupcake thing.. and I really do think it might have been heaven. I don't know what the heck kind of hazelnut concoction was on top, but it was on top of a chocolate cupcake that was really good, and it was covered with yummy chocolate, and it was just sooooooo f-in good!!! My!!! Yeah...
(4)Emily Y.
Ok, my one-year ban on Taste of Heaven has been lifted, as of yesterday afternoon. After a terrible experience with an extremely sour waitress, we avoided the place for one entire year and told everybody we knew to avoid the place if possible. Yesterday, we decided that maybe it was time to give it another try. Everybody deserves a second chance, right? And the place happens to have great food and is a hop, skip, and a jump from our place. We walked in the door and were greeted and seated immediately. Good start. Waters were promptly delivered and the waitress came shortly. (No sign of sour waitress from last visit, maybe she got sacked or quit). Though new waitress wasn't entirely smiley and friendly, she didn't seem hostile but rather just busy. Our drinks arrived shortly. The coffee is ok here, but all the drinks are a bit over-priced in my opinion. I realize they have to make money, but 2.95 for a bottle of soda and 2.50 for a drip coffee? Seems a bit steep. The owner/manager person came by and offered us a free sample of a delicious apple/pumpkin pastry, which was a nice touch. He was clearly working hard to make sure the service was top-notch, often calling out to the waitstaff if a table needed a check or a refill. My question is why can't the waitstaff handle it on their own? I think I'm going to have to stop in on a random weekday afternoon and see if the service is still as good. This was Sunday brunch, after all, and the owner/manager was making very sure his employees were busting ass. The food is the saving grace here. Our breakfast casserole was dynamite, a big portion filled with yummy veggies and ham and very flavorful. Loved the dressing for the side salad. We also had the caramel apple french toast, which was delish. I'm sure the food is what has people coming back to this place, that and there is usually not too much of a wait, especially when they have the outdoor patio open. The tables were a bit dirty, and while cute, the coffee cup lamps needed some serious dusting and wiping. Gross. Simple things people. I will probably always be over critical of this place due to our very bad experience, but I am no longer boycotting it. It's a good place to go for a weekend brunch in the 'hood. Before you go, just say a little prayer to the waitstaff Gods that things are running smoothly, because that's a hit or miss.
(3)Genevieve K.
My mom, grandma, and 4 aunts came to visit this past weekend. Friday evening around 8 pm, after having snacks and drinks at my place, we wanted to do the "Clark street stroll" and stop someplace cozy where everyone could get something different (small bite, large meal, sweet, savory, etc.) Taste of Heaven was PERFECT for this. Everyone loved everything they got, which was: green salad with roasted chicken breast, chili (which is vegan), biscuits and gravy, Boston cream pie cupcake (that was me - YUM), malted milk ball cupcake, and huge chocolate raspberry cake thing. Props to Taste of Heaven for being open so early in the morning and staying open well into the evening. Service was friendly and prompt. Fun times!
(4)Rafael C.
So many quips can be made about Taste of Heaven based on the name. I unintentionally put a high barometer on the experience I would have here just in that name alone. Me thinks I was not the only one. So let me start with some heavenly praise: Good Coffee Slightly above average food Great sweets to choose from Now with the devilish scorn: I haven't had bad service but certainly not very cheerful A little bit pricey for the food that you get Wait times can be a little long at busy times during the weekend I'm sure to come back as I do like their french toast options but the great thing about Chicago is that there are many options for brunch and for now this place is not in my top tier of the brunch rotation! I'll taste this place in moderation unless I get a sign from you know who!
(3)Jenny T.
I LOVE~LOVE~LOVE A Taste of Heaven! I've been going to a Taste of Heaven since College, and that was years and years ago. (Like, 10. Yikes...time flys!) To this day, I remain one of their BIGGEST fans. Although I now live far~ far~ away, in the city of Woodridge, IL, whenever an opportunity arise, I always go back and pick up their delicious baked goods before I head back out to the suburbs. Being a total foodie, I have not yet encounter a bakery that is of this kind; an unpretentious and scratch kitchen that makes generous and delicious baked goods that are, simply, solid. The pricing is not the cheapest. BUT, one always gets what one pays for. Here are some of my favorites: Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce - I was not a bread pudding person until I tasted this. This bread pudding was what got me to becoming a fan 10 years ago! This is not your typical bread pudding, it is REALLY very SPECIAL. Give it a try, just once, and you'll understand WHY. Jeanine Cake - A white cake with triple berries. The cake is moist, the frosting is light and fluffy and the berries brings out the deliciousness in making this cake a stand out! (I'm not sure if they still make this regularly but, just ask!) Banana Bread/Pound Cakes - You will be hooked! Cupcake varieties - I think they are all DELICIOUS and they're not super expensive like others that are trying to tap into the cupcake trend. Some of their creative flavors that I can't get my mind out of are: Melted Milk Ball & Boston Cream Pie. There are many flavors to choose from. One should go and chose with their heart! If I were to live closer to a Taste of Heaven, I maybe in trouble. (because I would stop by, everyday!) A Taste of Heaven now serves breakfast. But, I have not yet had the opportunity to try them. I am, however, confident that Dan (the owner) will not put out a disappointed plate out without it being DELICIOUS! (I say this because I got to meet him back in the days when he offered his baking classes in his bakery kitchen at another location. He really is passionate in what he does...and he's awesome at it! Way to go, Dan!) A Taste of Heaven ~ Really is, what it is. Happy Eating!
(5)Stephen D.
Great brunch / breakfast place in the a-ville. I was on the fence about giving this place four or five stars. Ultimately, I gave this place the one star bump because of their "children must use their inside voices" rule. It's kind of nice to have a civilized (if not a tad hungover) breakfast without the constant din of screaming children.
(5)Scott B.
Up until now, I have only been visiting A Taste of Heaven for their lemon bars. Who knew that they have a good breakfast? I love a good breakfast burrito and I think I have found my favorite. Most places the burritos are so huge that I can't finish it. At A Taste of Heaven the breakfast burrito is perfect. I added chicken sausage to mine which made it all the better. Looks as though I have a new breakfast spot!
(5)Madeline S.
So I'm updating my earlier one-star review. Why? Because the owner reached out to me--not once but twice--to offer me a refund. That is five-star customer service! In Chicago. I'm stunned. I never get five-star customer service in Chicago. Never. I'm giving him two extra stars just for that. This owner deserves kudos for that. He really cares. Now, here's my original review: Overrated. Can't understand what all the raves are about. Very small, very Andersonville. I was kind of curious since the shop shares the same name as the title of my book! But I found the baked goods/coffee to be average. This place feels more like it belongs in Madison, my home town, than in a "big" city like Chicago. I lived in NYC for many years. I have found humble neighborhood donut shops in New York that are more interesting food-wise than this place, but that's just my opinion. As for Andersonville, the Mexican panaderia/bakery has amazing vanilla churros and it's just up the block.
(3)Lisa D.
Love it!!! Try the cream puffs. I thought they'd be like any other cream puff but you wouldn't believe how fabulous they are. Also the muffins, the scones and the cookies... on n on n on
(5)Sarah C.
I used to live in Andersonville and miss it a lot so I often catch the 22 and bum around on Clark. One night I was dying for ice cream and since my old standby Sweet Occasions is gone, I wanted to find something else. A Taste of Heaven was the perfect choice. My boy and I ended up sharing a waffle cone of their seasonal pumpkin ice cream-- delish! I normally am not a huge pumpkin fan but once I had a sample, I knew it was the right choice. The other ice creams we sampled were great, but the counter guy was sort of a jerk about it. Sorry, but if I'm paying for fancy ice cream, I want to make sure that I'm going to enjoy it....call me crazy. It wasn't as if we asked for samples of fifteen things-- just 3 thank you very much-- and he acted like we were being super demanding. This review would've been four stars had it not been for the service.... The pastries and such looked great too, but the ice cream was all we had appetite for. I'll definitely head back to make sure the pastries taste as good as they looked!
(3)Joanna P.
Everything at this little bake shop/restaurant rocks my world. The people are nice, the prices are right, and the food blows me away every time, especially the turkey sandwich and the carrot cake (be warned: the portions are HUGE). Great for intimate meetings with close friends or for a little outing with your sweetie. I will come here again and again, especially when I get married. I want them to do my wedding cake.
(5)Mike F.
Been here a few times for lunch and dessert, and have always enjoyed the food here. I've had very good sandwiches and amazing desserts. Never had a surly wait staffer as other reviews mention, but from time to time was unsure whether to wait for a server or order from the counter -- the only reason I've deducted 1 star. In short, if nobody stops by the table after a minute to two, sidle up to the counter. If you can't handle that, by all means go elsewhere -- as it means more desserts available for me! The best thing here is that if you order dessert, you get a serious wedge of cake. Most places serve you a tiny sliver of cake on a manhole-sized plate featuring some kind of Rorschach drawing done in chocolate syrup. Not here. Big slice of cake, regular sized plate, no syrup artwork and its all damn good. In fact, be prepared to share, but if you want something smaller. they have great cupcakes and pastries as well.
(4)Jade O.
A Taste of Heaven is dddddarrrrlinggg. The food is friggidy fresh and tasty. Hands down the best scones on planet Earth. The bread is made in house and the soups are delectable. And the pumpkin crumble bars? To Die For. In fact, someone died last week. The walls are decorated with old black and white family photos and coffee's free on Wednesdays. What more could you ask for?
(5)Timothy E.
Food was good. I had the Turkey Dinner, and it was good. The GF had the beef stew, and it was good. Price was pretty good knowing the real estate that they sit on. The Carrot Cake was pricey, but was totally worth it. I have gone there before, and I had the German Chocolate Cake, and that was also amazing. I wil be back for Dessert, and maybe dinner.
(4)cindy r.
A friend and I decided to check this place out for lunch so we did. When we first walked in there was no greeting...just a are you eatting here? That wasnt very welcoming. So we looked at the menu and the prices were kinda high. We asked what a certain food item was and the reply back was kinda like....duh! So I ordered a ham and turkey sandwich with carmelized onions for like 9 bucks and I did not enjoy it at all not only was it over priced it was just bad. My friend had a breakfast dish that was over priced as well. I dont think I will ever go there again. No affense to the restaurant or cooks. It just didnt satisfy me.
(2)Akiba B.
Imagine: scrambling at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday trying to get a last minute dozen of freshly baked cupcakes. "Cupcakes" was too high. "Molly's" was too far. Here is where I found it to be just right. They had an amazing assortment (Moon Pie, anyone?) and when we took them home for the b-day party, they were moist, rich, beautiful, creamy...delicious. The chick who took my order - I wish I had her name - was super cool. She was very helpful when I placed my order over the phone. And bonus points for their inside voices sign.
(4)Allison H.
This is a place we return to again and again b/c they corner the market on something you cannot get anywhere else: PETERSON'S ICE CREAM! That is the best darn ice cream in the history of the creamy confection, but honestly, now that I moved from down the block, I'm not sure if it's worth the trip to deal with the rest of the place. The service is questionable at best. They are S.L.O.W. slow. Sometimes, they will INSIST (literally- will not let you order at the counter) on waiting on you. That happened to me, and after waiting 25 minutes for someone to take our order, he brought HALF the table's ice cream 25 minutes later, and we had to wait another ten minutes for him to return to get the rest of our ice cream. I won't even tell you how long it took us to pay for it!! The only thing that kept us from walking out is my grandfather- that man will wait until kingdom come for a bowl of peterson's ice cream! Their other desserts are extravagant for sure, but somewhat impracticable as you have to pay a lot of money for a dessert that is too rich or sweet for you to have any hope of finishing. I give the ice cream a solid five stars. The restaurant...meh...no comment. p.s. They are the restaurant in the papers that was "no kid friendly"- so beware!
(2)Claire M.
its cute. it was fine. it was memorial day and i had just foolishly thought I could find a non-packed beach. I instead was starving and up north, which is out of my comfort zone... so when we saw this little place on the corner that had ice cream, f it.. Im starving. And I ate. And was pleased as punch for there to be food in front of me. Just so joyful. It is too bad that it was mediocre at best but, starving ladies on a national holiday can't be too picky. Its a really cute place, old timey and quaint... Filled with neighborhood regulars, it was packed. We sat quickly, which was great. I ordered the Nicoise salad and an Americano. ok, the salad was totally fine. And everything in it was from a can. Nothing was particularly fresh, but again, starvin marvin gobbled it up. But really. Green beans from a can is one of my all time most blech-ed things ever ever. just gross. and then the americano.. sigh.... it pains me, severely, when they are bad. Its the easiest thing to make. And when it tastes like dirty coffee water i get sad. like as if you were mean to me on purpose. This is basically a very cute over priced diner. supposedly they have great baked goods? But then maybe stick to that? In the end it was better than mcdonalds to be sure.. but i guess i would have just gone to a diner for the same stuff but it would have cost half as much. live and learn.
(2)Mari K.
Um.. can I have a slice of heaven with that? Wow, their bread pudding (w/ hecka delish homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce) is just wonderful.. the whipped cream is just unreal. Raspberry brownie... dense, rich, and loaded with so many raspberries that I struggled with removing those little seeds from my teeth! Hello, Jeremy! =) This dude was nice enough to send each of us (there were 6) home with doggie bags full of blueberry scones! Go late at night (right before closing), and you might just go home with a goody bag!
(4)Jamie G.
A very cute coffee shop in Andersonville (a very cute neighborhood) that surprisingly serves a delicious dinner. The service was blah, and they didnt even ask us if we wanted dessert (which we probably would have no to but I'd at least like to be asked!). I had the macaroni and cheese which was for real the absolute worst thing for me I've ever eaten.. but it was SOOOO good!! A HUGE portion.....Made with rotini pasta and a few POUNDS of melted mozzarella cheese, and a few pieces of broccoli, mushrooms, and red peppers, and comes with a buttery piece of garlic bread. to DIE for. But probably severely clogged my arteries. But I'd totally get it again! My friend had the spinach lasagna that was a small piece (a more realistically sized portion) that came with a side salad with some delicious crumbled goat cheese. I will definitely be coming back to this place!!
(4)tom k.
Great sweets! We've gone for breakfast lunch and dinner and we've never had a bad meal. Super friendly staff. Pulled pork sandwich is delish! Our favorites: The Jeanine Cake! The Moon Pie Cupcake! The Cream Puff w/ Chocolate on Top. Oh the ice cream is better than Georges down the street. We love the peppermint & the macinac island fudge ice creams.
(5)Carolynne M.
I will frequent ANY establishment that threatens to toss you and your naughty beast-child out onto the street if you insist upon disturbing the staff and the other patrons. So I go to Taste of Heaven as often as I can. However, the service is atrocious. You know its bad when you get "forgotten" at 2pm on a weekday and the place is deserted except for you and some guy at another table. And the coffee is generally weak and watery. So what you do is order take out and bypass the coffee and the ditsy waitstaff. Which is sad, really, since you don't get to take full advantage of the Children Using Their Indoor Voices policy, but oh well. Menu items tend to change often, but things I highly recommend if they are available are: the spinach and rotini salad, the grilled cheese omelette, and the Durbin sandwich. Oh and the rugelech. Divine evilness.
(3)Gayle G.
A solid three stars. Maybe more, but that remains to be seen. I stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner and the place was pretty much desserted at 4 p.m. as expected. The menu is pretty simple...salads, sandwiches and some dinner entrees. I debated the Nicoise salad, but I'm pretty particular about it. I settled on The Durbin, a hot turkey sandwiches with roasted pears and havarti cheese with honey mustard. It was good. Nice and hot and the cheese was melted. (A peeve is a hot sandwhich that's not hot enough to melt the cheese!) The pasta salad was ok, nothing super exciting. A decent value in a cute setting. I'll reserve extra stars once I've been here for brunch.
(3)Gabriel O.
I know they have a restaurant end, but OMG the cupcakes are absolutely to die for and the service is spot on and the employees are so friendly!
(5)Suzanne P.
I recently came here for brunch with a friend and had a great experience, and I've been here a few times. I love the way this place feels like a small little restaurant without feeling cramped. I also really like how it is decorated, making you feel at home. The food is amazing here! I got the Katie Cakes, which were delicious. My friend got the Breakfast Casserole, which were also incredible. Even though I was completely stuffed, I got some cupcakes to go to bring back to my roommates. We had the orange creamsicle, boston creme pie, and moon pie cupcakes. All three were wonderful! Each time I've come here, I've really enjoyed my experience, and I know that my friends who have joined me have felt the same way! Definitely worth going to if you're going to be in the Andersonville neighborhood.
(4)Chrissy B.
Every time I have put food from here into my mouth I feel like a million bucks. I feel so happy after I leave this place. Pulled Pork sandwich: outrageously good. Meat Loaf sandwich: huge hunks of meat. Cupcakes: Malted milk ball. Best! Durbin sandwich: the pear is a fruity touch to this turkey sandwich. Veggie chili: droooollll. Grilled cheese sandwich: lots of different kinds of cheese, hits the spot on a cold Chicago day. They put all the sandwiches on what seems like a really simple bread, but it doesn't take anything away from the tasty contents, and the bread is so soft! Every server I have had here is delightful. The place is homey and comforting.
(5)Anna G.
Best scones in the city, most sane attitude toward babies and children, and some pretty ding-dang good coffee too. I also think the staff is particularly kind-- I spilled an entire cup of coffee on the counter, floor, myself and the woman at the register, but she calmly refilled it and was nothing but nice to my butterfingers self. They also don't bother if you just want to sit with your scone and paper in peace on quiet weekday mornings, and the windows are sunny and delightful. I really like that it isn't too much of a hassle to run in and get something to go even though they run a bustling shop in the a.m.
(4)Michelle M.
After reading some reviews I have to agree w/Stephen D when the reviews says that this place asks that kids use their inside voice. Love the idea. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy kids but I've noticed kids not being tended to. Not cool when I'm trying to have a relaxed breakfast or lunch. Food was delicious. I find this place a gem in andersonville. Haven't had any of the desserts but I hope to one day. Place is a bit small and if you go during a weekend your likely to wait for a table.
(4)M L.
My former review still holds. I still love this place. But I have since been seduced by their wonderful, amazing, delicious, buttery, rich, and orgasmically tasty lemon bars. "drools" Anybody who doesn't like these things seriously has to have a heart made of coal, because these are out of this world. "drools some more"
(5)Milo M.
This place is a hidden gem. The food is gourmet-cafe comfort food style and is terrific, but even more exciting is the bakery selection at the counter (brownies, slices of cake, assorted and unique cup cakes etc...). So, even if you're not hungry, just grab a cupcake to go, and treat yourself to a guilty pleasure. I shared a dreamscicle orange flavored cupcake with a creamy filling with my girlfriend... you really learn about people under those conditions; after the first bite, I wanted to climb a tree and devour it in privacy. Instead, we glanced at each other and ate like lions at a kill leaving no trace of a bag or receipt.
(4)Hannah D.
I usually don't like eating things that rhyme with my name. But today, I had one of their peanut butter banana cupcakes...and oh lordy was I a happy bunny! I've always loved every delectable dessert I've gotten here, from their special Jeannie's Cake (very fruity and weighs like 40lbs) to their chocolate iced creme puffs. *insert drool here* One thing I didn't especially like though was the service. It's not very reliable. While I have been treated nicely most of the time, there was one instantance where I felt like I was bothering the staff by asking a simple question about gluten free dessert availability. Oh, and their answer was *insert eyeroll here*
(4)Tiff S.
I haven't tried the food there (yet) so I cannot comment on the quality of their food. I go there for one thing and one thing only- BREAD PUDDING! I love the warmth and the texture of the pudding. And I love the caramel sauce and the big dollop of cream that come with it. Bread pudding, you may be the reason why I am gaining all these weight, but I don't care because I love you. You make me so happy :-)
(4)Karyn K.
Had the Blueberry Red Tea--AMAZING. Bought a cookie for a friend, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Will be back to try more things!
(4)Stephen R.
5 stars for the children sign. The controversy lives! Good food, good wait staff. Can be crowded on weekends. But it's an Andersonville staple and has totally gotten national media coverage. We singles hate the screaming kids. Kudos on you for asking for indoor voices. Whereas I would say STFU AND LEAVE Taste of Heaven has respect for all of their clientele. And the food is fabulous. Hearty rec.
(5)Rose O.
My mother and I stopped by this place on a whim and because we found parking -- parking is very difficult to find in this part of town! We just wanted to warm up from the frigid weather outside so we bought coffee and scones at the register. It was love at first bite! The scones were light and tasty -- I ate a blueberry scone and my mother had plain, but it did not taste plain -- it tasted wonderful! This was the best scones we've ever had -- haven't found one this good yet! I can't really comment on the service since we ordered and received our food at the counter.
(3)F N.
From the moment we set foot in "A Taste of Heaven" we loved it. I had the brisket which in itself was a little bit of heaven. My partner had a stew which was also very tasty. Since then we've back many times and every time we have had a great experience. Make no mistakes this is no five star restaurant just place to eat wholesome homemade comfort food. Friendly service and great tasting food is what keeps us coming back even though we no longer live in Andersonville.
(5)April B.
The Brioche French Toast with peach compote was the best French Toast I have ever had! The only thing I would have changed was the level of cloves in the compote, but some people like cloves, so I understand their inclusion. The one thing that stopped them from getting a 5 star review was the initial service. A lot of waiters standing behind the counter and not taking orders or whatever. Also, they have a waiter who takes your drink order, then a different one for your food. I could understand the logic if they anticipated that the drinks would take awhile to prepare (as fancy coffee drinks tend to), but the food server took longer to take our order than the drink server to bring our drinks back. After the food was ordered, it came out quickly, hot, and coffee and water were refilled frequently. They also only serve a Brunch menu on Sat/Sun, which in the brunch-heavy area of Andersonville is a blessing and a curse. Sure your choices are limited, but you will get seated a lot faster than if you went to M.Henry or Sathers.
(4)Dima M.
Brunch is one of my favorite meals of the week. And A Taste of Heaven is one of my top places in the city for a good brunch. The food is just the right combination of simple and extravagant, but is neither. The menu is not too big, which is always a plus, as I am very intimidated by places that have a book for a menu. Generally, the less items on a menu, the better the quality of the food. Make sure you ask for the omelette of the day. The atmosphere of this place adds at least a star to it. It's not too big, and has that neighborhood-y feel to it. Although, it being small will definitely result in waiting almost every time you go on a weekend for brunch, but usually not too long. The nice thing is, they will seat you when your whole party is still not all there, which drives me crazy about other places that won't seat 5 people, until the 6th person comes. At this place, I've been seated once alone, when I was waiting for 4 friends. The staff is always very attentive, but not annoying, and very friendly, but not suffocating. Something about the place makes it attractive to really nice patrons. A diverse crowd that reflects the neighborhood and isn't filled with pretentious people that you may find in other places down the street. This is a nice spot to grab a coffee, or a dessert (and they have some really good ones here), but it's mostly a great place to come on a weekend, in the morning, to get a bite to eat, and catch up with friends. It's not just a come in, eat, and leave kind of place. It has a warm welcoming feel to it, just what you need on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(4)Chris J.
Who doesn't love a taste of heaven? Great stuff, last time I was there I think I split a slice of red velvet which was just fantastic and moist. Also grabbed a berry scone to go and it was still great the next morning!
(4)Rocky B.
Taste of Heaven is such a cute little coffee shop with so many yummy goodies to choose from. Scones, lemon drop cookies, kitchen sink cookies, cheesecake, chocolate cake, tarts, the list just goes on and on and their drink menu is just as extensive. My favorite is their white hot chocolate mocha. Wow. Creamy, sweet and so sinful. The staff are so friendly and don't rush you at all as you eye their selections. My tip for any first timers is if you are looking for a good scone go to Taste of Heaven but go early...they sell out fast! Eh, but even if they do sell out you won't leave disappointed. They always have something that leaves you walking away with a smile. :)
(4)Jen J.
I'm confused by the ratings dipping on Taste of Heaven. This place is consistent, comfort food served in an open if a bit country environment. I can eat their cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and scrambled eggs every Sunday for brunch. Their bread pudding which has become scarce is to die for. Enjoy their outdoor seating in the summer. A great neighborhood joint. Stop hating people!
(5)Michael C.
I love this place. Had the best piece of cake I've had in a loooooong time. It's small, but perfect on a nice night ...
(5)Laura K.
Great chicken salad with slices of roasted pear, gobs of creamy goat cheese and tart dried cherries. This is the reason I return again and again. I also love the little triangle of bread they serve on the side. The service is slower than most places regardless of how many or how few people are around - which can be a bad or good thing depending on whether you're in a hurry or don't want to be disturbed.
(4)Anna W.
They served me burnt coffee.
(2)Clara S.
I had a slice (I'll be honest a few slices) of their jeanine's cake, and I was beside myself. I take cake and baked goods very seriously. I have a pretty bad addiction. I bought this cake for my birthday dinner, and everyone thought it was as amazing as I did. Best cake ever!
(5)Jesselyn E.
The food and sweets are good, but I wasn't blown away by the cupcakes like I expected to be.
(3)Tara P.
Cute little place with great sandwiches, desserts and service. Prices are reasonable.
(4)Jennifer W.
Best ice cream in Andersonville!
(4)Desiree G.
A Taste of Heaven was a great find while walking down Clark street hungry. It is a cute bakery that serves brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner and an assortment of sweets. I ordered the Brown Derby Wrap, which was basically thanksgiving dinner in a wrap and it was delicious! For dessert I split a Moon Pie Cupcake with Sheena R. The frosting and chocolate shell was really good. All the cupcakes looked wonderful and I was really curious about the peanut butter cheesecake. Overall it was a good experience and I'm totally a fan of the Brown Derby Wrap.
(4)Melissa M.
I am updating my past 7/8/13 review. Since my review was posted, someone form Taste of Heaven as well as the owner tried to reach out to me to make things right. But as my family and I moving to a new house and work has been crazy, I haven't had time to sign in my yelp account. I finally did this so that I can post some other reviews and noticed that the Taste of Owner tried to contact me 3 times. He indicated that based on my review and others, he increased the size of the scones and offered me to come back to the restaurant with some comp'd scones. I really appreciated this "reach out" and can tell that Taste of Heaven really cares about their customers. This great customer service and the fact that they really do take in account yelp reviews is great. I will be going there soon to get my favorite scones (I usally buy a bunch and freeze them so that I can have them during the week. They freeze very well). Thanks Dan and Taste of Heaven!!!
(4)Dan F.
While I'm sure this place has great sandwiches and breakfast items, I've just never had the occasion. Enter the obligatory coffee and dessert after a date-night dinner. The fiancee and I had just finished shoving a parma pizza from Antica Pizzeria into our faces (seriously, I have dreams about this pizza), when we decided we weren't ready to go home just yet. We wandered down Clark and couldn't help but take a seat in this quaint little restaurant, with it's sepia-toned photographs and country-style decorations. The better half ordered the chocolate whipped cream cake, which was amazing. I usually hate on cake because the frosting is just too much, too heavy for my teeth. But this stuff was fluffy and light, so delicious. I ordered a coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. The coffee was strong and black, the cookie dense with butter. These cookies are what I would imagine lembas (the Elven bread used to sustain Hobbits on their long journey to Mordor) taste like. Anyway, I'll definitely give this place a try for breakfast. Definitely.
(4)Kathryn G.
I have eaten here a few times over the years and always enjoy the food and coffee. I don't think there is anything too special or over the top about the place but it is pretty solid food and fun to sit in the window and watch the world go by. A good lunch spot if you are looking for something good and simple while hanging out in Andersonville.
(3)mildred v.
I haven't been here for brunch, so my rating is based only on the desserts. When my mouth is throbbing from a sweet tooth and I'm in the area I stop in for a chocolatey pastry and some nice hot plum tea. The atmosphere is nice and cozy for a quick stop. The service is okay, they're not super nice or anything and do kinda get impatient when I ask what everything is through the glass. But I don't expect red carpet treatment, so no complaints here!
(4)Taylor G.
A Taste of Heaven is a great weekend brunch spot for small groups. The quarters are quite cramped, so don't planon more than 4 unless you want to wait a while. In genreal, the food here is delicious, but you pay for the quality. I've been here on 2 separate occasions, both on Sunday. The first time, I had biscuits & gravy, which was good, but now awe-inspiring. The second time, I lapped up the Katie Cakes. They're huge and great to split. A bit on the sweet side, but absolutely delicious. If you're up in Andersonville and never stopped in, I highly encourage you to give it a shot. I'm excited to visit again.
(4)Deborah M.
Great baked goods, friendly staff, delicious coffee (free some days with purchases). And parents have to watch their children so they don't run wild throughout the small space and ruin the dining experience of adults. What's not to love?
(4)iddells E.
Went here to dine on a Sunday night. The tiny place was packed! Almost every table was taken. It is always like this on a Sunday night? I think a lot of people were using their 20% off coupons. That's the only reason why we decided to go, because of the coupon. But I'm glad we did, otherwise, I would have never known what kind of great food they have. I knew that they have good pastries, but I never knew they served actual meals here. Anyways, I ordered Mario's Jambalaya with hesitation. I really was not attracted to anything on the menu. But, wow, it was amazing. It came with shrimp, andouli sausage, veggies, brown rice, and excellent sauce. The only thing that I was disappointed in was that the serving wasn't big enough for leftovers! I would have loved to take this home and let somebody taste it. I will definitely be visiting again!!
(4)Suzy C.
I have officially cut myself off from this place out of fear that I will balloon to the size of a blimp. If I am here unsupervised, it is not an exaggeration to say that I will over-consume and go into sugar shock. I love love Taste of Heaven. I would have never gotten through law school if I had not discovered this place. Now, this is no cupcake shop so if you can't handle hugh pieces of rich sweet dessert, stay away. Some of their cakes can feel too sweet and indulgent, but that is the charm of this place. Their signature cake filled with all the creams and fresh fruit is a dream come true. I love love their cream puffs (so hard to find good ones in the city) and you can't go wrong with the bread pudding with all its gooey caramel goodness.
(4)Peter M.
The name says it all. Their tasty pastries and good teas, keep me coming back but the service here keeps me from rating this place higher. It baffles me when so many other establishments bend themselves backwards to give excellent customer service but have sub par food stuffs, yet this place always leaves me desiring better service. Hope something changes soon, for this neighborhood has plenty of other tasty treats for me to consume.
(3)Finola M.
I've been going here for years. And much like the rest of A-ville (especially Hopleaf and M Henry), it's become a victim of its own success. In my opinion, any restaurant/cafe/bar should not feel entitled just because they have good business, some of us will start to rebel. The food is good here, especially the chocolate eclairs, but I can't take the mean service any longer. One of the waitstaff booted us from a table for four (there were four of us sitting there with water already) because we were waiting for 2 other people. We'd called in advance, the remaining people arrived within 15 seconds of us stepping outside to re-assess. I say we Andersonvillians should strike against Anderson-villains!
(2)Charlie M.
Fortunately my visit here wasn't marred by the bad service that's popping up in a lot of these reviews. In fact, our waitress/hostess was very friendly and attentive, especially considering the number of tables she was keeping tabs on. Everyone I went with ordered eggs of some sort, and everything we got was not only tasty but a nice departure from standard brunchtime fare. The Silverline Plate might have been my favorite, but the breakfast burrito and the Durbin omelet both were very good, and the egg casserole paired with that great salad works so well as a brunch item that you kind of start wondering why salads aren't more common at brunch. It's a bit pricey, especially if it's not too close to home, but fresh ingredients (like the burrito's guac) and inventive plates make this little corner bakery a great brunch spot.
(4)Jenna M.
I wouldn't bother to rate a restaurant that had terrible food and service to match. I'd just steer clear. But Taste of Heaven is a different animal, because its delicious desserts are guarded by a pretty bad staff. I've been in a number of times over the last 5 years, only for take away baked goods. I don't know if things are a lot busier now, but lately I've been ignored by staff at the counter when I've been waiting to pay and go. Today, three people stared through me and talked about how they wished people lingering over their brunches would just leave. After a few minutes, I had to finally ask if I could pay for the brownie with the cash I had ready in my hand. I don't think I'll be asking for the privilege again.
(1)Douglas O.
The food and pastries here is GREAT! We had Jeanettes (I think) special cake which was very tasty. The Peanut Butter Cheesecake was also amazing. I agree, a bit pricy, $6 for each dessert, but great flavor. I have not had a problem with the service, but the persons tend to forget what you want or need. Whether it be you need a fork, or your food to go. Food great, service, okay.
(3)Patrick R.
Superb coffee -- I was so taken by it that I inquired about where to get some of my own. Turns out they brew Casteel Coffee, which you can procure in Evanston. Good to know... Anyway. My girlfriend and I typically come here once a week, on Sunday for brunch. Depending on what happened the night before, it's either coffee and a scone (among the best I've ever had, after my mom's) or one of TOH's famous breakfast dishes. The Silverland Breakfast and the Katie Cakes are my two personal faves.
(5)Michael S.
Well, unlike other reviewers of this place, my daughter and I had great service, late on a busy Saturday morning. We were seated and greeted immediately. While the menu was diverse and featured many appealing dishes, we both had the eggs verde, which is basically a pesto omelette. It was delicious. And it came out quickly. We split a chocolate chip scone, which was out of this world. And then, we sat at our table for easily a half hour after we were finished eating and no one rushed us at all. Can't beat that!
(5)Amanda M.
I dropped in for a quick coffee and picked up a blueberry scone. That. Scone. Oooowwee. Yum. Warm, crunchy outside, soft and warm on the inside. Beautiful. The gentleman who made my latte was really kind and patient while I made my choices. That soy latte was pretty slam, too. Thank you, sir! Overall the establishment is cute and friendly with a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Will return to try a full breakfast soon!
(4)Kimberly P.
Dessert - heavenly. Breakfast - totally heavenly. I used to live mere blocks away from TOH and miss it dearly. The breakfast menu is full of stuff that's original and delicious. My personal favorite is the fried egg sandwich and I'm craving one. Roasted red pepper, mmmm cheese, fresh bread. It's honestly one of my favorite breakfasts ever. My husband prefers the breakfast casserole or...the...dangit, I can't remember. I truly never have had anything here that was less than spectacular for my tastes. When it's busy you'll be sure to find Dan, the hostess with the mostest, running around with some delicious treat for you to sample. Don't pay attention to the fact that he's often covered in flour. Now you know who's creating and baking those delicious eats. The coffee is great and the cupcakes? Oy. I miss this place.
(5)jen p.
I have been to this lousy establishment 3 times. Once a year or so ago, and twice in the past week. The first time I went, my friend and I looked at each other in disbelief -- "Were the servers really this rude?" I told myself that I would never go back... then I had a cupcake of theirs by chance, and went in again to see what other cupcakes they had. I asked a few questions about the cupcakes and I was met with a loud sigh everytime the guy working there had to answer me. He was the most pretentious little thing I have ever met. Since I work in similar establishment, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe he was just having a bad day. Nope, I went in there again the other day, and asked him one question and it seemed to take all of his strength to ignore me and then to hardly answer me while giving me his usual attitude. When we walked out, my friend said "What was his problem?!" I had no answer for him, but I think he should pack his things up and get out of Andersonville. The yuppification by yuppies like himself is bad enough, but when they not only invade our queer spaces and then manage to soil them with their self-righteousness, it makes me miss the Chicago I used to know not so long ago. I say this... take your attitude and move to L.A. This is Chicago, not Hollywood. p.s they get a star from me because I'm sure other people that work their don't have sticks lodged perpetually in their bums, and because whoever makes the cupcakes is a god/goddess.
(1)Juanita G.
I keep trying to like this place but something always goes wrong. The service is never consistent. I support their child policy but that just isn't enough. I've had some good brownies and muffins and great service but that's been rare. I like to support local places. More often than not I've been ignored and practically shoved aside by the waitstaff while waiting for service at the counter. Last week I bought a half dozen really cute cupcakes and a couple of eclairs to share with my girlfriends. I have to say that they were bland and lackluster and we tried each of them. We were really disappointed. I give up on the place. I'm not going back.
(2)Jessi L.
I, like many Chicagoans, consider myself a bit of a brunch connaisseur. It's become my favorite meal to eat out because everyone puts their own spin on the same classics, making for a relative bake-off every weekend. I keep coming back to Taste of Heaven. It's cozy, the service is prompt and friendly, I have never had more than a 5 minute wait (maybe I shouldn't be writing this after all...) and then there are Katie Cakes (perfect pancakes with a clovey, lemon, blue-ligonberry concoction topped with real cream). And Eggs Verde(Eggs with cheese and pesto and just silly good. My friend and I switch off between ordering one or the other. Not that it matters because we switch at will. Then one day she really mucked it up and ordered the breakfast burrito which with homemade guac. was just as good. So we've now added a third friend and rotate. I guess necessity really is the mother of invention.
(5)John W.
Yes, this is the child hating, anti-baby, place that God forbid, requires parents to control their children. I loved it when they got the write up in the paper talking about all the bitchy people who were offended that their perfect children couldn't run wild and then the mass amounts of support letters they got from all around the country. So ya, if you are tired of hearing babies cry and kids running around getting in your way (Southport Potbelly's) then this place is for you. The other thing they are known for is their scones but get there early because they do run out. They always have an omlet special but why bother when they got the Silver Land breakfast which is some sort of tangy orange sausage gravy with two eggs and corn biscuits. Yes its as awesome as it sounds. The service is a bit patchy in that I don't think you get an actual waiter of your own. Its some kind of socialism in dining experiment where one person takes your order, one brings your food, another fills your drinks and another takes the check. Needless to say that can get confusing for the staff and some problems do arise but the food is good and they have a place outdoors as well. They also serve those Izzie fruit drinks that I like so thats another reason I go there.
(4)Diana M.
I had no idea this place served "actual food". I have driven by A Taste of Heaven hundreds of times and have always thought it was just coffee, pastries and desserts. Boy, was I surprised to find myself having a delicious late lunch here last Friday! I had the Havar-ya (ham and melted havarti) sandwich with the bag of Kettle chips and my mom had the 3-cheese (cheddar, feta, mozzerella) grilled cheese sandwich with ham and a side of the homemade potato salad. Let me just say that the ham was yummy, the bread was soft, yet slightly toasted and the havarti was perfectly melted. I had a taste of my mom's grilled cheese, and although I despise feta, I thought it was very good and would order it for myself. The potato salad was awesome! It's not made with a mayo base, so it seems almost healthy! We both had iced tea with our meal and it was pretty good too. All in all a great spot to just relax and have a nice leisurely lunch.
(4)Josh E.
