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Name: Uncommon Ground
Address: 1401 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL, 60660
Telephone: (773) 465-9801
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.64

Uncommon Ground

1401 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL, 60660

(773) 465-9801
Store is closed

Uncommon Ground Menu

Soups Salads & Small Plates

Baked Artichoke Goat Cheese & Pesto Dip

Sweet Potato Fries

Vegetarian Chili

Chef's Daily House-Made Soup

Soup & Salad Combo

Sunshine Salad

Cilantro-Lime Flank Steak Salad

Uncommon Chopped Salad

Chef's Burger
Large Plates

Cuban Sandwich

Fish Tacos

Helen's Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Q7 Ranch Grass Fed-Free Range Burger

Legacy Turkey Wrap

Fried Green & Heirloom Tomato Sandwich

Build Your Own Organic Macaroni & Cheese
Main

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pancakes

Smoked Maple Gunthorp Chicken Hash

Summer Omelet

Chilaquiles

Blackened Catfish

Breakfast Burrito

Sour Cherry French Toast

Uncommon Huevos

Breakfast Sliders

Organic House-Made Granola

Two Eggs Any Style

Seasonal Eggs Benedict
Sides

Organic Tofu Scramble

Chorizo Seitan

Breakfast Potatoes

Toast or English Muffin

Gunthorp Farms Hickory Smoked Bacon

House Made Pork Sausage

Banana Bread

Bagel with Cream Cheese
Refreshers

Orange You Glad?

Cherry Bomb

Strawberry Fields Forever
Small Plates

Baked Artichoke Goat Cheese & Pesto Dip

Korean Chili Spiced Calamari

Seasonal Farmer's Market Flatbread

Sweet Tea Smoked Gunthorp Farms Chicken Wings

Frito Misto

Catfish Hushpuppies

Yuppie Hill Farm Deviled Eggs

Warm House-Made Pretzel

Fried Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Curds

Hand Cut Frites

Sweet Potato Fries
Soups & Salads

Vegetarian Chili

Chef's Daily House-Made Soup

House Salad

Sunshine Salad

Cilantro-Lime Flank Steak Salad

Uncommon Chopped Salad
Entrées

Summer Vegetable Mole Skillet

Gunthorp Farms Crispy Chicken Breast

Pan-Fried Canadian Walleye Pike

Black Earth Pork Scallopini

Mussels & Frites

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Bison Strip Steak

House-Smoked Alaskan Salmon Farfalle

Q7 Ranch Grass-Fed Free Range Burger

Helen's Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Build Your Own Organic Macaroni & Cheese

Fried Green & Heirloom Tomato Sandwich

Chef's Burger

Healthy Meal suggestions for Uncommon Ground

Soups Salads & Small Plates

Baked Artichoke Goat Cheese & Pesto Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Daily House-Made Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup & Salad Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sunshine Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cilantro-Lime Flank Steak Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Uncommon Chopped Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Large Plates

Cuban Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Helen's Grilled Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Q7 Ranch Grass Fed-Free Range Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Legacy Turkey Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Green & Heirloom Tomato Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Build Your Own Organic Macaroni & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Main

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Maple Gunthorp Chicken Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Summer Omelet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilaquiles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackened Catfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sour Cherry French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Uncommon Huevos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Sliders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic House-Made Granola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Two Eggs Any Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Eggs Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Organic Tofu Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chorizo Seitan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toast or English Muffin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gunthorp Farms Hickory Smoked Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Made Pork Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bagel with Cream Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Refreshers

Orange You Glad? [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cherry Bomb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry Fields Forever [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Small Plates

Baked Artichoke Goat Cheese & Pesto Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Korean Chili Spiced Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Farmer's Market Flatbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Tea Smoked Gunthorp Farms Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frito Misto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Catfish Hushpuppies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yuppie Hill Farm Deviled Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm House-Made Pretzel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Curds [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Cut Frites [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups & Salads

Vegetarian Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Daily House-Made Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sunshine Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cilantro-Lime Flank Steak Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Uncommon Chopped Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrées

Summer Vegetable Mole Skillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gunthorp Farms Crispy Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan-Fried Canadian Walleye Pike [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Earth Pork Scallopini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels & Frites [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bison Strip Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House-Smoked Alaskan Salmon Farfalle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Q7 Ranch Grass-Fed Free Range Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Helen's Grilled Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Build Your Own Organic Macaroni & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Green & Heirloom Tomato Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Emma O.

Yummy yums! My roommate and here had coupons to this place (courtesy of a past Yelp event!) and tried it out. We both loved it. The ambiance is really great -- dark but not too dark, tables placed sort of close but it still feels private, not too loud. They have musicians play at night, but there's a cover to sit in that section (understandably so, since the show is otherwise free). What's extra nice about this is you have the opportunity to listen to a great musician while you eat or, if you're not in the mood for live music, you sit in the other section of the restaurant and enjoy you conversation with your fellow diners. They close off the music area, so those who don't want to listen to the music have their quiet. The menu was great, loads of eclectic and delicious items. We started out with the sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue -- amazing. My roommate then ordered the meatloaf wrapped in bacon and I got the chicken with swisschard, brie, and a butternut squash compote-of-sorts. It was all so yummy. I will definitely be back!
(4)
mike b.

A good venue for coffee, and listen to quality music in the folk genre' . When there is a cover charge, it's fair. Lovely bar area, and eating area. If I had complaints, it would be two. Coffee's are a bit overpriced for the old style diner mugs they serve them in which were designed to give the illusion of a hearty heavy mug but scrimp on the liquid inside. I ordered a Cappucino and it was literally gone in two gulps, and the price wasn't cheap. They certainly need to serve an honest-sized cup of mud. Can those diner mugs. The other complaint is seating is limited in the bar area. If you don't have a spot at the bar, you're watchin, waggin and wishin...unless you like sitting on ottomans. But, it's a great place. Don't judge it by my crabby ass.
(4)
Darlene R.

Visited for the first time because of the Open House Chicago event. Wanted to see the roof top garden and we decided to have brunch/lunch. Extremely fresh ingredients with an unusual combination of ingredients with delicious results (pasta special with squash, spinach, pine nuts, reuben and brunch special with tortilla, chorizo, eggs +++). Topped it off with a s'mores tart and brownie w/ice cream. Delicious. Will return to try other dishes. Staff was extremely courteous and helpful...like visiting family you want to spend time with!
(4)
Solomohn E.

It's way yummy. Wonderful sweet potato fries, bigg lagers, tasty wines, the soup is souper good. It gives me the teehees.
(4)
Shayna W.

I was with a group of 20 and the staff seemed peeved. The whole it seemed like they were annoyed at us. I'm vegan and the only choice was faux pho which cost $15 and was the blandest dinner I ever had. The tofu was the best part of it and for those of you who know what tofu tastes like, that is not a good thing. This place is over priced and totally pretentious.
(1)
Rae R.

WriMos, beware. This place isn't actually open until 2am like it says on here. Only the bar is, and only sometimes. And there is a severe lack of plugs!! Everything else was great. Our waiter was friendly and the coffee is yummy. I always love going there.
(4)
Mike D.

I was pleasantly surprised by this place. We came across it via the a la card thing we bought at ribfest this year, and were not really expecting great things. Summerberry Lemonade: Wouldn't order again, ended up being mostly just an incredible sour mess, and this is coming from someone who loves sour drinks and food. Eggplant parmesan dip: Great, it was well spiced and really savory. The portion is not huge, but it is fairly rich so that worked out in the end. Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf: I actually loved it. The meatloaf had good texture and didnt suffer from the usual too-salty problem of most restaurant meatloaf. The mashed potatoes had a good flavor, and the cheese they added to the top was well spiced and smokey. Macaronia and Cheese: Girlfriend got this, but in eating the leftovers I was a fan. She wasn't super sold on it, and ultimately I'm not a big fan of Swiss, but I found myself really liking the flavor. I would go back again, and I hope to relatively soon.
(5)
Jas D.

I absolutely love the food here. It is consistently great in terms of taste and appearance. It is hard to get insanely good vegetarian dishes anywhere, but here, there's always something marvelous. I had the vegetable gratin, and the flavors were robust and tasty. I also recommend their breakfast items, such as the french toast. I had some great brunches here, not one person didn't like their food, in fact everyone raved about their own dish! Their service was good, however, every time I went they were on the busy side, but it figures since the food is yummy. The menu is on the pricey side, but it is well worth it, and plus you get free parking.Try it out! It won't disappoint.
(5)
Eric M.

You have to love a place that not only has good food but good music as well. The decor is very cool with an amazing old, wood bar. The servers are very social and knowledgeable on the menu. The wine and beer selection is some of the best in the city. The food also rises to these levels with great portions that fill you up but don't have you taking a doggie bag home.
(4)
RJ W.

I moved to Chicago a month ago and we happened upon this gem a few blocks from our home. My girlfriend and I are both big fans of slow food and craft beer served up by friendly and talkative people. This place nails it! Really awesome patio area surrounded by planter boxes of herbs and vegetables. I would have given 5 stars but I've gone in late night on two occasions and got the waitress on the tail end of a very long double each time. As a veteran of the industry I am sympathetic to horribly long days but at the end of mine, yours just isn't my problem. P.s. The bar is beautiful
(4)
GLORIA M.

Loved our server Becky...fun but knew her stuff! Delish lemon ginger martinis special $6 Monday's . Food perfect-lamb...salad with unique cherry and beets... apps and dessert also great...nice low key eve
(4)
Sarah B.

A healthy and delicious brunch? Check. Organic, sustainable and/or fair trade food and beverages? Check. Seating for large and small groups? Check. Fireplace? Check. White college students with dreadlocks? Check. Also: live music, but then, most every bar, restaurant, hole in the wall, in Rogers Park features bands, whether they should or not.
(4)
Jeff N.

Oy! the Crispy Chicken Dinner. A wonderful, juicy piece of chicken breast, with a crispy side to it. Sitting on top of a generous portion of asiago poletna, pieces of asparagus thrown in, and surrounded by a ladling of sauteed mushrooms. Comfort food extraordinaire. My wife's trout was also very tasty. We started with salads which were a nice accompaniment. Service (Anna) is relaxed and they are clearly into slower paced eating, which I like.
(4)
A. N.

In short, just because you have a solar panel, it doesn't give you an excuse to be a jerk. Went there for a friend's concert. Waited over 45 minutes to get a server's attention to order food (despite hand waiving, attempts at eye contact, etc.). When I pointed this out to the server, she rolled her eyes and stormed out. I had to excuse myself from the cramped table, asking a patron whom I didn't know to get out of his seat, so I could get up and calmly walk into the empty hallway to de-escelate the situation with the manager. And... my husband and I still ended up paying $35 for my evening cover and one drink each.
(1)
Oscar the Death Cat B.

This Uncommon Ground location has never been a terribly close or convenient dining option for me, but I've been here a few times because friends really like it. The atmosphere of the dining rooms are what appeal to me most - the food has had it's ups & downs, mostly good but not mind-blowing. If not for the cozy & comfortable surroundings I might give the dining experience a so-so overall review. I've been here for both brunch & dinner, and I have definitely much preferred the brunch experience - service is friendly and attentive, the coffee is good & strong, and the bloody marys are thick & spicy. It's sometimes more chaotic & busy in the evenings, and service suffers a bit especially if there's a live show going on. They have a teeny parking lot which fills fast but I've been lucky to find a spot most times I've visited. Wouldn't travel way out of my way to dine here, but it's a good solid choice if you happen to be up in the Rogers Park/Edgewater area.
(4)
Michael M.

I can only say WOW!!! From an amazing staff to some of the best food in Rogers Park, Uncommon Ground has it all. When you go make sure to get the Mac-n-Cheese, it is to die for!!! Ohhh before I forget this place has the best fish-n-chips period. Yes, I said period! I have hand the English, Irish, and even Scottish, this is so much better!
(5)
Brenda B.