On a scale of five stars, I'd rate this a Yum. I've only been for dessert, but it's good every time. This evening I had the hot chocolate (they use half & half instead of milk) and split a piece of cake. The cake slice was giiiiiiiant. Way too big for me & my girlfriend. But delectable. Soooo good. The staff was friendly and didn't bug us too much as we talked. Great place. Not totally amazing. But definitely good enough.
(4)Brett M.
For just take-out, I'd give the place five stars... those scones are beyond compare! Everyone in my office is addicted. Every person I bring to this bakery leaves addicted to the scones. Plus, take-out service is always fast and friendly. Dining-in gets four stars, because it gets super crowded and noisy on weekend mornings... but what brunch spot in Chicago doesn't?
(4)Lisa K.
Taste of Heaven came recommended by friends who live in the area of Andersonville, Uptown/Edgewater. We all stopped in for a lunch on a weekend. The prices were a little higher than I imagined for such a small luncheon looking place. I tried the tomato soup. It was on the cold side and an average portion for the large price tag it came with. The chef was either getting creative or spilled the whole bottle of dill because my soup tasted like pickles it had such a strong dill flavor. Spices are accents not the entree itself. YUCK. I won't be back even if they were giving the food away.
(1)David S.
Stopped in today and bought the Lemon Meringue cupcake and it was divine. I love well made baked goods and Dan (the owner) does them exceptionally well. ATOH never lets me down. Try them and you'll see exactly what I mean. Got a sweet tooth? Go. Just. Go. Cheers!
(5)Carly O.
I've lived by A Taste of Heaven for many years and used to go when it was at its old location on Foster. I would say that most of my experiences here have been more on the 4 start side. However, this past Saturday, I had an amazing brunch. My boyfriend got the Silverland breakfast (biscuits in sausage gravy with lightly scrambled eggs) and I had the Katie Cakes (two perfectly cooked, large pancakes smothered with a mixed berry preserve type thing, topped with some kind of lemon-y cream and streusel crumble). AMAZING. We split our meals and marveled at the perfection. The place doesn't seat many, so you'll probably experience a bit of a wait on a Saturday or Sunday. Our server was very friendly and on top of things. If you're ever in the hood and looking for dessert, this is also a very nice place to enjoy a slice of their Jeanine's cake and sip a mug of coffee.
(5)Go B.
perfect place to take someone you want to have a cup of coffee with...maybe someone that has been working out alot ;)
(4)Aggie T.
After moving from Wicker Park to Ravenswood, this restaurant was one of the first I tried in my new 'hood. I've been back several times and I really like it. It's typically not crowded and it kind of makes me feel like I'm eating in someone's kitchen (not a restaurant). I think it may be the coffee-cup lamps. Most importantly, they do comfort food right. I love bakeries. This place has delicious linzer cookies and many good-but-a-bit-rich cakes and brownies. Of note is their white cake with cream cheese frosting and berries. They also have a pancake version (Katie cakes) on their brunch menu. It's very tasty but a tummy bomb. It's super rich, so if you try it, you might want to share it with a friend. Although I try to eat healthy, I'm not a fan of salads-as-a-meal. Having been raised in Ohio by round folks, I feel like I require more substance than that. But A Taste of Heaven has a wonderful salad with pecans, pears and roasted chicken and a light honey mustard dressing. I actually crave it which totally astounds me. Their chicken and biscuits, a signature meal, is intense. If you like heavy, creamy, or gravy-like stuff, then this is for you. It was a little too much for me though. I can respect it for what it is but I prefer more biscuit than gravy. This was definitely lots of gravy and two small biscuits. Not good for watching the waist-line. I went with a friend once and sampled his beef brisket meal. It came with a wedge of potatoey goodness and some sort of red vegetable side dish. It was very tasty. I think I'll get it next time. Lastly, the customer service is excellent. The staff is very friendly and I like supporting them because you can tell that the people who work there care. And there's outdoor seating in the summer, another plus.
(4)Karen G.
I have followed Dan and his wonderful bakery creations since he first opened his store on Foster. I love the atmosphere at Taste of Heaven. It is never too loud. The food is always excellent. The staff is friendly and fast. I often meet new clients there so it serves as my business office on occasion. You will always be happy with your experience at Taste of Heaven. I always have been.
(5)Dennis B.
Eaten here several times and the food has been consistent as well as the service. I appreciate not being rushed during weekend breakfast/brunch, which many places tend to do. The service can be perceived as slow, but I really think it is more relaxed. I have attempted to meet friends here on the weekends, and the space is tight and waits can be long. The ice cream is great, as well as several brunch selections. My favorite brunch item is the burrito. I have had the breakfast casserole and it is tasty as well.
(4)Emily K.
Came here for a Saturday brunch and got the breakfast burritos, which was pretty good. They score points for being BYOB and for the really nice waitress who didn't judge me when I debated getting a 6 pack at 10:30 am. In the end I was just too lazy to get leave. Ate outside and despite being obviously busy we weren't rushed. Had really great service from a new waitress who told us she was new in town and asked where she should go in the neighborhood to meet people. To thank us for being nice she gave us a bag full of free pastries with our check, which was awesome. I've had a better breakfast burrito (it just seemed a bit healthy- god, I'm gross- and on that end, a little plain) but I'd come back to try some other things as well.
(4)Katarina X.
Raspberry Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Do I have your attention? The coffee is great too! I've eaten in, people-watched, talked art with the server, even gotton my coffee-phobic BF in for breakfast. Pick up to-go too! Grab a sandwich before seeing a play! Sit on the bench outside, feed some croissant or scone to your dog and enjoy! P.S. I have GOT to support any place where they ask kids to behave. The sign is polite and truly non-offensive. If your kids are well-behaved, it doesn't apply, right? So get over yourselves if you hate it, go somewhere else where you aren't offending ME with your tedious whining complaints. Take the brats to McDonalds!
(5)Ryan J.
Attempted a Sunday brunch here last weekend, and it was terrrrrribly crowded. We knew the food was good, so we agreed to wait and signed in, informing the hostess that we were comfortable sitting either in *or* outside. Thirty or forty minutes later, a different employee wandered out to where we'd been waiting outside (no room to wait inside) for a table, and told us there were tables inside if we didn't want to wait for the patio any longer (???). At any rate, once we had a table, the meal was quite good. Received a delicious sample of a pumpkin bread while waiting for our order. My friend's breakfast-in-a-block-of-food was cold in the center. My omelet was divine, and my other friends very much enjoyed their salmon quiche. The service was OK, all things considered -- they seemed understaffed for a Sunday brunch. I'll be back -- though probably not during such a busy time again.
(3)Mark T.
I always get the smoked salmon quiche. EVERY TIME. It's that good. My most recent visit was no exception. My partner got a sumptuously savory grilled cheese omelet that was amazing and so super cheesy (in a good way). The coffee is excellent and the service is outstanding and extremely friendly.
(4)Leah C.
grab a cupcake...TO GO... this place talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. like that annoying co-worker that won't shut up about how green she is but all her actions don't seem to follow? if you are truly passionate about something, actions speak louder than words and it will go without saying......ok, ok you get my point. i spotted at least (3) signs around the restaurant stating something like "we love kids, just as long as they behave themselves". even the bottom of the menu gives a similar shout out to the extent of "kids are great customers too as long as they use their inside voices". so to shield ourselves from the rain during midsommarfest and to grab an infamous cupcake, my husband and i strolled in with our 2 year-old niece. we got the "eye" when trying to park our stroller and was later "asked" to move it to the back of the restaurant. we got an even eviler "eye" when requesting a high chair. i quickly decided that we were going to scarf down a cupcake and get the hell's outta there. THANKFULLY our server painted a brighter picture for us. he was funny and chatted with our niece and made us feel a bit more welcome. nonetheless, i already felt like we had a target on our heads. so the visit was worth it for the cupcakes - tried out a vanilla and a chocolate both of which were very good - moist and not over the top sweet. i tried a cup of the veggie chili which was just okay - overall tasted good but it was olive-laden (i hate olives). there were TONS of other baked goods that looked scrumptious as well including a lemon bar and blondie but next time i'll do a drive by.
(3)Melissa R.
Yum yum. The food is sooo good. I have only been for Sunday brunch, but everything i have had was delicious. The peach french toast with peach whipped cream. Yummy Omelettes Yummy Yogurt with fruit and granola yummy All the snadwhiches yummy yummy. And do not come just kinda hungry. They really do give you your monies worth.
(4)Veronica S.
This was one of the first places I tried when I moved into Andersonville ... and I was impressed. The servers are always helpful in recommending something & I really enjoy the Chicken & Biscuits. The gravy wasn't too heavy and there was a good amount of food. But I enjoy pretty much everything on the menu. They do get quite busy for Weekend brunch so it does take a bit longer to get your order but they always have a table open at any other time. For dessert: the Bread Pudding, raspberry squares, and Hot Chocolate cake are my favorites.
(4)Jessica R.
Nice little cozy place with a personable and friendly staff, and quality eats. This place also has some great loose teas and hot drinks and is a great spot to get some work done or read a book, with the little cute lamps at each table. I have eaten dinner there once and gone there another time to get a cake for a get together, in addition to having gone there on a Saturday morning for brunch, relaxation and to get some work done. Each time I have been very pleased and satisfied. The cake we got - which was a white cake with a berry and cream swirl filling and a thick white icing on the outside, was delicious and I definitely recommend their scones and other pastries, such as the caramel bread pudding. For breakfast, if you like oatmeal, try the steal cut oats with peach compote, healthy, filling and tasty. Also, the grilled veggie sandwich with house-made potato salad is a great meal for vegetarians. Basically, it's a cute, cozy, casual place that specializes in it's baked goods and quality comfort food, and it does a solid job of it. Nothing over the top, but plain solid good.
(4)cara r.
I'm really bummed that they were out of the moon pie cupcake yesterday when we came in! But the ones that we did get were out of this world good. I had plain old vanilla with vanilla frosting, and it just about melted in my mouth and was so deliciously good. The Boy got a Malt cupcake - marble cake with frosting that had bits of Whoppers candies in it. He loved it so much that I didn't even get a bite! We also got a chocolate raspberry that my sister loved, and an Elvis (banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting). I will definitely be back to Taste of Heaven as soon as possible to try some more of these deliciously good cupcakes! Update 6/1/08: We went back for brunch today and absolutely loved it. I had the grilled cheese omelet, and I loved the omelets and the potatoes that came with it - but I was a little confused by the haricot verts salad - not really my cup of tea so early in the morning. Mike had the breakfast burrito, and he really enjoyed it. We each had a moon pie cupcake to go, and it's probably good that I don't live so close to Taste of Heaven, because I could eat at least 2 of those a day. Can't wait to go back...
(5)K G.
Is it considered cheating to think about cake while you're engaged in coitus with your lover? That cake...that yellow cake smothered in buttercream frosting, layered with cream and berries. Little buttercrunches out the outside...like the white pieces in the Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake coating. Cannot stop thinking about it. Fevered, quickened breath, mind racing. Moist cake...fluffy frosting...fresh, juicy berries... Oh, GOD..!!
(5)Kori M.
I have to say I am a little conflicted but overall I like this place. I came here for brunch with my girlfriend, puppy and two friends. We were told there would be a bit of a wait but then were immediately seated outside (it was a gorgeous day to be outside!). The waitress was super friendly and she told us we could stay for as long as we wanted. She also brought my puppy a bowl of water which I thought was awesome! As far as brunch goes it was pretty good. However please stay away from the grilled cheese omelette. It's basically a dry cheese omelette placed on to a slice of bread. Definitely pass on that one. Everything else was super yummy! Except for the bacon. It was undercooked and rubber. Tasted kind of funny actually but as I said everything else was delicious! I also really liked how they brought out samples of their desserts. I ALWAYS like free stuff! :-) The waitress was really bubbly and nice (in a sincere and not annoying way). I would definitely come back.
(4)Anne-Michelle F.
I'm glad I started going to this place right as winter descended. Such great comfort food!! I had the Biscuits and Gravy with eggs the first time I went. Perfection. I loved that it came with Corn biscuits instead of the usual buttermilk. I'm looking forward to trying everything on the menu...and curious to see how it changes for the hotter months!
(4)Elizabeth K.
We decided to meet a friend for lunchish stuff (guess it's "brunch" since it's Sunday. Still unclear as to what exactly "brunch" is.) She suggested Angel's or Taste of Heaven, and of course we promptly chose Taste of Heaven, since Angel's SUCKS. Unfortunately, if you're vegan, Taste of Heaven sucks as well. There was not A SINGLE ITEM on their brunch menu that wasn't made with dairy or egg or meat. NOT ONE. Not even a salad. Plus there was a disclaimer in big letters at the bottom of the menu, explaining that there were no substitutions or special orders during brunch. WTF?!? You know, that whole hoopla a couple of years ago about ToH and the kids thing, I actually took their side. I chose to believe that ToH wasn't being stodgy and that they were really actually assaulted by a stampede of rude children and badly behaved parents on a regular basis. Now I'm beginning to wonder ... When we explained to our waiter guy that we couldn't order anything if they couldn't make accomodations for us, what was his suggestion? A ham sandwich. The speedy semite looked at the item he was pointing at on the menu. "There's ham on that." She said. "Oh. You could get it without the ham," he said. Making it a lettuce sandwich on white bread? Seriously. Even the SALADS were covered in meat and cheese.
(2)Robert M.
The fried egg sandwich (with roasted red peppers/red pepper mayo) and phenomenal home fries is one of the best breakfast dishes in Chicago and their pancakes are great, too. Bread pudding is world-class. The only critique is that their coffee is consistently mediocre. This is unacceptable in a place doing breakfast and desserts at such a high level.
(4)Laura V.
I should start this review fairly by saying that I never actually sat down and ate food/brunch at TOH, but I have been a customer for years as I celebrate every special occasion in my family with one of their amazing cakes. I order the same cake (Jeanine's cake) several times throughout the year and it never ever disappoints. The TOH staff is very courteous, polite and helpful both on the phone and in person and I will continue to patronize them. While the cakes aren't cheap, I actually don't mind spending my money on them because the taste is well worth it! And guests love coming to my parties to eat it! Thanks, TOH!
(5)Dianna D.
I've never had a meal here, but this is the number one choice (in my book) for take-away desserts. I frequest a lot of the Andersonville restaurants that are close to TOH, and I never get dessert there because I can just croiss the street and get delicious desserts from Taste of Heaven. Great ice cream, all of thier pastries are great, cookies, cakes, etc... all are delicious. The cupcakes are to die for and I have finally found a place that makes a DELICIOUS Bread Pudding that comes without raisins! Yay! (and FYI, I completely supported them during their "children use your inside voices" campaign!)
(4)Amy H.
Three stars because I've had really inconsistent experiences here. The first time I ate, I ordered pancakes and coffee. The coffee was awesome; the pancakes were raw in the middle. Instead of giving me new ones, or discounting my bill, they gave me toast for free. Toast =/= pancakes. The second time I came here, I had a burrito that was amazing, with a fantastic black bean salad on the side. Service was prompt and friendly, and it was a near-perfect dining experience. Third time - better than the first, but I waited far too long for my check. When I'm done eating, I want out the door, you know? I'm DONE. I don't like waiting around for the waitstaff to get to me with my check, I prefer to give you my card right then instead of having them drop off the check and come back ten minutes later for the payment. Fourth time (I live in the area, it's convenient, haha) - an amazing breakfast. Full stars. This would be a four-star review if there were any kind of consistency. As it is- three stars is the best I can do. They're lucky I came back after that first raw-pancake experience, omg. :P
(3)Hannah L.
I'm kinda bummed by a few of the bad reviews for A Taste of Heaven, as I really love this place! Have been going for years - usually for a relaxed evening meal. They serve breakfast all day, which I love. Some of my faves: the breakfast casserole, Katie Cakes (pancakes with berries and, I think, mascarpone), and Durbin sandwich (named after Sen. Durbin? I dunno - but it's as delightful as the man himself). And Dan's baking skills - don't get me started! His cakes, scones, and cookies are mouth wateringly amazing. Would have him do my wedding cake if we weren't getting married 3 states away. I've never had a problem with the service. Yea, they don't fawn all over you, but I don't like that shit anyway.
(5)Mary S.
Tastes like home. If my grandma and Martha Stewart could reproduce with each other, I think their spawn would cook like this. The decor reminds me of being in some tiny rural restaurant and the food's main ingredient seems to be love. I had some sort of breakfast casserole and instead of a side of toast/hash/carboverload, right next to my mound of delicious eggs n' stuff was a salad (and the delcious dressing was served in an old school syrup container. cute.). it was a really great idea since the main course was so filling! i left completely satisfied and ALMOST on the brink of food coma. i'm almost positive that salad saved my life.
(4)Alexander C.
I have tried a lot of cupcakes. I like the inventiveness that these guys are showing. We got a six pack to go and are working our way through them. I really like the Boston Cream Pie cupcake. It is a cupcake topped with a cream filling and a hard chocolate "crust" to keep that cream filling perfectly sitting on top of the cupcake. You bite into it and it just gushes everywhere. Awesome! Eat it over a plate for sure. You have been warned. I have read some of the bad reviews on service about this place. We had the complete opposite experience. We walked up to the counter and were immediately greeted by two of the guys working there. They made us feel comfortable and I dig that. We ended up buying more than I was expecting and left them the change and another buck in the tip jar. We will be back! Thank you!
(4)Unity O.
As of my trip there yesterday, they remain a solid 3 stars. They have a plethora of delectable delights. Things ranging from cookies, bundt cake, cupcakes, ice cream, scones, huge ass pieces of the cakes they bake in the shop, tea, and coffee. Normally I go here to get my sweet on, but have been there for their savory options as well--brunch is fantastic here, even though they do kick you out after about an hour & half (it is a small shop). One thing that keeps them at a solid 3 stars & does not bump them up is their customer service. Maybe they just don't care, but the servers could absolutely use some training--seriously. I took my niece there last night for some bonding time & our service was very sub-par. They did not bring us out utensils (I grabbed them myself) and they did not even come by our table to see if we were okay or if we needed anything. The place was not crowded--there were only 3 people in the whole shop while we were there. Mind you, I get that they were probably disappointed that we were not ordering dinner--but come on you are a coffee place too. Ordinarily I do not gripe about customer service, but last night was too much. While my niece & I sat there playing some card games & enjoying our treats--we had to sit there and listen to the 2 servers have this LONG discussion about working out their differences. Good night, they repeated the same things like 20 times in row before they were "okay" with each other--just silly! They were also very loud about it--it was unpleasant. While the food is good, the service is not--there enuf said.
(3)Stephen R.
Great coffee and all the cakes are great. I like the chocolate chip pound cake and the chocolate bundt cake.
(4)T J.
What a great place to grab a sandwich and dessert after a long day at work! A mix of a coffee shop, restaurant, and bakery, this joint has anything you could need. If you have the time, I wholeheartedly suggest dropping by with a book and spending an hour or two trying some of their creative food options and watching the foot traffic go by. The service is fantastic with an air of hospitality that many cafes don't seem to have these days.
(5)Mel A.
2 stars for customer service and dirty table lamps. Same girl who served us a month ago. Long blondish dreads. No smile... same grumpiness. When we appeared to be done with our lunch she put our check on the table and walked away. She did not ask if we wanted dessert or coffee. My boyfriend and I got caught up in a conversation forgetting the bill for a few minutes. Blondish dreads walks up to our check book-slams it open...sees there is no money/credit card-slams it shut and walks away. My boyfriend gave her over a 20% tip. I begged him not too. He said it might make her happy. I really doubt it. Food was really good. I had a breakfast burrito. Boyfriend had tomato dill soup. Mocha was good too. The place was a bit dirty but we did go around 2pm and the seats were full. A month ago it was dirty too and there were only 4 other customers. We had dessert and mochas. All very good. Just wish the service was better. Maybe Blondish dreads is the owner?
(2)Herminia I.
I have only come here for dessert, but I always stop here when friends come to visit me in Andersonville. I have never had a bad dessert here. Their desserts are kind of weird to describe. You can't really compare TOH desserts to their counterparts you've tasted elsewhere, but they are just simply amazing. I've had the german chocolate cake, the carrot cake and a few cupcakes--all AMAZING. And about the sign on the door... If parents simply taught their children manners than a shop owner who wants to keep a serene atmosphere wouldn't have to place a sign on their door. This place is not a bad place for all children--it's only a bad place for unruly children.
(4)Hannah L.
I'm kinda bummed by a few of the bad reviews for A Taste of Heaven, as I really love this place! Have been going for years - usually for a relaxed evening meal. They serve breakfast all day, which I love. Some of my faves: the breakfast casserole, Katie Cakes (pancakes with berries and, I think, mascarpone), and Durbin sandwich (named after Sen. Durbin? I dunno - but it's as delightful as the man himself). And Dan's baking skills - don't get me started! His cakes, scones, and cookies are mouth wateringly amazing. Would have him do my wedding cake if we weren't getting married 3 states away. I've never had a problem with the service. Yea, they don't fawn all over you, but I don't like that shit anyway.
(5)Mary S.
Tastes like home. If my grandma and Martha Stewart could reproduce with each other, I think their spawn would cook like this. The decor reminds me of being in some tiny rural restaurant and the food's main ingredient seems to be love. I had some sort of breakfast casserole and instead of a side of toast/hash/carboverload, right next to my mound of delicious eggs n' stuff was a salad (and the delcious dressing was served in an old school syrup container. cute.). it was a really great idea since the main course was so filling! i left completely satisfied and ALMOST on the brink of food coma. i'm almost positive that salad saved my life.
(4)Emily Y.
Ok, my one-year ban on Taste of Heaven has been lifted, as of yesterday afternoon. After a terrible experience with an extremely sour waitress, we avoided the place for one entire year and told everybody we knew to avoid the place if possible. Yesterday, we decided that maybe it was time to give it another try. Everybody deserves a second chance, right? And the place happens to have great food and is a hop, skip, and a jump from our place. We walked in the door and were greeted and seated immediately. Good start. Waters were promptly delivered and the waitress came shortly. (No sign of sour waitress from last visit, maybe she got sacked or quit). Though new waitress wasn't entirely smiley and friendly, she didn't seem hostile but rather just busy. Our drinks arrived shortly. The coffee is ok here, but all the drinks are a bit over-priced in my opinion. I realize they have to make money, but 2.95 for a bottle of soda and 2.50 for a drip coffee? Seems a bit steep. The owner/manager person came by and offered us a free sample of a delicious apple/pumpkin pastry, which was a nice touch. He was clearly working hard to make sure the service was top-notch, often calling out to the waitstaff if a table needed a check or a refill. My question is why can't the waitstaff handle it on their own? I think I'm going to have to stop in on a random weekday afternoon and see if the service is still as good. This was Sunday brunch, after all, and the owner/manager was making very sure his employees were busting ass. The food is the saving grace here. Our breakfast casserole was dynamite, a big portion filled with yummy veggies and ham and very flavorful. Loved the dressing for the side salad. We also had the caramel apple french toast, which was delish. I'm sure the food is what has people coming back to this place, that and there is usually not too much of a wait, especially when they have the outdoor patio open. The tables were a bit dirty, and while cute, the coffee cup lamps needed some serious dusting and wiping. Gross. Simple things people. I will probably always be over critical of this place due to our very bad experience, but I am no longer boycotting it. It's a good place to go for a weekend brunch in the 'hood. Before you go, just say a little prayer to the waitstaff Gods that things are running smoothly, because that's a hit or miss.
(3)Toast C.
From time to time I eat a signature dish at at a restaurant which I then crave: the Katie Cakes at Taste of Heaven are a great example. Katie cakes are pancakes smothered in blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry compote; topped with whipped cream cheese and lemon struessel. They are incredible!
(4)Heather H.
For as quaint and cozy as this place appears nestled into its own little corner of Andersonville, I was a bit disappointed when I visited for brunch recently. I felt as though the place lacked the charm the outside and even the name and area exude. Our waiter was very polite but incredibly quiet. The smaller menu will likely leave some people out in the cold with not a lot of variety. I opted for the classic french toast after seeing a table near by with their specialty peach french toast. Service is quick and when mine arrived there was a lot of fluff and powdered sugar, but my best friend's mother makes better french toast - there is a memory of it from when I was 15 that I just can't top! I will say that my friend enjoyed her omelet immensely though. Hearty servings for the price. The place, thought tight quarters is appropriate for families and small groups. I did enjoy the outside seating with a nice view of Clark Street. I would give Taste of Heaven another try, perhaps their other menu selections live up to the small but spectacular mentality that so many places in Andersonville/Edgewater strive to achieve.
(2)Judy M.
I'm going to have to give it another shot, and hopefully it will redeem itself. Stopped by after dinner Friday night because we had a craving for sweets and the line for George's Ice Cream and Sweets was out the door and onto the sidewalk. After chuckling at the signs, first thing I noticed was that it felt like a sauna in there. We decided there was no way we were going to eat what we got in. The staff were friendly, but busy, so we ordered a cupcake and went on our merry little way. I couldn't believe how dry the cupcake was, I love cupcakes and it was heartbreaking to have such a bad cupcake. I wished I had a glass of milk to dunk it in. For a good half hour after eating it I kept marveling at how disappointed I was. Hopefully it was an off night, and I'll modify my review, but as of now, dry cupcake and sauna like atmosphere = 2 stars.
(2)Lawrence Y.
We were actually on our way to another dessert place down the street, when we walked past TOH and decided to try it out. I'm really glad we did, because the place is really cute. Service there was VERY friendly. We had ordered hot chocolate, oreo ice cream, and a snickerdoodle. Hot chocolate was very good, especially on a cold night like last night. It came with whipped cream and chocolate chips :) Oreo ice cream was good, and the snickerdoodle was great (asked them to warm it up... la la, la la, la!).
(4)Timothy H.
Do yourself a favor and order the Hot Chocolate Cake - NO matter what time it is. It's a chocolate flourless cake served on a bed of fudge and a side of mousse. I was so excited for CFC that I ordered it for breakfast this morning. The food is generally "ok" and overpriced, and expect slow service, but it has a country charm which sets it apart from other places in the city. They have an extensive cupcake/bread/bakery item list, and I'm sure it's all tasty - yet overpriced at the same time. I've found myself coming here because of happenstance because it's really the only breafast joint in Andersonville, and I will probably continue to come because of happenstance, but I won't ever go out of my way to come here. Unless I turn gay, apparently it was voted best gay coffeeshop in the city. So there.
(3)Char Y.
We ordered the meatloaf and lemon tart to go. I thought the meatloaf was dry, and the lemon tart taste normal. However, I had their biscuit and gravy before, and it was very good.
(3)Melissa M.
Haha, the cupcakes look like something out of a fairy tale. Soooo given that GENERALLY nothing in life is as good as it looks unless you're either 6 years old or just really really dumb, I wasn't expecting to be too impressed by the cupcake I just haaaad to try anyway. But wow. I was wrong. Damn wrong. It was BETTER than it looked. I'd thought that was impossible. It actually flew through my mind that "A Taste of Heaven" ain't an exaggeration....!!!!! Wasn't expecting thaaaaat! :) I want to go get another one the next time I'm there (it's on my way home). Yummy! I did try their quiche too. It was tasty enough that their only having the one flavor of it made me think of the proverbial "damn kid won't live up to his potential." you know? soooo, but yeah. Cupcakes. If u like those, which I do, then hell yeah...enlarge your ass there. U won't be sorry. I also loved how they advertised "Edible Fruitcake." I get a biiiiiig kick out of stuff like that......it was cute. I've also tried their coffee before, and it was well made and tasty. Yay!
(5)Lesley A.
Have you ever wanted to grab dessert somewhere after a Sunday night dinner around Argyle or in Andersonville? A Taste of Heaven is available to accomodate until 10 pm. Three of us ordered three different cupcakes: MALTED MILK BALL: Marble cake with some good thick frosting interspersed with malted milk powder. Nicely adorned with a crunchy malted milk ball. I liked the juxtaposition of softness and crunch. MOON PIE (?): Chocolate cake with marshmallow fluff and a chocolate ganache. Too much chocolate for me. BOSTON CREAM PIE: A fake eclair. Or an eclair that opts to use cake as its base rather than a flaky crust. I liked this one the best because I was craving an eclair (since we were so close to Swedish bakery, which has the best eclairs!) The cupcakes were nice, but none of them blew me out of the park. They were also too pricey for me at $2.75 without tax. I'm also not sure how fresh they are because they keep them cold. Hm. The ambiance was warm, kitschy and full of pride (The Reader voted TOH has the best Gay Bakery or something like that. The award is displayed proudly on the wall). We also talked quietly as CeCe Peniston's "Finally" played in the background ( youtube.com/watch?v=4YfC… ) despite my inner urges to break it down. Oh yeah :-)
(3)Greg F.
hard to resist stopping in Taste Of Heaven when strolling andersonville, ordering a special treat you spot at the counter or see on their menu, and sitting down letting the waitstaff refill your cup. to paraphrase - 'slices of german chocolate cake as big as your head' knocks me out of the park maybe the puppet bike will be putting on a show right outside. maybe not. all that's missing is the rotogravure for an idyllic afternoon, but whatever you do give them a sweet try in my meddling opinion though they should drop the 'A' in their restaurant name, it complicates and leads searches astray. talk about a token complaint
(4)Jonathan C.
So good. Try their French Toast with peaches and cream. I have yet to find something on their brunch menu that isn't amazing. Even their basic eggs, sausage gravy and buscuits is good. I don't know how they do it, but they do. It can get a little long to wait for a table, but its a good place so worth the wait (nevermind its not worth it, just go to Dennys so my wait is shorter)
(5)Scott B.
Up until now, I have only been visiting A Taste of Heaven for their lemon bars. Who knew that they have a good breakfast? I love a good breakfast burrito and I think I have found my favorite. Most places the burritos are so huge that I can't finish it. At A Taste of Heaven the breakfast burrito is perfect. I added chicken sausage to mine which made it all the better. Looks as though I have a new breakfast spot!
(5)Gayle G.
A solid three stars. Maybe more, but that remains to be seen. I stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner and the place was pretty much desserted at 4 p.m. as expected. The menu is pretty simple...salads, sandwiches and some dinner entrees. I debated the Nicoise salad, but I'm pretty particular about it. I settled on The Durbin, a hot turkey sandwiches with roasted pears and havarti cheese with honey mustard. It was good. Nice and hot and the cheese was melted. (A peeve is a hot sandwhich that's not hot enough to melt the cheese!) The pasta salad was ok, nothing super exciting. A decent value in a cute setting. I'll reserve extra stars once I've been here for brunch.
(3)Tim L.
Interesting reading all the feedback on Yelp about this place. I worked here for a very brief stint last summer and I would agree with most of the reviews, both the positive and the negative. "How is this possible?" you ask. Well here goes... Service: It completely depends on who is working. Dan, the owner, is a *bit* pretentious in an "I run my damn restaurant like I want to" and I don't fault him for it. He's a straight shooter and is truly dedicated to his craft/skill, which is definitely best expressed in the back of the house, where he generally stays. Some servers are amazingly friendly and others are snobby brats. They are often understaffed with only one person covering the whole restaurant and one behind the counter, so don't expect to eat in a huge hurry, but to be fair there is really no more room for 3+ staff to be able to function. (PS: I like to think I was a friendly one. :) Atmosphere: It does get packed at times (i.e. nice summer nights when everyone in Andersonville is out walking their dogs/babies/dog babies), but usually is pretty chill, especially around early lunch time. If it is too loud inside check out the back patio, which is nice. The other reviewers do a fine job of describing the homey interior, so I'll leave it at that. Cleanliness: Don't confuse the clutter with dirtiness. The space is small for everyone, servers, kitchen staff, and patrons, but it is kept clean and sanitary. Food: Here is where this place really shines. As you can read above, I have no real allegiance to this place and I can be as objective as anyone, as I don't live nearby anymore and don't owe them anything, and I still will say that the food here is absolutely delicious! Portabella wraps are my favorite for lunch, and the breakfast selections are all outstanding. It might be just me, but I don't really see this place as a huge dinner destination. Big portions, very affordable, everything made fresh (even the salad dressing is made in house). The desserts and sweets are incredible -- especially the apricot macaroons when they come hot out of the oven -- and are always turning over to ensure fresh products for everyone. If ratings were based on food alone I'd give this place 5+ stars. (Hint: many entrees come with choice of side; ALWAYS go with the pasta salad -- it's delicious) Bottom line: A cozy neighborhood place that caters to locals and regulars, but that has outstanding food for everyone, especially for breakfast and lunch. Sit outside when you can, come when you have time to relax and not hurry in and out, and enjoy Dan's great talent in the kitchen!
(4)Kathleen C.
This is by FAR my favorite place to eat breakfast! I have dreams about their scones. I LOVE the blueberry, rasberry and blackberry scones! AMAZING cupcakes as well! I try to hit this place up at least once a week. We are moving to the suburbs, which breaks my heart, but I will be making the trip in to visit Taste of Heaven for sure!
(5)Angelique R.
Very delicious veggie omelet, yup potatoes, yum fruits, yum iced coffee, and I brought home the pasty - which I'm sure is yum too. Service was friendly enough and for a Saturday not super busy. I do wish I could have grabbed something healthier but I may have missed it on the menu. Prices weren't bad.
(4)Megan G.
Taste of Heaven is unique in that it is the only establishment I can think of that I could have rated anywhere from two to four stars...I split the difference at three but as I ponder this review I'm leaning more towards two. On the four star end, the baked goods are excellent. The food isn't as good as the baked goods, but it's fine. Drinks are solid. I also like the atmosphere - it's softly lit and quiet. It's not a place that I'd necessarily want to linger for long periods of time because the chairs aren't particularly comfy, but I find the overall atmosphere calming. The two stars are service. As I watched our counter server glare at and refuse to speak to me last night and snap at his coworker that no, he would not make a hot chocolate for her I commented to my companion that Taste of Heaven ranks with the Uptown Post Office for most unpleasant employees I've ever encountered. If you've been to the Uptown Post Office, you know that that's really saying something. In general, Taste of Heaven employees seem to go out of their way to be unpleasant. They must actually be expending additional effort to be as nasty as they are. Periodically I forget this or think that I have to have been overreacting and I'll wander back into Taste of Heaven only to be reminded that yes, the service really IS that bad. I will say that the aforementioned coworker who asked for hot chocolate for one of her tables was as sweet as pie. I doubt she'll last long.
(3)Stefanie P.
I stopped in here the other night to satisfy a particularly nasty sweet craving, and I must say, I picked the right place. Upon the cashier's recommendation, I tried the "moon pie" cupcake. Dude. DUDE. Chocolate cupcake with marshmallowy buttercream (I think), covered in chocolate ganache. Need I say more? It was amazing. Staff was friendly and the price was fine for a specialty cupcake. I'll be back to try more. It's quite convenient that I pass them on the way home from the gym...
(4)Sarah E.
Perfect! I was looking for somewhere quick to stop in before book club to pick up my sustenance offering for the group. I picked up apricot macaroons, lemon drop cookies, chocolate raspberry brownies, and lemon butter bar. Everything had that great small bakery quality, and nothing was terribly pricey. Except for my small tea. $2+. Good tea (chamomile) with the non-paper bag that I'm a huge fan, but that was how much? Otherwise, I would visit regularly if I lived in the neighborhood. Great atmosphere, PERFECT place to meet friends for coffee and small sugar snack. :)
(4)Jerry B.
Quaint, little diner. Quiet and not trendy. Had egg sandwich and pesto omlette. Both okay, not great. Good coffee. Service was very good. Cupcakes look great, but didn't try them. Nice alternative to big,noisy places like m Henry. (and a little less expensive). Probably 3 stars for hipsters.
(4)Dan F.
This is one of my favorite little spots for a nice lunch--winter or summer--they have a nice street cafe in the summer months and a small and very cozy dining area. The food here is why we go--it is unbelievably tasty--made from scratch (everything). There is not a thing on the menu that I wouldn't eat--whatever it is it will be GREAT! Now, they don't seem to keep servers more than a week or two here for some reason, but it doesn't matter--slow and sluggish service because someone is learning the ropes is a small price to pay for the excellent food that awaits your taste buds! Yum!
(4)Curtis S.
This place is always packed and I'm not sure why. The interior looks like grandma's country kitchen during the dust bowl era. I hate to put down a local establishment, but this place is sort of gross. The coffee tastes like a paper towel and the French toast is soggy. The scones are not the best (as the huge sign states). The only good experience I've had is the huge slice of cake I had 6 months ago (the last time I was there). To be fair, I have given it a lot of chances and they have failed.
(1)Mara S.
Cool place. Great service. Good food. Lots of food for the $$. Cute atmosphere. Highly recommend for a weekend brunch. Had I not been stuffed I would have loved to try some of their fresh bakery goods too.
(4)Aaron R.
Small store, with to go window, a patio and a nicely kitschy dining area. After sitting at the window counter, we were brought coffee and ordered food... Though the waitress basically told us she could not allow substitutions on the menu and they were out of just abotu everything on the menu... Things they were out of, Cornbread, anything involving the cornbread, the stuff in the breakfast burrito, at least two of the 8 things on the menu, etc etc. After the coffee came out, we waited 40 minutes for food, so they brought us some raspberry and lemon bars to tide us over, both were tasty. The food came out soon after, it was good, my omelet was watery cause it was overcooked, but was okay. My friends burrito came with all of the things he asked to NOT be on it. Coffee was okay. All in all it was okay. On another note, they closed the kitchen once they realized they were out of everything. we were one of the last people seated before they shut the place down. Weird.
(3)Chicagoguy J.
First time here, just moved to the neighborhood. Very friendly staff, great items. I had the Katie Cakes. HUGE and delicious, very sweet. Portions here are huge, may want to split some of the items. I'll definitely be back. I read the negative reviews about service, but everyone I encountered was very friendly.
(4)Dennis B.
Eaten here several times and the food has been consistent as well as the service. I appreciate not being rushed during weekend breakfast/brunch, which many places tend to do. The service can be perceived as slow, but I really think it is more relaxed. I have attempted to meet friends here on the weekends, and the space is tight and waits can be long. The ice cream is great, as well as several brunch selections. My favorite brunch item is the burrito. I have had the breakfast casserole and it is tasty as well.
(4)Emily K.
Came here for a Saturday brunch and got the breakfast burritos, which was pretty good. They score points for being BYOB and for the really nice waitress who didn't judge me when I debated getting a 6 pack at 10:30 am. In the end I was just too lazy to get leave. Ate outside and despite being obviously busy we weren't rushed. Had really great service from a new waitress who told us she was new in town and asked where she should go in the neighborhood to meet people. To thank us for being nice she gave us a bag full of free pastries with our check, which was awesome. I've had a better breakfast burrito (it just seemed a bit healthy- god, I'm gross- and on that end, a little plain) but I'd come back to try some other things as well.
(4)Emily T.
The first time I walked in they shoved a warm oatmeal cookie in my face and a cup of hot coffee and I was immediately ready to move in. The service is relaxing and if you want to sit there all day with a giant piece of cheesecake the wait staff won't tap their feet. You might need an entire day to eat a piece of their cheesecake, but there is no crime in indulgence. Yesterday I went there for lunch and had the Durbin Omlette, with turkey, pear and Havarti cheese (how can you go wrong?). The turkey was real breast meat that should make Thanksgiving be ashamed of itself. The pears were super ripe and the cheese with all its melty goodness was icing on the cake. It was served with their home-style potatoes that are nothing out of the ordinary, but just tasty. It also came with a little salad of mixed greens and pickled green beans, red cabbage and black beans. Now, anything that sits in brine for several days in my book, has to be good, but these were beyond good. I was also very happy to hear that the pickled jewels were made on site. I appreciated the personal touch and pickling is definitely a science so kudos to Heaven. Heaven has a relaxing and inviting atmosphere with options for all walks of life. Places like this are what makes Andersonville so unique. Their desserts are reason enough to stop in and check the place out. If thats the kind of food they serve in Heaven then I have one less worry in life. Sidebar - This is a relaxed environment so if the kids can't leave the house without a leash, then go to the IHOP.
(4)Josh E.
On a scale of five stars, I'd rate this a Yum. I've only been for dessert, but it's good every time. This evening I had the hot chocolate (they use half & half instead of milk) and split a piece of cake. The cake slice was giiiiiiiant. Way too big for me & my girlfriend. But delectable. Soooo good. The staff was friendly and didn't bug us too much as we talked. Great place. Not totally amazing. But definitely good enough.
(4)Brett M.
For just take-out, I'd give the place five stars... those scones are beyond compare! Everyone in my office is addicted. Every person I bring to this bakery leaves addicted to the scones. Plus, take-out service is always fast and friendly. Dining-in gets four stars, because it gets super crowded and noisy on weekend mornings... but what brunch spot in Chicago doesn't?
(4)Lisa K.
Taste of Heaven came recommended by friends who live in the area of Andersonville, Uptown/Edgewater. We all stopped in for a lunch on a weekend. The prices were a little higher than I imagined for such a small luncheon looking place. I tried the tomato soup. It was on the cold side and an average portion for the large price tag it came with. The chef was either getting creative or spilled the whole bottle of dill because my soup tasted like pickles it had such a strong dill flavor. Spices are accents not the entree itself. YUCK. I won't be back even if they were giving the food away.
(1)David S.
Stopped in today and bought the Lemon Meringue cupcake and it was divine. I love well made baked goods and Dan (the owner) does them exceptionally well. ATOH never lets me down. Try them and you'll see exactly what I mean. Got a sweet tooth? Go. Just. Go. Cheers!
(5)Carly O.
I've lived by A Taste of Heaven for many years and used to go when it was at its old location on Foster. I would say that most of my experiences here have been more on the 4 start side. However, this past Saturday, I had an amazing brunch. My boyfriend got the Silverland breakfast (biscuits in sausage gravy with lightly scrambled eggs) and I had the Katie Cakes (two perfectly cooked, large pancakes smothered with a mixed berry preserve type thing, topped with some kind of lemon-y cream and streusel crumble). AMAZING. We split our meals and marveled at the perfection. The place doesn't seat many, so you'll probably experience a bit of a wait on a Saturday or Sunday. Our server was very friendly and on top of things. If you're ever in the hood and looking for dessert, this is also a very nice place to enjoy a slice of their Jeanine's cake and sip a mug of coffee.
(5)Go B.
perfect place to take someone you want to have a cup of coffee with...maybe someone that has been working out alot ;)
(4)Aggie T.
After moving from Wicker Park to Ravenswood, this restaurant was one of the first I tried in my new 'hood. I've been back several times and I really like it. It's typically not crowded and it kind of makes me feel like I'm eating in someone's kitchen (not a restaurant). I think it may be the coffee-cup lamps. Most importantly, they do comfort food right. I love bakeries. This place has delicious linzer cookies and many good-but-a-bit-rich cakes and brownies. Of note is their white cake with cream cheese frosting and berries. They also have a pancake version (Katie cakes) on their brunch menu. It's very tasty but a tummy bomb. It's super rich, so if you try it, you might want to share it with a friend. Although I try to eat healthy, I'm not a fan of salads-as-a-meal. Having been raised in Ohio by round folks, I feel like I require more substance than that. But A Taste of Heaven has a wonderful salad with pecans, pears and roasted chicken and a light honey mustard dressing. I actually crave it which totally astounds me. Their chicken and biscuits, a signature meal, is intense. If you like heavy, creamy, or gravy-like stuff, then this is for you. It was a little too much for me though. I can respect it for what it is but I prefer more biscuit than gravy. This was definitely lots of gravy and two small biscuits. Not good for watching the waist-line. I went with a friend once and sampled his beef brisket meal. It came with a wedge of potatoey goodness and some sort of red vegetable side dish. It was very tasty. I think I'll get it next time. Lastly, the customer service is excellent. The staff is very friendly and I like supporting them because you can tell that the people who work there care. And there's outdoor seating in the summer, another plus.
(4)Karen G.
I have followed Dan and his wonderful bakery creations since he first opened his store on Foster. I love the atmosphere at Taste of Heaven. It is never too loud. The food is always excellent. The staff is friendly and fast. I often meet new clients there so it serves as my business office on occasion. You will always be happy with your experience at Taste of Heaven. I always have been.
(5)Matt R.
A very homey spot to pick up brunch or a pastry. I myself have gotten some pastries, all of which were pretty good. Seems to be pretty popular as it is always packed.
(3)S.D. D.
i don't care how good your food and drinks are if the service is crap. I'll never return to A Taste of Heaven and I really don't understand all the good reviews. The server and the guy behind the counter were rude, unthoughtful, and I felt very hurried. It was not the pleasant sit down experience I had expected. At all.
(1)Nicole C.
Yummy biscuits and gravy. :) A great place to stop in for a cup of coffee and a pastry after dinner. Warm and cozy environment.
(4)K- K.
the Katie Cakes are INCREDIBLE!! The food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about A Taste of Heaven is wonderful. Once I go here several more times, I will most likely increase this to 5 stars
(4)John B.
I liked Taste of Heaven even before the owner dropped the hammer on misbehaved kids. I liked it even before it was on Clark Street, when it was west on Foster. But then I would only get food to go, because although they had seating, it wasn't meant for lingering. Not so at the new place. Try the scones. Unless you don't eat dairy. 'Cause they're all dairy, with just a smidge of flour to hold them together. At least that's what I believe. The basked goods are all made fresh every morning, and it shows. Unfortunately, that means when they're out of something, they're out. But that's a good thing, too. As long as it's not the bread pudding cake. They do a god job with lunch too. When the weather turns cold, try their soups. The pumpkin soup is extraordinary.
(4)Emily M.
I was looking forward to this cute little place, but I felt like their selection was a little shy of heaven. I'm a very picky eater though. My boyfriend thought the food was ok, but on the expensive side. As we were leaving we decided to buy cupcakes for dessert that night. We had two half eaten cupcakes left. Really who eats only half a cupcake?! They weren't worth the calories!
(2)Nastassia J.
Oh man is breakfast at Taste of Heaven amazing. I've had the breakfast burrito, the biscuits and gravy, the egg sandwich. All amazing. Good, strong coffee. Friendly service. Top notch.
(5)Kate A.
I wanted to update my earlier review that told of the table full of yogurt but no granola. I actually ended up speaking with the manager and he was extremely understanding about the incident. He sent gift certificates for us to use. So I came by again with my husband. I had the yogurt and granola and the granola was pretty exceptional. It had a hint of orange in it. The yogurt itself is very good and the strawberries have been fresh both times I've had the yogurt. If you don't want to go the yogurt route, my guy got the omelette of the day, smoked salmon, goat cheese, tomatoes... very fresh and good. I've also had the French Toast, which is no fuss and great flavor, almost tasted a little almondy. Attentive service and great food. We'll be back!
(4)Jill A.
Go here now! Service is terrific, food is a dream. They aren't lying with the name. Or maybe stay the hell away so I don't have to wait for a table. The place isn't very big-the only down side.
(5)Jessica S.
Very good desserts and tea. Friendly efficient staff!
(5)Mag M.
the cakes here are so good that i am willing to overlook the mediocrity of the rest of the nosh and the fruity kitchy decor. the chocolate-hazelnut torte IS.SO.FREAKING.DELICIOUS. also, i am a big fan of anything red-velvet, and the cream cheese frosting is the creamiest i have ever tasted. i hate icing that makes you feel like you're basically eating granulated sugar, and this place really understands the balance between sweet and savory, even with dessert as a specialty. it's a rare find.
(3)Michael M.
I have been coming here for the last four years - I like their food, but my experience today has soured me forever. I sat down with my computer to do some work, and waited for anyone to offer me any service - I received none. I was approached by a manager or someone and told that I couldn't stay if I wasn't ordering. I had not even been approached by service staff for my muffin or coffee I was interested in. I then was, rudely, asked to leave. I guess I should expect such service from a place that "REQUIRES" children to be quite. I can't understand why you wouldn't want a sale from a paying customer. Very sad, very disappointing!!!!!!! I'll never go back, ever
(1)Chloe R.
Too many sweets to choose from (could have been from the Hopleaf effect) and knowing I like yellow cake I went with a Malted Milk ball cupcake. Some of the best frosting around and the cake was very moist. I was extremely satisfied. Also tried the bf's boston creme cupcake which was heavenly. I'd be back!
(4)neeters m.
We've lived in Chicago five years now, and although many restaurants have come and gone in my list of favorite brunch spots, this place has withstood the test of time and remains at the top of my list. Here's why: * Consistently high-quality food across the menu: ingredients are obviously carefully chosen and carefully used. You can order anything here an it will be good. * Reasonable portions - neither too big nor too small. Just enough to fill you up. * Healthy, tasty options. I love that they always give you a side of something green with your egg dish, that you can order oatmeal that is really yummy, and that you can opt for a delicious home-made biscuit rather than a sweet roll. Nothing is too greasy; everything is very flavorful. * If you want to indulge, you can, and you won't feel sick afterward. Their sweeter offerings are delicious, but also well balanced, and made with higher quality ingredients than most places. * Kitchy yet adorable. I didn't know that was possible until I saw this place. Country-home decor chosen carefully to delight and amuse, not nauseate. * Warm and welcoming. The space is so comfortable an comforting, an the wait staff here is highly efficient, patient, and accommodating. My family and I are moving to Phili, an this is one of the places in Chicago I will really miss.
(5)S S.
I want to like A Taste of Heaven. I like the idea of it - nice desserts, good salads and sandwiches, a place to go without children yapping everywhere. But here's the thing. The desserts are incredibly overrated. Maybe the baking schedule is once every three days, but the cake I had two visits ago was frozen in the middle, not fresh; and yesterday's chocolate chip cookie could have broken teeth. Then there's the service. I sat down at a table with liquid all over it - waited for a server to wipe it off - too bad she missed 1/4 of the table, and now I have a shirt with someone else's Diet Coke all over the sleeve. I ordered the grilled cheese with tomato on Sourdough. I've had it before, and it's good. Sure, they charge an extra buck for the tomato,but who doesn't? Well, after waiting 1/2 an hour for my sandwich, (it was 1:20 when I walked in), imagine my surprise when the one that arrived was on egg bread an inch thick (a bit much) with (I kid not) two slices of plum tomatoes. shredded cheddar cheese from a bag that wasn't melted, and a side of potato chips three weeks past their sell-by date. I know it's a small joint, but the combo of craptastic service, below-average food, and desserts that don't come close to meeting the reputation means I won't be back. Oh, and the best touch? When my sandwich came back from being reheated, it had someone else's marinara on it. Yah. High class.
(1)Michael H.
Hands down - the best cup cakes in Chicago! Delicious almost mousse like butter cream and moist cake! Also, for breakfast? The best pancakes I have every had. Service is always friendly and professional. Superb breakfast and pretty much any of the baked goods are worthy of the carbs and calories.
(4)amy w.
I split paying for a friend's birthday cake and another person picked up the cake. We ordered it well in advance and they said it would be ready by 11. Friend shows up at 1130 and they had the dates confused, but they "happened to be making the same cake". It was not the same and it was obvious they intended to serve it the next day or just threw everything they had on hand together. The bottom layer was extremely thin compared to the top two layers and they hid the mistake with frosting. The cake was dry, because they didn't brush on the syrup they usually have on all their cakes to keep it moist. The berries didn't have time to macerate so they were too tart. They comped my friend's coffee but didn't offer a discount off the cake for making their mistake. Keep in mind this is a $90 cake. When they get it right, they get it right. When they don't, they don't care to fix it, because they're not exactly hurting for business. All their pastries in their case are good. If you're pre-ordering, you might want to call a day ahead to make sure they have the date right.
(2)Jennifer H.
I waver between 2 and 3 stars. The food is mediocre (we came here only b/c we were too hungry to wait 45 minutes for a table at M. Henry, our usual breakfast joint). Actually, it was downright disappointing. I don't know if the cook was just in a cranky mood that morning, but my breakfast sandwich was not satisfying at all. My breakfast partners and I decided that that visit would be our only time there -- too many yummy places to try in this city to waste money on medicore fare. I don't get why this place is crowded, seriously. I assume it profits quite a bit from the M. Henry rejects who come here and morosely accept the bland omelets and slow service.
(3)Tory w.
A taste of heaven it is NOT, at least as far as their pastries go. I would give three stars for the lunch food and one for the cupcakes. Disappointing, considering the long list of cupcake flavors posted on the door and on the outside windows. Everything in their bakery display case does look heavenly, but the taste is where it's at and this place just doesn't have it. I had a chicken sandwich that was decent and my lunch date had the pulled pork which was tasty. Two thumbs up for the homemade chicken soup, it was really good and had a bit of a kick to it. My hazelnut cupcake was dry and was totally not worth the calories and fat, I didn't even finish it. For me not to finish a cupcake, it has to be really bad. It's my second time having a cupcake there, the first time was equally disappointing. Our waiter was (I think) new to the job because he didn't know which sandwich was which and had to have another waiter point out the difference between chicken and pork. I don't know how long he will last there either because after serving us our food we saw him eating, sitting outside smoking, and then getting into a cab and leaving, all before bringing us the check, I honestly think we could have left without paying and no one would have noticed. If you're in the neighborhood, go to Starbucks and skip this place.
(2)April M.
Great saturday or sunday morning breakfast place! The food is good and the price is good. Sadly though I haven't been there in about a year since my boyfriend and friends have found other cute breakfast places to try. Although we will be back someday!
(4)Annie S.
While this place is really cool and comfortable, and the staff was friendly, I did not think that much of the dinner options. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, which was ok, but the side of potato salad was very under seasoned. My friend's grilled cheese tasted ok, but at around $10 a plate I did not think it was worth it. I have not however, tried any of their deserts or breakfast/brunch items and I heard those are delicious, so I would go back to try that because the atmosphere was very enjoyable and laid back. Also, the sign telling parents to keep their children in check is about enough to get me to give it another try.
(2)A R.
I've lived away from Chicago for a year now, and I still miss Taste of Heaven! Oh, man nothing would cure my brunch craving like the peaches and cream french toast, and my husband always got the breakfast burrito. Soooo good, man we miss it.
(5)Matthew H.
Been going to Taste of Heaven for years!! Not anymore though, they totally changed up the Menu and the food is less than desirable. Ok, for a quick breakfast, but the dinner has totally gone down hill. So sad! :(
(1)Stephanie H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. While it can get a bit crowded over the weekends, the food is well worth the wait. I highly recommend the Katie Cakes or the Grilled Cheese Omlette! The waitstaff can be a bit slow and frazzled, but, again, the food is well worth it.
(4)Amy J.
I've been twice and thinks it's a pretty good place to go. I've had kind of iffy service both times, once by a rushed, pushy waitress and once by a very S-L-O-W waiter, but both times the food has been really tasty. The biscuits and gravy was delish and the breakfast burrito was very good. When you can't wait an hour and a half to eat at M Henry, this is a good alternative in the neighborhood. And in the summer, they have a shady little sidewalk cafe on the side street.
(3)Dan B.
This review is solely based on the baked goods, I have only eaten brunch there once and I was quite sick so It's not really a good gauge. That being said, on to dessert...oh dessert! I am fully addicted to the Jeanine's cake. Double layered spongecake filled with fresh berries and covered in a thick cream frosting. It is so rich yet so light at the same time. I have tried some of the other desserts as well which were all fantastic, but this one takes the cake! (pun intended) I usually just get it to go from the counter, but last night we decided to eat in, much like several others out enjoying the niceish weather. A nice perk too is free coffee on Wednesdays whether you eat in or take it to go. I love that they are open late too because my dessert cravings usually hit me later in the evening.
(4)Liz K.
Brunch was great but I'm not so sure about lunch. Bakery items look amazing. I had a moon pie cupcake and a molasses cookie, both amazing. So is that one cake with the white cream and fruit inside!
(4)Ellen P.
Taste of Heaven has become my regular weekend breakfast spot. While I love the Silverland breakfast and some others, I typically can't get past the oat meal - yes, I said oat meal - which is served with peach compote, granola and currants. YUM! Staff is friendly, sometimes a short wait, but nothing to gripe about. Also: the owner is forever walking around with pastry samples - just when you think you're stuffed, you find room for a pumpkin square...
(5)Nina G.
Taste of Heaven was originally at the old Let Them Eat Cake shop at Paulina & Foster, and that area just hasn't been the same since they left for Andersonville. Their loss is Clark Street's gain. However, as much as I love most of their pastries there are two negatives here: (a) Some of the counter staff have a MAJOR 'tude problem. Ever heard of "service with a smile" folks? And it would help if you would know the inventory so you can answer our questions. (b) One of the signature products of TOH in the autumn was a large leaf-shaped cookie with maple-flavored dough, and food coloring in no-two-alike patterns. I wonder if some people just bought the cookies, laminated them and used them for autumn decorations! But for some reason they weren't available in Fall 2007! Bring them back, please!
(4)liz d.
A taste of heaven is really what you get with this place. No lie. After tasting a piece of Jeanine's cake, which we ordered for a party, I really thought I was floating on up to the clouds. The only reason I fought it off, was so that I could get another bite of that cake! The creamy and fresh strawberry filling was just right. The fresh flowers on top made for a perfect decoration. I would definitely suggest this place for some yummy dessert.
(4)Lakshmi R.
I love this place for so many reasons. The food is great (I especially love the Breakfast Burrito). The staff are so sweet and so nice. If you stay late until close, they'll give you their remaining scones. It's beautiful inside: lovely lamps and sparkly decor, so cozy and nice. Tough to get a seat here on the weekends, but really worth the wait, and definitely a great place to meet up with friends or to do some work during the week. The epitome of cuteness!
(5)Elisabeth A.
We got a scone and a coffee to go. Scone was fine; coffee was terrible, tasteless brown water. I politely pointed this out and was treated very rudely by the woman behind the counter. She did offer another cup, but when I asked if it would taste the same as the first, undrinkable one, her response was a very bitchy "I have no idea!" Of course, the second cup was no better than the first. Decent coffee is kind of a basic requirement for a breakfast place, IMO. We will not be back.
(1)Nannette P.
Try the Jeannie's Cake. Seriously, the best cake around. The Silverland Breakfast is also delish.
(5)Erin T.
The food is good, but the service is so-so. I think they might be nicer to regulars (fair enough, I guess). It's not outright hostile or anything, just on the cold side of indifferent. Cool, you might say. Doesn't stop me from going there, so it's not that bad. Sorry for the wishy washy review - I just feel wishy washy about A Taste of Heaven.
(3)Christy H.
Was driving by Sunday morning with a very hungry belly craving French toast. Saw this place and man- did I hit the Jackpot!!!! I had the peaches & cream french toast and it was AWESOME!!!!! And, for back up later I grabbed a peanut butter cookie to go and it hit the spot as a tasty treat at work Monday.
(4)Daniel S.
I have to admit that I haven't much of a sweet tooth, but I don enjoy visiting this place. So I won't dare to review the sweets, as I haven't tried them. But I can say the savouries, salads, soups, main courses and breads are well produced and presented. The only dish that I would not recommend is the pumpkin soup- it is far too sweet.
(4)Jannis M.
I used to love going to the old Taste of Heaven when it was on Foster. Small, no waitstaff and great scones. The two times I've been to the space on Clark street I've had horrible service. My most recent visit was the worst. Our waiter barely contained his distain for us when we asked to have a few moments to decide. He had all the time in the world to gab with his friends behind us but every time he managed to come to our table, which wasn't much, his attitude dripped out of his pores. My food was slightly above ordinary. I'll continue to go up the street to M. Henry, where the food and service are far superior. In a city as big as Chicago, there are far better bakeries and scones to choose from.
(2)Claire S.
I have been coming here for a few years now and the desserts are absolutely delicious. My friend Matt and I usually come here just to get a huge piece of Taste's cake. It can get crowded, but I've found that it's worth it. Great desserts!
(4)Nicholle H.
Every time I eat here I am nothing less than satisfied. I always come for breakfast, which is packed on the weekends, and like to try a little something different each time. During breakfast on the weekends, they usually come around the tables with samples of scones or other baked goods that leave me salivating for more. The baked goods are a little pricey, but definitely worth it!
(5)Allison S.
This place is super delicious. I am never disappointed with anything I get. Go here. Yay!
(5)Theresa S.
Love love love their mackinac island fudge ice cream. Good coffee and a cute place to meet with one or two friends. The space is kind of small and can get crowded easily.
(4)Serg H.
As I sit here enjoying a delicious slice of the German chocolate cake from a Taste of Heaven, I would like to update my review on my last visit to Heaven. Let me start by saying that after posting my first review, Dan McCauley, the owner of A Taste of Heaven replied to my post promptly and apologized for the unpleasant experience I had at his establishment. Trust me when I say that he was very humble and genuine in his multiple emails. He was willing to refund back the cost of my ticket plus tip and offered to give me a whole cake of his delicious Bread Pudding which is his mothers recipe. I replied back to Dan and no refund was necessary, my only request was to get a gift certificate for 2 people to go back to Heaven. He immediately responded back and informed me that the gift certificates would be waiting for me at the register. He even offered to mail them but that was not necessary since I live within walking distance from Heaven in my new Neighborhood Andersonville. I went to Heaven to pick up the certificates and I had a chance to meet Dan and he was very pleasant and humble and apologetic and thank me for using yelp and for giving him a chance to make things right. I got my certificates and bread pudding and when I got home I realized that Dan was more than generous with the certificates but trust me that has nothing to do with this update. Tonight my partner and I decided to go to Heaven since the bad experience with an open mind and let me just tell you that the experience was a total 180. The server that waited on us was nice, attentive and very pleasant. He welcomed us, took our order, answered menu questions, checked on us to make sure if we needed anything and suggested some desserts. Later to my surprise, I over heard him say that it was his second night at the job and in my opinion he was definitely great at his job. Extra update for those of you whom I shared or heard about my first experience and had a similar experience with that same waiter and whose most negative reviews are written I encourage you to give Heaven another chance cause thanks to Yelp he no longer works in Heaven. Good people go to Heaven and bad people..... Well you know where they go. Once again thanks Dan for making things right. Btw their 3 Mac and cheese and desserts is what keeps me coming back to Heaven!
(4)Bleu C.
Taste of Heaven has homestyle food and a casual atmosphere, so it's a good option for grabbing breakfast (served all day), lunch or just dessert if you're in the neighborhood. They have a nice little outdoor seating area, so it tends to be a destination for me when I'd like to sit outside. I wouldn't say it's conducive to lingering unless they're not terribly busy, and there aren't a lot of options for vegetarians. This is a family-owned and operated cafe and is well-known for their wide variety of desserts. In an article on the ABC7 website, owner Dan McCauley notes that "Everything we make is homemade. These are all my great grandmother's recipes." They use all-natural ingredients, which is pretty impressive since most bakeries use mixes these days. Parking in this neighborhood is tricky. You can also get there on the #22 Clark bus or walk a few blocks west from the Berwyn stop on the Red Line train.
(3)Joel S.
Perfect place to warm up on a f freezing night. My reward for braving the pre-windchill -17 temperature outside this morning was dinner at ATOH, including: 1) Piping hot tomato dill soup 2) Piping hot thanksgiving ingredients (turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes) in a wrap - look it wasn't a culinary classic or even the best of those ingredients, but you gotta appreciate the genius of that combo. 3) Piping hot coffee with delicious baked goods Tons of windows in this place, but it was still warm inside and a cozy atmosphere - something I appreciate after dining out yesterday in another establishment that was about 55 degrees inside. Great service, too. Nothing too "wowing" on the food menu, and that keeps it from 5 stars, but overall a very solid choice for a "homey" experience. Thanks A Taste of Heaven!
(4)Adam S.
I love the sign when you walk in: "control your children" essentially. Small cozy place; was full when we went on a Sunday at 9:30 so get there earlier or prepare for a wait. The food was good, not great. We both ordered omelettes which came with potatoes and a "salad" which was mesclun greens and green beans in some sort of olive oil/dill dressing. All pretty good but not "holy crap this is fantastic" good, thus the 3-spot on the rank from me...Unlike other people who seemed to have service issues, ours was fine, just kind of hurried in the there are 12 tables here and 2 waitresses so i'm super busy always and am going to walk really fast style.
(3)Anna G.
Too bad the service sucks, but I'm giving it 3 stars because the desserts are excellent. If A Taste of Heaven had semi-friendly staff, they'd get 5 stars from me. The orange cupcakes are a must if you're there.
(3)LJ S.
We were greeted at the door warning that children should 'use their inside voices" and there were several other unfunny "tongue-in-cheek" slurs on children. We were the only people there with kids and felt uncomfortable, even through our children were quieter than most of the adults, who I guess are not asked to use their inside voices. (I would note this anti-children feeling is the fault of the owner/management, not the waitstaff.) That said, they do have high chairs and children's portions. Food was mediocre so no need to return, with or without children.
(2)Ellen C.
The food is really good but just a tad overpriced. It's always very, very crowded, though. I don't feel rushed by the wait staff or anything, but I do think the space is far too small. This is not a place where you can just walk in and expect to be seated right away. There is definitely a wait. However, I like that there's a sign on the door admonishing people not to let their kids run wild, so I guess it's not a kid-friendly environment--which is good! Nothing like a bunch of screaming kids to ruin a good meal. Well, it's not like there would be enough room for any kids to run around in anyway.
(3)Sheila Y.
Went here with my family looking for a casual sit down place in Andersonville and got drawn in by the bakery case. It was filled with yummy looking pastries, but we eventually sat down for brunch instead. I ordered an iced mocha and it was great...no burnt espresso or overdone chocolate syrup. We all ordered the lox quiche which was amazing with the dill addition. The quiche is the best I've had so far in Chicago, however doesn't match up to Caf Campagne in Seattle. The biscuit was also especially awesome and I slathered that sucker with butter and scarfed it down. It had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The other breakfasts looked great and I would absolutely return for another breakfast stop.
(4)Jesse F.
I could probably eat here every day and be perfectly happy. They always seem to have whatever I'm craving and it's always delicious. I've always had pretty good service. As an added bonus, the people watching on the corner is the best.
(5)Marisa F.
The food is really good (LOVE the Katie cakes) but I can't stand the service. I support their no-children policy but the service is usually very unwelcoming. One time during breakfast the waitress told us that there was a 2-hour limit on tables. I didnt' understand because if I was in the middle of eating would they ask me to leave? and if a left would I have to pay? LAME.
(2)Erin D.
I am a waitress so I am always so polite to our servers when we go out to eat. I was dumbfounded by the blatant rudeness of our server. We went on a week day and there were three other tables there. We had to get up and get our own sugar, Catsup, and roll-ups because we had no silverware. I had been there two weeks prior and had a great omelette special and they had offered a similar omelette that particular day except it was missing one ingredient so I asked if I could have that in the omelette too and the waitress said that the chef would only put it on the side and not inside the omelette and I would have to put it in myself--how strange. There was also a hair in my food. I didn't complain-I didn't feel like wasting the energy on a snippy waitress. We won't go back.
(1)Marsha C.
Love this place! The Fried Egg Sandwich is great. I love all the "different' sides you wouldn't expect with breakfast. The potato salad is fabulous. Excellent staff and service.
(5)Sara S.
excellent desserts, amazing ice cream just right for summertime. the staff are a bunch of hipsters but really helpful. I suggest the mini cupcakes; there isn't a flavor I haven't liked. I'm glad Sweet Occasions didn't ruin them like they did themselves.
(4)John B.
I've had dinner here several times and it was really good. But, that's not the reason to go here. They have, quite simply, the most decadent and delicious cake in Chicago: their Jeanine Cake. It will cause all other cakes to come up short. Simply awesome.
(5)Robyn M.
I really like this place. I have walked by several times and always meant to stop in for brunch, but never had enough time. I have been there just to grab coffee or a delicious cookie or something. Husband and I went to brunch there last weekend. He had the Katie's Cakes and I had the Erin's Fried Egg Sandwich. Both were delicious and I think my husband made the pancakes disappear in record time. It's funny because I remember watching a story on the news about the sign out front saying the restaurant encourages parents to keep their children under control. I loved it -- a child free brunch experience.
(5)Connie W.
Love their lunch/dinner menu. Whether it be a salad, sandwich, or entree - food here always tastes fresh and delicious. Service is gracious even when the small room is packed to the limit.
(5)Erin J.
I know I'm gonna come off as the bad guy here, but I hafta say it. Both times I have been here, I have gotten the distinct (and none too subtle) impression that I was not welcome there. I really couldn't believe it, but there was no other explanation...I'm pretty sure that I and my companion were ignored because we are straight. The last time we were there, we waited for about 10 minutes for menus, then another 10 for water, and by that time 3 - THREE! - same-sex couples had been sat, placed their orders, had coffee, and one couple had even gotten their order! Absolutely no one was interested in helping us. I got smirks from the waiters as they passed right by us to coo over their other tables. We ended up leaving about 5 minutes later. Sucks, because in the time I'd had to peruse the menu, everything looked so good.
(1)Jeff O.
This is a great place for nouvelle breakfast or deli fare. They have a great twist on all sorts of traditional favorites. In the warm weather months, they have plenty of outdoor seating. I always leave feeling satisfied and that I have just eaten something natural and healthy. The attempted boycott as kid unfriendly, is much controversy over nothing (and largely a failure). I increased my dining there after the boycott was attempted. The resturant does have a sign reminding kids and parents that they are in public and should act as such. The complainers clearly were offended by their obvious responsibilities and should stay away.
(4)Stitchy M.
It IS a taste of heaven. Get the biscuits smothered in gravy - I forget what the dish is called. YUM, YUM, *heart attack on a plate* YUM! I also love the fact that there is this HUGE sign, that parents with misbehaving children will be asked to leave. My BFF actually saw some brats get the boot before! Bwahaha! Last time we went there, the kids at the table next to us were getting whiny and I immensely enjoyed giving them "the look."
(5)Marie L.
If the name of the restaurant is to be believed, I can tell you now that heaven tastes decent but the gravy on their biscuits n' gravy looks exactly, and I mean exactly, like a plate of a grade school child's barf after a hot lunch of sausage pizza. It is warm, orange and chunky in the most unpleasant way. This either means that there are some sadistic practical jokers in heaven or this is false advertising.
(2)Brian H.
Neat little neighborhood place, expect more than just the usual sandwiches from a coffee joint, great place for lunch with a creative menu filled with salads, unique sandwiches and more.
(4)Jookie K.
I wish I lived here. Specifically, inside the Jeanine cake. Specifically, inside one of the heartbreaking, delicious morsels of crust on the outside of the cake. Right there.
(5)Tsung-Hui K.
It's good------you will definitely find something you like. Worth a try for sure.
(4)Heather I.
I am addicted to their cupcakes specifically their "almond joy" flavor. Yummy! Definitely do yourself fa favor and indulge in one of these little gems. If you are looking for more substantial fare check out lunch and dinner menus. Their chicken and curried rice salad is really tasty and large enough to share, or save half for lunch the next day. And they have seating outside for those lovely summer days-all in all hooray Taste of Heaven.
(4)michele l.
Jeannine's cake, that is all you need to know. The cookies/brownies I have had are pretty bland. But Jeannine's cake and their amazing coffee (they do not sell the beans by the pound) are great. I have not had a meal there because I can just have a slice of Jeannine's cake!
(4)Tim S.
Good food, good service. Kids are kept on a leash:) Desserts could use some work.
(4)Jon S.
Coffee is mediocre at best; food is bland and uninspiring. The wait staff is inattentive and honestly look like they could care less, preferring to be in the back then taking care of the tables. They do have good treats, I recommend buying the treats and leaving.
(2)Steve J.
The main reason for 2 stars is the poor service and actual rudeness of the OWNER, which other patrons I've heard agree but feel it's still good food. The soups are good, yes, quiches are hit or miss and pastries are just so-so. Everything is overpriced, including the coffee but then Andersonville has become much more gentrified over the yrs. They do allow pets at tables outside during summer. Did I mention that service is consistently poor?
(2)Eliana S.
I have been here a couple of times and i can say with out a doubt, this place is hit and miss. Lets start in the beginning. It took a long time to get our order taken (miss). I saw two other tables that came after us get there orders taken before my table did. I ordered the Silverland (lightly scrambled eggs with sausage gravy and two cornbread biscuits) and my boyfriend ordered the turkey sandwich. My plate was great. the eggs were nicely done and the gravy was perfect (hit) although the biscuits were kind of dry. the turkey sandwich was dry and the cold pasta salad it came with was OK (miss). Maybe next time we will only have breakfast and pastries. My B/F also had the orange juice that was good, but i ordered coffee and it never came. they just forgot. To sum it all up, try the breakfast you cant go wrong there. And if you have no rush and don't mind waiting for service (maybe you have a good book or great company) then try it out. i want to give it more stars because i do love the bakery part of this place but the service keeps them down.
(3)Irene J.
i recently went on a late night cupcake escapade at a taste of heaven! we tried the carrot, red velvet, coconut cream, and sprinkles. the coconut cream and carrot were good. the sprinkles was your typical vanilla cake with cream and sprinkles cupcake. the red velvet...eh. it's not worth trying. we also had a portabello mushroom and veggie sandwich--that was delicious! we also had coffee--it was a lighter blend than what i'm accustomed to but good nonetheless. if you have a sweet tooth, get your taste of heaven of cupcakes! yum!
(4)Alli R.
Outstanding service, outstanding coffee, and outstanding food. Enough said.
(5)Sarah F.
The cakes are wonderful and the coffee is pretty good too. They have free flavored syrups that you can add. The inside is pretty cute and they have some really nice photos on the walls. I find it a bit pricey here. I had a killer piece of pudding cake today, but it cost $5.
(3)Andy S.
Tried a cupcake (read: 3 cupcakes) - As good as advertised.
(3)Lindley E.
Hooray for metropolis. Boo for uninspiring chili. Hooray for decent scones and other baked goods like muffins. Much, much more adequate than Starbucks. No doubt about that.
(3)J L.
The food is to die for - any of their baked goods are fantastic. When my parents come down, we love going for a scone, the apricot ones are fabulous. And brunch/lunch options are also delicious. The attention to detail on the food is really amazing. Only negative - when they're busy they don't customize the food offers. Bad for my boyfriend, who doesn't eat pork. It's a treat to go there in the afternoon for tea and a delicious confectionary. Dan, the owner, also teaches baking classes every once in awhile - they are worththe time to go! He's a very entertaining teacher, besides which you actually learn a few things about baking.
(5)Elise P.
The customer service here was/is HORRIBLE. I'm so disappointed. I was living in VA when there was the big hoopla with the sign on the door, and I was so supportive! I thought it was awesome and vowed to visit if/when I went to Chicago. Lo and behold, a few months later, I moved here, just a few blocks from the shop! The first time I went was okay. Actually, I would have given the place about three and a half stars based on that visit. The waitstaff working were mostly young and very friendly. I tend to go to a coffee shop with my computer, and get a coffee and a small meal to savour for a few hours. This is definitely not the place for that. It's more of a restaurant than a coffee shop in that respect--you will be rushed along if you try to linger. I went back a second time a few days later--and that's what torpedo'd the rating. Two men were working, and I'm pretty sure one was the owner. It was a Wednesday morning, and the place was half-full. I ordered a caramel soy latte and a brownie, both of which were pretty good. However, service was slow and snarky. The non-owner guy was sort of friendly, but the owner acted like he couldn't be bothered. He seemed annoyed that he even had to work. While I was there, two women came in and wanted to sit at a window table. There was a free table, but it hadn't been cleaned off yet. Just clean it off for them, right? No. He snapped that they needed to sit at a clean table. They did, but left shortly after without ordering. As soon as they were out the door, he cleaned the table. Then he brought me my check--even though I wasn't done yet, and hadn't even given any indication that I was finished/leaving. In fact, I wanted to order more; when I told him this, he sighed heavily and snatched the check back. I can understand having a bad day, but in this business (I've worked in a coffee shop for three years), you can't bring your crap to work. You paste on a smile and you earn your tip. I'm not someone who believes that the customer is always right--but I do believe in good, courteous customer service, and you will NOT find that here.
(2)Dawn B.
Taste of Heaven isn't cheap, but I guess you get what you pay for. The pastries are amazing and I truly believe that there is a special place in hell for those who die without trying the Jeanine Cake. I've been a fan since they were on Foster and that certainly hasn't changed. (Although I secretly miss my favorite bar - B.C. Tap - being in that location!) While the place is cute and cozy, I rarely stay, preferring to get my scone and coffee to go. All in all, Taste of Heaven is exactly what it looks like...a great place to relax, read a book, and watch the world go by.
(5)Jackie S.
I tend to be very critical of restaurants but I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this place. I got the breakfast casserole which is basically a strata and it was the best breakfast dish I have ever had. It had havarti cheese, roasted red pepper, and ham. I think it also had a small amount of mustard seed. My friend had the oatmeal which also looked delicious with dried fruit, fresh cream, and a peach compote. I live no where near this place but I will be back soon. I am shocked by the reviews that say the service is rude. Actually I thought the service was wonderful and took note of it even before reading the reviews. We were seated right away at the table of our choice and were attended to right away. There was a couple with a child next to us and they had their food and seemed pleased. Honestly though if people with children really want to organize some boycott like someone on metromix suggested I would be the last to stop you. Relaxing brunches and loud kids don't mix.