Tried it last Friday night (10/13/12). 4 Adults, 3 kids age 8, 6, 6, and 7M baby. Made reservations a week before for 5pm. Requested 7 + highchair. Called the day before to confirm reservation and they had it. They also called me back later that afternoon to confirm also. Parking in back is tight and hard to get back out (must reverse). Husband did a grand job but I couldn't have in the rain and in the dark. Arrived at 5pm, was told to wait in the lounge until everyone arrived. 10mins later, receive table and yes, there was a high chair set up at the end. Good that it was a big table, bad that it was a communal table for about 15. Asked the waitress would we have to share and she said YES. If another big party arrived, we would have to share the long table with them. We are in the first dining room by the front windows. There were only 2 other tables seated so couldn't understand why we couldn't be seated since we had 2 kids with us but oh well. Service is 3/5. No bad, not great, just basic service. We didn't order anything at the lounge. 2 guys each had a beer. Girlfriend ordered some type of gingerale drink (non-alcholic) and it had real ginger in it. Good and refreshing if you like ginger. 3 kids had chocolate milk which I thought was pricey. Husband ordered fixed pre-menu for $30. Sweet Potatoe Fries with goat cheese fondue. YUMMY and come out hot. Even my daughter took a handful for her dinner. Meat loaf -- nah, pass. kind of dry and bacon not crispy. Having some type of gravy would have been nice. My meat loaf is juicier. Mash potatoe was good, and chunky. His dessert was some wild rice krispy with chocolate on top. Good but different, very wild rice like, not your tradition rice krispy treat but nice little treat. 2 pieces which I was surprised, good size, we all shared a bit which was sufficient. 2 pieces would have been too much for one person. I had the burger medium rare. Delish. Thick, juicy, and medium rare, not dry. Fries were great, not greasy and hot hot hot which I love. Bacon was not great, kind of greasy and not crispy, next time will ask for crispy. overall great burger and fries. Girlfriend had the baked capriole goat cheese & artichoke dip - totally yummy. more bread would have been nice with it but the dip was delish. She also had the pumpkin ravioli. Didn't try it but I think it was good since she ate it all. Her husband had the meat loaf also. Kids...my kids had the chicken tenders and the other had the mac n cheese. 3 chicken tenders the size of those frozen fish sticks. Didn't seem like much. Not breaded just grilled. Too small. Kids chose mixed fruit. Diced up apples, 3 grapes, slice of orange and about 4 little raspberries. Kids ate all their dinner along with some of our sweet potatoe fries and my regular fries. My 8 YO daughter gave her meal two thumbs up. Mac n Cheese wasn't eaten but that was 'cos that kid wasn't hungry so I don't know if it was good or not. Place was very loud. Glad the band wasn't playing because we were in between the band area in the other room and the bar in the other room. We were in the middle. Yes, very loud place. Left at 7pm so a little short of 2 hours and the dining room was full. 2 unisex bathrooms. Decently clean. Overall a good place. Only 8 mins drive from our home so will go back and try something else. 5pm is a good time to go if you have kids.
(4)
Karen L.

I did finally go here for dinner and I did have to just dock the place one star because of the food. Don't get me wrong, they had decent food... I actually liked my meal, which was a fish special. However, my dining companions (overall) said their meals were just a little above mediocre stating that some of the dishes were either too bland or too salty. Mine was tasty, but not anything that blew me away. However, really, I have to say that it was such a nice dining experience that I would go back there again! The atmosphere is what is the main winner there. It is cozy and intimate... really, a great place for a date or for a small gathering of friends. The staff there were very friendly and the drinks are inventive and pretty, darn good. It is definitely a bonus that there is also live music. The first time I went I was in the music room... would definitely recommend that if you want to get into the music and really focus on the show. If you want to catch up with friends, gab and laugh, I would opt for the dining room. You can still hear the music as a nice background but still be able to have conversations.
(4)
L D.

This review is limited to the take out, observations, and the overall environment. First, the carryout; it was ready earlier than promised. The food was better than expected. Second, the outdoor dining. At night, it still looked appealing. Third, the indoor bar; the selection was noteworthy with a variety of local American spirits (e.g. Death's Door, North Shore, etc.). There were a few single malts, one of which I would order and quite a few wine bottles. Parking was not a challenge, but I came late in the evening. The bar and indoor ambiance may have been inherited from the former Speakeasy Restaurant, but its noteworthy. Now, I have to find time to stay and sit down. I have heard raving reviews about the farmers market Friday's. The Friday market is a neat and unique touch that catapults UG-Devon above other similar restaurants. Some should check out the Friday Market before commenting. Maybe they picked the wrong day.
(4)
Moe f.

We did dinner on a Saturday night. Decent beer and wine choices. Started with the goat cheese dip and a flatbread. Both winners. Then had the rabbit which was pretty much a bland mess of a dish. The chocolate bread pudding was great though. Service was spotty and my drink went empty for 10 minutes cause my waiter disappeared.
(3)
J J.

I ventured to this place on friday 6/5/09 and I must say I was highly impressed. The service was amazing, the food was excellent. I ordered the Quesadillas which were too die for and my friend ordered the chicken sandwhich which was also to die for. What I like most about the place was that it was cute and cozy unpretentious environment. They had 3 live acts come on stage which were amazing. And I cannot forget about the wonderful beers we had. I ordered the Goose Island night stalker TOO DIE FOR and my friend ordered the flossmoor station 'pullman' brown ale which had hints of chocolate absolutely delish. I would definitely recommend this place again, it is a little on the pricey side but it's worth it because the food is fresh and organic and plus you get live entertainment you can't beat that.
(5)
Gen S.

I've been to this place twice since they've opened and I have to say I'm somewhat smitten! Atmosphere: It's very cozy, with lots of tables without feeling too crowded. I definitely prefer the back room (with the stage) because it's a bit quieter and away from the kitchen door and host stand. The place is a bit too Minnesota lodge-ish, but I'll let it slide since their tableware is very modern. The parking lot is convenient for those of you that don't live within walking distance like I do. There were a surprising number of parents-and-kid combos. Drinks: I haven't tried their booze yet, but someone at a table near me was raving about her margarita. Their beer selection looked pretty good. I tried their organic coffee on my first visit and thought it was great. The second time around, we went for fancy mochas (the Mocha Joy and the Black Forest) and were disappointed. They were both way too sweet/syrupy with very little espresso. The "bowl" size is also ridiculously huge. Food: A+ for the food! I haven't had a bad dish yet. Visit #1 was for breakfast and I tried the Chicken Breakfast Burrito and my partner had the Uncommon Huevos. Both were very good with just a touch of spice and came with cube potatoes and fruit. (Ultimately I preferred the burrito.) Visit #2 was for dinner - I tried the Chorizo Stuffed Chicken and my partner had the Bouillabaisse. My chicken was amazing! Spicy and tender and served with creamy chipotle cheddar mashed potatoes. The Bouillabaisse was also good, especially the broth. We also ordered a side of sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue which I highly recommend. All of the portions were large and we took half the meal home with us. On the food alone, UG deserves five stars. But I can only give them four for two reasons: their prices are a bit high and their waitstaff has a lurking problem. They simply have too many people on the floor - hosts, waiters, food runners, bus boys, etc. People end up standing around by the kitchen door and it made me feel like I was being watched while I ate. Creepy! (It wasn't as bad in the back room away from the kitchen door.) Regardless of the lurkers, I will definitely go back. I want to try out some of their speciality drinks! EDITED 2-28-08: Tried a few specialty martinis. Delicious! I also recommend the seared scallop appetizer.
(4)
Katarina X.

My boyfriend demanded I attend a performance by one of his buddies here. It was unspeakable. Offkey Acoustic Singing+ Casio Keyboard+ Thoroughly Serious Demeanor+ Bad Grunge Covers= Boy, you owe me AT LEAST two pairs of shoes to civilly sit thru this... Heck, At least the coffee was good. And I got the cutest pair of pink Coach heels... that blatant bribery is worth an additional star, no?
(5)
Meghan B.

I really debated between three and four stars for this place. Pros: -Very friendly service -Knowledgeable service -Excellent wine list -Freakishly good desserts (try the cherry chocolate chip ice cream cookie --and by "ice cream" i mean salty peanut butter gelato Cons: -My pizza looked wood-fired. The menu screamed wood-fire quality. But it was not. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't great. -Not super vegetarian friendly. -Specials unavailable. -The atmosphere was just-OK for me. Maybe it was where we sat. It was fine. Ya know?
(3)
Diana M.

What a meal! We arrived around 7:30 on Friday night and were told it would be a 20 minute wait. Ten minutes later we were seated and sipping on our beers. We started with the chorizo empanada appetizer special and because we had mentioned to our awesome server, Luke, that we were hungry he brought over an "extra" asparagus with gorgonzola butter to try. Both were absolutely fabulous. My BF got the Duo of Duck which was cooked just perfectly! The potatoes were crispy and the sauce was deelish. I got the Pork Tenderloin special. Even though there were a couple of pieces that were on the dry side, overall the pork was wonderfully seasoned and quite tasty. The mustard vinaigrette complemented the pork well and my plate was licked clean (almost!) We decided to do dessert even though we were both sated. We ordered the ice cream trio of whiskey, salty peanut and goat cheese. OMG! At first I thought the salty peanut was my favorite, then I changed my mind to the whiskey. Then it was the goat cheese. I couldn't make up my mind as to which was best...they were all THAT good! All in all, it's an easy walk from our place and the food was really good. For us, it's more of a "special occasion" place (due to price) and next time we have a special occasion, we'll be sure to come back!
(4)
U.M. S.

I love Uncommon Ground, everything is always guaranteed to be fresh and delicious! They grow their own products and in the Summer time there is outdoor seating in their parking lot and they are dog friendly! You can't really go wrong with any of their menu items. They change their menus seasonally and I look forward to it constantly! I recommend their: hot apple cider, sweet potato fries, dietzler farm burger, black bean enchiladas, winter scramble, smore pie, grown up gilled cheese, pepper corn bacon, chilaquiles, Hot chocolate, etc. Every time you go here you're bound to leave full and happy!
(5)
Sarah J.

I am so lucky to have an Uncommon Ground within walking distance of my house. Love their food, their drinks are great, and I think that it is awesome that they grow veggies/herbs that they serve on their roof. Too cool! :)
(5)
Jennifer A.

We come here often for brunch, as it's walking distance from our home. The service is great, and the only day we ever have to wait, is on sundays. I adore their drink menu...an almond latte-esque drink is divine, and another cappuccino drink that comes with a shot of rum...deliscious. Sometimes im underwhelmed by their food. But overall a good spot.
(4)
sofia g.

Great atmosphere and even better food. It is such a rich enviorment...very much like a lodge on a camping ground but 100 times better than that. fantastic food for a great price. A must go!
(5)
M E.

Great pizza for kids. The skirt steak with an espresso/chocolate rub was amazing. Salads are not worth it. Service was nice; the upstairs is supposed to be great. I would a quick lunch - no dinner
(3)
Adam S.

I've been waiting for this place to open as soon as I heard it was replacing the Supper Club that used to be there. Each day I walked the dog past and watched the progress. Then this week, little signs in the window: now open. So tonight, we went. For you Rogers Parkers who just haven't been completely satisfied with the restaurant selection within a few blocks of your house and have been jealous of your brothers and sisters a little south in Andersonville, Uncommon Ground is coming to the rescue. They've done a fantastic job creating a very cozy and inviting environment with three separate room: a bar that has about 8 stools and several cushioned chairs and a couch, a middle dining room area with larger tables, then a third room with tables that includes a small stage. Food is similar to the other uncommon ground (does this make it common?) so it's good. The only reason I'm not giving UG a 5th star is the prices. I'm cool with $15-20 entrees, and by the looks of what was coming out of the kitchen, you get plenty to eat, but over time they may need to offer a few more options sub $15 otherwise with the $8 beer (yes $8 for most draft selections) it can get pretty pricey quickly. Same with the wine list. Cheapest glass was $9. Overall though those are nickel and dime complaints - I'm looking forward to spending much time at this place. Kudos to the owners for willing to take a bit of a risk to open here. Let it be the genesis of more excellent dining in that corridor.
(4)
Amy M.

I'd heard of Uncommon Ground but had never been there. Went for brunch recently and really enjoyed it. Despite it being a busy time on Sunday we were seated within 5 minutes. My mom had an omlette and I had stuffed French toast. Both were excellent. Mom said the coffee was great and the tea I ordered from their wide selection was also good. Atmosphere was nice, for the most part, with exposed brick and comfy chairs in the bar/waiting area. The only downsides to this place are that the noise level can be deafening, and the tables are placed pretty close together so you can hear your table neighbors' conversation word for word, if you're the eavesdropping sort. Would've given them 5 stars except for these issues.
(4)
B. J.

Service can make or break a place and in my experience, the service here is truly horrible. Horrible. That coupled with mediocre food at inflated prices means I won't be going back.
(1)
Briana R.

Uncommon Ground is a great place to bring family, friends, or out of towners. It's a very unique place using locally grown ingredients (many of them grown on the roof of this establishment- how cool is that?!) Apparently a lot of the decor is salvaged material that has been restored which is pretty cool and funky too. Uncommon Ground has a nice big bar with comfortable seating throughout the bar area. They also have a large dining room and a nice outdoor seating for nice weather days. I've sat in all three areas and been comfortable and well taken care of. Some things to try- spinach artichoke dip, burgers, sunshine salad, honey mustard chicken sandwich type thing, their daily flatbread. Everything tastes fresh and yummy. The waiters are all very nice and well informed about their menu. YUM!
(4)
Maria P.

Great food and good atmosphere.
(5)
Modibo S.

This is only a partial review. I didn't eat at Uncommon Ground, just had a beer at the bar - ahh, but what a lot you can tell about a place by watching and especially listening to the staff on a slow Monday night! Here's a handy comparison - I'll explain below: Uncommon Ground : Whole Foods :: The Heartland : your local co-op grocery There are certain things I liked about Uncommon Ground before I even ordered anything. First of all, I'm glad the space is filled finally - I go past it every day. I'm also glad that the place has a nice bar, with decent beers on tap. And finally I'm glad that there's a cozy atmosphere inside. Still, there were things I didn't like before I ordered anything, too. Primarily, it's too expensive. I would love to have a creative brunch spot nearby where we can go with our two kids (M Henry is good but too far to go in winter with no car). We are NOT going to drop $50 on brunch, which is what would end up happening here. And while I like that UG has booze, we could go to the Speakeasy and have a nice meal without breaking the bank because it was BYOB. OK.... so what happened when I finally decided to pull out my wallet here? I ordered a Goose Island Matilda on draft. Unfortunately, the bar was not yet equipped with the official GI tulip glasses, but the bartender poured it into an appropriate wine glass (actually what they use for water, I gather from overhearing conversations between the bar staff). Happily, though, it was not too cold, which is absolute death to Belgian-style beers such as this. The lack of glasses seems symptomatic for the moment... the management still hasn't ironed out all the kinks yet, and even things as basic as pint glasses apparently are not reliably stocked. But things are up and running. Here's what I don't like about UG: a couple sat near me at the bar and commented that "the neighborhood needed something like this." To my mind, that's code for "this place is suitably upscale." What's wrong with that? To repeat, it's too pricey, and I would add, a little precious. What do I mean by my comparison above? Heartland is a little shabby, kind of erratic, but earnest and also kind of obvious. Uncommon Ground claims to follow the same moral compass, but it's much slicker, more urbane, and (unbelievably) more self-conscious, and so not really as loveable. The tab for my beer: $8. Don't get me wrong - I know that's a pricey brew. But it's just not a place that I'm going to be able to afford very often, even for the occasional beer. If I do end up eating here, I'll add some more comments to this review.
(3)
Elisa P.

Their food menu is limited, but I had the burger, and it was great. I wasn't too fond about paying for the toppings you want on your burger, which is why I'm docking them one star. Their beer selection was good.
(4)
Anne C.

Go for the ambiance, stay for the Sunshine Salad and the awesome ginger lemon cocktail. By far my favorite cocktail in the city, and this is one of my favorite restaurants. My partner and I love this place. It's great for take-out, too.
(5)
Lindsay N.

Ok, first the bad news, right? My girlfriend took me here for my birthday dinner and we hadn't tried the place before. It was a Saturday night and we got there a little after 8 with no reservations. We didn't mind waiting and the hostess said it would only be 5-10 minutes, so we had a seat in the bar area where she directed us. About 20 minutes later, I went up and asked how much longer and her response was, literally, "Oops! I totally forgot about you guys!" So, after waiting another 10-15 minutes, we were finally sat. That's the bad news. For the good news... We got the best seat in the house. Even though they crammed a lot of tables into the small space, we luckily were seated right in front of the fireplace. It was romantic and somehow felt secluded. I ordered one of their fancy martinis, called the Tree-Tini. They apparently plant a tree for each one ordered. The bar tender came over and hand mixed it at the table, which was pretty cool. The waitress was quite nice and gave some good suggestions, including the calamari. And it was delicious. I'm quite the calamari critic and this was one of the best I've had. Yum. For the main course, my lady and I got the cod and the steak and both were FANTASTIC. It was one of the most flavorful steaks I've ever had. Even though we were both stuffed, we had to have dessert (birthday, remember?). We had the chocolate cake with pumpkin gelato. It was pretty good although the rest of the meal was so outstanding that the plain chocolate cake didn't have a chance to "take the cake." Haha, get it?! Take the Cake?!?! Geez, sometimes I can be so funny, er, punny. Man, there I go again... Anyway, the only reason that this place didn't get 5 stars is because of the flaky hostess. But we will DEFINITELY be back again and again.
(4)
Nik P.

This review is long overdue... This is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Hell, it's probably one of the best that I've ever been to. Literally, EVERY time I have been to Uncommon Ground to eat, the food has been a conversation-stopping, need-to-embrace-the-moment type of experiences. I could list specific dishes, but because Uncommon Ground is so focused on local, organic ingredients, the menu changes due to seasonality. A definite plus. I have been here over 10 times and only once has the service been poor - and that was due to a catty gay server who seemed a little too pretentious to be working there.... granted, the food that night - like always - blew my mind and my palate, so our servers attitude had little effect on me. I have been here for brunch, lunch, primarily dinner, drinks - and they are consistently fantastic. With one exception (which is why I'm giving them 4 stars) - The desserts. The desserts have been just as consistently horrible as the food, ambience, & service have been wonderful. My partner and I have repeatedly tried to give dessert a chance, and it has been awful every time (I believe we have ordered dessert at least 6 times). Which is a shame because having a meal that is out of this world followed by a dessert that is mediocre (at best) - leaves a fairly neutral impression on the experience when I walk out the door. Therefore, my partner and I have decided to skip dessert every time (no more chances) and the entire dining experience has been BLISS. God, I love eating here. And you will too - just skip the dessert. (Also, when summer rolls around, check out the Farmer's Market and tour the rooftop garden - simply incredible to have something like this in the city.)
(4)
Alysha P.

Seasonal Local Organic Food + Cool Musical Vibes + Chilled-Out Atmosphere = Uncommonly Fantastic! This way my first time at Uncommon Ground....I went with a large group to see a friends jazz band perform...I really really really liked the food, the atmosphere and of course the band :) I had the filet.....and it was f-ing delicious!! Came with some greens and some crispy little potatoes mixed in....absolutely perfect....I dare say as good as if not better than any of the big steakhouses....and for $25....it was a deal....ka-ching!! Bf got the burger....I was originally going to get this but they didn't have tomatoes b/c they're out of season and for whatever reason I must have juicy tomatoes on my burger.....I tried it....it was good....but totally needed tomato :) Bf traded up (you should do the same) and got the sweet potato fries which were incredibly good I also got to sample some of the Korean spiced calamari....which again...crispy, tasty and spicy but not crazy so. Ohhhh....I must make a mention of the yummy cocktail I had about 4 of.....the lemon-ginger martini.....I would come back just for this......seriously. So while the food was incredible....and our server was nice....we did have a little mishap.....which left us all a bit salty. Our original rezzie was at 9pm (show started 10-ish)....but apparently they called my friend to move us to 9:30....no problem on our end....when we got there they said we should sit right away....again fine... and once most of us were seated told us the kitchen closed in 30 minutes so we had to get our order in pronto! Again, we were all totally cool with that and very hungry so we ordered. Food comes, show starts and not once during the show did our server come back to ask if anyone needed drinks or to ask if anyone wanted to order dessert before the kitchen closed. So when she finally does come by the table, my friend asks to order dessert (he was dying to try the s'mores tart) , she says sorry the kitchen closed....and that was it....no offer to get anything else and not really that apologetic. It wasn't the end of the world.....but just really boo on her part....she should have come around and asked if anyone wanted anything before the kitchen closed....it's just what you do as a server. Overall....Even with the service faux paux I'm still giving Uncommon Ground 4 big fat stars.....the food is so so good and I love that it's all organic, local and seasonal PS: they have a garden on their roof-top...how awesome is that???
(4)
Bright N.

We were really excited about Uncommon Ground. You might think that the special $75 per person meal and experience would be pretty good at UG. Well, think again, it was awful! Add to that drinks that are $10-12 a piece and a tip...not to mention that they were going to charge us a fee of $25 per person if we couldn't keep our reservation. Right before the band went on... = ( they closed the doors to the music room! WHAT! I have more to add to this overall terrible experience so if you are interested...the story only gets better...come back later for more details.
(1)
thomas d.

okay i need to add that servers melissa c & irish kathy are kick ass! the winter menu is amazing. the breakfast is also amazing. i can't say enough GREAT things about this place. just go here! order what ever you want and know that you are helping the people of chicago and not city hall. Please go here a lot and order. 2 ppl with drinks for dinner will not go over $100 pre-tip. help out mark & his wife! they deserve so much more than what has been said about them. enjoy it yo! and please help single moms...make it rain! peace!
(5)
Hanna A.

Yipee! A great breakfast place in the place of stinky ol' Speakeasy. My bf and I treated ourselves to breakfast here after a rough night of partying. And what a treat it was! I got the bowl of hot chocolate (I highly recommend it! You can get it spiked, but I my throbbing hangover opted out.) and bf got the coffee. I'd like to also note he was instantly jealous of my hot chocolate when it came out-- this was before we even tasted it. I couldn't even begin to tell you how delicious that hot chocolate was. It was spiced with warmth and fuzziness, I'm convinced. Greediness is not my most virtuous trait, but I'm glad I was and ordered a bowl instead of a cup-- and limited bf's sips. The Eggs Benedict was probably the best I've had. Service was nice and accomodating. A couple of times, one of the other waitresses helped us out. And it wasn't because we were being neglected. She noticed we didn't have syrup on our table before we did. It's a little pricier than your average breakfast menu, particularly because they put a gourmet spin on those tired old numbers. I haven't been there for their dinner menu, but I'm looking forward to that adventure. If anything-- try the hot chocolate in their fully stocked lounge area.
(4)
S G.

Great quality food but this place can get very expensive quickly. The beer selection is commendable and refreshing. I say go in summer when you can seat outside. See you next summer Uncommon Ground
(3)
Christine F.

PS. Get the mojito. I had mine with blueberry vodka and I almost died. U$TIE){U $(OPT) WJIOPJFKWDLS
(4)
j d.

I have only been to U.G. one time, my last day/lunch in Chicago just recently.. I can only say one item that I remember and probably the main reason we went there: sweet potatoe fries. double fried with the last round being dipped in rice flour. CRISPY sweet potatoe fries... 3 days later I was back in SF and got the sweet potatoe fries at Zebulons.. nuhuh.. not cutting it. back to the old soggy notion of what sweet potatoe fries usually are. At U.G.? not the case! mmmmm mmmm i miss you
(4)
Tiffany D.