(5)Caroline S.
I'm really sad that I have to give Taste of Heaven two stars. Their food was so good, but their service sucks. My boyfriend and I found them one afternoon and had mediocre service. We really liked their breakfast wrap so we decided to give it one more try. The second time we went in someone yelled to us to sit wherever we wanted, we attempted to sit at a table, but the server yelled to us that we couldn't sit there because it was reserved. We were confused because there were only two tables being used, but sat at a different table just the same. The guy came over after a decent amount of time to finally take our order. My boyfriend asked for a side of sour cream, never got it, and we were ignored after our food was brought out by someone who didn't take our order. We waited and waited for our bill and for someone else to come in and sit at that "reserved" table but neither came. To call the service subpar would be generous and we told our server as much. He ended up taking care of our bill. I don't know if they're going for offensively rude or just come off that way but it put a bad taste in our mouths and we won't be going there again.
(2)Heather R.
They have very decadent desserts, great cakes and a nice bread pudding, but also some good salads and soups.
(5)Bella D.
Great Salads! Great bakery and great place for casual dining or tea/cocoa with cookies/cakes experience! Lov this place! So cozy!
(5)Damon R.
Charming and Delightful at breakfast this morning! This is a cute little place in trendy Andersonville. Its certainly A Taste of Heaven. The staff was attentive and welcoming. My delicious coffee never got less than half full in my cup. I ordered the insanely delicious grilled cheese omlete that was eyes roll around in your head good, write home and tell your folks good, rush to Yelp.com and write a review good.. u know what I mean. I ordered a side of the chicken sausage which was sage spiced perfectly. The home fries styled potatoes were warm and freshly made and seasoned to perfection. The portions were so massive that I couldnt even finish it all. The entree also came with a wonderful warm fresh green bean/assorted veggie side salad.. wonderful accompaniment. I will be back again and again!! Must try this place if you havent already.
(5)Reyna S.
food = Awesome.. service = crappy. this place is not "kid friendly". The kids I took were well behaved and used "inside voices" per request of the signs posted all over the place. Yet, we were not welcomed when we walked in (it was not busy at all) and I had to go up to the counter to ask for dessert and the check because after we got our food we were ignored. If you have kids, check out Hamburger Mary's right across the street. They are so friendly and the food is just as good.
(2)Amy M.
Yummy little shop with great desserts. The carrot cake is to die for. The staff is always helpful and willing to accomodate my last minute calls for birthday cakes for the office.
(4)sheena r.
i like this place. i really do. i came here on a whim with Desiree G and i'm glad we did. after checking out menus at various locations on clark, we landed on A Taste of Heaven. it's not a vary big place, and it felt very home-like inside. their pastry case was filled with delicious looking cupcakes and cakes , as well as cookies, bars and more. for lunch that day i went with The Southland -- i think that's what it was called. it was cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and lightly scrambled eggs on top. it was definitely tasty. it wasn't the kind of biscuits and gravy that make me feel like i need to puke afterwards to feel better (although i do enjoy those as well.) i didn't feel overly full, and i had room to split a moonpie cupcake. that was really tasty as well. the cake was moist and chocolatey, and the frosting w/the chocolate shell was excellent. they also have a good salad menu, as i saw a man had ordered a curried chicken salad that looked amazing. i will definitely be back for a salad and more in the future.
(4)Meow M.
Nice place, often overlooked, surprisingly good bakery. Menu items are simple but generally tasty (chicken & biscuits is a big thumbs-up). The owner got a lot of grief for basically giving little kids the boot but I find we are extremely over-indulgent and let kids get away with way too much, not to mention the number of "adults" who seem to think the rest of us are also deaf to their children's antics in public venues. I, for one, am THRILLED to be able to eat out without trying to compete with toddlers for a conversation with my friends.
(4)J C.
Super-cute with a homey feel. We ate here tonight, and I was impressed. I had walked by this place 100 times and wondered about it but never stopped in. We decided to give it a go tonight, and although the breakfast menu was a little overpriced, their dinner menu was very reasonable. I had a meatloaf sandwich that was yummy and filling. My husband had a breakfast burrito and said his was delicious as well. We both decided this is a place we will return to for dessert, coffee, or dinner.
(5)Connie S.
Cozy, intimate space with great food, and service with a smile and a bit of creative sarcasm at times makes this eatery a winner for me. For a quick on-the-go cuppa & scone or a sit down breakfast (served all day), lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong. My favorites are the grilled cheese omelet and the spinach lasagna. Portions are huge and sides are inventive. Not the ordinary fare...but the staff is very accommodating for special requests. Great asset to the neighborhood!
(4)Nellie T.
This place gets props for being super cute. It's a very homey feel and the people are really nice. However, I've come in twice for dessert in the evenings and been disappointed. I had an eclaire and a vanilla cupcake. About $3 each.. so pretty typical for a bakery-esque place. Icing I didn't like, but it's probably because I really like sugary frosting. Cake tasted stale or at least like it had been in a refridgerator.
(3)Brian T.
Okay, so I HATE to give this cafe a bad review. I absolutely adore it. The food is amazing (the Turkey dinner rivals my own mothers). However, I was meeting a friend from out of town for dinner last night and couldn't have had a worse experience had a I tried. I was so very excited to introduce him to the amazing delights of TOH...unfortunately, the minute I stepped through the door I was overcome by an ENORMOUS stench. Sitting at the counter was one of Andersonville's homeless, who has been there on numerous occassions. Now I'm all for helping out those who are in need, and I certainly would not want to be non-inclusive, however; when it's ruining the dining experience for others, something should be done (perhaps direct him to the many local shelters or have a place for him to sit that isn't in the main dining area?) The owner should take note: this is directly affecting your business-- I, along with a few others, moved venues across the street to Hamburger Mary's (where I had a very disappointing meal with my friend) I would have emailed the owner directly about this, but I was not able to find a website or email address.
(1)Eliot J.
good food, good coffee, good pastries. it's priced well, but there isn't a lot of space. that's basically the only drawback - you're practically sitting on each other in there. servers have always been friendly to me, too. there's not a ton of menu option, and it's only breakfast and a few lunch items but, again, it's quality. i would for sure recommend it.
(3)Clarence E.
I go to this place mainly for the deserts. Their brownies are like crack. Everything else is on the same level. Don't go here if you can't control your cravings, or you will expire (albeit with a smile on your face). The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is delightful. This is one of the best bakeries/coffe-shops/diners in the city.
(5)Mary C.
Known for its desserts, A Taste of Heaven also has fantastic meals too. I love their curry chicken salad. They also have delicious soups. Every time I come here there are plenty of people eating and hanging out, so I know I am not alone is saying this place is terrific. On Mondays, they have free coffee with a purchase of something else. Your best bet is to grab a slice of cake. They are all wonderful especially the white cake with fruit.
(4)C H.
Since all the other reviews are so glowing, I'll just keep mine short and sweet. Awesome food, try the breakfast burrito and the Durbin sandwich, simply outstanding! Also, and this is very important so pay attention. Are you paying attention? Good. Here it is, best DAMN coffee in the city. Yes it is. GO!
(5)Kitty P.
I think that jen p. might have had the same server as my friends and I did last week at this establishment. I've never walked out of a restaurant before, but the service offered by Brett was unbelievably rude and offensive, so much so that we asked for to-go cups and left. I want to say first that the other staff seemed perfectly nice, and as we looked over the cakes and pastries, the girl behind the counter was very sweet and asked if we wanted to sit down. We said, "Sure, why not?" and put our name down. We were seated after about 15 minutes, and then Brett came to take our drinks orders: two coffees and a cappuccino. He came back with two coffees and a latte, at which point I politely asked about a change since I'd ordered a cappuccino. His response was: "So, what -- you want me to put more foam on it or something?" I was taken aback, as were my companions. I answered, "Um, no, doesn't a latte have a lot more milk in it?" He sighed, then wordlessly snatched away the cup while the rest of us looked at each other in disbelief. He returned after a few minutes, plunked the cup down, then walked away. When he returned to take our food order, my friend began to ask for a piece of cake -- he interrupted her by saying, "So you're not going to order food? If you only wanted cake, you could have ordered at the counter and you could have gotten it a lot faster." We were stunned. My friend asked him if there was a problem, or if he wanted us to leave or something; he responded, "It doesn't matter to me if you stay or leave." My friend then said, "Well, it matters to us. Can you bring us some to-go cups, please?" We went up, paid, and then two of us thought we'd politely try again and find out what it was that went so wrong with this experience. He said he was "running around like an idiot trying to put something in front of everyone and keep everyone happy." He then proceeded to instruct me on the finer points between a latte and a cappuccino: "Actually, there isn't much of a difference between them -- I KNOW what a cappuccino is." We gave up, asked for his name and the owner's name, and then left. A heads-up to Dan, the owner: The sign on your wall says, "NICE MATTERS." You might want to talk to this guy, since he's pretty effective at proving that wrong.
(1)Jason B.
No complaints about the place, but there are far better places in the Andersonville area to get a good brunch. The service is good but the place is crowded & the brunch menu is very limited. Nothing special, walk on by.
(2)Susan W.
I've been ordering birthday cakes and coming for dessert for a long time. But after last night, I will NEVER ever go back. Let's start with the horrible service. Four of us came for dessert and they took our drink orders at the table without writing anything down. Two of us went to the case to check out what cakes we wanted. The people behind the register completely ignored us for several minutes and when I asked for help I was given the biggest helping of attitude. The waitress delivered our drinks while we were at the counter and she forgot my coffee. By the time I got my cake, I was so annoyed I just wanted to eat my cake and go. I didn't even bother going back to the counter to ask for my coffee. Half way through the cake, I feel this weird texture in my mouth and its a two inch piece of plastic. I go back to the counter and the woman tells me it's probably from the plastic wrap they keep between the slices to keep the cake moist. The piece of plastic I had IN MY MOUTH was from the center of the cake not the edge. She gave me another slice but I'd already lot my appetite. When we're in line to pay, I overhear her telling the customer in front of me that they had a power outage earlier that day and don't really think anything of it at the time. Today I find out that one person in my group who had dairy there was violently sick all night. I'm absolutely disgusted and will be reporting them to the health department.
(1)Megan B.
I love this place! We come here for full meals but also for dessert. The Janine cake is probably the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! The staff is always really friendly, and it has a really cozy atmosphere. I highly recommend the chicken and biscuits - very old-fashioned and yummy. Overall a great little place!
(5)Genevieve K.
My mom, grandma, and 4 aunts came to visit this past weekend. Friday evening around 8 pm, after having snacks and drinks at my place, we wanted to do the "Clark street stroll" and stop someplace cozy where everyone could get something different (small bite, large meal, sweet, savory, etc.) Taste of Heaven was PERFECT for this. Everyone loved everything they got, which was: green salad with roasted chicken breast, chili (which is vegan), biscuits and gravy, Boston cream pie cupcake (that was me - YUM), malted milk ball cupcake, and huge chocolate raspberry cake thing. Props to Taste of Heaven for being open so early in the morning and staying open well into the evening. Service was friendly and prompt. Fun times!
(4)Rafael C.
So many quips can be made about Taste of Heaven based on the name. I unintentionally put a high barometer on the experience I would have here just in that name alone. Me thinks I was not the only one. So let me start with some heavenly praise: Good Coffee Slightly above average food Great sweets to choose from Now with the devilish scorn: I haven't had bad service but certainly not very cheerful A little bit pricey for the food that you get Wait times can be a little long at busy times during the weekend I'm sure to come back as I do like their french toast options but the great thing about Chicago is that there are many options for brunch and for now this place is not in my top tier of the brunch rotation! I'll taste this place in moderation unless I get a sign from you know who!
(3)Jenny T.
I LOVE~LOVE~LOVE A Taste of Heaven! I've been going to a Taste of Heaven since College, and that was years and years ago. (Like, 10. Yikes...time flys!) To this day, I remain one of their BIGGEST fans. Although I now live far~ far~ away, in the city of Woodridge, IL, whenever an opportunity arise, I always go back and pick up their delicious baked goods before I head back out to the suburbs. Being a total foodie, I have not yet encounter a bakery that is of this kind; an unpretentious and scratch kitchen that makes generous and delicious baked goods that are, simply, solid. The pricing is not the cheapest. BUT, one always gets what one pays for. Here are some of my favorites: Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce - I was not a bread pudding person until I tasted this. This bread pudding was what got me to becoming a fan 10 years ago! This is not your typical bread pudding, it is REALLY very SPECIAL. Give it a try, just once, and you'll understand WHY. Jeanine Cake - A white cake with triple berries. The cake is moist, the frosting is light and fluffy and the berries brings out the deliciousness in making this cake a stand out! (I'm not sure if they still make this regularly but, just ask!) Banana Bread/Pound Cakes - You will be hooked! Cupcake varieties - I think they are all DELICIOUS and they're not super expensive like others that are trying to tap into the cupcake trend. Some of their creative flavors that I can't get my mind out of are: Melted Milk Ball & Boston Cream Pie. There are many flavors to choose from. One should go and chose with their heart! If I were to live closer to a Taste of Heaven, I maybe in trouble. (because I would stop by, everyday!) A Taste of Heaven now serves breakfast. But, I have not yet had the opportunity to try them. I am, however, confident that Dan (the owner) will not put out a disappointed plate out without it being DELICIOUS! (I say this because I got to meet him back in the days when he offered his baking classes in his bakery kitchen at another location. He really is passionate in what he does...and he's awesome at it! Way to go, Dan!) A Taste of Heaven ~ Really is, what it is. Happy Eating!
(5)Stephen D.
Great brunch / breakfast place in the a-ville. I was on the fence about giving this place four or five stars. Ultimately, I gave this place the one star bump because of their "children must use their inside voices" rule. It's kind of nice to have a civilized (if not a tad hungover) breakfast without the constant din of screaming children.
(5)Madeline S.
So I'm updating my earlier one-star review. Why? Because the owner reached out to me--not once but twice--to offer me a refund. That is five-star customer service! In Chicago. I'm stunned. I never get five-star customer service in Chicago. Never. I'm giving him two extra stars just for that. This owner deserves kudos for that. He really cares. Now, here's my original review: Overrated. Can't understand what all the raves are about. Very small, very Andersonville. I was kind of curious since the shop shares the same name as the title of my book! But I found the baked goods/coffee to be average. This place feels more like it belongs in Madison, my home town, than in a "big" city like Chicago. I lived in NYC for many years. I have found humble neighborhood donut shops in New York that are more interesting food-wise than this place, but that's just my opinion. As for Andersonville, the Mexican panaderia/bakery has amazing vanilla churros and it's just up the block.
(3)Lisa D.
Love it!!! Try the cream puffs. I thought they'd be like any other cream puff but you wouldn't believe how fabulous they are. Also the muffins, the scones and the cookies... on n on n on
(5)Sarah C.
I used to live in Andersonville and miss it a lot so I often catch the 22 and bum around on Clark. One night I was dying for ice cream and since my old standby Sweet Occasions is gone, I wanted to find something else. A Taste of Heaven was the perfect choice. My boy and I ended up sharing a waffle cone of their seasonal pumpkin ice cream-- delish! I normally am not a huge pumpkin fan but once I had a sample, I knew it was the right choice. The other ice creams we sampled were great, but the counter guy was sort of a jerk about it. Sorry, but if I'm paying for fancy ice cream, I want to make sure that I'm going to enjoy it....call me crazy. It wasn't as if we asked for samples of fifteen things-- just 3 thank you very much-- and he acted like we were being super demanding. This review would've been four stars had it not been for the service.... The pastries and such looked great too, but the ice cream was all we had appetite for. I'll definitely head back to make sure the pastries taste as good as they looked!
(3)Joanna P.
Everything at this little bake shop/restaurant rocks my world. The people are nice, the prices are right, and the food blows me away every time, especially the turkey sandwich and the carrot cake (be warned: the portions are HUGE). Great for intimate meetings with close friends or for a little outing with your sweetie. I will come here again and again, especially when I get married. I want them to do my wedding cake.
(5)Gabriel O.
I know they have a restaurant end, but OMG the cupcakes are absolutely to die for and the service is spot on and the employees are so friendly!
(5)Mike F.
Been here a few times for lunch and dessert, and have always enjoyed the food here. I've had very good sandwiches and amazing desserts. Never had a surly wait staffer as other reviews mention, but from time to time was unsure whether to wait for a server or order from the counter -- the only reason I've deducted 1 star. In short, if nobody stops by the table after a minute to two, sidle up to the counter. If you can't handle that, by all means go elsewhere -- as it means more desserts available for me! The best thing here is that if you order dessert, you get a serious wedge of cake. Most places serve you a tiny sliver of cake on a manhole-sized plate featuring some kind of Rorschach drawing done in chocolate syrup. Not here. Big slice of cake, regular sized plate, no syrup artwork and its all damn good. In fact, be prepared to share, but if you want something smaller. they have great cupcakes and pastries as well.
(4)Jade O.
A Taste of Heaven is dddddarrrrlinggg. The food is friggidy fresh and tasty. Hands down the best scones on planet Earth. The bread is made in house and the soups are delectable. And the pumpkin crumble bars? To Die For. In fact, someone died last week. The walls are decorated with old black and white family photos and coffee's free on Wednesdays. What more could you ask for?
(5)Timothy E.
Food was good. I had the Turkey Dinner, and it was good. The GF had the beef stew, and it was good. Price was pretty good knowing the real estate that they sit on. The Carrot Cake was pricey, but was totally worth it. I have gone there before, and I had the German Chocolate Cake, and that was also amazing. I wil be back for Dessert, and maybe dinner.
(4)cindy r.
A friend and I decided to check this place out for lunch so we did. When we first walked in there was no greeting...just a are you eatting here? That wasnt very welcoming. So we looked at the menu and the prices were kinda high. We asked what a certain food item was and the reply back was kinda like....duh! So I ordered a ham and turkey sandwich with carmelized onions for like 9 bucks and I did not enjoy it at all not only was it over priced it was just bad. My friend had a breakfast dish that was over priced as well. I dont think I will ever go there again. No affense to the restaurant or cooks. It just didnt satisfy me.
(2)Carolynne M.
I will frequent ANY establishment that threatens to toss you and your naughty beast-child out onto the street if you insist upon disturbing the staff and the other patrons. So I go to Taste of Heaven as often as I can. However, the service is atrocious. You know its bad when you get "forgotten" at 2pm on a weekday and the place is deserted except for you and some guy at another table. And the coffee is generally weak and watery. So what you do is order take out and bypass the coffee and the ditsy waitstaff. Which is sad, really, since you don't get to take full advantage of the Children Using Their Indoor Voices policy, but oh well. Menu items tend to change often, but things I highly recommend if they are available are: the spinach and rotini salad, the grilled cheese omelette, and the Durbin sandwich. Oh and the rugelech. Divine evilness.
(3)Suzanne P.
I recently came here for brunch with a friend and had a great experience, and I've been here a few times. I love the way this place feels like a small little restaurant without feeling cramped. I also really like how it is decorated, making you feel at home. The food is amazing here! I got the Katie Cakes, which were delicious. My friend got the Breakfast Casserole, which were also incredible. Even though I was completely stuffed, I got some cupcakes to go to bring back to my roommates. We had the orange creamsicle, boston creme pie, and moon pie cupcakes. All three were wonderful! Each time I've come here, I've really enjoyed my experience, and I know that my friends who have joined me have felt the same way! Definitely worth going to if you're going to be in the Andersonville neighborhood.
(4)Chrissy B.
Every time I have put food from here into my mouth I feel like a million bucks. I feel so happy after I leave this place. Pulled Pork sandwich: outrageously good. Meat Loaf sandwich: huge hunks of meat. Cupcakes: Malted milk ball. Best! Durbin sandwich: the pear is a fruity touch to this turkey sandwich. Veggie chili: droooollll. Grilled cheese sandwich: lots of different kinds of cheese, hits the spot on a cold Chicago day. They put all the sandwiches on what seems like a really simple bread, but it doesn't take anything away from the tasty contents, and the bread is so soft! Every server I have had here is delightful. The place is homey and comforting.
(5)Anna G.
Best scones in the city, most sane attitude toward babies and children, and some pretty ding-dang good coffee too. I also think the staff is particularly kind-- I spilled an entire cup of coffee on the counter, floor, myself and the woman at the register, but she calmly refilled it and was nothing but nice to my butterfingers self. They also don't bother if you just want to sit with your scone and paper in peace on quiet weekday mornings, and the windows are sunny and delightful. I really like that it isn't too much of a hassle to run in and get something to go even though they run a bustling shop in the a.m.
(4)Michelle M.
After reading some reviews I have to agree w/Stephen D when the reviews says that this place asks that kids use their inside voice. Love the idea. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy kids but I've noticed kids not being tended to. Not cool when I'm trying to have a relaxed breakfast or lunch. Food was delicious. I find this place a gem in andersonville. Haven't had any of the desserts but I hope to one day. Place is a bit small and if you go during a weekend your likely to wait for a table.
(4)M L.
My former review still holds. I still love this place. But I have since been seduced by their wonderful, amazing, delicious, buttery, rich, and orgasmically tasty lemon bars. "drools" Anybody who doesn't like these things seriously has to have a heart made of coal, because these are out of this world. "drools some more"
(5)Milo M.
This place is a hidden gem. The food is gourmet-cafe comfort food style and is terrific, but even more exciting is the bakery selection at the counter (brownies, slices of cake, assorted and unique cup cakes etc...). So, even if you're not hungry, just grab a cupcake to go, and treat yourself to a guilty pleasure. I shared a dreamscicle orange flavored cupcake with a creamy filling with my girlfriend... you really learn about people under those conditions; after the first bite, I wanted to climb a tree and devour it in privacy. Instead, we glanced at each other and ate like lions at a kill leaving no trace of a bag or receipt.
(4)Hannah D.
I usually don't like eating things that rhyme with my name. But today, I had one of their peanut butter banana cupcakes...and oh lordy was I a happy bunny! I've always loved every delectable dessert I've gotten here, from their special Jeannie's Cake (very fruity and weighs like 40lbs) to their chocolate iced creme puffs. *insert drool here* One thing I didn't especially like though was the service. It's not very reliable. While I have been treated nicely most of the time, there was one instantance where I felt like I was bothering the staff by asking a simple question about gluten free dessert availability. Oh, and their answer was *insert eyeroll here*
(4)Tiff S.
I haven't tried the food there (yet) so I cannot comment on the quality of their food. I go there for one thing and one thing only- BREAD PUDDING! I love the warmth and the texture of the pudding. And I love the caramel sauce and the big dollop of cream that come with it. Bread pudding, you may be the reason why I am gaining all these weight, but I don't care because I love you. You make me so happy :-)
(4)Karyn K.
Had the Blueberry Red Tea--AMAZING. Bought a cookie for a friend, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Will be back to try more things!
(4)Stephen R.
5 stars for the children sign. The controversy lives! Good food, good wait staff. Can be crowded on weekends. But it's an Andersonville staple and has totally gotten national media coverage. We singles hate the screaming kids. Kudos on you for asking for indoor voices. Whereas I would say STFU AND LEAVE Taste of Heaven has respect for all of their clientele. And the food is fabulous. Hearty rec.
(5)Rose O.
My mother and I stopped by this place on a whim and because we found parking -- parking is very difficult to find in this part of town! We just wanted to warm up from the frigid weather outside so we bought coffee and scones at the register. It was love at first bite! The scones were light and tasty -- I ate a blueberry scone and my mother had plain, but it did not taste plain -- it tasted wonderful! This was the best scones we've ever had -- haven't found one this good yet! I can't really comment on the service since we ordered and received our food at the counter.
(3)F N.
From the moment we set foot in "A Taste of Heaven" we loved it. I had the brisket which in itself was a little bit of heaven. My partner had a stew which was also very tasty. Since then we've back many times and every time we have had a great experience. Make no mistakes this is no five star restaurant just place to eat wholesome homemade comfort food. Friendly service and great tasting food is what keeps us coming back even though we no longer live in Andersonville.
(5)April B.
The Brioche French Toast with peach compote was the best French Toast I have ever had! The only thing I would have changed was the level of cloves in the compote, but some people like cloves, so I understand their inclusion. The one thing that stopped them from getting a 5 star review was the initial service. A lot of waiters standing behind the counter and not taking orders or whatever. Also, they have a waiter who takes your drink order, then a different one for your food. I could understand the logic if they anticipated that the drinks would take awhile to prepare (as fancy coffee drinks tend to), but the food server took longer to take our order than the drink server to bring our drinks back. After the food was ordered, it came out quickly, hot, and coffee and water were refilled frequently. They also only serve a Brunch menu on Sat/Sun, which in the brunch-heavy area of Andersonville is a blessing and a curse. Sure your choices are limited, but you will get seated a lot faster than if you went to M.Henry or Sathers.
(4)Dima M.
Brunch is one of my favorite meals of the week. And A Taste of Heaven is one of my top places in the city for a good brunch. The food is just the right combination of simple and extravagant, but is neither. The menu is not too big, which is always a plus, as I am very intimidated by places that have a book for a menu. Generally, the less items on a menu, the better the quality of the food. Make sure you ask for the omelette of the day. The atmosphere of this place adds at least a star to it. It's not too big, and has that neighborhood-y feel to it. Although, it being small will definitely result in waiting almost every time you go on a weekend for brunch, but usually not too long. The nice thing is, they will seat you when your whole party is still not all there, which drives me crazy about other places that won't seat 5 people, until the 6th person comes. At this place, I've been seated once alone, when I was waiting for 4 friends. The staff is always very attentive, but not annoying, and very friendly, but not suffocating. Something about the place makes it attractive to really nice patrons. A diverse crowd that reflects the neighborhood and isn't filled with pretentious people that you may find in other places down the street. This is a nice spot to grab a coffee, or a dessert (and they have some really good ones here), but it's mostly a great place to come on a weekend, in the morning, to get a bite to eat, and catch up with friends. It's not just a come in, eat, and leave kind of place. It has a warm welcoming feel to it, just what you need on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(4)Chris J.
Who doesn't love a taste of heaven? Great stuff, last time I was there I think I split a slice of red velvet which was just fantastic and moist. Also grabbed a berry scone to go and it was still great the next morning!
(4)Rocky B.
Taste of Heaven is such a cute little coffee shop with so many yummy goodies to choose from. Scones, lemon drop cookies, kitchen sink cookies, cheesecake, chocolate cake, tarts, the list just goes on and on and their drink menu is just as extensive. My favorite is their white hot chocolate mocha. Wow. Creamy, sweet and so sinful. The staff are so friendly and don't rush you at all as you eye their selections. My tip for any first timers is if you are looking for a good scone go to Taste of Heaven but go early...they sell out fast! Eh, but even if they do sell out you won't leave disappointed. They always have something that leaves you walking away with a smile. :)
(4)Jen J.
I'm confused by the ratings dipping on Taste of Heaven. This place is consistent, comfort food served in an open if a bit country environment. I can eat their cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy and scrambled eggs every Sunday for brunch. Their bread pudding which has become scarce is to die for. Enjoy their outdoor seating in the summer. A great neighborhood joint. Stop hating people!
(5)Michael C.
I love this place. Had the best piece of cake I've had in a loooooong time. It's small, but perfect on a nice night ...
(5)Laura K.
Great chicken salad with slices of roasted pear, gobs of creamy goat cheese and tart dried cherries. This is the reason I return again and again. I also love the little triangle of bread they serve on the side. The service is slower than most places regardless of how many or how few people are around - which can be a bad or good thing depending on whether you're in a hurry or don't want to be disturbed.
(4)Anna W.
They served me burnt coffee.
(2)Clara S.
I had a slice (I'll be honest a few slices) of their jeanine's cake, and I was beside myself. I take cake and baked goods very seriously. I have a pretty bad addiction. I bought this cake for my birthday dinner, and everyone thought it was as amazing as I did. Best cake ever!
(5)Jesselyn E.
The food and sweets are good, but I wasn't blown away by the cupcakes like I expected to be.
(3)Tara P.
Cute little place with great sandwiches, desserts and service. Prices are reasonable.
(4)Jennifer W.
Best ice cream in Andersonville!
(4)Desiree G.
A Taste of Heaven was a great find while walking down Clark street hungry. It is a cute bakery that serves brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner and an assortment of sweets. I ordered the Brown Derby Wrap, which was basically thanksgiving dinner in a wrap and it was delicious! For dessert I split a Moon Pie Cupcake with Sheena R. The frosting and chocolate shell was really good. All the cupcakes looked wonderful and I was really curious about the peanut butter cheesecake. Overall it was a good experience and I'm totally a fan of the Brown Derby Wrap.
(4)Melissa M.
I am updating my past 7/8/13 review. Since my review was posted, someone form Taste of Heaven as well as the owner tried to reach out to me to make things right. But as my family and I moving to a new house and work has been crazy, I haven't had time to sign in my yelp account. I finally did this so that I can post some other reviews and noticed that the Taste of Owner tried to contact me 3 times. He indicated that based on my review and others, he increased the size of the scones and offered me to come back to the restaurant with some comp'd scones. I really appreciated this "reach out" and can tell that Taste of Heaven really cares about their customers. This great customer service and the fact that they really do take in account yelp reviews is great. I will be going there soon to get my favorite scones (I usally buy a bunch and freeze them so that I can have them during the week. They freeze very well). Thanks Dan and Taste of Heaven!!!
(4)Dan F.
While I'm sure this place has great sandwiches and breakfast items, I've just never had the occasion. Enter the obligatory coffee and dessert after a date-night dinner. The fiancee and I had just finished shoving a parma pizza from Antica Pizzeria into our faces (seriously, I have dreams about this pizza), when we decided we weren't ready to go home just yet. We wandered down Clark and couldn't help but take a seat in this quaint little restaurant, with it's sepia-toned photographs and country-style decorations. The better half ordered the chocolate whipped cream cake, which was amazing. I usually hate on cake because the frosting is just too much, too heavy for my teeth. But this stuff was fluffy and light, so delicious. I ordered a coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. The coffee was strong and black, the cookie dense with butter. These cookies are what I would imagine lembas (the Elven bread used to sustain Hobbits on their long journey to Mordor) taste like. Anyway, I'll definitely give this place a try for breakfast. Definitely.
(4)Kathryn G.
I have eaten here a few times over the years and always enjoy the food and coffee. I don't think there is anything too special or over the top about the place but it is pretty solid food and fun to sit in the window and watch the world go by. A good lunch spot if you are looking for something good and simple while hanging out in Andersonville.
(3)mildred v.
I haven't been here for brunch, so my rating is based only on the desserts. When my mouth is throbbing from a sweet tooth and I'm in the area I stop in for a chocolatey pastry and some nice hot plum tea. The atmosphere is nice and cozy for a quick stop. The service is okay, they're not super nice or anything and do kinda get impatient when I ask what everything is through the glass. But I don't expect red carpet treatment, so no complaints here!
(4)Taylor G.
A Taste of Heaven is a great weekend brunch spot for small groups. The quarters are quite cramped, so don't planon more than 4 unless you want to wait a while. In genreal, the food here is delicious, but you pay for the quality. I've been here on 2 separate occasions, both on Sunday. The first time, I had biscuits & gravy, which was good, but now awe-inspiring. The second time, I lapped up the Katie Cakes. They're huge and great to split. A bit on the sweet side, but absolutely delicious. If you're up in Andersonville and never stopped in, I highly encourage you to give it a shot. I'm excited to visit again.
(4)Deborah M.
Great baked goods, friendly staff, delicious coffee (free some days with purchases). And parents have to watch their children so they don't run wild throughout the small space and ruin the dining experience of adults. What's not to love?
(4)iddells E.
Went here to dine on a Sunday night. The tiny place was packed! Almost every table was taken. It is always like this on a Sunday night? I think a lot of people were using their 20% off coupons. That's the only reason why we decided to go, because of the coupon. But I'm glad we did, otherwise, I would have never known what kind of great food they have. I knew that they have good pastries, but I never knew they served actual meals here. Anyways, I ordered Mario's Jambalaya with hesitation. I really was not attracted to anything on the menu. But, wow, it was amazing. It came with shrimp, andouli sausage, veggies, brown rice, and excellent sauce. The only thing that I was disappointed in was that the serving wasn't big enough for leftovers! I would have loved to take this home and let somebody taste it. I will definitely be visiting again!!
(4)Suzy C.
I have officially cut myself off from this place out of fear that I will balloon to the size of a blimp. If I am here unsupervised, it is not an exaggeration to say that I will over-consume and go into sugar shock. I love love Taste of Heaven. I would have never gotten through law school if I had not discovered this place. Now, this is no cupcake shop so if you can't handle hugh pieces of rich sweet dessert, stay away. Some of their cakes can feel too sweet and indulgent, but that is the charm of this place. Their signature cake filled with all the creams and fresh fruit is a dream come true. I love love their cream puffs (so hard to find good ones in the city) and you can't go wrong with the bread pudding with all its gooey caramel goodness.
(4)Peter M.
The name says it all. Their tasty pastries and good teas, keep me coming back but the service here keeps me from rating this place higher. It baffles me when so many other establishments bend themselves backwards to give excellent customer service but have sub par food stuffs, yet this place always leaves me desiring better service. Hope something changes soon, for this neighborhood has plenty of other tasty treats for me to consume.
(3)Finola M.
I've been going here for years. And much like the rest of A-ville (especially Hopleaf and M Henry), it's become a victim of its own success. In my opinion, any restaurant/cafe/bar should not feel entitled just because they have good business, some of us will start to rebel. The food is good here, especially the chocolate eclairs, but I can't take the mean service any longer. One of the waitstaff booted us from a table for four (there were four of us sitting there with water already) because we were waiting for 2 other people. We'd called in advance, the remaining people arrived within 15 seconds of us stepping outside to re-assess. I say we Andersonvillians should strike against Anderson-villains!
(2)Charlie M.
Fortunately my visit here wasn't marred by the bad service that's popping up in a lot of these reviews. In fact, our waitress/hostess was very friendly and attentive, especially considering the number of tables she was keeping tabs on. Everyone I went with ordered eggs of some sort, and everything we got was not only tasty but a nice departure from standard brunchtime fare. The Silverline Plate might have been my favorite, but the breakfast burrito and the Durbin omelet both were very good, and the egg casserole paired with that great salad works so well as a brunch item that you kind of start wondering why salads aren't more common at brunch. It's a bit pricey, especially if it's not too close to home, but fresh ingredients (like the burrito's guac) and inventive plates make this little corner bakery a great brunch spot.
(4)Jenna M.
I wouldn't bother to rate a restaurant that had terrible food and service to match. I'd just steer clear. But Taste of Heaven is a different animal, because its delicious desserts are guarded by a pretty bad staff. I've been in a number of times over the last 5 years, only for take away baked goods. I don't know if things are a lot busier now, but lately I've been ignored by staff at the counter when I've been waiting to pay and go. Today, three people stared through me and talked about how they wished people lingering over their brunches would just leave. After a few minutes, I had to finally ask if I could pay for the brownie with the cash I had ready in my hand. I don't think I'll be asking for the privilege again.
(1)Douglas O.
The food and pastries here is GREAT! We had Jeanettes (I think) special cake which was very tasty. The Peanut Butter Cheesecake was also amazing. I agree, a bit pricy, $6 for each dessert, but great flavor. I have not had a problem with the service, but the persons tend to forget what you want or need. Whether it be you need a fork, or your food to go. Food great, service, okay.
(3)Patrick R.
Superb coffee -- I was so taken by it that I inquired about where to get some of my own. Turns out they brew Casteel Coffee, which you can procure in Evanston. Good to know... Anyway. My girlfriend and I typically come here once a week, on Sunday for brunch. Depending on what happened the night before, it's either coffee and a scone (among the best I've ever had, after my mom's) or one of TOH's famous breakfast dishes. The Silverland Breakfast and the Katie Cakes are my two personal faves.
(5)Michael S.
Well, unlike other reviewers of this place, my daughter and I had great service, late on a busy Saturday morning. We were seated and greeted immediately. While the menu was diverse and featured many appealing dishes, we both had the eggs verde, which is basically a pesto omelette. It was delicious. And it came out quickly. We split a chocolate chip scone, which was out of this world. And then, we sat at our table for easily a half hour after we were finished eating and no one rushed us at all. Can't beat that!
(5)Amanda M.
I dropped in for a quick coffee and picked up a blueberry scone. That. Scone. Oooowwee. Yum. Warm, crunchy outside, soft and warm on the inside. Beautiful. The gentleman who made my latte was really kind and patient while I made my choices. That soy latte was pretty slam, too. Thank you, sir! Overall the establishment is cute and friendly with a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Will return to try a full breakfast soon!
(4)Kimberly P.
Dessert - heavenly. Breakfast - totally heavenly. I used to live mere blocks away from TOH and miss it dearly. The breakfast menu is full of stuff that's original and delicious. My personal favorite is the fried egg sandwich and I'm craving one. Roasted red pepper, mmmm cheese, fresh bread. It's honestly one of my favorite breakfasts ever. My husband prefers the breakfast casserole or...the...dangit, I can't remember. I truly never have had anything here that was less than spectacular for my tastes. When it's busy you'll be sure to find Dan, the hostess with the mostest, running around with some delicious treat for you to sample. Don't pay attention to the fact that he's often covered in flour. Now you know who's creating and baking those delicious eats. The coffee is great and the cupcakes? Oy. I miss this place.
(5)jen p.
I have been to this lousy establishment 3 times. Once a year or so ago, and twice in the past week. The first time I went, my friend and I looked at each other in disbelief -- "Were the servers really this rude?" I told myself that I would never go back... then I had a cupcake of theirs by chance, and went in again to see what other cupcakes they had. I asked a few questions about the cupcakes and I was met with a loud sigh everytime the guy working there had to answer me. He was the most pretentious little thing I have ever met. Since I work in similar establishment, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe he was just having a bad day. Nope, I went in there again the other day, and asked him one question and it seemed to take all of his strength to ignore me and then to hardly answer me while giving me his usual attitude. When we walked out, my friend said "What was his problem?!" I had no answer for him, but I think he should pack his things up and get out of Andersonville. The yuppification by yuppies like himself is bad enough, but when they not only invade our queer spaces and then manage to soil them with their self-righteousness, it makes me miss the Chicago I used to know not so long ago. I say this... take your attitude and move to L.A. This is Chicago, not Hollywood. p.s they get a star from me because I'm sure other people that work their don't have sticks lodged perpetually in their bums, and because whoever makes the cupcakes is a god/goddess.