Can I just say I absolutely LOVE this place?! Boyfriend & I have gone here... 2 more times for dinner and 1 more time for brunch. DELISH! DELISH! DELISH! The portions are perfectly sized and you can't eat just one thing... we order 2 apps, 1 large sunshine salad (best salad!!!) & 2 entrees to share :] They had a chocolate bread pudding once and it was one of the most decadent desserts I've ever had (my mouth is drooling now)... get the Uncommon BLT! You can never go wrong with Pork Belly ;] & their fish is soooo fresh and tasty!!! I can't get enough of this place. OH and if you're there for brunch, you can't go wrong with their enchiladas dish with fried eggs (not heavy at all) or a french toast!!! Don't forget to get a chai latte with it ;]
(5)
K H.

Interesting and adventurous local beers, excellent service and ambience, and an ever changing menu full of delicious options (even for the pickiest eaters!). Great place to take people who are visiting you in Chicago. Must try the calamari appetizer!
(5)
Keenan S.

Okay, so, my review for the Uncommon Ground on Clark still stands, but these two are very different beasts. Unlike the Clark UG, this location almost never has a wait, is a much bigger space with a better layout so you don't feel completely crammed into a little table. The waitstaff are unbelievably cool, and I haven't met one yet that I didn't like. Now, for the food part. More of the same, really, but that same is insanely delicious. The sweet potato fries? As though Jesus himself reaped them from Earth's bosom and served them upon a piece of porcelain heaven; they have been perfect each and every time I've had them (which is a lot, now that I think about it), and the goat cheese fondue is breathtakingly wonderful. Try the strawberry rhubarb poptail. Try the pancakes. Try the IPA. Just go, go, go! If you hate this place, you have no soul, and I don't think we can see each other anymore.
(5)
li m.

The food and service were okay. On Sunday, May 2 we arrived at 4:40 PM and was informed that they were still serving late lunch and we could not order dinner until 5:00 PM. The late lunch menu was sparse so we asked for the dinner menu at 4:45 PM. They gave us the dinner menu and said that the waiter would be back at 5:00 PM to take our dinner order. My question is, Does something magical happen in the kitchen so they can serve dinner in 15 minutes? Did they go out in 15 minutes and get a piece of halibut to serve for dinner. In this bad recession, you would think that businesses would bend over backwards to make customers happy. This is my first and last visit to Uncommon Ground!
(2)
Thamara D.

I am truly impressed, not only with the venue but also the management here !!!! I had the pleasure of being a guest as well as one of the vendors on their Farmer's Friday market here, and they truly went out of their way to make me feel welcome and supported. About the venue as a guest ; Enjoy the food here and the out door seating, great waitstaff and beautiful room. Love the intimate live concerts room, great place for a date. About the management as a vendor : I have never felt more welcome and supported during an event, ever!!! I always dread setting up during outdoor events, especially when I know I would be doing it alone. They were well organized, help me unload the car, set up, take down and everything in between, all without me ever asking for help. Many Thanks to the owners Mike and Helen for your hospitality. I have one small suggestion, please make sure the guests in your concert room know NOT TO TALK during performances. Love this place, highly recommend it and looking forward going back.
(5)
A.J. M.

I enjoy the atmosphere and service here very much. Our waitress was very informative on almost everything we needed to know. The beer selection was impressive, but was a tad pricey, even for good beer. The menu is not large, but that's fine by me. I had the pork loin, and while it was delicious, I will defiantly get something else next time. Because this place deserves another visit, no questions about it.
(4)
Jeff R.

Great food, wonderful live entertainment. This place is a gem for sure. However, if it's quiet conversation you want, this is not the place. The sound of music fills the entire place, matter where you're seated.
(4)
Aryeh J.

Great atmosphere, good service, and tasty food make this organic-style American restaurant a consistently pleasant experience. Most, if not all nights have live music with no cover charge. A little on the pricey side for what you get -- a small plate of average sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue is not worth $7 anywhere -- but that is par for the course in the world of organic eats.
(4)
Zachary H.

My girlfriend and I went on a Saturday night, at about 9:00, and we only had to wait for maybe 20 minutes and we didn't call before hand. While we waited we sat in the bar/lounge area and we knew we liked the place just from sitting in there. They have really good priced beers, and a lot of them on tap,
(5)
rebecca g.

Sad to say my reviews of Uncommon Ground have gotten progressively lower, and after this last experience, I'm even more hesitant to go back. I went for an early lunch and ordered the seasonal flat bread--which was supposed to be sweet potato spread, spinach, onions, olives, and goat cheese. However, after trying a few bites I had a strange hunch that the sweet potatoes (the main reason I ordered it) were missing. I mentioned this to the server, who didn't seem surprised at all and confirmed "oh yeah, they ran out," with no further explanation or offer to fix this. Then as if to diffuse her mistake she laughed it off with "But I think you still made the right choice!" and walked away. I was stunned...what is a SEASONAL flat bread without its key seasonal ingredient?! It tasted good enough, sure, but had I been told beforehand (as I should've been) I definitely would've ordered something else. Above all I just couldn't believe the way the whole situation was handled (or mishandled) by the server...really disappointing!
(2)
Shelly S.

I agree with another reviewer-I love the IDEA of loving Uncommon Ground more so than I actually did. The food was fair and service unattentive. Fresh basil sold me on the special of the day, only to find that it arrived with no basil. I couldn't get the waitress' attention so I just ate it anyway. I love the atmosphere and event calendar, but not sure if I will return. The bathrooms were unacceptable.
(3)
Jessica G.

Delicious food, great atmosphere. Enjoyed chatting with the other patrons about their impressions. Also liked knowing I was giving support to an establishment that prepares food that is from sustainable, human and ethical sources.
(5)
David W.

Went for Dinner on a Monday night. Nice atmosphere, great beer selection on Tap. I had the Duo of Duck. (duck confit and grilled duck breast). My wife had a walnut beet salad. We shared a sweet potato fries starter. It came with melted goat cheese for dipping. I had the Belgium on tap.. (I think $4 taps is their Monday night special) and my wife had a glass of the Cava. The Duck was very well prepared and the melted goat cheese was very good with the sweet potato fries. My wife's salad was... plain. not great. I would probably go back, for drinks and maybe even their breakfast.
(3)
Allochka G.

Finally came here for Sunday brunch, so that's the only meal I can speak for. The place was nice, bright and cozy, and packed, so be prepared to wait in line (didn't ask about reservations). All of the servers I noticed, but especially ours, use this extra smiley high-pitched "I am so friendly" voice (think twee), which was artificial and unnerving, but I'm sure a lot of people will appreciate it. The food was mostly Mexican-fusion, and quite good. Almost everything came with some kind of chilli sauce, so I had to avoid a lot of the dishes. Unfortunately, I still got a dish that had chipotle sauce in it, even though the description on the menu didn't state it. I get a weird bitter allergic reaction to it, but tried to keep eating anyway. The server offered to exchange the dish for another one (which I accepted), but she looked upset and avoided us for the rest of the meal. The next dish I got was a breakfast sandwich with egg and spinach, and it was pretty good (not blown away, but decent and the ingredients were nice and fresh). In the end, however, our bill was the most expensive for any brunch we've been to in recent memory (including M'Henry, Tweet, Toast, and many more). Even though the food amount was comparable. The place is nice, but not nice enough to become our go-to brunch place.
(3)
Eduardo M.

Went here a few weeks ago. The atmosphere was nice, but I wasn't all that impressed with the live music on a Sunday afternoon. I never thought I'd have to yell during brunch-time to be heard across a table. Otherwise, the food was good, but not overly impressive, especially at the price. The service was good for the crowd, and we were seated fairly quickly. Oh, and even though there's a parking lot, there's still easy street parking.
(3)
Andrea O.

Am I hip enough to hang out here? Probably not. But I've been in several times anyway because the food is great and the space is warm and comfortable and it's a huge improvement over what used to be Speakeasy. The wine list is eclectic and short, which apparently garners one of two reactions: "WTF?" for those looking desperately for something recognizable to "Cool!" for those happy to see that someone has taken some care with the selections. Just a forewarning on that if you plan on having wine. I haven't tested the staff's knowledge of the list, but from what I've tried so far it ranges from inoffensive to pretty good so if your knowledge is minimal you probably won't accidentally order something you hate. The food is great for sure (the sweet potato fries are the best I've had, I believe) and I appreciate and support the green/local mission, I just sort of wish it was all served up with a little less attitude. Maybe it's just me, but there does seem to be a bit of a divide between the neighborhood clientele and the hipsters that flood the place. I haven't encountered "bad" service, but I've definitely run into something like "disdainful" service and eyerolling answers to questions. I'm happy they are there, and not because we needed something "upscale" or "expensive", but because we in that particular section of RP/Edgewater need a few more real nearby options. Clearly it was going to take someone with a little weight behind them to pull this off and I think Uncommon Ground has what it takes to be successful in what is really a pretty awkward location.
(4)
Ben N.

Good food and drinks but definitely not enough for the price. While this place is good it is way too expensive. Also the serving sizes are way too small in my opinoin.
(3)
Daina T.

From the outside, this bar & restaurant is very understated. Besides the garden growing on the roof and the sign on the side, there's not much that draws the eye in. But once you know of the deliciousness that comes on plates and in glasses, you'll be hooked. The bar and restaurant is a warm, welcoming place once you enjoy their free parking lot. With a long and ornate bar and friendly bartenders, it's a great place to grab a quick bite and drink if you don't plan on staying long. If you're meeting up with friends, I recommend the couch area by the fireplace - comfy, cozy, and a wonderful place to catch up over their spiked coffee offerings. The table seating is comfortable and relaxed, so you don't feel crowded. The only downsides I have about the restaurant is if you're looking for a place to talk with your other guests, make sure there isn't a band playing otherwise you'll be struggling to hear one another... and unless you're a fan of kids, Sunday mornings pack the restaurant with moms and their children-filled strollers. But both of those circumstances are all about timing, and even then, a treetini can make up for anything. The drinks here are outstanding, and if there's something you want and isn't on the menu, the staff is very accommodating. But before you wander off the printed page, I highly recommend the Clove Old-Fashioned and the Uncommon Manhattan, both drinks that will disappear faster than you'd like and go down smooth. If you need a bit of a pick-me-up, try the Devil and Robert Johnson or Neal Cassady's Coffee, both spiked coffee drinks that will get you moving and in a great mood. The only thing better than the drinks is the food. I'm a pretty picky mac & cheese eater, and theirs is one of the best. Always creamy with just the right amount of breadcrumbs on top, and the apple slaw is the perfect complement to the cheese combination. The Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf makes me kick my mom's to the curb, and the Sunshine salad may seem light, but its deceivingly filling. If you head here for brunch, the Brioche French toast is worth getting out of bed early. I've gone to this location many times, and it never disappoints.
(5)
Nastassia J.

MMMM. I love Uncommon Ground. Been several times and I really cannot complain. The food is organic, fresh, tasty and creative. The menu changes seasonally and is always surprising. Yes, it is a little expensive, but the atmosphere is very nice and you are paying for the quality food.
(5)
Lori M.

Well, well, well. By all accounts of my past with the original UG, I truly thought I would naturally like this place. First off, I have never seen more meat on one menu in any one place that has their own rooftop organic garden than here. And the sentimental sap that I am, I also was hoping for a tad bit of the old/former UG to reappear here...a little less attempt at foof and a little more down & dirty get back to the coffee shop wholesome food small plates business that I grew to love in Wrigleville. Nope, not here. Tree-tini's and rabbit. Hmmmm. Not for moi. Our waiter was even apologetic to the point that I believe he actually does not like to work there. The space itself is great, but that's all compliments to Jody Andre, former owner of this space when it was Speakeasy Supper Club... I just am not thrilled to get my vegetarian chili cooked up in a place that serves large amounts of rabbit and pork belly. They do have fab music and a great outdoor dining space, and for those of you carnivores with a high credit limit, check it out, I'm sure you'll convince yourself it was somehow worth it. There are true eco-posts for dining and hanging out, but this one, well, it's just not for me.
(3)
Joel C.

I don't want to drop a 5-spot on this place, I'm beginning to think I'm too easy doling these things out. But I had brunch at this second edition Uncommon Ground on Sunday and it won on every count: Food: Silly good. Lemon-ricotta pancackes topped with blueberries were light, flavorful, delicious! My wife's chopped chicken club salad was light on the dressing -- their incredible sundried tomato ranch -- but our server was lightening quick with an extra serving. Bloody mary's are whipped up with garlic-infused vodka and are perfectly seasoned. Service: What a happy place! From the greeters who invited us to hang out at the bar and enjoy our cocktails (the place was rocked for brunch), to the bartender who asked how we were -- no, not "do you need drinks" how are you, but really just wanted to see how our days was going -- to our server, who saw we biked in and struck up a conversation about biking 'round chicago. Nice people! And it translated to our meal, where our orders were turned around in a flash, our table was bussed when we weren't looking and even an extra iced tea came off the bill. Ambiance: Beautiful, cozy space. From the fireplace, to the lodge-like fireside seating at the bar, to the mellow jazz band playing live during our meal. The restaurant is eye candy, with gritty paintings of urban life covering the walls. It does get a hair loud in there on a Sunday (especially if you're "recovering"), an they do cram a big crowd in. I was shoved into my table by a neighboring chair behind me. More his fault than the restaurant's, though (come on, people, observe the world around you!). Extra Credit: A free parking lot for a hot brunch place in Chicago?!? WTF??? That'll be handy when the parents come to town.
(5)
Scott P.

I dove into a culinary love affair of duck confit eggs benedict for brunch, with a nice cold beer, while the lovely blond across the table from me happily inhaled a BLT to shame all other BLTs, and with a first-rate glass of wine. Did you hear that first part? Duck confit eggs benedict! With spinach! What the hell else needs to be said? OK, a few other points: Our server was perky and polite, but didn't hover. The bartender (ok, we hung around for post-brunch adult beverages) knew her way around a wine list quite nicely, and they have ample parking. As a side note, we began to notice lots and lots of families with young children walking in the door. While our concerns quietly mounted, we oddly heard no over the top toddlers screaming nor overly gushing mommies and daddies convinced they are the first in history to reproduce. It seems there was a singer of children's songs on the stage in the back room. It was clearly a riot for the parents and their children, while those of us talking sailor talk in the bar couldn't hear a peep of it! I'm going back for the cold bacon wrapped meatloaf sandwich. See you there!
(4)
Amanda T.

I love Uncommon Ground. It is really close to my apartment, so I can walk there, which is nice for me as I don't often get in my car to go find food. I have never been unhappy with the service or the food, and they have a separate dining room which often features live music, which can be a lot of fun. It is clean and has a very homey feel to it. I don't really know what else to sa
(5)
Barb S.

I used to be a big fan of Uncommon Ground at Clark & Grace up until a couple of years ago. I felt like their food just wasn't as good as it used to be, especially considering the high prices. I heard that they opened a location on Devon and so I tried it out, hoping for a better experience. Unfortunately, it's no different from the original location. While the decor is lovely and the coffee was very good, the food and the service just didn't meet my expectations. I had the Uncommon Huevos (eggs over easy on black bean cakes with ancho chile sauce). The eggs were cooked perfectly but would have been more enjoyable had they not been covered by a huge amount of melted cheese. It really took away from enjoying the flavors of the black bean cakes and the eggs. The potatoes were undercooked and still pretty hard. My friend had the lemon poppyseed ricotta pancakes. They were somewhat bland and seemed to be missing something. Breakfast for the two of us was $27 which I find a bit excessive for 2 breakfasts and 2 cups of regular coffee. I just don't think I'll be back anytime soon.
(3)
Emma M.

Last Thursday a group of us came here for a show. I was surprised how nice it was inside! I am very skeptical of that area, but I think this is a nice addition to the neighborhood. I definitely recommend the millman burger- it's a $15 dollar burger-but totally worth it. I had it with delicious Sweet Potato Fries. I tasted my sister's dish that was scallops/mussels/fish in a tomato broth and that was also very tasty. I think it would be hard to find something on the menu that wasn't up to par. I really liked the show and they didn't make us pay up front- they leave an envelope on the table where you put in a "donation". The whole amount goes to the artist. It was a very cozy setting and I like the idea of dining/drinking while listening to live music. I'm keeping an eye out for cool, upcoming shows.
(4)
Kimbele S.

charming place, lovely outside area, handy parking lot. staff is hit or miss. good drink specials. but the food is truly 'eh'. it's one of the worst combinations of an eatery for me: overpriced and supremely average food. their prices are higher than they should be for what you get. food comes out of the kitchen tepid and is just not restaurant quality, despite their tantalizing descriptions. not much variety overall and have not been impressed with a single dish. too bad...it has such potential, but always elicits the same reaction from my friends: bland and boring.
(2)
Amy G.

I adore Uncommon Ground. It reminds me a little of my favorite brunch spot in the college town where I spent the past few years. Like your favorite diner went local and organic and decided to be a little friendlier to the earth while still serving stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. As previous reviewers have said, however, the place is deceptively expensive. Like, really, really expensive. Nicole C. and I swung by Uncommon Ground for a late lunch a few days back and started with the outstanding goat cheese-spinach-artichoke dip. Warm, filled with wilted greens and soft artichoke hearts, and topped with a crisp crust of parmesan, it may be my favorite appetizer in the world. On a grain-free diet, however, I asked our server if we would be able to get some crudites on the side in addition to the olive oil-brushed crostini. We were not warned about the $4 additional charge that would show up on our bill later. Otherwise? Great food, warm ambiance, and friendly service, even during odd hours. Standouts are the hearty dinner fare including their pork chops, pumpkin ravioli, and sandwiches. Soups are warm and fresh but not exactly hearty. Wonderful beer selection (although, again, you could do 50% cheaper at Whole Foods for local selections) and creative cocktails. Oh, and one of the scariest parking lots to attempt to exit. Eep.
(3)
Dan M.

Total Rip-off. Spent $70 w/tip on brunch (no booze) for two adults and two kids. Must have been a problem in the kitchen because tables that were seated 30 minutes after us were served before us. Half of our food was cold. My skillet was literally eight bites of food for $12 dollars. Less than a1/4 cup of potatoes and chorizo under two eggs. A tiny omelet with a pancake and a soggy bit of lettuce salad on the side was $15 dollars (my eleven year old was still hungry after eating it..and she is a small girl). The waitress asked if we wanted a pancake instead of toast for a couple of bucks more. Since when is a couple of bucks 3 dollars? Couple means 2 where I'm from. Got the heel of a piece of banana bread for 4 bucks. Got to the car and saw that a server had spilled maple syrup all over my daughter's jacket. Never again.
(1)
Dana M.

On Thursday, I was able to make reservations at this place for Friday night with no problems! I didn't get to check out the farmer's market but my friend did and said there was nothing to look at since it seemed like they were closing up. By then, it was probably around 7:00 pm. The location is great and parking is easy! That's always a plus! I even parked on the side street and didn't have to pay! I heard good things about the sweet potato fries so we had to try them. They were indeed delicious! Nice, crispy, and full of flavor with a side of goat cheese fondue. My friend and I had been looking at the menu online and the meatloaf caught our attention, so bacon wrapped meatloaf it was for both of us! Two medium slices of an oval-shaped meatloaf wrapped in bacon and topped with caramelized onions on a bed of Yukon gold potatoes! On the side were my favorite seasonal veggies of fresh zucchini and yellow squash. Yum! Only thing is I wish the bacon was crispier, other than that, it was one good tasting meatloaf! I think I was more interested in the company and the conversation than to fully enjoy my dinner like I usually do. The place was definitely loud but happenin', and not overcrowded. I also didn't see/hear the band that was suppose to be playing tonight, but then again, it may have been too hard to talk. I'd love to go back and try brunch sometime!
(5)
Jesse S.

I've been here for beers and snacks, post-dinner cocktails, as well as slow, lingering dinners, and I've never left Uncommon Ground disappointed. The cocktails are well mixed, and the servers generally do a great job of describing them to you, such that they actually sound appetizing. Maybe it's all that talk of organic booze going to my would-be smug head, but their martinis, manhattans, and even that hepcat Neal Cassady (yeah, that's right all you beat kids) are dangerously delicious. I also have to give a shout out to the sweet potato fries, simply because I love them so, and they are done quite well here. Something about the crusty outside combined with the gooey, sweet/savory inside just makes my palate stand up and say "howdy." The fact that they come with a goat cheese fondue--chevre, my dahhhhlingk--makes them all the more desirable. And finally, I must note that I've had the best steak I've ever had in my life at this restaurant (and this coming from a kid who grew up eating home-killed venison steaks about 2 times a week). A few months ago their chef's selection cut of steak was a hanger steak from a grass fed bovine bff. Well, thanks to the dearly departed moo cow for donating to the culinary pursuits this chunk of flesh at the front of his chest, because, hot damn, was that some excellent steak. Perfectly done, well seasoned, and with a nice collection of veggies on the side (love them carrots). It was a well executed and memorable meal. With respect to negatives, there are two. When there is a band playing, it can get a little (okay, a lot) loud which can make conversation difficult. The other is that service can be a bit slow at times. However, when it's on, it's on; the server I had during my oh-so-orgasmic steak experience was not only attentive, but super knowledgeable, and able to respond to all sorts of questions. So that was definitely a plus during that visit. I don't think I've ever made it to dessert here without still having room, but the selection of coffees and teas will certainly satisfy. I have yet to enjoy their brunch offerings--what I consider a vast oversight on my part, considering I used to live a few blocks away and no longer do. Here's hoping for the opportunity.
(4)
Bryan C.

After an unsuccessful attempt at eating brunch at M Henry, we headed to the much less crowded and just as good Uncommon Ground on a slightly hungover Saturday. I was VERY impressed. Our party of four was seated in a matter of minutes. Our server was very friendly and attentive, and clearly enjoying her job. I enjoyed the "uncommon rancheros" and a delicious glass of champage (hey, why not?). For $10, I got a perfect portion and a ton of flavor! I think my favorite thing about the huevos rancheros were the out of this world torilla chips served on the side. So fresh and crunchy, and obviously not out of a bag. There's just no substitute for fresh, organic ingredients. The restaurant became crowded, but not so crowded we couldn't converse with the people at our table. Our server made it a point not to rush us, making it an even more enjoyable experience. Not a single complaint here. Everything was really good and I'm looking forward to going back for their dinner menu.
(4)
Kat Q.

$21.00 for an omelette and a flavored coffee? Yikes!
(2)
Tyler K.

My friends and I were really really looking forward to eating here last night, Friday March 2, 2012...but when we walked in we were not greeted by the host and once we were seated we waited for almost 15 minutes with no recognition from the staff that we were their, so we decided to leave. Before we did though we asked a passing by server if we could be served and she replied with, "I can see what I can do for you"... exact words. On the plus side we were given water to drink when on their menu they only give you water if you request it and we had not. I would recommend it because the menu items looked and sounded GREAT but be prepared to wait a long time to be served.
(1)
Iza K.

Exquisite! The food spoke for itself. We all enjoyed our meals. The meatloaf and burgers were soooo flavorful. Little salt was used, well because you didnt need it and the sweet potatoe fries were yummy. Next time I need to try them with the goat cheese dip, because there will definitely be a next time.
(5)
Chris J.