(1)Juanita G.
I keep trying to like this place but something always goes wrong. The service is never consistent. I support their child policy but that just isn't enough. I've had some good brownies and muffins and great service but that's been rare. I like to support local places. More often than not I've been ignored and practically shoved aside by the waitstaff while waiting for service at the counter. Last week I bought a half dozen really cute cupcakes and a couple of eclairs to share with my girlfriends. I have to say that they were bland and lackluster and we tried each of them. We were really disappointed. I give up on the place. I'm not going back.
(2)Jessi L.
I, like many Chicagoans, consider myself a bit of a brunch connaisseur. It's become my favorite meal to eat out because everyone puts their own spin on the same classics, making for a relative bake-off every weekend. I keep coming back to Taste of Heaven. It's cozy, the service is prompt and friendly, I have never had more than a 5 minute wait (maybe I shouldn't be writing this after all...) and then there are Katie Cakes (perfect pancakes with a clovey, lemon, blue-ligonberry concoction topped with real cream). And Eggs Verde(Eggs with cheese and pesto and just silly good. My friend and I switch off between ordering one or the other. Not that it matters because we switch at will. Then one day she really mucked it up and ordered the breakfast burrito which with homemade guac. was just as good. So we've now added a third friend and rotate. I guess necessity really is the mother of invention.
(5)John W.
Yes, this is the child hating, anti-baby, place that God forbid, requires parents to control their children. I loved it when they got the write up in the paper talking about all the bitchy people who were offended that their perfect children couldn't run wild and then the mass amounts of support letters they got from all around the country. So ya, if you are tired of hearing babies cry and kids running around getting in your way (Southport Potbelly's) then this place is for you. The other thing they are known for is their scones but get there early because they do run out. They always have an omlet special but why bother when they got the Silver Land breakfast which is some sort of tangy orange sausage gravy with two eggs and corn biscuits. Yes its as awesome as it sounds. The service is a bit patchy in that I don't think you get an actual waiter of your own. Its some kind of socialism in dining experiment where one person takes your order, one brings your food, another fills your drinks and another takes the check. Needless to say that can get confusing for the staff and some problems do arise but the food is good and they have a place outdoors as well. They also serve those Izzie fruit drinks that I like so thats another reason I go there.
(4)Diana M.
I had no idea this place served "actual food". I have driven by A Taste of Heaven hundreds of times and have always thought it was just coffee, pastries and desserts. Boy, was I surprised to find myself having a delicious late lunch here last Friday! I had the Havar-ya (ham and melted havarti) sandwich with the bag of Kettle chips and my mom had the 3-cheese (cheddar, feta, mozzerella) grilled cheese sandwich with ham and a side of the homemade potato salad. Let me just say that the ham was yummy, the bread was soft, yet slightly toasted and the havarti was perfectly melted. I had a taste of my mom's grilled cheese, and although I despise feta, I thought it was very good and would order it for myself. The potato salad was awesome! It's not made with a mayo base, so it seems almost healthy! We both had iced tea with our meal and it was pretty good too. All in all a great spot to just relax and have a nice leisurely lunch.
(4)Allison H.
This is a place we return to again and again b/c they corner the market on something you cannot get anywhere else: PETERSON'S ICE CREAM! That is the best darn ice cream in the history of the creamy confection, but honestly, now that I moved from down the block, I'm not sure if it's worth the trip to deal with the rest of the place. The service is questionable at best. They are S.L.O.W. slow. Sometimes, they will INSIST (literally- will not let you order at the counter) on waiting on you. That happened to me, and after waiting 25 minutes for someone to take our order, he brought HALF the table's ice cream 25 minutes later, and we had to wait another ten minutes for him to return to get the rest of our ice cream. I won't even tell you how long it took us to pay for it!! The only thing that kept us from walking out is my grandfather- that man will wait until kingdom come for a bowl of peterson's ice cream! Their other desserts are extravagant for sure, but somewhat impracticable as you have to pay a lot of money for a dessert that is too rich or sweet for you to have any hope of finishing. I give the ice cream a solid five stars. The restaurant...meh...no comment. p.s. They are the restaurant in the papers that was "no kid friendly"- so beware!
(2)Claire M.
its cute. it was fine. it was memorial day and i had just foolishly thought I could find a non-packed beach. I instead was starving and up north, which is out of my comfort zone... so when we saw this little place on the corner that had ice cream, f it.. Im starving. And I ate. And was pleased as punch for there to be food in front of me. Just so joyful. It is too bad that it was mediocre at best but, starving ladies on a national holiday can't be too picky. Its a really cute place, old timey and quaint... Filled with neighborhood regulars, it was packed. We sat quickly, which was great. I ordered the Nicoise salad and an Americano. ok, the salad was totally fine. And everything in it was from a can. Nothing was particularly fresh, but again, starvin marvin gobbled it up. But really. Green beans from a can is one of my all time most blech-ed things ever ever. just gross. and then the americano.. sigh.... it pains me, severely, when they are bad. Its the easiest thing to make. And when it tastes like dirty coffee water i get sad. like as if you were mean to me on purpose. This is basically a very cute over priced diner. supposedly they have great baked goods? But then maybe stick to that? In the end it was better than mcdonalds to be sure.. but i guess i would have just gone to a diner for the same stuff but it would have cost half as much. live and learn.
(2)Mari K.
Um.. can I have a slice of heaven with that? Wow, their bread pudding (w/ hecka delish homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce) is just wonderful.. the whipped cream is just unreal. Raspberry brownie... dense, rich, and loaded with so many raspberries that I struggled with removing those little seeds from my teeth! Hello, Jeremy! =) This dude was nice enough to send each of us (there were 6) home with doggie bags full of blueberry scones! Go late at night (right before closing), and you might just go home with a goody bag!
(4)Akiba B.
Imagine: scrambling at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday trying to get a last minute dozen of freshly baked cupcakes. "Cupcakes" was too high. "Molly's" was too far. Here is where I found it to be just right. They had an amazing assortment (Moon Pie, anyone?) and when we took them home for the b-day party, they were moist, rich, beautiful, creamy...delicious. The chick who took my order - I wish I had her name - was super cool. She was very helpful when I placed my order over the phone. And bonus points for their inside voices sign.
(4)Jamie G.
A very cute coffee shop in Andersonville (a very cute neighborhood) that surprisingly serves a delicious dinner. The service was blah, and they didnt even ask us if we wanted dessert (which we probably would have no to but I'd at least like to be asked!). I had the macaroni and cheese which was for real the absolute worst thing for me I've ever eaten.. but it was SOOOO good!! A HUGE portion.....Made with rotini pasta and a few POUNDS of melted mozzarella cheese, and a few pieces of broccoli, mushrooms, and red peppers, and comes with a buttery piece of garlic bread. to DIE for. But probably severely clogged my arteries. But I'd totally get it again! My friend had the spinach lasagna that was a small piece (a more realistically sized portion) that came with a side salad with some delicious crumbled goat cheese. I will definitely be coming back to this place!!
(4)tom k.
Great sweets! We've gone for breakfast lunch and dinner and we've never had a bad meal. Super friendly staff. Pulled pork sandwich is delish! Our favorites: The Jeanine Cake! The Moon Pie Cupcake! The Cream Puff w/ Chocolate on Top. Oh the ice cream is better than Georges down the street. We love the peppermint & the macinac island fudge ice creams.
(5)Katarina X.
Raspberry Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Do I have your attention? The coffee is great too! I've eaten in, people-watched, talked art with the server, even gotton my coffee-phobic BF in for breakfast. Pick up to-go too! Grab a sandwich before seeing a play! Sit on the bench outside, feed some croissant or scone to your dog and enjoy! P.S. I have GOT to support any place where they ask kids to behave. The sign is polite and truly non-offensive. If your kids are well-behaved, it doesn't apply, right? So get over yourselves if you hate it, go somewhere else where you aren't offending ME with your tedious whining complaints. Take the brats to McDonalds!
(5)Ryan J.
Attempted a Sunday brunch here last weekend, and it was terrrrrribly crowded. We knew the food was good, so we agreed to wait and signed in, informing the hostess that we were comfortable sitting either in *or* outside. Thirty or forty minutes later, a different employee wandered out to where we'd been waiting outside (no room to wait inside) for a table, and told us there were tables inside if we didn't want to wait for the patio any longer (???). At any rate, once we had a table, the meal was quite good. Received a delicious sample of a pumpkin bread while waiting for our order. My friend's breakfast-in-a-block-of-food was cold in the center. My omelet was divine, and my other friends very much enjoyed their salmon quiche. The service was OK, all things considered -- they seemed understaffed for a Sunday brunch. I'll be back -- though probably not during such a busy time again.
(3)Mark T.
I always get the smoked salmon quiche. EVERY TIME. It's that good. My most recent visit was no exception. My partner got a sumptuously savory grilled cheese omelet that was amazing and so super cheesy (in a good way). The coffee is excellent and the service is outstanding and extremely friendly.
(4)Leah C.
grab a cupcake...TO GO... this place talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. like that annoying co-worker that won't shut up about how green she is but all her actions don't seem to follow? if you are truly passionate about something, actions speak louder than words and it will go without saying......ok, ok you get my point. i spotted at least (3) signs around the restaurant stating something like "we love kids, just as long as they behave themselves". even the bottom of the menu gives a similar shout out to the extent of "kids are great customers too as long as they use their inside voices". so to shield ourselves from the rain during midsommarfest and to grab an infamous cupcake, my husband and i strolled in with our 2 year-old niece. we got the "eye" when trying to park our stroller and was later "asked" to move it to the back of the restaurant. we got an even eviler "eye" when requesting a high chair. i quickly decided that we were going to scarf down a cupcake and get the hell's outta there. THANKFULLY our server painted a brighter picture for us. he was funny and chatted with our niece and made us feel a bit more welcome. nonetheless, i already felt like we had a target on our heads. so the visit was worth it for the cupcakes - tried out a vanilla and a chocolate both of which were very good - moist and not over the top sweet. i tried a cup of the veggie chili which was just okay - overall tasted good but it was olive-laden (i hate olives). there were TONS of other baked goods that looked scrumptious as well including a lemon bar and blondie but next time i'll do a drive by.
(3)Melissa R.
Yum yum. The food is sooo good. I have only been for Sunday brunch, but everything i have had was delicious. The peach french toast with peach whipped cream. Yummy Omelettes Yummy Yogurt with fruit and granola yummy All the snadwhiches yummy yummy. And do not come just kinda hungry. They really do give you your monies worth.
(4)Veronica S.
This was one of the first places I tried when I moved into Andersonville ... and I was impressed. The servers are always helpful in recommending something & I really enjoy the Chicken & Biscuits. The gravy wasn't too heavy and there was a good amount of food. But I enjoy pretty much everything on the menu. They do get quite busy for Weekend brunch so it does take a bit longer to get your order but they always have a table open at any other time. For dessert: the Bread Pudding, raspberry squares, and Hot Chocolate cake are my favorites.
(4)Jessica R.
Nice little cozy place with a personable and friendly staff, and quality eats. This place also has some great loose teas and hot drinks and is a great spot to get some work done or read a book, with the little cute lamps at each table. I have eaten dinner there once and gone there another time to get a cake for a get together, in addition to having gone there on a Saturday morning for brunch, relaxation and to get some work done. Each time I have been very pleased and satisfied. The cake we got - which was a white cake with a berry and cream swirl filling and a thick white icing on the outside, was delicious and I definitely recommend their scones and other pastries, such as the caramel bread pudding. For breakfast, if you like oatmeal, try the steal cut oats with peach compote, healthy, filling and tasty. Also, the grilled veggie sandwich with house-made potato salad is a great meal for vegetarians. Basically, it's a cute, cozy, casual place that specializes in it's baked goods and quality comfort food, and it does a solid job of it. Nothing over the top, but plain solid good.
(4)cara r.
I'm really bummed that they were out of the moon pie cupcake yesterday when we came in! But the ones that we did get were out of this world good. I had plain old vanilla with vanilla frosting, and it just about melted in my mouth and was so deliciously good. The Boy got a Malt cupcake - marble cake with frosting that had bits of Whoppers candies in it. He loved it so much that I didn't even get a bite! We also got a chocolate raspberry that my sister loved, and an Elvis (banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting). I will definitely be back to Taste of Heaven as soon as possible to try some more of these deliciously good cupcakes! Update 6/1/08: We went back for brunch today and absolutely loved it. I had the grilled cheese omelet, and I loved the omelets and the potatoes that came with it - but I was a little confused by the haricot verts salad - not really my cup of tea so early in the morning. Mike had the breakfast burrito, and he really enjoyed it. We each had a moon pie cupcake to go, and it's probably good that I don't live so close to Taste of Heaven, because I could eat at least 2 of those a day. Can't wait to go back...
(5)K G.
Is it considered cheating to think about cake while you're engaged in coitus with your lover? That cake...that yellow cake smothered in buttercream frosting, layered with cream and berries. Little buttercrunches out the outside...like the white pieces in the Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake coating. Cannot stop thinking about it. Fevered, quickened breath, mind racing. Moist cake...fluffy frosting...fresh, juicy berries... Oh, GOD..!!
(5)Laura V.
I should start this review fairly by saying that I never actually sat down and ate food/brunch at TOH, but I have been a customer for years as I celebrate every special occasion in my family with one of their amazing cakes. I order the same cake (Jeanine's cake) several times throughout the year and it never ever disappoints. The TOH staff is very courteous, polite and helpful both on the phone and in person and I will continue to patronize them. While the cakes aren't cheap, I actually don't mind spending my money on them because the taste is well worth it! And guests love coming to my parties to eat it! Thanks, TOH!
(5)Kori M.
I have to say I am a little conflicted but overall I like this place. I came here for brunch with my girlfriend, puppy and two friends. We were told there would be a bit of a wait but then were immediately seated outside (it was a gorgeous day to be outside!). The waitress was super friendly and she told us we could stay for as long as we wanted. She also brought my puppy a bowl of water which I thought was awesome! As far as brunch goes it was pretty good. However please stay away from the grilled cheese omelette. It's basically a dry cheese omelette placed on to a slice of bread. Definitely pass on that one. Everything else was super yummy! Except for the bacon. It was undercooked and rubber. Tasted kind of funny actually but as I said everything else was delicious! I also really liked how they brought out samples of their desserts. I ALWAYS like free stuff! :-) The waitress was really bubbly and nice (in a sincere and not annoying way). I would definitely come back.
(4)Anne-Michelle F.
I'm glad I started going to this place right as winter descended. Such great comfort food!! I had the Biscuits and Gravy with eggs the first time I went. Perfection. I loved that it came with Corn biscuits instead of the usual buttermilk. I'm looking forward to trying everything on the menu...and curious to see how it changes for the hotter months!
(4)Elizabeth K.
We decided to meet a friend for lunchish stuff (guess it's "brunch" since it's Sunday. Still unclear as to what exactly "brunch" is.) She suggested Angel's or Taste of Heaven, and of course we promptly chose Taste of Heaven, since Angel's SUCKS. Unfortunately, if you're vegan, Taste of Heaven sucks as well. There was not A SINGLE ITEM on their brunch menu that wasn't made with dairy or egg or meat. NOT ONE. Not even a salad. Plus there was a disclaimer in big letters at the bottom of the menu, explaining that there were no substitutions or special orders during brunch. WTF?!? You know, that whole hoopla a couple of years ago about ToH and the kids thing, I actually took their side. I chose to believe that ToH wasn't being stodgy and that they were really actually assaulted by a stampede of rude children and badly behaved parents on a regular basis. Now I'm beginning to wonder ... When we explained to our waiter guy that we couldn't order anything if they couldn't make accomodations for us, what was his suggestion? A ham sandwich. The speedy semite looked at the item he was pointing at on the menu. "There's ham on that." She said. "Oh. You could get it without the ham," he said. Making it a lettuce sandwich on white bread? Seriously. Even the SALADS were covered in meat and cheese.
(2)Robert M.
The fried egg sandwich (with roasted red peppers/red pepper mayo) and phenomenal home fries is one of the best breakfast dishes in Chicago and their pancakes are great, too. Bread pudding is world-class. The only critique is that their coffee is consistently mediocre. This is unacceptable in a place doing breakfast and desserts at such a high level.
(4)Dianna D.
I've never had a meal here, but this is the number one choice (in my book) for take-away desserts. I frequest a lot of the Andersonville restaurants that are close to TOH, and I never get dessert there because I can just croiss the street and get delicious desserts from Taste of Heaven. Great ice cream, all of thier pastries are great, cookies, cakes, etc... all are delicious. The cupcakes are to die for and I have finally found a place that makes a DELICIOUS Bread Pudding that comes without raisins! Yay! (and FYI, I completely supported them during their "children use your inside voices" campaign!)
(4)Amy H.
Three stars because I've had really inconsistent experiences here. The first time I ate, I ordered pancakes and coffee. The coffee was awesome; the pancakes were raw in the middle. Instead of giving me new ones, or discounting my bill, they gave me toast for free. Toast =/= pancakes. The second time I came here, I had a burrito that was amazing, with a fantastic black bean salad on the side. Service was prompt and friendly, and it was a near-perfect dining experience. Third time - better than the first, but I waited far too long for my check. When I'm done eating, I want out the door, you know? I'm DONE. I don't like waiting around for the waitstaff to get to me with my check, I prefer to give you my card right then instead of having them drop off the check and come back ten minutes later for the payment. Fourth time (I live in the area, it's convenient, haha) - an amazing breakfast. Full stars. This would be a four-star review if there were any kind of consistency. As it is- three stars is the best I can do. They're lucky I came back after that first raw-pancake experience, omg. :P
(3)Steve A.
This was my first time to "A Taste of Heaven." Got the Goodman sandwich and it blew my mind. Plus the service was super nice. Made you feel at home. Strongly recommend it. Haven't had a sandwich this good in a while. I'm going back.
(5)Lisa F.
Five stars for food, one star for service (including a hot coffee incident) = Three stars total My friend and I split the Katy Cakes and the breakfast strata-type thing (can't remember the name right now). The food was absolutely delicious, and it passed the Savory/Sweet Brunch Test with flying colors. But my waitress, smiling though she was, was a total flake. I asked for extra napkins and she never brought them, then came by after we'd almost finished our meal to say, "Didn't you want extra napkins?" I said yes, but now maybe I just needed one extra; she said "Okay" and never returned with napkins. My favorite moment, however, was when she was pouring coffee into my friend's mug (I don't even drink the stuff). We were outside, so the table was a patio one with holes in it, and she poured hot coffee on my foot. I shrieked and took a napkin to it, and luckily I wasn't really burned, but her only reaction was, "Oh are you okay?" As soon as I said yes, she walked away. No offer of a napkin, no "I'm sorry," no nothin'. That's not cool. I'll go again because the food is delicious, but I will guard my body parts carefully and keep a wary eye on my server.
(3)Melissa B.
I will agree with some of the posts that the service isn't all that great, but it wasn't anything that bothered me. Now, on to the food. The black bean soup was TASTY. I could have had a giant bowl of it for lunch alone. I had the chicken caesar salad, and I thought the salad was good, but I wasn't a fan of the chicken. The boy had chili and a sandwich which he said was very good also. We also bought a few cupcakes to go, since we're trying to find our wedding cupcakes (in lieu of a wedding cake). I thought they were ok, although it gave me a stomach ache, whereas the boy didn't like his.
(3)Sheena F.
This place was amazing. This was my first time in Chicago and I was only there for a short time, so I really wanted to see what the city had to offer in terms of brunch. I looove brunch and this place did not disappoint. It was a gray, rainy day and everyone was out for brunch that day. Not wanting to wait forever at another brunch place nearby, we decided to come to A Taste of Heaven. We only had to wait outside for less than 10 minutes and there was an awning so it wasn't terrible. Once we got inside, it truly was heaven. It was warm and cozy with a mixed group of patrons. We ordered coffees while we waited and were offered a tasting of a homemade chocolate chip cookie. It was ridiculous how happy I was by this point! Not to mention that I order soy lattes everywhere I go and this place, for some reason, was the best ever! Although it was pretty crowded we didn't have to wait too long for our food. The service was perfect... not too annoying attentive but just attentive enough. My girlfriend ordered a really filling breakfast sandwich with Fontina and rosemary ham and I had a very fresh egg, guacamole, and salsa whole wheat burrito with black beans, salsa and rice. During our meal, we were also given another sample of a cinnamon raisin roll. All in all, one of the best brunch places I've ever been to for the service, quality of food, and cozy atmosphere.
(4)Becky S.
The grilled cheese is To Die For!
(5)Elizabeth H.
Good place to grab a cup of coffee and a baked good. but that may be about all. The service does indeed leave much to be desired, which is a shame because when the store was located on Foster, I never remember that being the case as I always had really great service. Those days are long gone given my last dozen or so visits. The non-baked food on the menu is really just OK. Not bad if you happen to be right there for lunch, but I would never go out of my way for one of their sandwiches. I love their policy on children. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but they expect you to control them here and I can get behind that any day.
(3)Keith Z.
Great food, reasonable prices, and a cozy atmosphere.
(5)Angela K.
I had a good time here with my friends chatting over some desserts. The brownie had too much of a caramel-y texture, but the carrot bundt cake was good. I liked the music that was playing in the background (perhaps samba?)
(3)Lynne B.
I called right before Thanksgiving and they were able to accomodate my last minute request for a holiday dessert. I ordered pumpkin crumble squares and they were fabulous. There was a long list of wonderful sounding desserts I could have ordered. The staff was pleasant.
(5)Yvette M.
Cupcakes are literally a taste of heaven! Price is a bit stiff $3 for one cupcake but worth it!!
(5)Chillie D.
The baked goods are excellent -- it is obvious that they use high quality and fresh ingredients. The Owner lives in the neighborhood and usually rides his bike to "A Taste of Heaven" and is a very nice young man. This is a great place to go for coffee and dessert (on a date or with friends). It is family friendly too. The restaurant is charming and casual. The servers are very nice and friendly (don't be afraid to ask for a recommendation if you are not sure about what to order). My favorite goodies are: any thing with lemon, apple pie and any thing that has the word "pudding" in it -- go for any of the cupcakes -- they are truly the best in Chicago!
(3)David C.
I enjoy Janeans Cake... it is really good... not sure there are many other cakes as desirable as this cake. I recently had a problem with one of my orders and the staff went above and beyond to correct the problem. Its a nice gem in Andersonville.
(4)Gretchen O.
This place is great! I appreciate their having a full breakfast and lunch menu available, and their list of salads was enticing - I love places that move away from iceberg lettuce and dried carrot splinters. The service was good (frequent but not too frequent water fill-ups, and the waitress was happy to answer my friend's questions about some of the sandwiches). If I don't go back, it'll be because it's so far north, but if I do, I'm trying an omelette!
(4)Kristen W.
I am thrilled with having found a place that puts the smackdown on unruly kids. I didn't realize it until about halfway through my breakfast but it was like a 'what is that noise? SILENCE!!! ' type of revelation. I love it! The food here is great too. I had the breakfast burrito which was yummy. I loved that it was not goopy and over-loaded with bad-for-you crap. I took a scone to go because I know from previous experience that they are great. Such a yummy snack in the afternoon. Only docking a star because the coffee was kind of sour tasting. I think they use Casteel but mine tasted like it had been sitting in a pot on heat all night. Blech.
(4)Pedantic S.
One of the best bakeries in town. Tried the 100 chocolate chip cake (and am not the biggest fan of desserts loaded with chocolate), and it was one of the most delectable desserts I have had! Also tried some cookies and they were quite inventive and creative.
(5)Scott D.
I have always loved Taste of Heaven. It was, in fact, the very first restaurant that I ate at in Chicago when I moved here in 2005. I have been there for dinners almost every other week since. Sadly, they recently reduced the menu offerings and got rid of entrees for dinner (except for a "special" which is one of the entrees that they used to offer). The meatloaf was great, but neither the meatloaf nor the meatloaf sandwich (2 of my favorites) are available. The server, Sam, was great and apologetic about the changes and understanding. We heard 3 other tables mention that they were disappointed with the reduced menu as well, as well as watched 2 tables get up and leave because of the reduced menu. I am saddened that this is no longer really the dinner option that it had been. The food that they have is very good, and the baked goods are great. The low score is because of how limited the options have become.
(2)Jen N.
FANTASTIC FOOD. The best cupcakes I've ever had, the malted milk ball cupcake, try it. I've been here multiple times and the service is GREAT. The portabella wrap= excellent, the Vegetarian Chili= excellent. Love it. The omelet was great, too, it had pesto and spinach in it; they have breakfast all day. The cream of spinach soup= Perfection. I LOVE this place. It is not boring diner food, it's much better, and maybe some people don't appreciate something different. The cupcakes are the best in the city. Ooooh I had the spinach lasagna recently and it was A+, the service was A+ and very quick and polite.
(5)Bill M.
This bakery moved from its former location on West Foster to the busier Andersonville neighborhood. Apparently a bit too busy, as the owner has posted a controversial sign asking youngsters to use their "indoor" voices while in the shop. I am with him on this one, but many parents who do not like to be told what to do are very upset and say they will not come here anymore. Oh well, more tasty treats for us dessert lovers.
(4)Inspector G.
It's hit or miss with the kitchen. Sometimes, the food is o-kay; at others, it's downright lousy. The sandwiches are experimental, but are tasty when they get it right. The real surprise here is that the baked goods aren't better. They tend to be a little on the dry side. Inconsistency aside, the patio dining is still a big draw. This is a great little neighborhood place to sit and enjoy the summer weather and watch the sidewalk traffic go by. On the upside, the table service is usually very friendly.
(3)Denise W.
Might be as close to heaven as one can get through food. Everything is delicious. The owner/chef often walks around during the brunch rush and passes out free samples of his unbelievable seasonal crumb bars. Flavors include, pumpkin (fall), raspberry (spring). I haven't tried the summer and winter selections but I don't think I'll be disappointed. IF you're going for weekend brunch prepare to wait 5-15 minutes. The place is in demand in Andersonville. It's my go-to place during the week when i want cheap eats in my hood. Diner style without the greasiness and bland taste.
(5)T M.
I feel very conflicted about Taste of Heaven, and if I could give them a 3.5, I would. While I appreciate their attempts to eliminate the unruly children of parents inconsiderate enough to bring said children to a place where people might want someplace calm to reflect and imbibe more coffee than any reasonable culture should encourage, it is too small a place inside to make it a good place for reading a book or studying. There are just too many tables, and too many people up and down and in and out. When it's open, the outdoor patio area more than makes up for this, though. I'm also not a huge fan of their baked goods, which is a shame, because it's a much better deal than the food, which is alright, but not worth the price, by my reckoning. Although you would expect nothing short of divine from a place with a name like this, the pastries are rather more mundane. I've tried a lot of stuff: the lemon bars, raspberry brownies, cakes, chocolate chip cookies and small apple pies. Each was just average. The best tasting items to me are the mini bundt cakes, but I don't go out of my way for them. But then again, I admit I'm extremely judgmental about baked goods. I do think their excellent (albeit fairly expensive) coffee makes up for this, though, and the baristas/servers really know how to use the espresso machine. In fact, they are pretty excellent as well, and are almost always friendly and attentive. But seriously, more than $2 for a double espresso is too much, and way more than any of the local competition. Finally, they serve Peterson's ice cream. I've never had this any where else, and I don't know where else one can find it, but holy crap is it good.
(3)Suz C.
Like fellow Yelper John B., I was a fan of Taste of Heaven long before the whole misbehaving kids debate. (I supported Dan on that issue). This is a great little place in Andersonville, and I enjoy coming here for a treat, a drink, and even brunch. The interior is very small, but there are little touches that make it cute like the artwork on the wall. Although servers there are generally very friendly, it is spotty -- sometimes you get awesome service, sometimes you are lucky to get service. Love, love, love their canopy tea, and I love their sandwiches. I do not like their biscuits and gravy, which smells a little like barf on a biscuit. I love their chicken salad sandwich and their homemade soups, and I think their little pastries and cakes are truly heavenly. My boyfriend enjoys the coffee there quite a bit, and my absolute favorite item at TOH, when they have it, is their homemade peach ice cream. Oh my god. It's so creamy and smooth on your tongue...I am drooling and panting just thinking about it. Okay, I better quit before this review starts sounding sex-crazed. I enjoy Taste of Heaven, and I think you will, too. Just don't expect restaurant service, and don't plan to stay for hours on end...although in the summer time, it is tempting to do so when you're outside at one of their tables on a warm summery night....
(4)Lilith B.
The five star rating is for their bread pudding alone. It's amazing and delicious and I can never finish an entire piece because it's so big and rich. It's smothered in what has to be the best caramel sauce ever. I really can't say much about anything else here because the bread pudding is too good not to get every time I go in, but I've heard good things about the rest. Also, the staff is very friendly.
(5)Briana J.
Love this place. I have had the whole spectrum of food-- omelets, oatmeal, sandwiches and desserts. I loved each and everything. The mixed berry cake and chocolate vanilla swirl cupcakes are my favorite. The food is fresh, tasty and they keep the coffee coming. There are a few draw backs, namely the size. There is often a wait which is a bummer but the food is so good. The chicken salad sand which was awesome. Keep is mind that this would be a terrible place to study. It is always loud and hopeful eaters will have no problem staring you down while they wait for a seat.
(5)Justin H.
The Silverland breakfast here is amazing. Taste of heaven? It Sure Is. Katie cakes and breakfast casserole are amazing too. As is the Peach Compote french toast. Service here can be a hit or miss but usually I get what I need. Always great for breakfast. Dinner is good as well but the dinner fare seems to be a little bland the 4 or 5 times I have had dinner there. Also always good for an evening snack and coffee! I prefer mine iced!
(4)Alison T.
I want to revise my earlier review of TOH. We've been steady customers over the years, and I feel I can write an informed opinion. TOH is always really solid. They have a good brunch and their salads are fantastic. We have never tried their dinner menu. I know they get a lot of flack for not being "kid friendly," but my husband and I find them the opposite. We regularly eat here with our 2 young children. They are friendly to the kids and have good options for them. TOH just asks that if your kid misbehaves you either take them outside or control them, ie...don't let your kid run around the place screaming. This is something I completely agree with. Since our older daughter (now 4) was young, we've taught her how to behave in public - she knows how to sit in her chair and eat nicely. If she's acting out, we go outside or leave, simple as that. I wish all parents did the same.
(4)Kathryn R.
I didn't try any dessert, just lunch. Service was TERRIBLE from start to finish. The food was OK, but way overpriced for OK food. I had heard that this place was good and looked forward to trying it. What a disappointment. They seem to think they are doing you a favor by letting you spend your money there. Maybe that is the attraction for some people????
(1)Robyn T.
This place is a gem! Located in the heart of Andersonville alongside some other fabulous restaurants this is a wonderful neighborhood destination. The inside decor is slightly country kitsch but in a cute way, and there's a great outdoor seating space. The staff was very friendly when I was there for brunch. Love, love, love the pancakes with berries. I'm not a huge pancake fan but I had a hunch that I NEEDED to order these and boy was I right. The pancakes are fluffy but have a sort of crispy, golden outside if you will. I could have licked the homeade whipped cream off the plate but I thought I might offend my fellow diners. The egg dishes were good (take a pass on the egg sandwich) as are the hashbrowns.
(5)Cynthia C.
The food's mediocre on a good day. Service is surly. Pass.
(2)Belle L.
Plentiful of ridiculously delicious sounding Daily Specials. Price is relative to food portion, ingredients, quality and preparation. FRENCH ONION SOUP ($3.75) -- comes with 3 pcs of housemade bread. Delicioso. Good balance of ingredients. Broth is NOT dark brown. Yay! QUICHE ($10.75) -- a risky custard combination of ham and pineapple. Hawaiian pizza in a pie. Skip it! Soggy crust. Comes with default mixed green salad with vinaigrette. LEMONADE ($4.75) -- expensive with an impressive strong lemon flavor that is not sour. ELVIS CUPCAKE -- peanut butter icing was a tad sweet with banana cake. A version of Elvis' favorite food. COFFEE -- La Colombe brand. SERVICE -- excellent, well-informed, friendly, charming. VENUE -- the relax atmosphere of a cafe. Lots of stuff that is neatly organized. Comfy. Welcoming. 1-star less: - presence of housefly - box your own brown bag
(4)Shubham C.
Lovely meal that's perfect for a quick bite with a friend. Overall the service was nothing remarkable - the waitress checked in once or twice but we waited a bit to get our check. Water flowed quickly and often. I ordered the quiche and was satisfied. The quiche of the day was steak and cheese. The portion was generous and the side salad was fresh. The crust was light and flaky and had a hint of sweetness that complimented the salted egg and steak filling. The pie top wasn't as crunchy or chewy as I would've liked but still was nice!
(4)Claire S.
Simply delicious food! The atmosphere is cute and small and diner-like, but with a lot of cupcakes. It's great for sitting and hanging out, and the owner and servers are really nice, quick, and chill. I tried the roasted pear salad and iced coffee (both recommended from the server). The salad was awesome--big and filling, with crispy roasted chicken, delicious roasted pears, and goat cheese and cherries to keep things interesting. Salad dressing came on the side (which was thoughtful). The iced coffee was big, delicious, and FREE because it was a Wednesday! What a pleasant surprise! The prices seem high ($12 for the salad) but the quality of food was well worth it. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!
(5)Megan L.
Dan's customer service (the owner) was incredible - upon reading my first review, he immediately contacted me to make my experience at Taste of Heaven right. He sympathized with wasting money and calories at a restaurant only to be disappointed and invited me to come back and give Taste another chance with a guest. I appreciated how FAST and KIND he was when responding to my concerns. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! I was not disappointed during my return visit! Mike's pesto sandwich is hands-down one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Chicago. The thick cut, slightly sweet brioche is perfectly toasted and complemented by a mountain of goat cheese, pesto, tomato, bacon, spinach and 2 eggs. It is definitely big enough to be shared (or hoarded for second brunch later in the day)! It comes with a side of fresh fruit and potatoes. I also tried the sparkling lemonade - served in a big mason jar and not too sour or sweet, with the right amount of fizz. Perfect for a warm day! The place gets crowded during the weekend, but they also have a pretty big patio area on the southeast side of the restaurant to accommodate more patrons. It's nicely shaded and worth checking out!
(5)Meredith C.
I'm not usually one for sweet breakfasts but so happy I tried the coconut almond cakes! They were incredibly flavorful and came with banana slices and fresh whipped cream. Iced coffee refills were free and much appreciated during the hot morning. There was somewhat of a wait for the food but not appalling my any means. With the intriguing items on the menu, I will definitely come by for breakfast again.
(4)Kyle D.
Overall: Great little cafe with delicious eats and friendly service. The good: Great bakery treats to choose from with specialty cupcakes, cakes, brownies, etc. All were great. Good coffee and plenty of other options. Service was friendly and attentive. A good amount of seating. Cute decor. The bad: Not much! Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 9/10
(4)Nikki L.
I had just moved into the neighborhood, and my sister decided to take me to brunch here. The restaurant decor is very eclectic, and gives it a "Grandma's house" vibe. Not to say this is a bad thing, because it is quite endearing. We both ordered the Mike's Pesto Sandwich, which will go down in history as one of the best breakfast sandwiches I have had. Our waitress was friendly, but towards the end seemed to be losing steam. Since I am a server, I understand. She didn't close out our check, but one of her colleagues did instead. Overall a very positive experience here.
(5)Jenny D.
Just love it here! Every single thing I've ever tried has been delicious, from their coffee to their entrees to their desserts....heaven. The servers are always very friendly and we've never had a problem being seated. We like to stop in here for brunch and we always get coffee(me-fancy coffee, him-straight black). I usually order the quiche because it's so good, but I have gotten their Durbin sandwich before, too. Both were so good. The quiche is my to-go-to though because they are such a pain in the ass to make yourself and they always get the texture right. They are always light and fluffy. My husband usually goes for something a bit more hearty. The last time he got a portobello sandwich which was really good. I never can leave without getting a cupcake, which I have a love/hate relationship with. Love, because they are so good. Hate because then I have to go to the gym later. It's worth it.
(5)Mary Z.
MMM- Been here 2x now and really impressed. Both times were for brunch. Great dog friendly patio, service is good and the staff is really friendly. The food is so fresh and tasty. I'm looking forward to trying lunch and dinner.
(4)Debbie M.
Great breakfast. I had the chorizo skillet - so tasty. My boyfriend had the Carmel pancakes- sugary treat. Friendly staff. If you haven't tried this place give it a try.
(4)Cynthia T.
I had the steel cut oatmeal with peach compote. Who knew oatmeal could be so delicious! It was very filling as well. Everyone's dishes looked so good and hearty. It was a clean restaurant and our waitress was very friendly. I hope I can come back and taste the chicken and biscuit breakfast.
(4)Sheila K.
I have been wanting to try out this place for a while now and I finally did. We came on a Sunday around 1:30 and didn't have a problem getting a seat. The place is pretty small, but has a lot of homemade goods from cupcakes to cakes and bars, etc... My husband got the Steak and Eggs and I tried the Havar Ya Sandwich with a side of soup. The steak and eggs were ok and the potatoes were tasty, nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. My sandwich was okay as well. The homemade baguette bread was good and held the sandwich quite well. But it was kinda dry and perhaps could use some sauce to make it tastier. Service was also okay. Overall, this place is okay.
(3)Angie M.
Honestly? There's nothing to NOT like about Taste of Heaven. Biscuits? Divine. Scones? Like whoa. Omelets? Perfection. Service? Phenomenal. I think the only problem with Taste of Heaven is that they don't have fountain beverages. You ask for a diet Coke and get it in a 20oz bottle. Oh... and that you'll want to leave with plenty of goodies in the bakery case, which will add lbs to your ass. Not sure if this is a pro or a con. I'll let you choose.
(5)Rikki C.
The food was good the service was good neither great but all in all a good experience. I would definitely go here again. I would, however have to say that their banana pound cake was amazing, so 5 stars on that. Oh, and they never rushed us out the door, so my friends and I were able to catch up for 2.5 hours.
(4)Hannah C.
Breakfast all day is always a key to my heart. But breakfast all day AND PASTRY? That will get me every time. (Note: it will look just like a pastry shop when you walk in. The boards will say nothing about food, just pastry. But if you say you want to dine in, they will give you table service and a menu of delights. The best thing we tried was, surprisingly, the almond and coconut pancakes. Actual coconut. Actual homemade whipped cream. They were amazing. The grilled cheese sandwich was also great - lots of flavors and fresh bread. The roasted potatoes had almost no flavor, so skip those in favor of another side. For dessert we tried the cream puff with whipped cream (heavenly) and the moon pie cupcake (very good). I will admit, these cupcakes didn't stack up to Molly's or Sugar Bliss for me. They had just a little less flavor and creativity. But for a meal AND a cupcake, I was quite impressed.