Yet another fantastic brunch spot in Chicago! We got there around 11 on a Saturday and it wasn't too crowded. I ordered up the Montana omelet, which was very well prepared and just the perfect mix of ingredients. I wasn't too keen on the hash brown patty though, it was too greasy and overcooked. My friend got the challah french toast, which I tried and can attest to its deliciousness. We topped things off with the mint hot cocoa which was phemonenal! Also be warned, it's pretty much in a bowl you drink with two hands ;) Rham Emanuel also decided to drop in while we were eating there with his entourage and some of the media. Fortunately, the wait staff did still pay good attention to the patrons, including our table. ALSO: they have a parking lot. I paid to park on the street before I noticed it, so I figured I'd help you all out.
(4)
brian f.

great food, decent prices, creative menu. but too noisy at times, yesterday, large fundraiser in East dining room and in main dining room was hard to hear or talk. event was supposed to be on roof but rain threat moved it inside. diners with reservations Should have been told, they had our #'s since they called to confirm our reservations. loud noise really ruined our family gathering as we all wanted to talk and eat. nice bar area too.
(4)
Sarah L.

I haven't been to a weekend brunch in a while. My friends and I are on the hunt for an ugly Christmas sweater for an ugly sweater party. We wanted to pig out before taking on such a daunting task. I suggested Uncommon Ground since we were in the area. There was a short wait on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Our short 15 minute wait was well worth it! There is a large seating area near the bar with comfy chairs around the fireplace. I had the prairie pure macaroni & cheese: prairie pure butterkase, cedar grove white cheddar, swiss, apple-celeraic slaw. It was beyond amazing. I ate every last bite. My friends also dipped into my noodles before they ate their breakfast. I was the only one that didn't get breakfast food and I'm glad I splurged and had the mac & cheese. My friends had the brioche French toast and the huevos uncommon. Both breakfasts looked amazing and everyone left a happy camper. Uncommon Ground also grows their own herbs and vegetables in the back of the restaurant and on the roof. Everything is so fresh and flavorful. I cannot wait to return, this place is just amazing!
(5)
Joon K.

I ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf and it was just slightly better than the Swansons frozen dinner version and 5 times more expensive. I should have known when it came out in less than 10 minutes that this was no 'organic, prepared food' restaurant but rather a price it high, make it sound good and microwave it kind of place. Extremely disappointed that a $20 meatloaf tasted like a frozen food product.
(1)
Brandon B.

Until a friend in Uptown told me about this other store (I knew about the Wrigleyville one) I didn't know this even existed. It was a nice first summer day so pretty dead, but the mood was perfect: sunny, breezy, fresh almost cabin-like feel inside, took you away from the more bland surrounding architecture to a different headspace. The food was reasonably priced and tasty with more unique flavors and very healthy choices for sides and appetizers. Would come back for sure if I ever make it up this far north again!
(5)
Bill C.

Comfortable and spacious with enthusiastic, not overbearing, service. After an early dinner, my fiancÃ© and I moved to the bar where the live bluegrass was top notch; however, my fiance's 2nd signature "agrapolitan" tasted nothing like her 1st, as if they'd run out of a key ingredient. So, what's the major problem? Notable Chicago restaurants make unexpected combinations work; here, unexpected combinations were just odd. We both found flavors to clash, not harmonize. It's risky for a chef to venture out from the meat and potato basics. We'll come back for the music, not to risk the cuisine.
(2)
Emily N.

So, I'm a bit under the weather today. I know it's because I was coming down with a bit of something but decided that I was tough enough to weather it and met some lovely ladies for dinner. Apparently, I am not - but it was sooooo worth it. I started off with the uncommon manhattan. I'm not a big whiskey drinker but figured this would make a good introduction. I have to give a pat on the back to all you whiskey lovers, that thing kicked my ass! I'm sticking with vodka, thank you. For appetizers, we had the baked artichoke, goat cheese, and pest dip. Spread it on thick on the olive oil crostini and your eating a tiny bit of tangy heaven. The pita crisps were served up with a roasted eggplant dip, hummus, and some of the best tzatziki ever! Seriously, sorry ladies, for eating all of it. Please don't hate me. The entrees were just as wonderful. The crispy gunthorp chicken breast was amazing. I think chicken is one of the least flavorful things to eat, but when you crisp it up and serve it over brown butter gnochhi (which was a tad rubbery, sorry) and the squash puree - perfect! The apple and gorgonzola slaw served on top was the perfect sweet compliment to the saltiness of the dish. The absolute stunner of the evening - pumpkin ravioli. OH MY GOD!!! So super rich, served in a sage cream sauce, and topped with gorgonzola and hazlenuts. I'm drooling just thinking about it. The service was perfect. There when you needed them, gone when you didn't. The bar service left quite a bit to be desired but he was busy so I won't whine too much. It definitely helped me stick to my one drink minimum for a Tuesday. Bravo, UG. I'm impressed.
(4)
Michael K.

I had brunch there today with friends. It was a disappointment. I had a breakfast scramble with hash browns and toast. The portions were meager. The "hash browns" side was a small helping of soggy potatoes with no browning or crispness whatsoever. The service was poor. I had to ask for my toast three times. When it arrived (after I'd finished the rest of my meal), it was just a single slice. In short, mediocre food and service--and not much of either.
(2)
Richard H.

Uncommon Ground is not a coffee shop, as you might assume. It is a handsome bar / restaurant / performance space. The ambience is near perfect -- both casual and warm. It is equally perfect for a date or for a large group. There is a lively vibe, but remains intimate enough for conversation. The food is usually a real treat, though sometimes perhaps somewhat of a disappointment. They feature fresh ingredients from their rooftop garden! (How cool is that?!) Also, a great place to have a drink at the attractive bar or enjoy alfresco dining.
(4)
Url R.

No valet parking but there was plenty of street parking on Devon. The entrance is on Devon through the metal gates. We (as well as a few others) sort of wondered around looking for the door. Anyway... The Carrot and Zucchini croquettes apps were good, especially the dill tzatziki. I would recommend the beet salad, however. The Cassoulet with sausage was out of this world. Beans perfectly cooked and a respectable spiciness to the sausage. I strongly recommend. If you are not into this idea, I would recommend the rabbit which was perfectly cooked. PS: We brought a 3 week old baby here for an early dinner. I was worried, but then the ambiance is nice and dark, with decent white noise. Also, I was relieved to see that a few others brought younger children here. The waitstaff were very cool with this and not snooty about it at all. It didn't matter because he slept the whole time anyway.
(5)
Duncan S.

I am adjusting my review down by one star for: a. Closing on a Saturday night for a wedding. If it was an employee I would understand, but I cannot accept that a business operating as local bar/restaurant can close for a function such as a wedding during a prime social time. There are plenty of function venues in Chicago. b. Whilst this is not entirely the fault of the venue and involves poor parental control. I went in earlier in the week to enjoy a beer at the bar and have some lunch. The enjoyment was short lived as I had to endure a child running and playing in the bar area making a complete racket. I would have thought that it would make sense to place minors in the restaurant section and not at the bar. Needless to say I left after my first beer and without buying any lunch.
(3)
Nicole M.

Uncommon Ground has been a fantastic addition to Rogers Park. I've been for lunch and dinner several times during the past few years, and each time I've been pleased. Good eats include the sunshine salad, fish tacos, and the Reuben (with sweet potato fries), and the mac and cheese. The bar area is cozy and fun, and the cocktails are mighty tasty (I'm a fan of the caramel Manhattan). This place has developed a great neighborhood feel, but even if you're not a regular, the staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome, whether you're with kids, in a big group, or on a date night. Also suggested for Loyola students looking for a place to take you're parents when they're in town (and willing to pay!).
(4)
Kathleen O.

We went here for brunch last Sunday and it was good, but not the best I have had. I had the mac n cheese, but it really needed more cheese! It was a little bland. The chicken sausage though was delicious and had a good maply syrup taste to them. My BF loved his meal and was raving about the potatos. The service was great and it is a very cute and inviting. The menu had a lot to choose from and I will definitely go back, but M Henry is still my favorite place for breakfast :)
(3)
Camille E.

The food? Awesome. Menu options? Not as many as I'd like. The service? I've DEFINITELY had better... I really don't understand why 1). my party was not greeted by a server for over 15 minutes, 2). we weren't given any waters with our menu and 3). our server acted as if the long wait was our problem. Not the type of customer service I was expecting. Honestly, the food is great and offers vegan/veggie/organic options. Everything always taste fresh and the meal portions are equal to what you pay. Not the cheapest place to grab brunch, but definitely consistent in terms of food quality -- however the customer service is another issue. I must say that the first time I came here, our server was a rockstar, so maybe it was just an off day the second time around. Ehh, I may come back if I'm really craving an omelete or apple-smoked chicken sausage, otherwise there are plenty of other yummy brunch places in Chicago to choose from. I guess, don't believe all the hype?
(2)
Josephine L.

My friend and I had our farewell to Chicago dinner here right before we both moved. Lovely, lovely restaurant with an amazing drink list and top notch food. I had the most amazing duck dish and a gorgeous hibiscus-infused cocktail with an honest-to-goodness flower on top. We both wished we'd known about this place earlier. It's the perfect ladies' night out, friends outing, date night spot. And not too hard on the wallet either, if two poor grad students like us could afford it!
(5)
Melissa Q.

Uncommon Ground did an amazing job accomodating over 30 girls. I was extremely happy when the first round of appetizers came 10 seconds after we sat down. How did they know we were so hungry?! The baked goat cheese dip was unbelievable. I think the servers had to pry it out of my hands. But, the favorite part of the meal for me was the pumpkin ravioli. I never would have come up with that combination, but oh did it work well together. The service was great. Our drinks didn't go for more than a couple minutes without being re-filled. Food seemed to always be around (which is both a good and bad thing, of course. Ask my scale this morning how much of a bad thing, haha). Overall, it was a very nice experience and the decor was cozy and perfect for a cold winter day. It's pretty far from me, but I hope to return soon!
(4)
Emily U.

Uncommon Ground turns out a solid brunch experience, but it could definitely be more awesome. They garden on the roof. How cool is that? Unfortunately, though, they aren't totally excelling at the food just yet. It was good, but just not as great as the descriptions on their lowercase menu would lead you to believe. I had a winter scramble with arugula, mushrooms and Parmesan. The combo of veggies was good and the thin flecks of cheese were a nice touch, but the eggs were a bit overcooked (and I typically prefer my eggs somewhat hard). My companions had the spicy heuvos uncommon, which was tasty but arrived with some very greasy looking tortilla chips on the side. Really? Greasy chips with a breakfast dish? Methinks not. However, I loved my side of potatoes, which were the well done, cubed kind. As advertised, their coffee was nice, but my first cup came with some grounds floating in it. That and a somewhat awkwardly overbearing server perhaps set me up for a less than stellar experience. And the tab was more than $50 for three people so it's not your cheapest brunch option. I would definitely try UG again, though. They have several delicious-sounding coffee/booze drinks that would be perfect for enjoying near the fireplace on a blustery evening. Overall, I think all the elements to make it awesome are there--a commitment to healthful, local foods, a delicious-sounding menu, a friendly vibe and a cozy atmosphere--but they need to work on refining the details.
(3)
Elizabeth R.

I really enjoyed this restaurant. I have had several things off of their menu. Their omelet was a stand out delicious meal. They have great hot chocolate that they serve in a bowl. I would have given them a perfect but on my most recent visit, I had to sit at a small table near the fire place. It seems as though they are trying to fit so many tables in there that it is impossible to feel comfortable. Great food, but they need to improve the atmosphere.
(4)
Alex F.

Meh. Food was edible but based on the reviews I expected a lot more. Had the gnocchi, for $18, it should have been ROCK STAR! It's pasta! I've made better at home. It wasn't bad but it wasn't worth $18 not even for handmade pasta made with organics. The portion was tiny and I don't eat a lot. My companions had the mac n cheese, buffalo steak, and meat loaf. Mac n cheese was small too. Meal loaf was def the winner. Buffalo steak was slices and grilled a little salty but good. The corncake was a little strange. But the ENORMOUS cheese stick we were not even sure what to do with. It was like a huge crispy phallus laying on the plate. Drinks were strong. I have no issue spending money on food but felt that the food was way over priced for the quality and quantity. Might stop in for a drink if in the hood but otherwise won't be back.
(2)
Matt D.