(4)Ritu R.
God we've been coming here for 8 years! We live in River North but will make the trek for this little gem of goodness. Comfort food, breakfast all day and decadent desserts! Note the prices on the menu on yelp are not accurate as they are not posted by the business ;) Happy Eating!
(5)Emily B.
This place is so delicious, I'm having a hard time finding words. Scrumptious is probably the best one. I ate here for lunch on a beautiful summer day with my son. We sat outside. It was a Thursday and I was surprised we were the only ones out there. But I have passed this place on the weekends and there's a line out the door. We will definitely be back for brunch! The service was great, from the moment we walked in to when we paid and left. Speedy and attentive servers. I ordered the Grilled Cheese Sandwich. The BEST grilled cheese I've ever had. The three cheeses they choose to put into this sandwich is a home run. They are feta, cheddar and mozzarella. And the bread... oh the bread! Homemade sourdough but did not taste like sourdough. Pure baked goodness in your mouth! I also got the potato salad for a side. I liked it, very tasty, but different than what I have ever had. If you do not like dill or onions, don't order it. But I do, so I enjoyed. I ordered a piece of Jeanine's Cake to go. Again, so freaking good! The perfect summer cake. The streusel crumbs on the frosting are what took it over the top for me. Yum, yum. A Taste of Heaven really is just that. So go and get full!
(5)Randy H.
First experience at Taste of Heaven was disappointing. I had a Niçoise salad that was just not fresh. A throw together of pre-prepped items that had been in the walk-in several days too long, all tossed in a tarragon dressing that was supposed to be creamy, but which, extraordinarily, was dry. I ate about half of it and got a candy bar and protein shake on the way home. My husband's basic bacon and eggs breakfast was quite good, so he liked the place. On the whole, the ambience is good and I rate the service okay even though our meals were pretty slow coming out (probably took a while to find the salad makings in the back of the cooler ). I might go back if in the immediate area, but definitely would not order a salad there.
(3)Nikki G.
Get the coconut almond pancakes, you will NOT regret it! They are super generous with the whipped cream. Also: the cornmeal biscuits are AWESOME.
(5)William F.
What a grew a find! I've walked past this place at least 100 times and have to say I should have ventured in sooner! No wait on a Sunday at brunch time and the biscuits and whipped cream was the best I've had in so long if not ever. This gem is well worth traveling halfway across the city for breakfast.
(5)Kathy T.
We came across this place by accident one Sunday. Our original plan was to go to Big Jones but the wait time was almost two hours. Upon arrival, we were seated at the corner near the cupcake display. The place is some what small and very crowded. My boyfriend ordered some sandwich with peaches, it was okay. I had the steak and eggs, the steak was cooked medium like how I like it. I could only eat a couple of bites, it was too heavy for my taste. When we received our bill I'm was surprised at how much this breakfast had cost. For a sandwich, steak and eggs, coffee and tea $42 definitely was not worth our money. I'm not sure what the hype is all about maybe people haven't had real good breakfast. Nothing was special about this breakfast, glad I tried it. I would probably not come back. Overpriced.
(3)Syed N.
This place is a hidden gem. Good service, good food, great location and the best lemonade in Chicago.
(5)Roseann M.
Each time I go to A Taste of Heaven, I wonder why I don't go more often. The food is always good. The atmosphere is homey and cozy -- that means, the room isn't very big. The service is efficient and friendly. The prices are reasonable. Maybe it's the competition in Andersonville. There are so many new, sexier places, you forget about the old reliable places. Miss Finland and I went for lunch today. I drank copious amounts of coffee. I ordered the quiche of the day, which was bacon/cheddar/tomato with a side salad. Miss Finland ordered a sandwich called the Havar Ya, which she assures me is not in the Finnish language. Her sandwich consisted of ham, Havarti cheese and roasted red peppers on a big bun, and also came with a side salad. Both portions were generous. She wondered if she could eat it all, but somehow she managed to do just that. My slice of quiche was much taller and thicker than the typical paltry, girly-sized quiche slices you get in other places. We ate everything. I made the mistake of walking past the counter and saw a huge variety of cupcakes. Somehow, through sheer strength of will, I forced myself to order a Red Velvet Cupcake. Miss Finland took one bite. We agreed that it was heavier than we expected, but it still tasted delicious. The restaurant stayed pretty busy during the whole Tuesday lunch period. We were there for almost 2.5 hours. The waitress forget she hadn't dropped off the check, but we were under no pressure to clear the table for another party of diners. I did stop by on a recent Saturday to buy a carrot cake cupcake, which was very good, by the way, and the place was very very busy with the weekend brunch crowd. There is no waiting area. You have to stand alongside the south wall. I think the staff was very relieved that I just wanted to get something to go. I like Taste of Heaven very much. I'm looking forward to returning when the weather is a little warmer - say, August - and eating at one of their outdoor tables.
(4)Leah K.
Oh my goodness the Jeanine cake....just get the Jeanine cake! I think for the last (at least) 5 years I've requested a slice of the Jeanine cake here for my birthday and it never disappoints! And you can easily share one piece with several people because they're huge. Honestly there hasn't been anything from here that we haven't liked - they always have a good selection of cupcakes and they're ALL delicious. Can't say we've ever had anything else but sweets from here but who needs food when you can have cake?
(5)Daniel W.
This was my go to place for breakfast burritos butttt....some reason the breakfast burrito continues to "de-volve". By "de-volve" I mean regressing rather than evolving into a better thing. Per my previous review, the breakfast burrito was loaded with eggs and beans/rice were served on the side. Over the years they started tinkering with things. The next time they didn't dress the beans up with the same salsa as the first time. Then one time there were no beans/rice. Last weekend they had the beans/rice inside the burrito! We felt a little betrayed....less eggs and using the beans/rice as a filler. sighhhhh! come on now Taste of Heaven...I've been telling everyone to go here for the best breakfast burrito but now...I must bite my tongue... You don't gotta fix what ain't broken! Excellent service though! We got the Durbin omelette as well. Good amount of food is included. Breakfast potatoes, biscuit/corn muffin type thing, and fruit. Bring back the burrito from 2011!
(4)Susan C.
I went here for brunch since I haven't been back for a long while. This restaurant is not that big but a good enough size to eat at. I like their food and order a quiche which is so good accompanied a side salad. The waitstaff is attentive coming back from time to time to make sure we have everything we need. The service was great so I will come back here when I am in the neighborhood and I love this neighborhood.
(4)Zarnigor N.
I love their breakfast menu.. Everything made so delicious and fresh.. Workers are so sweet and helpful. They have the best cup cakes ever... They make everything from scratch.. I would recommend to anyone this wonderful place ..
(5)Wil E.
Best. Dessert. Ever. Seriously. EVER! In fact, I can't even go here anymore. It's just not safe for my diet. And they've actually managed to ruin dessert anyplace else. It's just a bitter disappointment when I order from another restaurant and I get a huge plate with a tiny slice of store-bought cheesecake. Everything at Taste is freshly prepared and delicious, the portions are huge, and the service is friendly. The cheesecake is truly heavenly, and you get a slab of it - A FREAKIN' SLAB!!!
(5)Megan D.
Cute place. Loved the weathered tables and unique decor. Service was good and they were prompt with coffee and water throughout our visit. I was a little disappointed in the menu offerings honestly. I was expecting a larger selection of breakfast items and was hoping for some type of combo but wasn't able to locate anything. I also didn't inquire so partly my fault. I was pleased with my meal and would go back again. I do want to get back to try the baked goods.
(3)Lizz M.
I first visited A Taste of Heaven on a snowy Saturday evening when I had a huge craving for dessert. I got their raspberry white chocolate cheesecake. YUM. and gigantic. I couldn't eat it all in one sitting. I've since visited them twice for breakfast as it's become my boyfriend's favorite spot in Andersonville. I got their steel cut oats the other day and they are SO good. They come with a delicious peach compote and granola. Their cornmeal biscuits are also fantastic.
(4)Patrick W.
Thanks to Dan for trying to make up for this. I found the cupcakes to be much better the second time around.
(4)Patrick M.
One of the best diners in the city. Every meal I've had has been wonderful and the sweets are excellent. I'm always so full after the meal (read: great, big portions) that I have to get a sweet to go. Service has always been good. If we ever have friends or family visiting, this is where we take them for breakfast or lunch (or-if it was up to me-both). Try the hot chocolate- tastes like liquid gold. Check it out- you might see me there.
(5)Kimmi M.
The ambience is adorable, probably similar to how your kindergarten teacher decorated her house. A really wonderful breakfast place. The lox entree was large and flavourful. I really enjoyed the lemon dill sauce to accompany it. The coffee was strong, and the iced tea was spiced, which was a pleasant surprise.
(4)M. R.
Poor service. Waited an hour for food. And waiter never refilled water until he gave the check. Waiter also didn't come by to ask how we were doing or how the food was.
(1)Zachary A.
While I could argue that every city is a brunch city, this seems to echo considerably more true with my time in Chicago than some other places. Everywhere has a brunch, and I'm not upset about it in the slightest. With that, though, comes the difficult task of narrowing a million options each Saturday and Sunday morning. After meeting a new friend days prior, she invited me to join her Saturday morning at a Taste of Heaven, and it definitely was an enjoyable taste. I highly recommend this place. It's small and not trying to be "trendy", but just good. It has a nice neighborhood vibe, although I lend a lot of that to Andersonville in general. I had the biscuits (cornmeal biscuits, I must add) and gravy and was loving every morsel. I really think everyone should get this dish. :) My friend got the breakfast casserole and it also was pretty awesome looking. The food was spot-on a wonderful brunch and I could see myself making it a regular brunch stop. Ps. If you're going to bring kids, make sure they're entertained and able to enjoy the quality experience that is A Taste of Heaven. :)
(4)Elana B.
I wanted to have a lunch dish that didn't feel heavy but also wanted to feel full because I knows I wouldn't be eating again for a long time today. The option of getting a wrap with a side of veggie stir-fry was a dream. The wrap itself (BLT and A) was perfect - the bacon was super crispy and the mayo was just enough zest. The veggies were cooked perfectly. Also they had wifi and my server was so lovely about giving me the password without any sass like I sometimes get when I ask for a wifi password. It's also located on such a quant corner of Clark street so you could get distracted from your laptop by looking outside at all the people walking by. I didn't try any desserts because I felt so pleasantly full but next time I'll save room for sure!
(5)Tlafi K.
I came back and this time service was exceptionally great. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a high spirited positive waiter named Ryan. He did not have any idea that I wrote a bad review and that I had been in touch with the owner Dan. I was like a secret shopper. I really enjoyed eating at this place this time around. The food was great. The honey jar was exceptionally clean. Too bad my phone died. Would have posted some pictures. I'm glad I came back and will definitely be back. We need more business owners like Dan. He really cares about his business and takes constructive criticism well. He took his time to contact me and went above and beyond to make sure that I was a satisfied customer. That really shows me how much he cares about his business. That's what I call excellent customer service. Way to go!
(5)Mark M.
this place charges $3.50 for a cup o f coffee. really?
(1)Nishan P.
Has Andersonville gone hipster? Is this the new Wicker Park? Everyone working the Saturday brunch shift at A Taste of Heaven was dressed in hipster attire, as was most of the male clientele. I fit right in because I was wearing a flannel shirt, but no skinny jeans because I want to have kids someday. The salmon scramble was a very pleasant surprise. Instead of the fish being mixed into the scrambled eggs, slices of smoked salmon, topped with capers, were served alongside it. The plate also included a corn meal biscuit, roasted potatoes, and a cucumber dill sauce. I tried the Durham omlet too and was impressed with the large chunks of turkey, pears, and havarti in it. Country kitsch is found in abundance in the restaurant. The place might be a hipster paradise but the decor is more country than Hee Haw. The service was quite attentive given no one person was responsible for our table. It was a nice team effort by all the servers. If you are looking for a good weekend brunch place in Andersonville, I suggest you don your best hipster duds and head on over to A Taste of Heaven. **UPDATE** Soon after posting the above review, I received the following message: Hahahaa! I work at a Taste of Heaven and the uniform is plaid. And we do joke with customers who wear plaid that they can easily become an employee. : ) I'm glad you enjoyed your meal and experience at ATOH. Hopefully we see you again soon! I would like to apologize to the employees of a Taste of Heaven for assuming that you were all hipsters... not that there is anything wrong with being a hipster, besides the reduced ability to beget offspring.
(4)Karyn C.
After living in Andersonville for over two years I finally made it to Heaven. One of the reasons I'd always wanted to go is because if their policy of only allowing well-behaved children. Within a few minutes of being seated a toddler started screaming. I couldn't see the child and I couldn't see any adults leaning over like they were trying to soothe an angry child. After a few minutes of intermittent wailing I saw a server discreetly speak to a man. As the server walked away the man started yelling, "I guess they don't like kids here! No kids ever! It's too bad that you're hungry, we have to leave now." The server was kind enough to be discreet and if it hadn't been for the man's reaction, no one would've known they'd been asked to leave. The server even brought them to go boxes so they didn't need to make a scene. I understand that kids will be kids but it's nice to see a restaurant that takes a stand against poorly behaved children (and adults). As for the food, it was delicious! I had the peaches and cream French toast and my boyfriend had the breakfast burrito. Both of us were unable to finish and left very satisfied. The only thing I'd do differently is not order the iced tea. It's a spiced iced tea but that's not called out on the beverage menu. I was hoping for plain iced tea. That's the only thing though!
(4)Russ A.
Good food, desserts and ice cream. Service is always fantastic. Check out their display of goodies, better than deciding from reading the menu. My reigning fav desserts are coconut cream cake and double chocolate bundt cake. Yes I have recently snapped out of their "anything with caramel sauce". It was my long reigning fav at one time. ;-)
(5)Joe M.
Always a treat to come here. Great bakery items as well as the regular menu. The Mike's Pesto sandwich is one of my favorite breakfast items. Good service, great food and reasonable prices.
(4)Ryan M.
My visit to A Taste of Heaven actually was "Plan C" for the night, after the pie shop down the street was out of pie (on Pi Day, of course!), and the other targeted destination was a block further, before we saw this great little place. We still wanted pie, and the windows said TOH had dessert, so we gave it a try. The cafe is every family-run store of my youth rolled into one: a bake shop, a coffee shop, and a diner. The desserts are seductively laid under glass at the front, the walls are decorated in old-school sweets-and-eats decor, and you expect your grandmother or favorite aunt to pop out from the back at any moment offering hugs and love-smotherings. (What? Your grandmother and aunts don't love-smother you? You're missing out.) Tonight's target was only dessert, and they had a special for apple pie! Alas, likely because of the day (and all the others who had come here after the pie shop went dry), the pie was gone. But fret not! So many other terrific, undeniably house-made options awaited. I chose the carrot cake, which came in a massive slice, and my evening companion took a slice of the banana-caramel cheesecake (they had also just run out of the peanut butter). Neither was a "Plan C" choice. The carrot cake was super moist, brimming with pecans and chewy bits of carrot. The cream-cheese frosting was not too thick , at all, and was rich. The cheesecake across the table had the best hand-made whipped cream I have ever tasted. The cake itself was very decadent, tasting like bananas foster on a crust. We also had accompanying cappuccinos, which were big and quite good. They were napalm hot when we got them, so we had to let them cool a little. The little shop was filled to capacity, and our poor server apparently was on his own. But things were not unbearably slow. Our server just appeared a bit frazzled and fried. Upon paying he assured me that were I to come back another day, things will be smoother, it will not be Pi Day (most likely), and he will not be working alone. Not a problem, I assured him, and I do plan to be back. With desserts this homemade and delicious, brunch and lunch must be great, too. So for a quick dessert (they have lots of cupcakes, cakes, bars, and other treats), a good coffee nightcap, or (I will soon see) a tasty homemade-feeling meal, Taste of Heaven is a welcoming, adorable shop that fits in perfectly in Andersonville.
(5)Christina R.
Insanely good food in a simple, cozy cafe. Everything is fresh and homemade.. including their roasted turkey in their sandwiches...and their bread. It's a must try. I know we will be back!! Have had the egg, pesto, &bacon sandwich, the turkey , pear & havarti sandwich, great salad with homemade dressing, and the to die for German Chocolate Cake!!
(5)Sue M.
Thanks goodness! happy that someone will take charge when neglectful parents are letting their small children run, scream, climb and play like it was outdoors, that someone will take charge and quietly ask them to control their offspring or leave! This is not a playground, it's a restaurant! And who among us wants to pay for fancy coffee and pastries to have to eat in the midst of an improvised daycare center? Like to enjoy the exquisite bakery items in full absorption. Thanks Taste of Heaven!
(4)Susan H.
Great treasure of good food and coffee plus amazing deserts. Very cozy and warm environment with a twist of hip. Great place to meet a friend. Expect to wait for a table for weekend brunch times...but not very long.
(4)Molly M.
I ate here last night. Stopped in to do some work and decided to order a sandwich. I got the turkey with pears and cheese. Sandwich arrived with the paper still attached and melted to the cheese. YUCK! I realized this after taking a bite of paper. Double yuck. I pointed it out to the waitress who was very kind, and asked if I wanted another sandwich (for the record -- this isn't a question to be asking....of course you should replace the sandwich). After answering in the affirmative I did get a new sandwich but the turkey tasted kind of "gamey" -- not sure how turkey can taste gamey but it did. I didn't eat the majority of the sandwich or the potato salad. So many better eats out there. Pass!
(1)Canh-Lien N.
Had Mike's Pesto Sandwich. Perfectly cooked eggs over medium. Homemade pesto was delicious and not too garlicky or oily. Could use more bacon! The side of grilled potatoes were meh but the dill potato salad from my friend's plate was to die for. I haven't had a potato salad that I've loved (besides my own) in a while and I'm from Texas where there is an abundance of tater salad. The hot Ginger Lime tea melted the cold chills from outside. The service was quick and attentive making this the best Sunday I've had all month. Definitely a taste of heaven all around.
(4)Katharine T.
I really love Taste of Heaven! Such an unsuspecting restaurant with seriously delicious food. My boyfriend and I put off Taste of Heaven for a while because we thought it was just a diner. Maybe nothing special, wouldn't fulfill our craving for brunch. How wrong we were. Thank god we finally we went here this past summer. My first meal here was the Silverland Breakfast: cornmeal biscuits with sausage gravy. God dammit these are the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had and I have sampled a lot. This dish is what God looks like. So good. Since that visit I have tried to go a healthier route and ordered the breakfast burrito in a whole wheat tortilla with scrambled eggs, black beans, gauc and salsa. For being a pretty simple dish this is also incredibly delicious. It's really satisfying, filling and not 1000 calories. Boyfriend has ordered their Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict which looks truly sinful and he loves it. This place gets pretty packed pretty quickly on the weekends and for good reason, their food is incredible and well priced. It's a small, quaint restaurant with super friendly service but if you want to eat at 11AM, think again. Get here no later than 10AM I say. It's awkward to wait for a table because the restaurant is so small so for me, you either get a table or you cry until next weekend and try again. We have yet to try dinner, probably another mistake as I am sure it's just as delicious as their brunch/lunch.
(5)Arocho M.
Im here! I came to brunch with my family and people did not treat us right! Food are "whatever, nothing amazing"...
(2)Lila S.
Really great food, really great service, really friendly staff. I've gotten two of their egg omelettes on two different occasions and both were both super good. U honestly can't go wrong w any of their omelettes- it just depends on what ur in the mood for. Biscuit in the side was really good too, along w their scones! Breakfast potatoes on the side were crispy and flavorable... Just had their pumpkin cobbler bar- it's absolutely DELICIOUS! paired w a cup of their coffee- yummmm. They seriously have one of the best bakers in town!
(5)Jeremy T.
The good: A place in the neighborhood to get breakfast any time of the day. Good coffee, too. The bad: Overpriced, seemingly microwaved food. Very overpriced for the quality.
(3)Luke H.
Brought my Texan mother here and she adored it. She's been back to Texas for a week now and she still brings up out trip there. I love this place as well, I get pick up from there often and my favorites include, the breakfast burrito, and the biscuits and gravy. Do meat kolaches taste of heaven!
(5)atrack b.
I've been here twice for dessert only. Both times, I've been impressed by the deliciousness of the desserts and the friendliness of the service. So far, I'd recommend the banana cream layer cake, the chocolate chip cheesecake, the loaf cakes, and the big cookies.
(5)B K.
I thought the food was decent. My wife did not like her food at all. She thought it was way too heavy. Three stars from me and one star from my wife. Therefore, two stars.
(2)Marcee W.
Coconut crème cake is to die for!
(5)Kristy S.
I come here for the boston cream pie cupcakes (yum!) and the free coffee Wednesdays with freshly baked scones.
(4)Paolo U.
This is an excellent simple pastry shop with a few surprises for breakfast and lunch. It has one of the most delectable sausage gravy, biscuits and egg breakfasts in the entire city that is not well known but to the locals it's a neighborhood secret. I am biased sentimentally as this place did the pastry cupcake delights for my wedding over a decade ago when they first moved to Clark St. from Foster Ave, and it has been a pleasure to see them grow in their spot as the dessert and coffee stop in a vibrant locale. Highly recommend their scones of all varieties, and their drip coffee is brewed often and fresh to complement any one of their tasty cupcakes and pound bread delights. Highly recommend the Silverland breakfast dish for new folks looking for a filling, decadent, and tasty meal that will convince you to come back. Open until 11PM makes it a great spot for late desserts on an evening out.
(4)vitaliy v.
This charming bakery is my go-to late-night dessert and tea spot and lazy Sunday brunch place. 100% unpretentious, the friendly staff and good food make it a perfect neighborhood place to meet a friend, work a little or just grab a scone to go. My only complaint is the flavorless coffee, but otherwise it's great. The food is always fresh and they have excellent and interesting specials, along with all the typical fare. I only wish they had more European-style sweets, but if you like cupcakes, this is the place to be. ~V
(5)Mark D.
I guess it all depends on your perception of "heaven" - but there is something quite heavenly about this place. Excellent service, great food, tea and coffee and I have NEVER had to wait for a table! EVER! Its always busy, especially on the weekend but never seems to be a wait.
(5)Tiffany Y.
I came here for dessert with a friend and I was blown away by their delicious sweets. I had a slice of coconut cream cake and a chocolate covered strawberry. Loved the cake, it was dense and moist and very coconutty. The strawberry was huge, red, and the chocolate was laid on thick. I'd love to come back sometime to try their coffee and do an update review. I only removed one star because the set up is very small and awkward. Also, don't try to come during saturday lunch, its a madhouse! It's very small, hipster cafe type atmosphere and the workers were very friendly.
(4)Rachel K.
I love that A Taste of Heaven serves real maple syrups with their pancakes. I'm not a pancake maniac who wants a million toppings piled on so other spots like the Bongo Room are a waste on me. The breakfast selection here will make health conscious eaters happy too. They do a variety of veggie omelettes well, served with tasty potatoes. Is probably be back more often if their coffee weren't so pricey. A drip cup shouldn't cost $4+ dollars. Personally I find it too strong too but I'm sure someone else will say it's the best on the street. That said, they get points for serving breakfast all day. This spot is great for dessert lovers since you'll have a big display of fresh cupcakes, cakes, cookies and breads to choose from for eating there or taking out.
(4)Nicole R.
We gave them three chances and each visit left something to be desired. On the first visit, the food was mediocre, but we thought we had ordered incorrectly. Maybe we didn't choose the all-stars on the menu? The second time, we brought a friend. Halfway through her sandwich, she discovered parchment paper stuck to the cheese in her sandwich. She'd been eating it the whole time. Management did the correct thing and comped her meal and gave us a free cupcake. The third time was the worst. The air conditioning was off, despite it being in the mid-80's and humid outside. They kindly turned it on when we mentioned the heat. We ordered our food and even though the restaurant was empty, our food took 25 minutes to arrive. The breakfast burrito arrived in a cold tortilla with runny eggs and odd seasoning. The potatoes were overcooked and dry, could've chipped a tooth. The garnishes were two overlyrippened pineapple pieces that had probably been sitting in a prep bucket since 9am. We didn't finish our food and while we were paying the bill, noticed a little roach walking across the floor. We paid our bill quickly and left. Although, the wait staff is very nice, the food and cleanliness of the establishment needs some work, especially when nestled in the competitive Andersonville restaurant scene.
(1)Caren C.
Whenever I think brunch in Chicago I think Taste of Heaven. The choices are plentiful and unique. They also have your typical options as well. My favorite is the Peaches and Cream French Toast, mouth watering spiced peach compote over homemade Brioche. I feel like I'm celebrating with each bite! They have great scones, amazing coffees and teas as well. Not up early enough for brunch? You're in luck, the entire menu is available all day. Try the omelets, soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners, they are all homemade and taste great too!!! It's like going to Grandma's
(5)Adam S.
Very very very very good sweets & treats! Unfortunately I've never eaten breakfast, brunch or lunch there so I will limit my review to only their delicious sweets. Their cupcakes are very good. No matter what time of the day you go, they always have a nice variety of flavors/styles. My favorite is the raspberry rapture! It is a raspberry flavored cake with an insanely good filling of some type, with a THICK layer of frosting topped off with a raspberry! You only need one of these bad boys to fill up your sweet tooth (although buy more for later). On the cake side, I can not say enough about the 1000 chip cake. Hands down one of the best cakes I have ever had in my life!!! Vanilla-ish cake with a chocolate filling and then TONS of mini chocolate chips coating the side. SUPER delicious!! I've had their cookies and brownies too and those are also very good! Definitely recommed for those looking to get their sweets fixing!
(4)Caroline M.
Love this place. The food is great and the homemade brioche bread is out of control good. They make everything (other than the tortillas) in house. The french toast is great but I love the egg sandwich the most. Also major points to the fact that the fruit they serve on your place is actually ripe and edible. I would give 5 stars except that the random decorations they have around the restaurant appear to have never been dusted and it grosses me out. I prefer to eat outside for this very reason. They should just do away with them so they can wipe down the window sills every day.
(4)Adam K.
In my new neighborhood, this was the first brunch spot I hit up over the weekend. Loved the outdoor patio. In addition to getting a nice face tan on Saturday, I had a great special egg white omelette with asparagus, red pepper and goat cheese. The lemon biscuit it came with on the side was divine. The hash browns perfectly crisped. In salivated over my friends' choices to each get the shrimp benedict and they loved it. I will totes be back to this place over and over again, eventually someone will need to roll me out of this place. Can't wait to go back. Also, there's lots of handsome guys in the area who pass by or eat alone sometimes, for you gay single guys out there...smile and make some eye contact, I sure will next time :-)
(4)Alec K.
Great little place with nice service. Overall a little expensive but the food was great. Their special creations are phenomenal and that syrup was spot on. Definitely have to invest in one of their homemade cookies next time.
(5)K B.
The chicken and biscuits had the best biscuits I've ever had - they were made with cream corn and were simply incredible. Otherwise, it's a cute little diner spot. Although the cupcakes looked amazing, we didn't have room.
(4)Jessica S.
I must have been having a very bad day when I wrote that review. I still am not wowed by Taste of Heaven but I love their desserts.
(4)Hector T.
Friendly and efficient staff. Brioche bread was great. Breakfast all day. Reasonably priced. Good flavors. The turkey they use is real carved roasted turkey. I will be back.
(4)Markesha W.
My husband and I had breakfast here on our anniversary, I ordered the salmon dill quiche and Carmel Apple French toast My husband ordered the smothered biscuits an omelette and sausage the food was amazing the name of the restaurant is definitely the perfect description of the food served. The icing on the cake is the service Samuel and Ryan were really friendly and provided excellent service. It's needless to say we will be returning regularly. Thanks Ryan and Samuel see you guys soon.
(5)Samia G.
Is a ok place , don't like his baking ,as far food is something that u can do home. Service is soooo slow I'm updating my review from 3 to 4 stars based on caring respectful email received from dan M that his take business seriously!
(3)Magen M.
The oreo ice cream is the best in the world! The staff here is always so nice and helpful, too!
(4)Nancy F.
I love this place...not only for the desserts but for the service and breakfast! The sausage and biscuits is amazing, good lattes and fun staff! Hot chocolate is also an amazing treat.
(5)Valerie W.
What do you do after partying hard all night at the Drake for the best wedding of the season? BRUNCH. A Taste of Heaven was recommended by the boyfriend's family who lives in Edgewater. We arrived shortly before 10am and were able to park right in front without any problems (you do have to feed the meter!) When we arrived, we were seated right away, told the specials, and offered coffee. The coffee was strong, fresh, hot, and just what I needed. That, my sunglasses, a tall glass of water, and some greasy goodness. They have both a breakfast and lunch brunch menu, which is great, because the bf usually wants lunch type things even in the breakfast type hours. To my surprise, he ordered the brioche French toast. I ordered the corned beef hash, which comes topped with two fried eggs. We were joined by some of his family, so we also had on the table an omelette of the day (sausage, fontina, and some sort of veg, I can't remember) and a breakfast burrito. There was a wait after us, and all of the food coming out was really tasty looking. My stomach was definitely growling while we waited. The only thing that I found wrong with our visit is that our server seemed to be a little all over the place. She was busy, and I understand that, but we had to ask for coffee refills, syrup for the French toast, and my dish came out at least 5 minutes after everything else did (we had to ask about that too.) The flavors were great, the French toast almost tasted like cake. It was rich and eggy, not soggy at all, and I'm not much of a French toast lover. I would order this, for sure. The hash was made to order, with big chunks of corned beef, peppers, onions, and potatoes. It was served with a ramekin of creamy stone ground mustard which was the perfect accompaniment. I pretty much want to eat my way through brunch in Chicago... and this was a good place to start.
(3)KC F.
I SO miss living down the street from this place. Such a great brunch option- especially in the summer when you can sit on their great patio. The interior is cozy/inviting and their cupcakes are great. I've only dabbled with their lunch/dinner fair a few times but everything was just as good as the many brunch items I've inhaled. Definitely recommend!
(4)Michael U.
For the final snack stop on this particular visit to Chicago my sister and her friend wanted to grab some pastries for their brunch and studio tour with Martin Kastner of Crucial Design and being in the Edgewater area the decision was made to stop by Chicago stalwart A Taste of Heaven; a small comfort food cafe and bakery recommended to us nearly a year earlier by their neighbors at Great Lake. Arriving at the restaurant and locating free parking with ease we made our way through the doors of A Taste of Heaven to find the space quite full but approaching the pastry counter we were greeted by a friendly young woman ready, willing, and able to help despite the hustle and bustle all around. With cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, and scones abound I waited patiently while my sister made her selection - a Baker's Dozen of scones offered at a discount and hot from the oven - before making a few selections of my own and with the modest tab settled we made our way back to the car. With the scones permeating the air with notes of butter vanilla my sister noted that only eleven people would be attending the brunch and as such suggested I should take one, an offer I gladly accepted in picking out a hefty blackberry scone from a mixed batch including chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, and raisin walnut options. Warm, dense, soft, and studded with pockets of butter juxtaposing the sweet berries I have to say that all things being equal the texture of the pastry was more muffin or buttermilk biscuit than scone, but considering the quality of the flavor it is hard to nitpick because no matter what you call it the 'scone' was delicious. Moving next to my selections, a requisite trio of cupcakes weighing in at $3 each, my first "Taste of Heaven" (sorry, couldn't resist) would be the standard Red Velvet, a decent representation of the classic with a moist base and cream cheese frosting in a good ratio but the frosting a bit less tart than I generally prefer and easily overwhelmed by the cocoa notes of the cake. Moving next to two of the more interesting options, the first titled Malted Milk Ball and the second "Elvis," both of these options would prove to be quite good, though the first - a black and white base topped loosely with a cap of milk chocolate and small malt balls - was a bit dry while the second was by far the best of the group with a banana bread quality cake topped in peanut butter cream and a hemisected peanut butter cup - a great presentation that could have only been improved by a little bit of bacon.
(4)Dayna S.
I want to love this place because of their biscuits and homemade whip which are amazing (especially a biscuit topped with whipped!) BUT the cost of a cup of coffee is a bit pricey, in addition the quality of the food for brunch has not been justified on my past two visits. If you compare Heaven to Bongo Room, you will definitely get more bang for your buck at Bongo and a lot better quality of food. I'm sorry Taste of Heaven, but I just wish you would improve the quality/quantity of your food for brunch.
(2)Barb L.
A very nice place for breakfast lunch or a snack. Delicious home made soups and pastry items. Service is friendly and attentive
(4)Sid B.
Hooked to coconut creme ! Their pastries and cakes are top stuff... A touch expensive though
(4)Marie D.
I'm upgrading my review from two to three stars based on an extremely positive, respectful message exchange with Dan, the owner, about my experiences at TofH. Dan obviously cares about his customers and takes our complaints seriously, and that's as important as the food and service, in my book.
(3)Deyte D.
We went to A Taste of Heaven yesterday for Sunday Brunch. When we arrived at the register area, the individual behind the counter pointed to a table across the room and told us we could sit there. We did and waited for over 10 minutes for someone to bring us the menus. We were still being ignored so we got up and left. We ended up across the street at Vincent, where the service and the food were great!
(1)D D.
I have eaten here with my wife and child two times now. First time was a so so dinner(can't remember the food we ordered), second time was brunch today and it was as fabulous as the men in Andersonville. The Katie cake is the best pancake(really more like dessert) that I have ever had, and the breakfast burrito was also up there with my wife's gourmet cooking. My 2 year old daughter is quite the foodie for her age and had to be held back from devouring the entire Katie cake. The place had slower service and they made us wait twenty minutes despite having 6 open two person tables for space reasons (high chair space) which really annoyed my wife, but besides that we were really happy we decided to go there today!
(4)Beth R.
Losing a star simply because of the web site. 1) No hours posted. I actually need to know this, because the last time a friend and I planned dinner there, we arrived to find it closed. We were going to try again tonight but my annoyance might override my appetite. 2) No phone number posted, and the Contact Us page has a simple form that does not work. I tried it in both Internet Explorer and Firefox, just to be sure it wasn't a browser issue. Nope, it's theirs. You actually cannot submit the form. Say what? In the immortal words of the Beastie Boys, get it together.
(3)Noa N.
What a treat - it would be dangerous for me to live in walking distance of A Taste of Heaven! The atmosphere is part grammy's kitchen and part diner - warm, inviting, comfortable, and eclectic at the same time. Somehow my fiancee spotted the Elvis cupcake in the display case from the moment we walked in the door. He has radar for that peanut butter/banana/chocolate combination. We split the cupcake as an appie and it was very tasty - it was a banana cake - maybe a little bit denser and less pillowy than some other cupcakes but it was good - the peanut butter chocolate mousse on top - with the cupcake and the peanut butter cup on top of that is a score - the combination of flavors - the light mousse with the cake and pb cup - worked very well and my fiancee practically inhaled his half. The coffee paired well with it - A Taste of Heaven offers a strong basic coffee. We split the grilled cheese omelette - it was presented on two plates with fresh fruit - it felt like 2 entrees but was a split one - awesome! The omelette was cooked perfectly - I could taste all of the cheeses and yet it wasn't overly cheesy. The brioche bread underneath it was denser than I expected but worked well with the omelette on top - allowing for a touch of sweetness after a bite of the omelette. Service was super friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this place and look forward to coming back for another visit.
(5)Michelle L.
Taste of Heaven is very close to my apartment and one of my favorite things to do is go for breakfast in the morning so naturally I have been here quite often. I tried Paulines and Bongo Room but I think if you are looking for a delicious, comfortable, neighborhood type place...this is it. They are always friendly and the food is VERY good. I love the biscuits that come with most of the dishes. That being said I recently had an experience with Taste of Heaven that really put them above and beyond my expectations. I got engaged last Saturday in California and my fiance's parents were staying at our house from Friday to Saturday. I was planning on proposing around 7:30am California time which would be around 9:30am in Chicago. I wanted to do something nice for her parents since they were generous enough to stay over and watch the dogs...plus I wanted to tell them about the proposal in a personal way. My plan was to send them to breakfast and have the waitress bring out two mimosas and a card at 9:30am...at the exact same time I would be proposing to their daughter. Originally I went to Bongo Room on Clark since I know her parents had been there and liked it. I went in and explained the situation and asked if they would be able to help me. I was shocked that they offered absolutely no assistance. They told me they were unable to take reservations no matter what and that they would probably lose the card if it was left there overnight. This was the response even after the manager spoke to the owner who never even came out to speak with me directly. I'm a wedding photographer and I have helped numerous people with surprise engagements so I really expected a different response. Getting engaged is a huge part of someone's life and I am constantly seeing vendors and restaurants go above and beyond to help out someone when they are proposing so I left Bongo Room in complete disbelief. I immediately went by Taste of Heaven as I had been their earlier that day having breakfast and I explained the situation to them to see if they could help. They could not have been MORE HELPFUL. I was told to come back the next day to drop off the champagne and the card so I did just that. The next day I spoke to the manager and to the waitress who would be working on Saturday. She listened patiently to my plan and read through the instructions I left to make sure that she understood exactly what I was going for. Honestly they were so helpful (in such stark contrast to the response I previously received) that I almost became emotional! It was just so nice to have complete strangers be so excited to help you out and be genuinely excited for you. Saturday came and they pulled it off flawlessly! The waitress brought everything out at 9:30am on the dot and even took a photo of my parents in law to be at the table with the mimosas. It could not have gone off better! I can not thank the staff enough for the effort and care they put in to help make a special day even that more special. For that reason (and the amazing food) I will be a lifelong patron.
(5)Nate B.
Place lives up to it's name. I had The Durbin sandwich, delicious!! Great service as well.
(5)BforBulky B.
THE BEST breakfast your tastebuds will ever experience - the Silverland Breakfast is to die for. Go here and order it. I've never had their pastries, but have heard they're amazing as well.
(5)Mike R.
I went here one time and I was impressed. Both my honey Dijon cranberry and roasted pear salad and my fiancées breakfast burrito were really tasty. Will be back for round 2.
(4)Phaedra S.
I tried out this place last night, and highly enjoyed it. The staff was super friendly. I ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate hazelnut cupcake and while they are priced slightly on the higher end, I definitely felt that the taste, presentation, and quality was worth it. I was slightly confused when I ordered at the counter and was told that it would be brought out to me without them asking for me to pay, then the person I was meeting up with paid at the counter. It wasn't a big deal, since at the end of the evening a bill was brought out to me. I was just confused. :-) Overall, this is a great place to meet up with friends and share a special treat since there isn't a whole lot of noice, so you can have a conversation. I enjoyed myself and would go again.
(4)Ryan G.
Immediately I was put off by the sign on the front door commanding all children to maintain their "indoor voices" implying that my 1year old might not be welcome. We decided to stay, however, and ordered the omelette of the day which was bacon apple and havarti cheese (just ok), the corned beef hash (slightly above average) and an order of peaches and cream French toast (delicious). Unfortunately, 1/3 of the way through the hash my girlfriend found a big ass fly in her dish. They did the right thing and comped the dish and our drinks. Although the waiter was attentive and very apologetic they establishment as a whole failed to gain our repeat business.
(2)Shanna K.
My husband and I went for our first time on Saturday morning for brunch. The service was wonderful- a warm greeting from walking in and attentiveness from the entire staff throughout our meal. The food was great- very large portions! We also purchased some cupcakes to go which were very delicious!
(4)Cameron H.
After leaving Opart Thai, someone wanted to do dessert. With it being close to 1030p, we needed to find a place and quick. Someone mentioned A Taste of Heaven as the selections are plentiful and they are open late. Just as we arrived, no one was in the restaurant. It looked like we got there 5 minutes before the close. As usual, all choices were excellent. Thanks for not letting us down!!!
(5)Cynthia N.
5 stars based on the cake but I deducted a star because the cupcakes I bought were stale and hard..I expected it to taste amazing like the Jeannine cake :(
(4)Nicole C.
I went in here on a whim the other day simply to find a place to read my new book. I often saw a nice crowd here, and I wanted to check it out. I ordered a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of their zucchini bread. The hot chocolate was delicious. It tasted like someone melted a bar of chocolate and put it in my cup. It was rich and warmed me right up. The zucchini bread was tasty, but it was dry. It tasted like it had been made the day before and wasn't stored properly. However, the service was good and I loved the lamps along the window tables. It was a very cozy atmosphere and I cannot wait to go back.
(3)Danielle C.
I know, I know. I am tardy to the party. A day late, dollar short- whatever! I am not GOING TO LET IT STOP ME!! Taste of Heaven may already have 349 reviews but they really, really need to hit 350 and I am going to make that happen for them!! I have had a love affair with this place since they were in their other location (NOT on Clark-Foster & Paulina - ish on the south side of the street). It was over 12 years ago, I was at my old job and we had a birthday cake from them. IT BLEW my MIND. I decided I wanted to try out the food and brought my picky mom in for soup late one evening. My love grew. It became my PLACE to go on rainy nights, a soup hangout if you will. The owner secured my unrequited love when he openly posted his thoughts on how children should behave in eating establishments and earned the wrath of early soccer moms across the country. Thankfully, he has never backed down. As I was enjoying my late lunch of a pesto chicken focaccia sandwich(w/rosemary mayo) with a friend today, a well placed sign specifying that children should use their inside voices and behave was placed on the wall. THANK YOU. The atmosphere is quiet and calm. The food is wonderful. The soups are always an amazing choice. The specialty sandwiches will NOT do you wrong. The grilled cheese? Go for it. In fact, choose whatever you want, I have never had a bad meal. The desserts? I could go on for hours. Really. CARROT CAKE!. I walked out today without any- my body thanks me, my mind is STILL protesting. The cup cakes are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. And really. Order a specialty cake. They are AMAZING.
(5)J. Terrell A.
I'm in love with A Taste of Heaven! I was craving brioche and french toast and what... they have Brioche French Toast with peach compote on the menu! The portions are very generous and delicious. To make thing more exciting I added a side of Applewood Bacon!! The servers at ATOH are friendly and engaging. This is my new go to spot.
(5)Kathy S.
I got a kind message from the owner who said he took my review seriously and is now testing different cupcake recipes. This is what yelp should always be like. I love when owners can take feedback from yelp and use that in a constructive way to improve on their business (which sadly not all do). I'm looking forward to my next visit for some more delicious bread pudding and a second chance on those cupcakes.
(4)Tricia D.
Brunch here not too long ago was the first time I had had ToH's real food (as opposed to their sweets). I highly reco the Durbin omelette. It's a hearty omelette that includes turkey, pear slices, and havarti cheese. While the cubed potatoes were slightly bland, the green bean salad was way more delicious than it might sound. If you like strong coffee, this is the place to order it. And as much as I want to give this place 5 stars, the fact that the Katie cakes came with fruit jam/sauce vs. fresh berries was a let down. Sniffle. P.S. Don't leave without a cupcake!
(4)Mark F.
Awesome lil' diner with a friendly staff and fresh, wholesome menu items. No deep fryer, which stinks when you're craving fries, but it also means that the food is generally cooked to a higher culinary standard than your average diner. Definitely worth a visit for dinner. For dessert, try the mackinaw island fudge ice cream or the rugelach.
(5)Marissa G.
My favorite of the hodge podge of decorations on the wall is this: "What if the hokey pokey really IS what it's all about?" Truly, a question of the ages. And yes, cakes that will stand the test of time, much like the hokey pokey. My best friend introduced me to Taste of Heaven specifically for their bread pudding. It was heavenly, and it's wonders have been extolled by other Yelpers, so I will talk about my second favorite sweet on the menu. On a trip with my brother to share in the joy of my first favorite thing, we found that they had run out of it for the day! Dissapointed, we trudged to the glass counter to see if there was anything else worth getting. The cupcakes looked lovely enough, but we just weren't in the mood. So we "settled" on a slice of the Jeannine cake. According to the dictionary, to settle means: to accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction. Okay, so it wasn't my first choice, but I was more than satisfied. - Perfect yellow cake, that is not too airy, and not too dense, instead, it has a delightful, almost doughy texture to it that screams homemade goodness. - Light, not too sweet whip cream frosting. - Fresh sweet berry filling. - Lemon streusel on the sides adds the perfect sweet crunch. It's everything you want in a yellow cake and more. This will officially become my future birthday cake of choice. Other greats on the menu? Every salad is fresh, but if they have the seasonal melon salad with prosciutto, go for it. The servings for the lasagna and meatloaf are insanely large, so be ready to bring some home since you'll be saving yourself for dessert!
(5)Zack M.
Forgive me father, for I have sinned against (A Taste of) Heaven! Well, not really. But when I last left a review, I had unfortunately just left Taste of Heaven after a really unfortunate lapse in service on a busy Sunday. Yet as I noted at the time, I had heard great things about the food and the blondie I had was delicious. Absent the service faux pas, they'd be a solid outing. Then the owners decided to kick it in high gear... Dan reached out to apologize for the mistake, and not in just some generic "We're sorry" type message, but instead with one that specifically noticed the day I had come in and explained how they had actually been worried about the very situation took place. He explained that the regular brunch manager had the day off, and the people filling in were doing a terribly weak job, and weren't getting along very well. Not a great scenario to be in, but if that was the case, it takes a lot for an establishment to admit that openly and honestly. In an attempt to set things right, they invited me back to try something on them (full disclosure) and it was everything I had hoped: extraordinarily polite (even before I identified myself), everything was delicious, good coffee, great people and quick service. All's well that ends well, and there's a reason that Taste of Heaven is an Andersonville mainstay with mostly 5 stars review -- they deserve it. Everyone makes mistakes, but it's the five star restaurant that goes above and beyond in realizing that great service needs to be the standard for every visit and rectifies the situation when something goes wrong.
(5)brian w.
I don't eat sweet things for breakfast with one exception: Katie's Cakes at this funktabulous establishment. I have ordered many other delicious items off the menu, but there's just no sense in passing up those floppy joy pads with ambrosia compote, or some shit. Oh yeah, the scones are delectable.
(5)Damian C.
When I was a young child, my grandparents would tell me that Heaven is a place where you have all of your favorite things, you can ride around on unicorns, all food tastes delicious like pizza and ice cream, and you can eat as much candy as you want to without getting sick. Everything is wonderful and you will never have to want for anything. They had such a way of putting things in perspective for my cousins and I. God bless their souls. I had an unheavenly hangover one morning and met some friends here for a quick breakfast. I generally shy away from breakfast food but have a weakness for biscuits & gravy, and I was told by a friend that the ones here are "the best". We were seated and brought water pretty quickly, but our waiter was ungodly slow the entire time. I'm a go-go-go type of person with entirely too many obligations, and everything seems to go much slower here. Our waiter was pretty unattentive and I could swear that he was passively ignoring us... you know, where he knows you need something, sees you out of the corner of his eye from across the restaurant, but tries to appear occupied and looks at the floor when walking past instead of making eye contact. Naturally, I chose the biscuits & gravy, nixed the complimentary side of eggs and ordered the potatoes instead. A good chunk of time later, the food came out. At this point I was about to eat my hand, and seeing two fairly small and dense cornbread-style biscuits overlooking a sea of orange sausage gravy made me sad. It was kind of pretty, but utterly disappointing since I expected so. much. more. I just wonder what makes sausage gravy turn orange?! The seasoning was ok, but nothing to write home about, and required a bit of hot sauce. Worse, the biscuits were not soft and each bite sent more of it into the gravy pool and I pretty much ended up slopping it up into my mouth with a fork. Some redemption came in the form of dark brown, seasoned potato cubes. Not enough redemption to offset the disappointment with the biscuits & gravy. When we got the check, I noticed that they charged me menu price for both the biscuits & gravy and the potatoes, so I left $14 + tip lighter, unfulfilled, hungry, and with an unnecessary amount of idle time lost in my day. Maybe the "no annoying children" policy is heavenly, but everything else was pretty lackluster at best. If this is what Heaven tastes like, I want to stay on Earth forever.
(2)Scott B.
My brother knew of this place through a friend. Stopped by late on a Saturday to pick up some cupcakes and bread pudding to go. I had the bread pudding right away and it was awesome! I had the cupcakes later and was not disappointed! They have a small cafe area for dining in with a small menu of breakfast items along with salads and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. This place is in a nice area and seems like a quaint little hole in the wall place!
(5)Mimi C.
I love this place!! It's pricey but worth it! It's a small diner/coffee shop but the cooks are great and the staff are super friendly. And the coffee is Soooo delicious. I have had a breakfast wrap which over the top, my mouth waters just thinking about it. and I had the basic breakfast plate, eggs, bacon, home fries and this amazing french bread. I have not been disappointed yet with breakfast. I did not care for the Lemon Meringue cupcake, to much sugar Yuk!! The zucchini bread/cake was really good! Yayy On Wednesday's you get a free coffee any size if you buy a pastry. I Love the coffee so they will see me on Wednesday's.
(4)Megan W.
I went here for breakfast with a friend on a weekday. Right off the bat, I would like to warn everyone who eats at "A Taste of Heaven" to add their bill to make sure it is correct because we were overcharged by $3. Luckily, I caught it. They took it back behind the register and brought back the corrected check and said "Here you go". NO customer service skills whatsoever. No we are truly sorry, we will take 10% discount off your bill for our mistake. No we're sorry please accept a free dessert for our mistake......How about we're truly sorry about the mistake by itself????? To continue with my review, when we walked in there were 3 female employees behind the counter and 5 tables that were full. We sat down and was greeted with what would you like to drink? I had my morning coffee already so I didn't feel like another coffee. I was feeling orange juice so quickly looked to see if they had fresh squeezed orange juice but they didn't so I just said water is fine. My friend ordered coffee. As we sat there for 10 minutes, another employee came over to take our order. She said "What will you be having?" I ordered the Salmon Scramble which came out with scrambled eggs, a few slices of smoked salmon with capers, roasted potatoes squares, some chopped spinach with a tablespoon of cucumber dill yogurt. I read in a different review that their salmon scramble plate came with a corn meal biscuit....mine didn't. Overall the plate was ok, nothing special to me. My friend had a breakfast burrito with a little salad that had half a teaspoon of dressing. He described it as mediocre. Here is what really got me to write this review. The same waitress who seated 2 tables with 2 people in each gave the table behind me her "Today's special is"....reading off a list then asking them what will you have? Then she did the same "Today's Special is" routine to the table in front of us. I'm sitting here thinking, seriously? It was not like I came in and was rude or grumpy....I came in with a big smile and said Hi, how are you to everyone? Inconsistency and no customer service skills. Bottom line, I live in a big city with tons of restaurants.....I will never recommend this place to my worst enemy!
(1)WmTomas S.
Being cheap ... I thought the meals were just a tad expensive .... but the quality of the food was excellent and the ambience and energy of the place was great. The staff are all friendly and helpful and its obviously a place where the neighborhood can meet up for as much a a full meal or as little as a cup of coffee and a danish. I recommend it.
(4)Maranda W.
This place has the best hot cocoa I've ever had.
(5)Cornelius T.
Great desserts and even better food make this Andersonville gem a lovely place to enjoy creative culinary creations at any point throughout the day. What's even better is the "bratty child" (a description which seems to suit most anymore) stance encourages those who would otherwise disrupt the peaceful setting with their untamed offspring to go elsewhere.
(4)Carrie B.
This place is so charming! Came here on a Saturday night for dessert and coffee and had a great time. Everyone working there was so welcoming and happy to give suggestions on their favorite treats. I ordered a slice of Jeannine's Pie and it was fantastic. I loved that the fruit in the pie was fresh, not that gross canned stuff some places use. I can't wait to come back and try more goodies.
(5)Matthew C.
My praise to Taste of Heaven for its policy on disruptive children -- and their entitled, inconsiderate parents. Stupid, immature parents are not entitled to bring disruptive children into any public place, let alone a coffee or restaurant. You do not wheel a loud 3-year-old in to any establishment for an hour or more and let them scream or run around. Even worse, you and your pig family and/or friends don't trash the table and leave debris all over the place -- in the process disgusting other patrons and showing contempt for the employees. To top it off, these types of "guests" generally spend hardly any money and tip less. DO THAT AT HOME OR IN THE CORNER OF A PARK !!! Coffee shops and restaurants are public places for well-behaved people of all ages. Some parents do a great job at teaching their kids how to behave, and it's adorable. Some have the common sense not to bring a small, naturally unpredictable child to a restaurant at all. There's room for liveliness and quirkiness, but keep the entitled, ignorant cows and their offspring on the farm. Other coffee houses and restaurants should learn from Taste of Heaven: Empower your personnel and restrict bad behavior. It will be a case of addition by subtraction. You will make much more money from guests who appreciate the environment -- and who spend more and tip 20 percent or better for good service.
(4)Michelle L.
After my first review I went back and tried the Coconut Cream Cake...and I fell in love. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place was still packed but after giving "A Taste of Heaven" a second try, I understand why the place is always busy. The staff is so nice and attentive. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming. Patrons included families, couples and individuals reading their paper while sipping on coffee and enjoying lunch. The prices are cheap, the food/dessert/drinks are delicious and the staff is wonderful. Would definitely go back again!
(4)Melanie S.
I keep meaning to try TOH for one of their legendary scones, but I never seem to make it in here during breakfast hours. One of these days I will. After dinner on Friday night, my friend and I wanted to continue catching up over coffee and dessert and we both agreed that Taste of Heaven was probably our best shot; I was worried we might not find parking, so we let that be the deciding factor on whether we'd finish catching up or call it a night. Luckily parking was fairly easy and there were plenty of empty tables. The inside of TOH is bright and cheery and comfortable enough to hang out. We split a slice of the "Jeanine's cake," which is a white cake with a buttercream frosting and a filling of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries - which just so happen to be the stuff of all my dessert fantasies. As much as I love chocolate, I can never pass on any dessert in which berries are featured prominently. I also managed to get my chocolate fix in and ordered a mocha, which I didn't really like. I was sad that it didn't come with whipped cream; had no discernible chocolate OR coffee taste (it pretty much just tasted like milk) and it also wasn't hot enough. The cake, however, was delicious. There were plenty of fresh, ripe berries and the icing wasn't overly dense or too sweet. The cake itself was moist and fluffy and the outside of the cake had some crunchy things going on, like a streusel of some sort. That cake will stay with me a long time.
(3)Adrian D.
I visit A Taste Of Heaven, but this was my first time in for breakfast. The Earl Grey tea was great as well as the omelet with artichokes, goat cheese and bacon. Yum! BTW..the Mexican Wedding cookies are sooo darn good.
(4)Diana J.
So I know their breakfasts are good but I went in for dinner last night to see how they're doing things nowadays. I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of entrees and chose the grilled chicken with pesto cream and orzo. The bf had the fish with green and yellow beans dish. Both were pretty good and you'll be happy to know they're serving ice cream now. The new paint job is under way, and it looks to be pretty cute so far. The service was very good, as per usual. It's worth checking out as a dinner spot in the neighborhood.
(4)Harriet T.
Place was fantastic. I would def go again if ever in the area. I ordered 2 eggs over medium, brioche, and bacon with orange juice. Everything was fantastic. Place was also clean and everyone was friendly
(5)Nel A.
nice patio area to sit and chill. tasted some of the salted caramel cupcake...yummy! and had darjeeling tea. pretty simple. no complaints.
(3)J D.
Yum! We love this place for dinner and lunch. Food is delicious and clearly homemade. The desserts are beyond delicious! Seriously if are near here and want dessert you must go to Taste of Heaven! Better than any bakery. Also the staff is great!
(5)D P.
My opinion on this place waivers depending on when I go in. I used to go to this place all the time back at its old location on foster. I still remember my first time here- I was still in high school, and was going into Chicago to catch a "Too Much Light..." show with a couple friends. It was the only place still open at that time of night- actually I'm pretty sure they were closing but they stayed open late because we walked in. Got a latte, a slice of mushroom quiche and a slice of chocolate hazelnut cake. True to the name- pure heaven! Now, the last time I had the cake and the quiche they were still both very good, and the staff is still pretty friendly. But with the "new" location (new I say- its been there for how many years now?), the expanded menu (also, higher prices) and the yuppified neighborhood (hence... higher prices) something's changed... not as cozy and friendly, food overall isn't as good- I'm not as crazy about a lot of the expanded (non bakery) menu items. Also, while some of the baked goods are just as rich they seem more sugary... so I feel the quality has suffered a bit Maybe I'm older and my tastes have changed, maybe I'm reveling in nostalgia and my memory is off, or maybe it's really not as good as it used to be- I can't really say for certain. What I do know is that I definitely used to love this place- and now my reaction is kind-of *meh.* :-/
(3)Christina M.
The cupcakes are a far cry from a taste of heaven. It's pretty expensive and there is too much cake and the frosting is okay. I love cupcakes and I'm not a picky eater. The day we went to this place - We stopped in - I bought a few cupcakes, I took a few bites of each cupcake, & they all weren't that good. So I balled them all up in napkin and put them back in the little brown box it came in and then shoved it my purse and headed across the street to Hamburger Marys. When I got home it was just a mass of cupcake in the brown box. I thought "that was a waste of 13 bucks" and almost threw it out but I put it in the refrigerator. A few days later I just unwrapped my chilled, cupcake mass and picked at it and ate the good pieces while I watched the TMZ. BOTTOM LINE: The cupcakes are C+ at best
(2)Matthew T.
Okay I have been here several times both for breakfast lunch dinner and brunch. I have enjoyed my experience every time. I enjoyed the Brown Derby sandwich a lot. I also like the free coffee special on Wednesday. This is a most stop restaurant for great food and reasonable prices. Great service as well.
(5)Patrick S.
This is a perfect place for a nice relaxing sunday brunch. You cant beat October 80s in chicago. There is a little patio area which took total advantage of the day. I love outdoor seating because you are able to enjoy the weather out as well as take in the vibe of the neighborhood. The menu is very minimalistic and straight forward. Not to say that the food offered is bland and boring. Its just one of those places that isnt vain with appearances and lets the quality of the food shine through. You know..the way it should be. From the moment I woke up this afternoon I knew I had to have french toast. Its like the powers that be knew exactly what I was after. I guess its that 10-10-10 magic where things just line up. Let me just clarify that this was no ordinary french toast. Im talking about caramel apple french toast. I love sweets like these that incorporate fruit. Especially these overly decadent offerings that completely rot your teeth, and make your dentist cry; in a last ditch effort to redeem any notion of nutrition..fruit is thrown into the mix. I guess anything to appease your institution. I have no such delusions and am able to enjoy this conflict for its pure form. A plate of thick cut, fluffy french toast...swimming in caramel infused syrup. Topped off with apples seemingly gutted from grandmas freshly baked apple pies. And accompanied by a heaping, generous mound of creme fresh. Apparently this place has some great omelettes. Which includes but is not limited to the grilled cheese omelette. The grill cheese inspiration met its momentary demises briefly on my fork. I hope to sample this as well as others in their entirety in the future. On a few side notes..I stepped inside briefly and it had a great breakfast nook feel to it. And a great sign was displayed that read: "What if the hokey pokey IS what its all about?" Trivial matters such as this should only be discussed fueled by breakfast (or in my case, brunch) of champions like this place.
(5)Camille S.
OH MY GOD WHAT DELICIOUS BREAKFAST! I came to Chicago for a conference and found myself becoming a repeat customer. The quirky friendly staff gave great service. Great coffee. Delicious desserts to go. Get their breakfast burrito and put it in your mouth hole. Do it.
(5)Anna B.
Consistently good food and service. Love the salmon scrambler. My friend raved about the french toast.
(5)Yvonne Y.
Burrito was so so. My pancakes were alright. If you have kids or babies, I highly recommend you not to come here. The minute you walk in, they have 2 enormous signs warning you your children better behave. Some taste of heaven that is... After my husband moved the extra chair away to an empty table (to accommodate the high chair), some random waiter had to make a point of telling the new customers that we were the culprits for putting an extra chair there. I would have given the place 2 stars if it weren't for our waitress (tall lady) who was friendly, prompt and courteous.
(3)Sandra G.
So back to A Taste of Heaven, and $9.19 for 2 cupcakes and a cookie left us in disbelief. Hmmmm, guess we didn't pay attention to the price a week ago. Unlike places such as Phoebe's where the cupcakes will not be priced higher than $2.50, here they run $2.95 each. That's not that terrible, but when it's not your specialty and the decorations are simple, it's a little pricey. No complaints, just a "hmmm..."
(3)Veronica M.
Been here a couple of times it's pretty yummy. I have to admit my breakfast was better than my dinner experience and you have to try one of there cupcakes they are to die for.
(4)Maya C.
So I'm a breakfast food junkie. I love breakfast for all meals. Oatmeal for dinner, eggs in a basket for lunch, whatever. So I typical choose a good diner at any point in the day. Portions here are massive. Come hungry. I didn't even get to eat in the restaurant because I was working, but I dropped my sister & cousin off here because I knew it would be delicious. And I was right. I had a fried egg sandwich that they brought me that blew my mind. I'm an egg snob because my family raised chickens for eggs (not meat you terrible people who think I'd eat my pets!!!). So, the fried eggs on my sandwich, whether they were different than the jumbo whites at the store or not, were delish. Fried perfectly, with a little crisp on the edges and just enough butter so I didn't have a film of grease lining my mouth at the end of my meal. Chipotle mayo of some sort, red and green peppers, ham and cheese on what tasted/looked like Cuban/French bread. Both of them woofed down their food in about 10 minutes or less because I dropped them off and within a half hour they were back. So they power ate and had some power service I take it. I'm definitely heading back there to take another look. It's a cute corner diner, but definitely not the breakfast place you go to get a mimosa.
(4)Sue H.
My first time here and I can't wait to go back . I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with the potato salad. Both were awesome. I want the potato salad recipe!!!!! Then I noticed they had cinnamon raisin rugelach and I was really sold on this place had to get a few pieces to go. One thing I do have to say is the waitress we had was just awesome I wished I would of gotten her name she was so friendly, and what great service. Actually every person we spoke with on the staff couldn't of been more helpful or friendlier. This is one place I will now frequent every time I come to Chicago!! Wish they had a place like this in Detroit. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Annie C.
Gosh I've been meaning to review this place since years ago, but I guess it just slipped my mind. Let me start off by saying, oh yes you'll get a taste of heaven at A Taste of Heaven! Why else would they market themselves like that if they weren't the real deal?? Cupcakes? I think yes...try the Elvis cupcake, you shall not be disappointed. Moist heavy banana cake and light frosting, it's just right. Really any kind of dessert there is good...although be careful if you don't have a huge sweet tooth, the lemon cloud cake is super super sweet like your teeth are going to rot sweet, but in a good way. Anyways...now I'm just ranting. The people that work here are quite amazing. They're super nice and I'm never disappointed in the service. And the atmosphere? It's like out of a movie, so cute and cozy and warm. Yes, try out heaven, it will be nice for you. It's perfect on a fall day, sit back read a book, drink your hot tea with a nice cupcake while sitting in this cute little place.
(4)Debby P.
Delicious cakes in a traditional American style. Think... The best birthday cake a grown up ever had. Think also of many cute and tasty cupcakes, sweet quick breads, and the best scones ever on a variety of flavored. All that plus tasty food and a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. Servers are very cordial and helpful too.
(5)Marcus J.
We ate here last Sunday. It was nothing as I expected. It was better. This little restaurant on a corner blew me away. The food is amazing. I ate the coconut creme pancakes. Honestly, they were the best pancakes I have ever tasted in my life. The only con I can give to this restaurant is it's size. It is very small and becomes packed very fast. They have a patio but when it's very hot or rainy that doesn't help. They need to expand because their restaurant is just not big enough for their amazing food. We will go back. This restaurant lives up to its name. I recommend this place to anyone who is looking to have their socks blown off.
(5)Robyn G.
My girlfriend and I have only lived in Andersonville for three months so far, and we have already fallen in love with A Taste of Heaven. It is our go-to place for brunch or lunch. We go AT LEAST once a week. We haven't tried dinner yet, but we plan to! For brunch I highly recommend Mike's Pesto Sandwich--a delicious egg sandwich with pesto, spinach, and goat cheese. For lunch, I highly recommend the Durbin or any of their salads. My girlfriend is obsessed with the biscuits. We also are big fans of the malt ball cupcake and apple pie! By the way...free coffee on Wednesdays with the purchase of a baked good! I've always had excellent service here, and I love the small restaurant feel. I will continue to come back here again and again. For all the people who wrote a review saying that the food is overpriced--you get what you pay for, and I will happily pay more for a higher standard of food. Every single ingredient is fresh and high quality. The flavor combinations are delicious. You can definitely tell the difference.
(5)Emann B.
I ordered a Jeanine's cake for a birthday party and it was by far one of the tastiest cakes ever! So fresh, lots whipped cream, delicious fruit, and layers of moist yellow cake. Also, they decorated it so wonderfully! Fun, colorful, absolutely festive. Seamless ordering and pick up, very friendly service. It's my new go to place for celebration treats!
(5)Realtor Karl B.
I like the proactive store owners. You get an extra star for taking the time to write an explanation. Thanks!
(4)E. P.
The silvercloud (aka biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs) is excellent. This is a dish I'm passionate about and I just spent two weeks in the south very disappointed at the B&G I found. Who knew the biscuits and gravy I craved were here at home.
(4)Dorvella W.
The best hot chocolate is sold here! It's made from pure chocolate and yes I stop and grab a cup- including in 90 degree weather!
(5)Netta S.
After sandwiches at BaLe(awesome ),we stopped here for coffee and dessert. Perfect carrot cake not overwhelmed by icing and apple pie with warm caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. My hubby is not a sweet freak but he is craving more of this pie..... Delicious. Now let's go walk some of this off!!!!
(5)Caeleigh R.
I stopped in here on a Wednesday a while back to grab some coffee and a treat and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was free coffee Wednesday! Yay! Who doesn't love free coffee? I got a cupcake, something with hazelnut and chocolate, and all I remember was that it was pretty good but maybe not as fresh as it could be. Fast forward 2 months and I find myself in Andersonville looking for a place to take my mom for brunch and we stumble across A Taste of Heaven! We went in and were greeted right away once we sat at a table next to the window. The service was good and the water was always filled. I ordered the hummus wrap which sounded better than it was. My only problem was that on the menu it did not mention that there were mushrooms in the wrap, so I was disappointed to see big chunks of mushroom in my wrap when it got to the table. I didn't make a stink of it though because my mom loves mushrooms, so I just picked them out and she enjoyed them. The wrap was pretty tasty and it came with fresh fruit. My mom got the fried egg sandwich, which she would not stop talking about in the car ride home. Her sandwich looked super delicious and she said that the bread they used for the sandwich was super fresh and yummy. Overall, this place is a quaint, little place to grab brunch. The menu was rather varied, much to my surprise, and they served not only your typical breakfast items but interesting lunch items as well. I will probably be back when I'm in the neighborhood and it's a Wednesday so I can grab some free coffee with my meal/dessert.
(4)David R.
Still my second-favorite scones after Fraiche in Evanston. I only get them on the weekends now though. I haven't taken these to work in quite some time, but people in my office still ask about them. If you have the patience (and the psychosis) to stake them out for opening time (7am, or 8 on Sundays), you will be rewarded with hot scones right from the oven--HOT, not warm. These things will burn your mouf! I'm sorry to report that yesterday I ordered one blueberry and one cinnamon-raisin, and received three blueberry. Score on the free scone, but I really wanted raisin. (sad face) And I'm a glutton, but three scones in one morning is a bit much even for me.
(4)Justin B.
I liked Taste of Heaven, Ill admit. For a october day and it being 85 degrees, patio was definitely a good choice. The service was very quick and curteous. I noticed some of the other reviews on here and was expecting the worst but on this occassion it was seamless. My water was refilled like clockwork (which is a BIG point for me) so that was another plus. The menu looked quite interesting, but I chose to go for the omelette of the day. Chicken sausage, red pepper and cheddar cheese, the omelette was quite fluffy and light. The only gripe I had was the hash browns. I wish they were more flavorful? They were perfectly cooked, just seemed like they were placed on there. Maybe some herbs or something to make them pop a bit more. I didnt get a chance to try any of the sweets, but I wouldnt mind checking this place out again sometime
(4)Kristina F.
The friends of ours that took us here are regulars and were very excited about taking us to their favorite neighborhood dessert spot. I tried to manage my expectations, but with a name like "A Taste of Heaven", they're not exactly being modest about the quality of their treats. The guy behind the counter was friendly and since it was "Free Coffee Wednesday!" we got free coffee with our purchase. Our group ordered the rugelah, chocolate chip pound cake and peanut butter banana cupcake. Of the treats we tasted there, the warm chocolate chip pound cake was easily the best. Our friend was very excited about the rugelah but I thought it was pretty blah - the crust wasn't flaky and it didn't have that nice sugary coating and fruit paste filling like rugelah usually have. My fiance described his cupcake as - and I quote, "Eeehhhh". I had a bite and it was pretty uninteresting. Here's the part where you're going to think I'm crazy. I got a slice of fruitcake to eat for breakfast the next day and it easily beat everything else we got there! It was 1 1/4 inch thick slice studded with giant hunks of dried fruit. It was made, I believe, from the same tasty batter as the chocolate chip pound cake, only it had fruit instead of chips. Really, I'm not crazy - it was delicious!
(3)Elizabeth W.
I love this place! I have been here for both breakfast and lunch and have never been disappointed. I love their sandwich selection, particularly the Durbin: turkey breast, roasted pear, havarti cheese and a honey mustard mayo. It is divine! Service is good too and I have never had an unpleasant experience with staff. The only downside is the size of the place, which makes it harder to get a table during their busier hours ( the weekend). Still, this is a great place to eat and I find the prices reasonable. Sadly, I have not been acquainted with their dessert menu, but definitely plan to as it is one of my favorite places in Andersonville.
(5)Ellen Z.
We ordered a Jeanine cake and Buttercream cake with yellow cake, caramel filling and fudge frosting for our daughters graduation party. Both cakes were so good, literally everyone had a piece of each! The Jeanine cake is a yellow cake with whipped cream frosting and fresh berries in the filling. The edges are a vanilla cookie crumble that is truly mouthwatering. The actual cake for each of these was so good it could have been eaten with no filling or frosting - my mothers test of a good cake. However the combination of caramel and fudge was absolutely amazing. One other true test was the number of emails I got requesting a link to the webpage so people could get cakes for their own future parties. I know there are a number of good bakeries in the area, but none has the interesting variety and such fresh ingredients of Taste of Heaven.
(5)Laura S.
Another "fine" restaurant review from yours truly. I've stopped in a few times since I moved to the neighborhood, sampling different goods each time. Today I went in for brunch, and had a real hankering for pancakes. I was rather dismayed to see that two plain pancakes would set me back $8.50, but I nevertheless decided to "upgrade" to Katie's Cakes, which are smothered in a three-berry compote, whipped cream and lemon streusel crumbs. Sorry, Katie, but if I can't cut through my pancakes with my fork, something's wrong. I was miffed to find my pancakes thin and chewy. Serious sawing action aside, the cakes were completely overloaded with the other ingredients, turning my meal into a rather sloppy mess. My server was sweet and attentive, but my breakfast wasn't enough to lure me back anytime soon.
(3)Laura B.
I just have to add that the atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is always friendly and accommodating!
(5)Paul H.
We were a bit underwhelmed. It has an indie greasy-spoon type appeal, with a few items you wouldn't see at the typical breakfast spot. The service was average, and the katie cakes, while good, don't measure up to some of the offerings nearby.
(3)William R.
Okay so maybe the first time I went to A Taste of Heaven I wasn't overly-impressed, but the owner had contacted me to ask me to come back in and of course I was more than happy to do so! :) My partner and I have been back 2 times since and haven't had anything that we didn't enjoy! The baked goods are AMAZING, I couldn't have been more wrong to give a 3 star review to A Taste of Heaven, they UNDERSTAND how business should be run, we will be back very often! AND FREE COFFEE ON WEDNESDAY WITH YOUR PURCHASE OF A BAKED GOOD!?!? so cool.... ignore my first review, I am proud to say I have no problem admitting that I was wrong......so so wrong :) THANK YOU A Taste of Heaven!!!
(5)Gregory K.
I have been here several times and every time it is A-ok. However I do have a few issues, why do the cupcakes have to be cold and stale? Refrigerated cupcakes?? Also they make it so difficult to modify the meal. I just want a wrap instead of bread why is that so difficult for a sandwich? The servers always have to go to the back to ask the cook. What he says no and then you tell me I can't have my food made how I want it?? Service is always good there and I will come back for sure. The last server I think her name was Larissa was as sweet as their pie she was on top of it I think she was the server for the whole place I didn't see any other servers and she was very efficient. Also one note is the place is looking a little tired its time for a refresh. The tiles are coming up and the tables are wobbly and beat up. However the place is great and I will for sure be back.
(3)Kaitlin P.
Best grilled cheese sandwich! Also love the Jeanine's cake. Taste of Heaven is simple and delicious. It has a laid back feel that's great for brunch, a home style dinner, or dessert.
(5)Maryanne D.
The coffee is so disgusting that I've been I'll for the past 24 hours! I put 6 + mini creamers in it and it was still almost black. The decor was like my mothers 80's era country kitchen. The music was equally creepy ranging from Styx to Olivia Newton John. Paid forty dollars for two people, mostly because the unattentive waiter never brought my change back. The food..... Most of it was left on the plate.
(1)Tammy C.
(See pics) Nice place and I only had breaky here before. Great friendly service and the wait usually is less than 15 mins at most. Food wise, the dishes are all pretty big and heavy but delicious.
(3)Aaron S.
I adore this place. It makes me feel like I stepped into a cozy kitchen that belongs to a grandmother of some close friend. The menu offers a lot and the sweets are fantastic. I also like that it is laid back and unpretentious. Staff are very friendly.
(5)Carolyn M.
Though their food might be good, I am obviously not the first to be put off my their incredibly rude staff. From my observations, it really is just poor management and a bitter angry manger/owner. The wait staff are not very professional, inviting, or tidy? The manager yelled at a waitress for dropping dishes (jerk!) and came off as a creep. Save yourself! There are plenty of other places with good food AND good people.
(1)Tim R.
Best veggie chili I have ever had.
(4)Anne B.
So, honestly I haven't been back since my last post. But, after my last review (which was not actually negative), I got a message from a manager (? Owner?) who responded to my comments and said that there will be more non-egg, vegetarian items on the menu soon. Excellent excellent excellent customer service. That's really cool. I'll be back.
(4)Nari H.
Came with a foodie friend on a Saturday evening. It was pretty quiet in the restaurant. Food: We had the meatloaf (good comfort food), the pulled pork sandwich (very nice and tasty and pretty good portions for half or full size sandwich), and their bread pudding (amazing - a must try). Service: Great! Friendly, a little less on the attentive side, but they were accessible as it's not a huge restaurant. Atmosphere It's cute, casual, clean. Conclusion & Tips: I'm not in this area very much, so don't know when I'll be back, but if you check this out you gotta try their bread pudding. I hear their scones are marvelous too.
(3)chris h.
Always good coffee and great servic ein a cozy atmosphere............but Sometimes change is good, but not this time at one of our fav. breakfast/coffee shops. One of the very best b-fast entre's THE SILVERLAND BREAKFAST was almost inedible today. Too much wine in the gravy but worse were the WHITEBREAD-TYPE biscuits. Whatever happened to the special corn biscuits?? too bad...we won't be back for awhile until they realize a good dish when they have one and not cahnge it for the worse.
(4)Jeff A.
Just ate here again this morning... Just as good as you ever were! Thanks for being a consistent ROCK STAR! Oh the cake, oh the cake, how I love theeee! ;)
(5)Sandra H.
This is one of the places that makes me sad I don't live in Chicago anymore. Best scones ever. Seriously. I had a friend ship me about 6 of them. Pancakes are at the same level of amazing, delicious goodness. My husband mentions them about weekly. If you haven't been, go. Good service, friendly wait staff, and a great neighborhood feel.
(5)Oliver S.
The name of the restaurant is in no way hyperbolic! I don't know how anyone could write a review of this place and not have it be 5 stars. I have been going here for more than 5 years now and have never had anything less than awesome food. Baked goods, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all off the hook, and Dan, the owner and chef, is always walking around the dining room sampling his newest creations, which are invariably heavenly. Sure, when it is busy it can get a little slow, but that's how restaurants work, and to all of the people on here who would complain about that, grow up, you live in the big city. (The members of the staff also saved my Ray Ban's for me when I left them there, and remembered my face when I came back in 3 weeks later. Truly a neighborhood place if there ever was one.)
(5)Joanna T.
service fantastic, I forgot the name of their vegetarian wrap but it was a A+ in my book. I can't wait to come to go back!