The food is always impressive here. It's one of those spots to take out of town friends when you want a sure bet on amazing food with a relaxed environment and good crowd, for not a lot of dollars. I'd say it's comfort food, but when I hear that I don't necessarily picture the level of deliciousness and originality this place serves up. From the beer selection, to the sides and of course the mains, down to the environment, I've enjoyed every single trip here.
(4)
Virginia T.

I went to Uncommon Ground for brunch on a Sunday after deciding NOT to endure the 45min wait for M Henry. I was NOT AT ALL disappointed. There was no wait. The waitress was excellent and friendly. The food was amazing. My dining companion had the best graham cracker latte thing in the world. I had pecan crusted brioche french toast, which was just the right amount of sweet and wonderful. I, of course, also ordered side potatoes & bacon which were both great as well. On my second visit I had a skillet of cheese grits with pulled pork that was absolutely to die for. I accompanied it with a Black Eyed Dog which was lovely. (Vodka with blackberry/cardamom syrup). I can't wait to come back...I loved brunch but I really want to come for dinner, especially since their beer menu is so good!
(5)
Nisey M.

Decided to stop here for dinner last Saturday and we arrived just in time to be seated at the bar when a few people were leaving. There was a three course dinner special for 30.00 and it was a great deal! I started with a Ginger martini that was made with house infused organic vodka and ginger...this drink was amazing and was absolutely delicious. Started with mussels and fresh cut fries, I wanted to hug the chef for this because having two of my favorite things unconventionally put together was a great birthday treat! Bacon wrapped meatloaf...I really don't need to say anything except I woke up the next day and had the left over portion(yes it was big) for breakfast. I don't recall ever doing that in my life...I wanted to eat it when I got home and I was not even hungry, it was just that damn good. Oh and dessert...had no room but took a few bites of the carrot cake with a healthy scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It was not your typical carrot cake, more of a cupcake with a delicious sugary coating on the outside. This was not my first trip here and won't be my last...delicious and great service at the bar.
(4)
Patrick and Jes D.

We've been there for a brunch with friends and had a nice time with tasty food. This is more about the service. When we came to see our friends perform in a weekly set the room has been packed and the hostess seems to be in crisis mode. The weeks we've been there, it's also been under-staffed and chaotic with servers not tracking their tables. No effect on the consumables, just that it's been unpleasant to experience. Basically, we'll only go now if our friends are playing.
(2)
Cornelius T.

Something has happened to this place within the last year that has brought the food quality and diner experience into the ditch. Many of the glasses used for bar drinks are dirty/full of lipstick gunk, the quality of the bread has gone from whole grain to a whole lot of white flour, and the healthfulness of the food choices is now on par with McDonalds. Unfortunately this is consistent with the lack-of-class Lincoln Park / Lakeview crowd that jams into this place with their obnoxious offspring on a regular basis. This is all unfortunate, as UG used to be a great implementation of a quality restaurant.
(2)
Tim B.

Went to Uncommon Ground to celebrate a new job a few weeks back and could not have been happier with the experience. The food was amazing. The service was above and beyond our expectations. The entire staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The wine list could have been a little longer, but we were completely happy with our selection. We started with the pork belly appetizer and it was as perfect a bite of food as I have ever had. Pure decadence in the form of tasty bacony goodness. Our main dishes did not let up on the indulgent theme of the meal. My fiancÃ© and I were both extremely pleased with our selections - she had a hearty and rich beef stew and I went with the steak special with creamy (almost butterscotch) sweet potato puree. Perfection. We have also had the brunch here and though the option here are lighter and less expensive they are no less delicious and well thought out. Don't pass up the drink options here for either meal. The bloody Mary is spicy, rich, and complex. Their seasonal drink specials compliment any meal and their selection of local and regional beers will introduce you to new brew options to enjoy with a meal or on their own. For a special occasion meal, a unique drink, a hard-to-find micro brew, or a hearty and tasty breakfast option this is the place.
(5)
Zack P.

One of our go-to places in the neighborhood and arguably some of the best food in Roger's Park/ Edgewater-- so why 3 stars? 1. Since it is one of the few nice places to eat in this locale it draws a big crowd, long wait times, and lots of families with cheerio-flinging babies. Takes a long as 40 minutes to get seated some nights. Depending on the time, it's almost better to just eat in the bar area, which is infinitely more cozy. 2. They don't have a lot of imported alcohols. Locally sourced everything sounds great unless you're talking about wine, and the selection is a lot of junk from CA, which is frustrating. No Ketel vodka for the Bloody Marys either, although I will admit that their bloody mix is pretty tasty. 3. Food is usually hit-or-miss. Granted, there's a lot more hit than miss but, as far as brunch is concerned, I've not been impressed. Their breakfast enchiladas were great, but are no longer on the menu. The chilaquiles were pretty sad and the huevos uncommon was pretty disappointing. Their lunch and dinner menu features a lot more hits though, specifically the meatloaf, their burgers and mac-and-cheese are all fantastic versions of what could otherwise be lackluster staples. Here is where the locally sourced really shines. 4. The price. For a more casual restaurant in this neighborhood the prices are pretty unreasonable. Makes it hard for us to go regularly, which is a shame because I'm a fan of their dinner menu. I would say about 2.5 Dollar signs, 3 if you're a heavy drinker. You'd think all that local booze would be a bit cheaper.
(3)
Megan G.

Really really good drinks. Both boozy and coffee. Service is always pretty great. Knowledgeable smiley people who greet you with coffee even when they were out as late as you were (as overheard by my bat ears). Too bad the food can't back it up. Yeah, I said it. The food leaves much to be desired. Under seasoned and overpriced. I get the appeal of the organic foods and local farms and markets but ya ain't doing them any justice either, Menu Makers!
(3)
MTML D.

My wife and I went to Uncommon Ground for lunch/early supper. Great experience. Our server Nathan was excellent and service was prompt. We got there about 4pm on a Saturday and the place was almost empty. A great time to go if you want to be the crowds. We had the sweet potato fries as an appetizer. I have had sweet potato fries from quite a few places but these are the best and the goat cheese to dip them in is nice. I had the macaroni and cheese as my main course and it did not disappoint. I make homemade mac and cheese myself so I was a little leary but it was the best I have had in a restaurant. My wife had the pumpkin ravioli and it was very fresh tasting and you could tell that the ingredients were fresh and not frozen like Olive Garden(sorry to anyone that likes Olive Garden). We had the double chocolate cake with blueberry and it was unbelievable. It was not overly sweet but just enought osatisfy your sweet tooth. Overall I would rate Uncommon Ground an A+ organic restaurant and they don't skimp on flavor or portions. I think it is cheap for an organic restaurant. I have been to Maggianos and dropped just as much coin. Anyway check em out, you won't regret it. We are going back as soon as we can. Sidenote: they have their own parking lot which is free. A premium on Devon st.
(5)
Nikki R.

Nice place to dine in the Edgewater area, outdoor seating is a plus. The fact that Uncommon Ground makes an effort to use produce from local farmers in the Midwest and utilizes an organic rooftop farm for some of their entrees is something that keeps me coming back. I love the interior of this place as well. They've got a decent sized drink menu.. the espresso bar is a plus for me. Although the food menu is on the smaller side, it's always changing with the season, and frankly a smaller menu makes it easier to order (narrows down my choices!) The price is right for the quality of food you receive. Overall, good!
(4)
Connie W.

The food is still fantastic, but the service, especially in the bar, is not the least bit warm or welcoming. Three times in the last two months we have stopped in about 11 - 11:30pm. The bartender inevitably looks at a server then looks at us without saying a word. (and, we are not arriving looking like bums - my husband is usually in a business suit after coaching a basketball game and this will be our first drink of the night) When I asked last time if they were closing, I was told "you have 20 minutes". When my husband mentioned we had others coming to meet us, we got a shrug. So - we just found our new favorite neighborhood after-game hangout - Cuneens - right across the street from UG. BTW - A friend and neighbor recently had a similar experience after arriving at 9:30pm on a week night.
(2)
Maureen D.

A delectable little morsel of a restaurant. The coffee was organic and lovely and sweet and dark. My cave-aged cheddar, caramelized onion, spinach and broccoli omelette was unreal. All complex and sharp and bright without being too much. The breakfast potatoes were patatas bravas-esque, i.e. perfect. Sort of wish there had been splenda for the coffee. Otherwise, perfection.
(5)
Bret B.

Sent an email to the restaurant outlining my concerns. That email had my full contact information. Never heard back, so clearly they have little or no concern about their clients. They are resting on their supposedly green laurels. They give the Green Movement a bad name.
(1)
Anita M.

Upon walking in we were greeted at the door. As the hostess proceeded to ask us if we had a reservation, we began to feel the shame. I mean how dare we try to walk in on a Wednesday night of all nights without calling in first! I should have known due to the smashing reviews on Yelp. It was a slightly awkward moment of silence after we told the hostess that we indeed did not have reservations. Awkward moment aside, once we were seated I felt at ease again. I promise to know better next time! For starters I tried the cream of asparagus which was delightful. For my entree I had the Sunrise salad and I must say that it was pretty impressive! Being the carni that I am, I'm all about having some kind of meat in my entree but surprisingly the salad did not fall short at all. Let me also add that I'm usually not a huge fan of sun-dried tomatoes and in lieu of my excitement over the menu, I overlooked this item in the salad. But it was in fact, the star of the salad! There was also a special on their sangria which was a bit on the sweeter side but I got over that quickly. The food was a bit more pricey but the quality is worth every dollar. I also love that they are very eco-minded.Uncommon Ground- I dig it!
(4)
geo w.

My dining companion and I arrived at 6:30 pm and the dining room was virtually empty, which was pleasant. As the room began to fill up patrons were seated shoulder-to-shoulder for no apparent reason other than to accommodate the wait staff, certainly not the patrons. When there are many, many empty tables, why seat patrons shoulder-to-shoulder? We ordered meatloaf. Pricey at $18 and mediocre. It would have been a nice addition if a crust of bread had been offered. Nope. Bread is too expensive to be offered with meatloaf? The room has a delightful ambience that is attractive. I used to live in the neighborhood and returned for a nostalgia trip. Alas, the food has gone down in quality, but not the prices. The neighborhood needs a restaurant like Uncommon Ground, however, but management needs to be more patron-friendly. Give patrons some space when the room is virtually empty and toss them a crust of bread, please?
(2)
Michael B.

This place has interesting decor, great service and food combinations that are intriguing to the American palette. However, I'm really disappointed in the portion size. It's really enough to piss me off. I enjoyed the sweet potato croquettes. I thought my roasted chicken with cauliflower puree and bacon (and parsnips...how autumnal) was great! But it was small. I just paid $20+ for a dish that, yes, was skillfully prepared, but I left feeling hungry. I think they could have just made the portions bigger or just adjusted the price. My entree was not worth $27 (with tax and 20% tip--I had great service, as I mentioned). It was a glorified chicken breast with potatoes. I mean, it was a delicious chicken breast and I usually do not like meat that much. But, it was chicken. It wasn't a steak. They could have at least given me more cauliflower mash...that's cheap, right? I need more convincing reasons to go back or my wallet and stomach will be empty (Oh God...did I just sound like a Subway commercial? I think I did. You get the idea).
(3)
Nichole F.

Went last night for dinner. It was very mediocre. It's a pretty space but when we went, it was in the 40s out and I swear there was a door open somewhere because it was FREEZING inside the place. We looked around and half the people in the place were dining with their jackets on. It wasn't comfortable and made you feel like you wanted to eat and run. We did end up asking the server to warm the place up and they did. In terms of the food, there was a lack of seasoning on the gnocchi and frites with the mussels. The veggie ragout was OK. My husband had a pork chop which was way overcooked and the cut they used was not good. Dessert was good except for the horrendous sauces they tried to use. They were truly completely inedible. I had the brownie sundae that had some attempt at a caramel sauce. It was bitter and watery and not good. My husband had the brown butter pear cake which was tasty but again the sauce was also bitter and sour - like raw molasses. It really is a shame because their concept of fresh, local ingredients is wonderful as is their roof top garden. The problem is if you don't have a chef/s that work with the great ingredients and make it taste delicious, you end up with a mediocre menu.
(2)
M S.