(5)Jen G.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this Heavenly place sooner! I moved to Chicago in September and we stumbled upon this gem because some friends live just down the street. We live about a half miles walk away, but will still brave the cold and wind at 8am to get some Heaven. Every time we go it is amazing! The staff is attentive and courteous. The owner is almost always there and frequents the tables asking how everything is. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner; we have never had a bad experience! I crave the oatmeal on a frequent basis. Just this morning I woke up with sweet thoughts of that peachy, creamy goodness. Topped with just the right amount of granola! Superb every time. My boyfriend has gotten pretty much everything on the breakfast menu and has yet to not like something. Oh and the hot chocolate is the best in town. thick and creamy with just the right amount of chocolate and real, yes real whipped cream. Job well done Taste of Heaven! We will be back many, many times!
(5)Erika G.
This place never disappoints. Went here for breakfast this morning with my cousin. We both ordered "Erica's Fried Egg Sandwich" and neither one of us could stop exclaiming how GOOD it was. Cute, friendly servers - just a great, chill place for breakfast on a snowy day, SO cozy.
(5)Esther K.
Shared a HUGE slice of Jeanine's cake- fresh fruit, light frosting, absolutely delicious crumbly bits (? hehe) and lovedlovedloved the cakey part (? lol). The moon pie was a bit dry. A cute little spot. Would definitely recommend Jeanine's cake!
(4)Hillary M.
This is one of my favorite neighborhood places. The decor and space are cozy, the staff is always friendly, and the food is good. It's a perfect place for a rainy day cup of tea and pastry and book, or a low-key brunch with a friend.
(5)Leigh C.
Probably the best meal I had while visiting Chicago. Service was awesome. We had a short wait for a table and once seated were not rushed through any aspect of dining, even though the place was packed with people waiting. Had the homemade brioche french toast with caramel sauce and cooked apples. Covered with thick caramel and enough whipped cream for ten breakfasts. Believe me, I'm not complaining. I somehow managed to run out of caramel before I ran out toast. Maybe I should have used the bread to sop it up instead of just eating it with a spoon. Had a big plate of home fries with melted cheese to top it off. (I was hungry.) All the food was excellent. Would definitely make a trip back if I'm in Chicago anytime soon.
(4)Leo T.
Its got a ton of reviews, so just the facts. The service was slower than I expected but the food was excellent. Given the size the seating is , lets say, cozy. Otherwise a very nice neighborhood coffee shop/bakery/restaurant.
(4)Nick M.
I know you're shocked... A place in A-ville that I don't like. Well, based on my early morning breakfast before a flight out of town. Taste of Heaven was more like Taste of Heave -what is this crap I'm eating?!? I will say that if I ever come back for the pastries they will probably get more stars because they looked delicious but as far as breakfast I will not be returning. It was so bad that the Golden Nugget would have been a better choice. I won't go into specifics but both of our meals were majorly lacking in taste and freshness. I know I should have gotten up and left when it took almost 20 min before we got an service. There was maybe four small tables of two with two servers. Most of their time was spent talking to one another. I have no problem with that but don't neglect your clients. I know I'm a little upset but how can an establishment in the greatest area ever be so bad?!?
(2)Fe T.
Good lord! How I hated cupcakes. I used to cringe at the sights of tiny, nauseously sweet cakes. But Taste of Heaven changed everything. Their cupcakes are heavenly. And now, I dislike Taste of Heaven because thanks to them, I realized I was not the minority who luckily escape the sweet temptation of cupcakes. The neighborhood is ethnic and the inside decor is warm and cozy. I recommend it to anybody who wanna find a place for a sunday afternoon and be tempted just like I was (*evil laugh*)
(4)Stephen F.
I have only got the scones and cupcakes to go and they are fantastic.
(5)Grace O.
I have never posted a Yelp review before, and don't particularly use this site that much, but my mom was coming to town and I had to figure out dinner plans. She's a pretty boring American diner/sandwich shop kind of person, so I needed to find something simple for her in Andersonville. THIS PLACE WAS IT! It had sandwiches and amazing ones at that. I looked up their menu online, obviously, while deciding on places, and found for myself something called 'Katie's Chaos' which is this amazing looking veggie wrap. I was sold. I knew both my mother (meat eater) and myself (vegetarian) would find something to eat here, and it was decently priced. We get there, and I look at the menu. My mom finds something she likes, but Katie's Chaos is not on the menu. I ask our server about it. She was new, but asked her co-worker and the cook. They didn't know about it, but I was able to pull up the online menu on my phone and she showed it to the cook who was able to make it. And trust me, it should be on their diner menu because it's amazing. As one of the few vegetarians I seem to know who doesn't care for mushrooms and onions, I was delighted to be served a veggie sandwich with things like artichokes, red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, feta, vinaigrette, etc.. And it came with a side of pesto pasta. I told the server I never wanted my sandwich to end. This place came recommended to me in passing conversation, but it wasn't until I saw the menu and interacted with the staff (I never did get the cook's name, but THANK YOU!!!) that I was sold. If you're looking for chill, not loud bar scene, dining experience, or coffee place with a menu, GO HERE! I know I will be frequenting the place.
(5)Susan L.
Still average. Skip it.
(2)Lindsay M.
I no longer live in Chicago. Taste of Heaven, I miss your Katie Cakes.
(4)Mandy G.
I picked a cake up from Taste of Heaven recently. They were RUDE. Rude, Rude, Rude. Rude on the phone, rude in person. RUDE. But, the cake was FANTASTIC. Honestly, I would like to knock off a few stars off the top because service is important, but COME ON. The cake is to die for. As long as you're there for the cake and not the service, you'll be a happy camper.
(5)Mercedes R.
Had the coconut cream cake. It was okay. I am not picky at all. It was a bit dense and very oily/margarine-y. Other than that the flavor was good.
(3)Monica G.
I absolutely love this place for (late night-ish) baked goods! A group of us stopped in after a dinner for "birthday cake." We all got different items - lemon drop cookies, macaroons, pecan bar (the best item by far) and 3 cupcakes (cream puff, coconut cream and malted milk ball). I've been previously for Mexican wedding cookies and cupcakes/cake. I would hiiiiighly recommend grabbing a piece of the signature cake, jeanine's cake. I'm not even a fan of fruit filled cakes, but this one is out of this world. I loooove Taste of Heaven, keep it up!
(5)Julia F.
A Taste of Heaven is indeed heavenly. The Andersonville dessert shop and cafe cooks everything from scratch, offering a range of sweet and savory desserts, sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, and other entrees. The desserts are a daily temptation to sin and steer away from a healthy diet. A Taste of Heaven bakes the city's best scones, hands down. The incredible blueberry scone is crumbly on the outside, soft in the middle, and stuffed full of fresh berries. The cupcakes are divine, with the cho-cho-cho and chocolate moon pie beating out similar offerings from Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park and More in the Gold Coast. The large slices of layer cakes can easily be split among two or three people -- or made into a meal by themselves. Jeanine's cake is, without a doubt, my favorite dessert selection -- layered yellow cake stuffed with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries in whipped cream frosting and topped with streusel crumbs. The 1000-chocolate chip and coconut cream cakes are close seconds. The main courses are good, albeit not as mouth-watering and satisfying as the desserts. The breakfast casserole is a nice brunch dish -- a breaded combination of ham, red pepper, and havarti. I've also enjoyed the stewed chicken and cornmeal biscuits with peas, mushrooms, and gravy. Whatever meal you choose, always save room for dessert. Service can be slow at times. Be prepared to enjoy a leisurely meal -- or just coffee and dessert -- during main lunch and dinner hours. Snagging a table by the window makes for fun people-watching along Clark Street.
(4)Anna B.
I just took myself out to breakfast at A Taste of Heaven this morning and I have to say, I'm always sorta disappointed in their brunch food. I LOVE their baked goods (much like everyone else), but their brunch entrees are always so rich and the portions are way too big. I find myself going "man, I should have just gotten a scone." Oh well. The service is great, I never have to wait for a table, and it's a great laid-back local joint.
(3)Olivia O.
The eggs tasted rubbery! and the cupcakes smelled weird! but the pancakes tastes like a fluffy cake! But one thing that upset me was that there is sighns all over complain that if kids are noty good they will kick you out! Im sorry but thats unexeptable!
(3)Jon K.
Trying to brunch on a Monday? Good luck. We found that most places in town are closed Monday mornings (probably because of their Sunday blow-out), but A Taste of Heaven was open! This was my first time here and I was surprised by the portion size. The food was massive and you didn't have to worry about leaving hungry. Their baked goods looked good too, but I just didn't have room. The quality was decent. Usually when you go out to brunch, you expect something different... this wasn't it. It was traditional, safe, average (this isn't meant as an insult either). The value in this comes when you want to have something that is filling without the frills. This place is intimate and appears family-run, which adds a little bit of charm to the experience. This place seems like a local eatery that is more of a workhorse than a unique dining experience. Although I wouldn't suggest it to visitors, I'd say locals should give it a shot. As I mentioned, the baked goods looked appealing and it's worth trying some with a cuppa joe.
(3)Neline S.
All I can say is YUMMY! I have been coming here for years to have a slice of "Janine's cake" which is literally a taste of heaven. I have a strong sweet tooth and I do EAT a lot of cake. I've experienced several bakeries but Janine's cake has me wrapped around their finger. It's definitely rich and you need to wash it down with either coffee or milk. It's fresh rasberries, opulant frosting topped with crumbled streusels just hits the right spot after dinner. Great place to chill with your friends after having dinner in Andersonville
(4)Shonda D.
So, after I wrote my review, the owner contacted me and we had a productive discussion about what went wrong. He actually took my review serious and offered some accommodations. And said, "I want to make this right." Who does this in our age of "we take your money and don't give a squat" frame of mind? Well the owner of Taste of Heaven gave a squat and because of it, I will definitely go back and give them another shot! Word is bond.
(4)Susan D.
Like so many places in Andersonville, this is a cute, cozy, casual eatery. I wasn't that familiar with the area, so was anxious to check out the place, since I'm soon moving to adjacent Edgewater. I stopped in for a coffee and hot chocolate with my brother, who knew the place well. The boston creme cupcake was smooth, rich and satisfying as any slice of boston creme cake I've ever had. The coffee was amazing. The service was great - and the place was busy, given that it was late Saturday afternoon. I'd give 'em 5 stars, but felt that the cupcake could have been a little bigger. I'll be back again! I'd like to try all the cupcakes, for sure!
(4)Corbett L.
Classy and tasty.
(5)Laura W.
Taste of Heaven, Great Lake, Vincent, and Hamburger Mary's all hug the corners of Balmoral and Clark, making this a Power Intersection, indeed. If I could historically track my foot traffic betwixt these Andersonville institutions, I'd wind up with a tangle of intersecting lines like an advanced cat's cradle move. But I want to focus my good juju on Taste of Heaven right now. Some of you previous reviewers must be nuts, in my humble opinion. Especially that one person who said that anyone in the neighborhood should skip this and go to Starbucks... shame on you. My favorite thing about this adorable corner bakery, which feels like the country home kitchen of someone's kind-hearted, plump grandmother, is that there are delicious edibles appropriate for any meal of the day. The offerings range from pastries, espresso drinks and omelets to please the brunching crowd, to sandwiches, soups, and salads to satisfy long into the evening hours. Not that anyone needs to place a time-of-day restriction on indulging your sweet tooth; I've been guilty of honoring a post-dinner brownie craving at Taste of Heaven, as it is opened later than any other nearby bakery (that I know of). The scones here are truly artful: a meal in and of themselves and perfectly soft in the middle. Many delicious savory breakfast options, and the greens that come on the side of the egg orders are lightly coated in a delicious dressing- I sort of wish they sold those greens as a dish in and of themselves. They keep bottles of Cholula on every table- automatic points from me. Keep rocking, and thanks for the Free Coffee Wednesdays.
(4)Matthew B.
All around Taste of Heaven is pretty solid. Scones are dangerously good. When I get one, it always takes me a minute to decide... Chocolate chip, raspberry, maple walnut?! Seriously, it feels like a life decision sometimes. I saw someone complained the scones are too small now, but any bigger and it would be too much food. For $1.50 I think they are priced perfectly. Staff is awesome. Brunch is great.
(4)Lorraine L.
I went here for lunch during Summer. I sat in a table outside. I overheard the couple next to us complaining that it was taking too long for their food to be ready. I suppose that should have been a clue to leave, but I really wanted to see how great this place was. I ordered coffee and a thanksgiving sandwich. It took about 10 minutes for my coffee to arrive, and it tasted horrible. It was like a watery filters with a bitter taste. I excused it. Then the long wait for the food. Twenty minutes elapsed after the coffee and the couple complaining still had not received their food. They complained to the server, but the server reassured them it would arrive in 1o more minutes and apologized because they were backed up on orders. I felt bad, it's probably not the servers fault. The couple eventually left without eating. Fortunately my food arrived approximately an hour after I ordered. The thanksgiving sandwich was not that spectacular, either. It was missing something that made it taste like thanksgiving.... Cranberry sauce. I was not impressed by the food or the service, really. They neglected the customers outside.
(2)Jay B.
This place is been outstanding feature in Andersonville for years now. Great service great coffee. And fabulous desserts. Just wish they were open a little bit later on the weekends.
(4)mia b.
I went here with a friend today. We had children with us. Big mistake. I agree children should use "inside voices" when in a restaurant, as the sign on the door demands. However, I was SHOCKED when we were told to leave. My friend's 2 year old was a little fussy, so she decided to take her child outside to deal with her. 5 minutes later, while all was calm at our table, the waitress came over and very apologetically said, the owner wanted us to leave, would we like our food to go? My friend had not yet returned with the 2 year old. I guess the owner has a very short fuse and was not going to take any chances. I asked where "the owner" was and was told he was cooking in the kitchen. He would not even acknowledge me. There was a gentleman sitting next to us, who was just as shocked as us and agreed that the owner probably does not have any children of his own. Our instinct when we sat down was to immediately leave. I wish we had.
(1)Ilana C.
I didn't think ordering here would be so difficult.... I asked for the hummus sandwich without yogurt, and the cashier said the yogurt was already mixed in. So then I asked if the pesto had cheese in it and he said no, so I ordered the veggie sandwich, no feta. When the cashier turned to give the cook the order, the cook said the pesto did have cheese. Okay, can you ask if the hummus has yogurt in it. No? Great, can you add hummus to the sandwich? Somehow it was way more complicated than it needed to be. I also ordered it as a wrap, but got bread and asked for no onions, but got onions. The veggie sandwich was almost entirely eggplant slices, very greasy; the side of stir fried vegetables were very greasy and way too salty. Ended up having a stomachache from all the salt and oil. I just wanted a quick something to grab to go and will not be going back.
(2)Tiffany C.
Great scones. Try the Blueberry or Raspberry. They are buttery huge and delicious.
(4)Laura T.
Why would I write a review on my neighborhood place that already has more than 300 comments? I guess because I can - such is the hubris of the consumer voice. But a couple of observations: The Silverland breakfast is an updated version of biscuits and gravy. Delicious. And you can get it in a 1/2 order which is the perfect size if you don't want to blow all of your 1500 daily calories in one meal The ice tea has a bright cinnamon flavor to it. You may want to ask for a taste before you order a whole glass. There rarely seems to be enough wait staff. Esp. on the weekends. It's not their fault that more people aren't staffed. It doesn't seem fair to take out our generalized wait-time frustrations on them. Generally speaking they are busting it from what I see.
(4)Mark S.
For us, Taste of Heaven is dessert. I cannot comment on the breakfast, lunch or dinner foods. The desserts here are fairly unique. Yes, they have some standbys, but mostly serve their own creations. A wide assortment of cakes, pies, cookies, bars, cupcakes, ice cream - something for everyone. My only real issue is their price. It doesn't seem too bad if you get one or two slices, but take a group or order a whole cake and you can expect to shell out the cash.
(3)Jenny R.
I've never not enjoyed time spent at Taste of Heaven! Though breakfast here is my fave, lunch & dinner are just as nice. Warm friendly service with delicious home made food. The coffee is wonderful. The Katie Cakes are my favorite breakfast treat but if you're looking for savory, the Silverland is the best combo! The Greek yogurt with honey, berries and house made granola is to die for if you need a light bite. Add that to patio seating on a sunny morning and it's a perfect start to any day. For dinner the chicken & biscuits or the meatloaf is like eating at your grandmother's. It's that good! This place is great for an evening dessert too-esp the cakes. Jeanine's cake is my fave or the banana cake with chocolate frosting, or maybe the carrot cake. I think I need a few more visits in order to decide ;)
(5)Rebecca B.
I love cupcakes. It's quite simple. I love them. And the cupcakes at A Taste of Heaven...yeah, well they live up to the name of the restaurant. Seriously-- heavenly. We had the red velvet, the cho cho cho, and the "Elvis" cupcakes and they were all decadently delicious. My only complaint would be the amount of time it took to get said cupcakes. The restaurant was completely empty and there was one person in front of us at the counter and yet it still took nearly 15 minutes to walk out the door with 3 cupcakes. They were sooooo worth the wait though :)
(4)kat m.
Charming small bakery cafe, that lives up to its name. Its too hard to just choose one little cupcake they all look so good. I visited A taste of heaven last night with my girlfriend and it reminded me of when I was a little girl. I was looking into the glass case at all the different treats.. I knew I would destroy that artfully crafted cupcake and soon it would be mine! We went for a half dozen cupcakes :) Yum Yum YUM! The truest test was the Vanilla.. It did not disappoint it reminded me of a vanilla twinkie!!! I cant wait to go back. I strongly suggest to try as many as u can afford your first trip that way you know whats your favorite next time. You can purchase them individually too. A taste of Heaven is only missing one star because it is a little more $$$ than I'd like for baked treats but the quality is great.
(4)Christine F.
So, Taste of Heaven, you know IT'S REALLY HARD TO EAT HEALTHY when you make large, delicious slices of COCONUT CREAM CAKE. Come on. My willpower can't compete with that.
(4)Jonathan L.
Disappointed. I ordered the chicken and biscuits. Let's just say I've had better biscuits at KFC. The chicken is stewed and it was just ok. My friend ordered an omelette which came with potatoes. The potatoes tasted really good. I'll order those next time, if I ever go here again.
(3)Calen D.
BEST SCONES EVER!!! And best quiche crust. And biscuits. Pretty much you can't go wrong with any of their bakery items. I love the vibe in the place. It is best to try to go at "off times" as their "waiting room" is just lining up along the wall between tables of people eating. My only complaint is that it is never quite clear whether you need to walk to the counter to be put on a list. I didn't realize this once and ended up getting seated after 4 other tables because they walked past me to put their names in. Either way... the scones are worth the wait. Get the cherry ones. You won't regret it.
(4)Michelle H.
Honestly, the best scones I've had. And somehow that great baking left a bad taste in my mouth. I was in on a Saturday a.m. to pick up scones while visiting Andersonville. Lisa, the cashier server upsold me from 5 to 6 scones citing the value. I chose my scones, paid and waited. She returned 5 minutes later having no more blueberry. Hmmm. Wish I had known. I chose all new scones, waiting another 5 minutes. It so happens that I opened the box and checked my goods and 3 of the 6 were not what I ordered. Lisa took the box and assured me she replaced the mis-order. So happens I checked again and the order was STILL incorrect. She looks at me and yelled "what do you want me to do?" I smiled, and said - why are you upset with me? All I did was order and pay for food I'm not getting. She turned and waited on the next customer, leaving me with a 1/3 incorrect order. Super weird and fully rude. There have got to be better businesses to patronize.
(1)stephen r.
A sign on the front door reads something like the following paraphrase "Only well behaved children allowed using indoor voices." Hmm. That could be rewritten as "families not welcome" or "breeders go home". Talk about offensive. This is on the door - no kidding. Not quite my cup of tea. I guess we can always hope their slumlord releases their lease and they turn into a Starbucks.
(1)Courtney R.
Best. Carrot cake. EVER. I've also had salads and sandwiches which were all very good. But the carrot cake... oh my.
(4)Willem V.
With much closed on Labor Day even in Andersonville we were pleased to find Taste...open! Had been there once before as it is one of our daughter's favorite breakfast places. It was packed, but we didn't have to wait too long, they also have a clear but friendly written policy on weekend table-lingering..... We asked our waiter about the size of certain dishes, and he politely steered us in the direction of no-splitting dishes as they would be rather smallish. Wrooong, we could have easily split our enormous Fried Egg Sandwich, but alright, we were out in the city. It's not the money, it's just that we hate throwing away good food as not everything lends itself to doggy bags. All in all again a very nice, polite and clean restaurant experience. Will definitely come back but perhaps a little more educated this time.
(4)shannon s.
This place is delicious. The atmosphere is great.. the wait staff is friendly and happy which always makes a meal that much better. The food is also great.. we usually stick to the breakfast because that's what we're craving when we decide to make the trip to Andersonville. The pancakes and French toast are decadent and delicious. The silverland breakfast (eggs/biscuits/sausage gravy) are fantastic. The only downside is the portions are way too big for me to finish on my own. I need about half of what they serve me and always feel bad when I have no room for dessert.
(5)Miharu H.
I just moved back into the area and always wanted to try it because it looked so cute and comfy inside. HOWEVER, when I went in to order some pastries to go, the male staff at the counter was incredibly rude. Since it was my first time and some cakes were missing their signs, I asked the counter guy about the cakes and he answered me in a way that he couldn't be bothered to talk to me. Afterward he proceeded to talk to the other staff about how it was annoying to always explain the pastries to customers. Although the place looks cute and pastries look yummy, I was completely turned off by the rude service.
(1)Ken L.
This place doesn't disappoint, unless it is out of Bread Pudding! Don't get me wrong their other dessert and food are still great. But I love the bread pudding so much it is a 'must have' for me. I usually go there for dessert but surprisingly their breakfast/brunch is pretty good (4 star) too. This place isn't very big so expect to wait a little bit during breakfast and brunch time. The staff there are always nice and friendly. Great place to hang out after dinner and have some delicious desserts!
(5)Jeffrey B.
this taste of heaven was between purgatory and heaven. i say this because i have had other great breakfast spots i would go to before this but the food here is still good. i ordered the grilled cheese omelette which had cheddar, fontina and feta cheese served on grilled bread. it also came with a nice assortment of fruits. the biscuit that came with the meal was amazing. perfectly fluffy but the outside had a nice toastiness to it. the dish itself was really good the cheeses were melted perfectly and the egg was nice and fluffy just the way i like it. the grilled bread was under the omelet so whenever i cut into the omelet i would grab some of the bread at the same time and the grilled bread gave the omelet a nice texture. my only gripe was the potatoes that it came with. i wish they were a bit more cooked and crispier. added ketchup to the potatoes because the flavors of the potatoes were not that great. all in all my experience went well. the service was good and my waiter was cool. my water was getting filled every second which i really liked.
(4)Ben F.
Hard for me to stop ordering food here. Great quality and variety.
(5)Jessica M.
I miss the dinner menu. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point recently Taste of Heaven stopped offering these meals, and now offer only their brunch and sandwiches all day (they also still have a few salads and soup, and obviously the desserts haven't gone anywhere.) I still like their food, and baked goods, but I sorely miss the chicken and biscuits, and macaroni and cheese (my personal favorites from the old menu). I think they still offer some of these meals as specials occasionally though, so maybe I will get to eat these things again sometime.
(4)Kyle C.
Had the Breakfast Bake and it was super good! Not to heavy and it came with a big side salad. Service for really friendly and cute. What a great place!
(5)Rebecca G.
"Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices." That's the sign that greets you, which rubbed me the wrong way. As if most parents don't hope for that anyway. But despite that, the place is cozy and the food fresh and awesome! It's a great place to come yourself with a newspaper, or to catch up with a friend. Even for a special lunch with your children! They do have high chairs. I would recommend this great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)Tariq D.
I ate at this place yesterday with a few friends who have already been there. They had plenty of good things to say about it but I have learned to wait on my own opinion. I had the Chicken Gumbo. Phenominal! The food is amazing here, and the service is awesome. They even served us a sample of their chocolate cookies while we waited which were so good I bought a dozen. The only, ONLY thing I could say is that it would have been a bit more comfortable if the A/C was on. It was quite toasty in there.
(5)Halleh C.
A group of four of us walked down here from my house, and I was excited to try because I had passed by before. The service was quick when we got there to take orders. I got a turkey (real turkey breast slice) with pears, havarti, and a honey mustard mayo. It was served on this lovely soft sourdough roll, accompanied by pasta salad. I enjoyed my sandwich SO much, and the pasta salad even more! I emphasize my enjoyment, because my friend absolutely hated his dish (with good reason) So my friend matt is boring with breakfast, he got eggs with cheese and potatoes. His preference, whatever. So, we get served our food, and I am thoroughly enjoying my food as he is discovering a hair in his. Pretty gross, and we all felt bad, because he lost his appetite right there. We tried to get our servers attention multiple times (it wasnt busy) but he never even came to ask us how everything was. The hair in the food, I needed more water (I never got any by the way). So my friend had to get up and talk to the counter girl about it, who graciously offered to re make it, however he declined. Our server never even came by after that happened to apologize or anything, which, I know wasn't his fault, but if its your table you are the face of the place and should acknowledge it. After we finished eating, we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting to ask for our check (my water was still empty). Finally, I had to leave to go to work, and I had to just estimate my cost and leave money and friends because I would not have been on time. Even though I LOVED my sandwich, I doubt I will make the trip back here again. I saw a help wanted sign on the window, and I think that its true..help needed.
(2)Sarah L.
Food is great, but a little on the expensive side. It would have another star, but the staff couldn't seem to care less about customer service. They also refuse to post a current menu online or have one available to fax or e-mail, so it makes ordering group lunches for our office impossible. Seems like a silly business decision.
(3)Joel W.
After dinner at Big Jones we were in a rush to get to a show so I stopped in as we hurried by for my chocolate fix. Spontaneous stops can sometimes be the best. I pointed at the moon pie behind the glass. Got it to go. Asked for plastic fork. Yup and it came with a napkin. It was delicious. Saved half for the next day. On my way out i saw a glimpse of the coffee cup lamps on the table; i wish i would of had time to stay a bit.
(4)Philip K.
Only ever eaten there once--I should go back to give them a fair chance. But I just remember being unimpressed. Me and my partner weren't wild about our breakfasts. Sounds like we should try desserts and scones next time. Cute, kitschy scene. I like all the windows and the view of andersonville from a corner of an intersection.
(2)Art P.
I've always had just enough time to only grab a cookie or cupcake from A Taste of Heaven while passing by... but never enough time to actually take in a meal there. Well, that changed with yesterday's snowstorm. A Taste of Heaven was on my shopping route, so I made it a point to investigate further. They've got a "breakfast anytime" mandate, but I was in the mood for something more hearty. Their lunch menu ranges from: - Homemade soups and veggie chili - Sandwiches: Skirt Steak, Arlene's Hot Meatloaf, Barbeque Pulled Pork, etc. - Salads: Nicoise, Curried Rice, Breast of Chicken, Skirt Steak, etc. - Entrees: Braised Beef Brisket, Chicken and Biscuits, Spinach Lasagna, etc. I went with an item that isn't always on the menu (as evidenced by the fact it wasn't on the to-go menu I grabbed), but I hope that they have it available every single time that I go there from now on: - The Brown Derby Wrap: roasted turkey breast in a whole wheat wrap with corn meal stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and a side of brown gravy; with scalloped potatoes. Wow! It's like Thanksgiving in the palm of your hand! I'm seriously contemplating serving Thanksgiving dinner in this style next year. Do yourself a favor and give this wrap a go (photo of my Brown Derby wrap uploaded for your viewing pleasure.)
(4)Samantha L.
I think this place is great. I have been here a number of times. I guess that I could see people giving it less stars for the price, but it's Chicago, so get over it. For one, their coffee is awesome. I think that when I go here I usually go for the grilled cheese omelet. It is open faced, kind of a morph of a sandwich and omelet, comes with a really nice salad and potatoes. I would rather eat here than pay just as much down the street at that place that sucks [cough (Paulines) cough] but it would be rude for me to name any names. It is quaint also, and I can't wait for it to get nice again because they have outdoor seating. Their sandwiches are really good too. They have a glass case of nice looking baked goods that I haven't tried yet, maybe next time.
(5)Shawn T.
*RUN* here for Bread Pudding and all the other amazing deserts... By far the top desert place ever! Brunch here is good - would give it 4/5 stars..... Better come here for coffee and some desert!
(5)Jen F.
Good cupcakes, not great but defintely good!
(4)Jill W.
Brunch menu: the biscuits & gravy (Silverland?) and the caramel apple French toast are amazing. As adventurous as I want to be, I can't help but oder one of these every time I go there. The biscuits & gravy have a unique flavor and is much lighter than you'd think. As for the caramel apple French toast, if the name isn't enough to entice you, I can't do any better. The owner always brings around free samples of goodies and most of them are fantastic. Dinner: The derby wrap or turkey dinners are perfect (I have a thing for Thanksgiving -- don't you judge me). The place itself is very tiny, definitely not for a large group. While there are signs up about noisy kids (lighten up, everyone) -- I've never seen anyone be rude to children. The wait staff used to be awesome -- there was a girl with curly brown hair that worked her tush off that we always liked. Lately, it seems to have a high turn over rate of young men that think they're too good for the universe, let alone food service. But it has been getting better, so give it another try.
(4)kay b.
TOH has been a standard even before it made it's location change from foster ave. or the current location on clark. i have to say that the what limits this place are the following: -inconsistent service. either your servers are unmatched or way off the mark. -portions have decreased as far as meals are concerned. -the ambiance can be overwhelmingly kitschy. ultimately i trust such basic fare as their quiche and salad, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, and their any of their salads. savories are a treat here, made with fresh ingredients, and a down home northside intuition. now, i obviously support the sweet tooth and since midwest portions make for a pleased glutton like myself, i have to say that their desserts are trustworthy. desserts such as the janine cake are made with a light whipped cream, a thick vanilla cake, and a satisfyingly sweet and clean taste. another highly recommended dessert is their bread pudding: lusciously draped in caramel, warm, soft and velvety inside layered to a perfection. this is not an exaggeration. the lemon bars, the pecan bars, the pound cakes, and scones are reliably tasty as well.
(4)Kayla F.
The katie cakes are to die for. Love this place. I ordered a cupcake too....it was kinda stale but the frosting was yummm! Go here!
(4)Len L.
Today is a perfect day, sitting outside of Taste of Heaven's outdoor patio. The sun was hot and slight breeze shaking the leaves above our heads. It felt like we were in heaven, then the food came, we ate and we did not feel like we were in heaven anymore. It was not perfect, but ordinary. We ordered a breakfast burrito and caramel apple french toast. The french toast was an inch high, couple of slices of apples and a rich side of whipped cream, it lacked apple flavor. The burrito too doughy. The only thing I can say, that I liked was the service, the clean restroom and the rustic look of the restaurant. The cost for brunch was reasonable and plenty of FREE parking on the side streets.
(3)Amy A.
I haven't been in a while. The coffee isn't good. Last time I went it was soapy, and I couldn't even drink it. Too bad I got it to go. So it doesn't matter if the baked goods are good - because I can't get a nice cup of coffee to go with them. Bummer.
(2)Dimitry G.
I fell in love with this place the second i walked in, the decor is really cool and unique, yes you can really just walk around looking at the different things hanging on the wall.... bla bla bla, the main part, Cupcakes are AMAZING! as a huge fan of cupcakes i have to say those tasted like... like as good as it gets for cup cakes, i have the Elvis cup cake, and well... i am addicted now. Also, the employees are nice, always smiling and helpful, and you just get the feeling like you are in "your own" neighborhood bakery. try it guys!
(5)Bethany L.
I won't waste time writing a long review, because this is all you need to know: Best scones in Chicago. Maybe best scones anywhere. Hands down. Myself and my boss live in the area and any time that one of us brings them in, people go insane and devour them within seconds. I like the apricot, but I had the raspberry for the time yesterday and it was amazing. Cherry's good too. Yesterday I got them just after they opened at 7 and they were fresh out of the oven. Good God were they delicious.
(5)April P.
Well, I cant rate this place on location, parking of decor because I hadn't been there, but I will rate them on their cake. Best buddy Big C got a mixed berry shortcake with whipped cream filling, and vanlla creme, strudel topping for his bday party. OH MY GOSH. Yes, it is so play on words to say, but it is a taste of heaven!!! the cake was light, airy and not overly sweet. The whipped cream was not too sweet. The frosting was good, but the strusel on top stole the show oh btw, healthy turkey lasagna is worth a review on its own, but since I'm new to this yelp game and dont know how to rate a party, I'll add it to this. Thanks Big C for making a wonderful dish that was disguised and made so well, it did not taste healthy at all. You put your foot in it ps- i thought the waitress there serving coffee was quite cute :) lol muah muah to friends steve and don
(4)Caitlin G.
It means a lot when a business owner reaches out to rectify a situation--it makes up quite a bit for a nasty experience. Thanks to Dan for reaching out, apologizing and offering a refund after a bad experience at Taste of Heaven. It makes a huge impact when one can see an owner cares about his establishment.
(3)Marni P.
If this is what Heaven tastes like, I need to start misbehaving more. Went here after a long bike ride. Starving. Got "Katie's Chaos". So appropriately named. I asked for no peppers, and it came without peppers- as well as without half of the other listed ingredients. I let our waitress know that I was actually looking forward to having these other items in it. She brings it back with SOME of the other items, but now with onions (not on the menu description). I deal with it because I'd eat anything at this point. Including the random chunk of heavily burnt hash brown that made it's way in the wrap just for added fun. The Boy had some rubbery skirt steak. I don't recall the attitude some of the other reviewers have complained about. I always feel uncomfortable sending stuff back, but I remember our server being pretty cool about it. We liked our ice cream. I guess you can can go for the ice cream if you're really itching to try this place...
(2)Josh H.
Being able to take a simple, childhood favorite and turn it into a rich, gourmet experience perfectly describes their grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and feta and the very buttery sourdough bread - grilled to perfection - will definitely bring me back to this restaurant. I also got a tomato added to it...which I'd highly recommend. A lot of people like to eat tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich...however their version can stand on its own.
(4)Kate W.
I haven't actually eaten a meal here, but I did get some cupcakes. They had a list of the cupcakes available posted on the door. I wanted to try a coconut cream cupcake (or whatever it was called) but when I went in there weren't any. Given the options I got a vanilla cupcake w/ vanilla frosting and what I thought was a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting (and 1/4 of a peanut butter cup on top). When I tried the cupcake I was surprised to find that what I thought was a chocolate cupcake wasn't. I can't be sure but I think it was banana. I dislike bananas but banana bread I can deal with. That's kinda what the cupcake tasted like. The frosting left a little something to be desired. I've had way better peanut butter frosting. Still, I don't think there's a such thing as a bad cupcake. The vanilla cupcake was good but nothing special. If I were in the area again looking for cupcakes I would stop in again but I'm not about to make a special trip out there anytime soon. As a side note while I was in the shop there was a man picking up a cake he had ordered. Obviously it was not what he ordered. He was upset but not yelling at the girl at the counter because it was obviously not her fault. Still, while I was there it didn't seem like they were doing much to resolve the problem for him.
(3)Jessica B.
All that I have to say is "Jeanine cake" and those who have tried it know the experience. For those curious?...it's pretty much the best damn cake in this entire world. Get this, they have cupcakes. Tons of them. And they're good. Really good. Go forth and have your taste buds blessed with deliciousness.
(5)Katy H.
This is a cute little place! I stopped in for dessert with a friend on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was fairly crowded. We both ordered a cupcake and I had some hot chocolate. The cupcakes were delicious and very filling. The hot chocolate was delicious and not oily like some places. Also, the staff was quite friendly! I work just a few blocks away, so I'll definitely be back- next time for dinner!
(4)nina c.
Ran by this place on our way home from Edgewater Produce. BF grabbed the food because I was waiting with the puppy outside - not much clue what the place is like inside - seemed cozy through the windows though. But here is the thing ... I had this cupcake thing.. and I really do think it might have been heaven. I don't know what the heck kind of hazelnut concoction was on top, but it was on top of a chocolate cupcake that was really good, and it was covered with yummy chocolate, and it was just sooooooo f-in good!!! My!!! Yeah...
(4)Denise B.
I asked my friend to take me to a cool, local place in her new Chicago neighborhood, and she took me to A Taste of Heaven. I feel badly for not loving a homey local place, but I guess you could say I wasn't in Heaven here. har har. Everyone who worked there was nice, and the crowd was very local. The air conditioning was welcome on a hot, humid Chicago day. But they weren't nice enough or welcoming enough to change the fact that my mushroom wrap sandwich was seriously mediocre. Normally I love big mushrooms, and I'm always fond of a good sandwich. There was just something about the combination of flavors that made me dislike the taste to the point that I could barely finish it. Looking at the reviews, it appears I should've gone for a dessert and perhaps breakfast food instead of a sandwich, and the experience would've been better. I'll definitely be open to coming back and trying some of their other food when I'm back in Chicago again.
(2)Steve D.
I've been here on multiple occasions now, and each time has been enjoyable. Andersonville rules and Taste of Heaven now qualifies as a top choice for brunch when in the area. The first time through I had the Silverland breakfast, and for a connoisseur of fine biscuits and gravy like myself, this was very good, everything cooked just right. Their French toast, omelettes, and other egg dishes are also very good. Add the fact that they bring around samples of their baked goods for you to try, and yes I would qualify it as a taste of heaven. Haven't had to wait yet, the staff is attentive and overall it's a very pleasing experience. The only thing I have yet to get is something from the bakery counter even though my knees buckle when I walk past it. For brunch or sweets this place is worth a look.
(4)a w.
Not the best bakery in the area -- but they do make some great brownies here! Give it a try if you're in the area -- but don't go out of your way for this one.
(3)joanne y.
this cozy little nook is a perfect place to warm yourself up with some coffee and pastry in the winter and a refreshing getaway in the summer. what i mean, basically, is that this place is yummy. the prices are reasonable for the large slices of cake they serve. the name says it all, it truly is a taste of heaven.
(4)vitas z.
my favorite chocolate chip cookie in the city. hands down.
(4)j d.
consistently great. friendly. salmon quice, eggs verde, or pancakes are sure winners.
(5)Jack E.
Chill Cape Cod aesthetic. Good affordable coffee and loose leaf tea. Excellent sandwiches and desserts. Sorta in between a coffeehouse and a restaurant. Definitely a great place to do work, cuz of the nice golden lighting. No Wifi is a bummer bit it IS in the middle of Andersonville so you can always steal from someone else. Its open til 10 which is a plus.
(5)G G.
Not so great on the decor, but the desserts are AMAZING. Very rich and decadent.
(4)