Great cocktails, some food is good, some bleh. My rating is based on an experience I had there a couple weeks ago. Short story is... I used my debit card to pay for an almost $200 bill, and my card got swiped twice. Over the course of several days, I had multiple conversations with multiple restaurant managers and people from my bank to figure out what happened. I wanted to make sure I wasn't actually getting charged twice, and I was not happy that an extra $200 was being held from my available balance. One manager in particular gave me some horrible excuses, such as, "this happens every now and then," and "our new credit card processing company does this with a couple of banks to make sure people actually have the money in their account." (Frankly, if a credit card company was double authorizing people this regularly, it would be out of business.) This manager even had the nerve to tell me, "You should probably use a credit card instead of a debit card in the future to avoid this from happening." A- double-swiping my credit card is no different than double-swiping my debit card. B- WHO ARE YOU to tell me how to pay when I come to your restaurant? Needless to say, no one at the restaurant was able to do much for me (they say they called the credit card company and that there was no second transaction). My bank did take care of me, but it literally took several hours of my time to keep making phone calls back and forth, re-explaining the whole story each time. And, I also sent an email to the owner after it was all finished, and 10 days later, I still have received no response from him.
(2)
Angie P.

The only thing good about this place is the mac and cheese. Otherwise, the staff is pretentious, unhelpful, and ignore you unless you wave your menu and beg them to take your drink and food order. Mind you, I was sitting at the bar. Maybe I needed a little more cleavage, I dunno. Bartender was bored and boring. The most he said was that they only serve water upon the customer asking because they are so Eco-Friendly/Chic. Blah blah this place is an overpriced bag o' wind. Not returning.
(2)
Samuel M.

The ambiance at Uncommon Ground is excellent, and conducive to having a great experience. The lounge area is swanky (I can't complain any time I get to eat dinner at a plush rocking chair), and I seriously dug the indie playlist they had on. As far as the fare, I found it to be so-so. The drink special was whisky; drinks involving Buffalo Trace were $7, which is a good deal. However, my old fashioned was cloyingly sweet, which I find unacceptable (my date's Manhattan, on the other hand, was very good). For food, I ordered the burger, which comes as I like it: simply, with top-quality Dietzler farm beef, cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and a fried egg. At $14, I expect an elite hamburger; instead, this one was marginally above average. The patty was actually cooked medium rare (which is surprisingly difficult to find) and had a mild yet pleasant beef flavor. The fried egg was luscious, but ever-so-slightly overdone such that the yolk did not run down the patty. The cheddar cheese was good, but not nearly sharp enough. Sweet potato fries were delicious (but they always are). By far the most offputting element of the burger were the condiments: jarred crinkle-cut pickles, and squeeze bottle Grey Poupon. I don't understand the point of offering a gourmet hamburger, only to serve it with condiments I can buy at the Jewel. It makes about as much sense as buying a Rolls Royce and putting in a plastic interior. This also stood at odds with the "local/sustainable" vibe that UG is trying to create. All in all, a pleasant, if overpriced and imperfect experience. I recognize that it may not be entirely fair to judge a place not known for its burger on its burger, but I still think that there's no point in offering a gussied up, $14 hamburger if it isn't an absolute home-run. I'd come back, but would definitely order something else.
(3)
Angela G.

I had the best food at this restaurant. We ordered a a great bottle of 1/2 price wine which was the special that night & recommended by the waiter. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and shared for our meal. We ate: roasted garlic, baked spinach & goat cheese dip, grilled mushroom seasonal wild mushrooms, three sisters polenta, balsamic reduction x2 and potato ravioli caramelized cauliflower puree, pickled cauliflower, capers. All of them were to dye for in this green restaurant. I would go back anytime but I cannot wait until the spring when the garden opens on the roof.
(5)
Kathy H.

Great find by visitors. Artichoke/goat cheese dip wonderful. Service just OK. But give them a try, we think we had a newbie.
(4)
Katie Z.

Yep, I'm a fan. Good organic eats from withn an inspirational space.
(4)
Jeff S.

Hostess not the friendliest in the world - seemed somewhere else as I was trying to speak with her. Service was ok - took a long while to get our food and they didn't bring a couple of the sides we ordered. They did have people running around filling coffee though and we didn't need to ask for more at any time. The hash was very good but the omelet lacked flavor, would be subpar if you don't throw se hot sauce on there. Great warm atmosphere for brunch and definitely good quality.
(3)
Michael B.

Sigh. I really wanted to rate this place higher. Truly. I mean, the food was good. The wait, on a Sunday morning, wasn't horrible. But the service... One of our party didn't get their meal until after the rest of us had been served and were finished. We were ready to leave when her order arrived. And it was wrong. And we'd asked for it to go and it came out on a plate. The problem was with the customer service. Our waiter avoided us like the plague. I understand that no one wants to be the bearer of bad news, and yes, there's a "shoot the messenger" mentality that the wait staff gets saddled with. But come on. At least acknowledge us. Let us know what's going on. We weren't yelling. We understood that it was a busy brunch crowd. Treat us with a little respect. We're still going to tip. And where was the manager? He should have been johnny-on-the-spot. But we didn't get to chat with him until we were leaving because, though we had been told the meal was comped, we had actually been charged for it TWICE, so only one came off. When we stated that we were frustrated, he cut us off and said he was having a frustrating day as well. No. No. No. You don't get to make this about you. We're the paying customers. We've had crummy experience because of your staff's errors. The least you can do, even if it's fake, is pretend to empathize and apologize. I'm sorry that you're having a bad day, but we chose to spend our time and money in your establishment. We came to visit and enjoy each other's company, but instead we spent the entire time trying to track down our waiter and get some simple answers. For me, there are several Cardinal Sins of Restaurants happening here. And because of that, I won't be spending my money at this place again.
(2)
Jennifer M.

Great beer selection. Fantastic appetizers. Very nice service (although, I was with a large, older crowd, so she probably knew she was getting a hefty tip). A little above my station, so I can't go there often, but the food was legitimately good enough to go back. Great atmosphere, as well.
(5)
James B.

Great place! Great fresh food and good music. The s'mores dessert was amazing! Thanks to a good friend this was a fun place to be!
(5)
Gray G.

I really like this place. The food is delicious and the artwork and decor is really nice. My complaint is it's deceptively expensive. I feel like this is a casual eatery and accordingly would be not so expensive, but the bill is always much bigger than I thought. One thing that bothered me recently was when I asked for some pickle slices for my daughter, I was charged $2.50. Am I wrong for being angry about this? I thought maybe a dollar, if at all. Errgh. This little thing has kept me from going back. I'm sure I'm being unreasonable. Someone tell me I'm being unreasonable and I'll go back.
(3)
M C.

Known for their fresh produce grown on the rooftop and surrounding planting beds, UG delivers a unique twist on typical "American" dining selections. Lots of vegetarian & vegan options, grass-fed beef burgers were delicious. The pork scallopini was a little dry, but the BBQ roast half-chicken was very tasty. Great selection of reasonably priced wine ($33 for a bottle of robust red Hahn recommended by the manager was excellent!). The atmosphere would have been better if it wasn't so loud. Even tho we had made reservations (it was a Saturday), the only seating appeared to be small square tables for 2 that were pushed together to accomodate larger groups. There were 5 in our party and rather than set 2 on one side and 3 on the other we asked the staff to remove one of the 3 tables they had pushed together for us, so we could sit closer together and be able to talk more easily. But it was so noisy when the place was full that we still had difficulty hearing the person sitting diagonally. One friend has hearing aids and it was very uncomfortable for him. Around 9pm the place really cleared out and the noise level dropped significantly. Easy parking on the street or in the small lot behind. I would go back again, but not sure about my friend with hearing aids.
(4)
Kristen S.

I went to Uncommon Ground last night for dinner. I ordered the risotto which I really didn't like (not poor quality, just bland for my taste). The server noted my hesitation when she asked how I liked my food and responded with 'I don't want you to have anything in front of you that you don't LOVE.' She replaced my meal, no questions asked. Additionally, the manager came over to apologize and check in. Kudos, great server (Catherine??) for how she handled the situation and for the service standards at UG. Additionally - great decor; always exciting, fun food fusions; 1/2 price wine on Thursdays; and live music.
(5)
Josh G.

This place is great! I love going when they have live music. The food is good and the servers have always been friendly. I like the environment. I've had several things off their menu, and it has always been good. It's not the best food I've ever had, but with the environment and staff, it's a good experience overall. I would go there for drinks and music or food and drinks.
(4)
Megan G.

Visited this place with my family after much fanfare from my dinner club (the one dinner club I missed). And they were right, this place is worth finding someone with a car to drive my butt up to Edgewater. - Mediteranian app was a great start and hint of what was to come- warm babaganoush, hummos, and mint tzatziki, with toasted pita points and marinated olives (my fave). All seasoned perfectly. - I had the "fried" chicken but removed the skin to a perfectly plump, juicy breast with the best succotash (veggie mix) I've had in a while. So good. - Mom had the bacon wrapped meatloaf (to raves) - BF had the braised beef and I snuck a taste of his mashed potatoes. Delish! Great beer selection, my mom ordered two of their fresh watermellon mojitos (that means it's really good) and the decor was very tastefull and inviting. The place also managed to appear child-friendly and there was a stage for bands to play. That, plus the rooftop garden (for true organic fresh veggies in the dishes) proved that this place had it all. Oh, and one of us commented that it was the best waiter we've ever had. Not the cheapest meal I've had in a while but definitely you get much more than you pay for with Uncommon Ground. A+ I'll be back next time I'm in the hood.
(5)
Jocelyn S.

Wow! I'm reading some of the reviews off to my right, and there are some angry people out there. Goodness. Anywho, I had breakfast here recently, and I'd heard that the food was good, if not a bit expensive. And I couldn't agree more! I had the Gunthorp Farm Chicken Enchilada Skillet, and it was sooooooo gooooooooood! And the iced tea with special herbal additions was also very tasty, and perfect for a brunchy drink. I love the decor, and having this place near my house is a plus. I really appreciate that they grow so much of their own food. That's really cool! The only thing is that the price, for my wallet at least, is a bit high. We didn't pay for breakfast (father-in-law in town) but had we, I would have been sweating a little bit. This is definitely for richer folks, or as a once in a while breakfast treat.
(4)
Michael S.

The only restaurant worth going to in Roger's Park--without it I'd have moved long ago. Always been a big brunch fan there (best chai latte ever), but the already solid dinner menu continues to improve. While your hippie friends enjoy the wonderful [organic] sunshine salad, you now can enjoy succulent pork belly and rillettes appetizers with a fine glass of Matilda. What else is needed? The duck is consistently perfectly cooked, burgers satisfying (especially with sweet potato fries), and the desserts are not to be overlooked. Be sure to order the apple crisp, and double check for the chocolate bread pudding (actually made from cake, served with gelato and grilled white peaches), which makes rare special apperaances. It may cost a little more than Heartland Cafe down the street, but I'm done kidding myself, and just cough up the extra money for the better food.
(4)
Sarah C.

This place kills me. It makes one of my favorite things in the world- the Neal Cassady Coffee in a BOWL no less- and still can't wrestle five stars out of me. Why must the service be so crappy? Why must most of the entrees be suspiciously overpriced? Why must there be a ton of kids on there every single damn time I'm in there? Seriously, the food is always great-- last time I was there, I did a duck two ways dish that was SUPERB-- but the service stinks. It is rare that I forego dessert after a long leisurely dinner. After waiting 15 minutes for the menu so I could even peruse my choices, I had had enough. :( I will try your other location for now...
(3)
Juliana K.

Absolutely yummy. For starters, I recommend the seasonal flat-bread and the sweet potato fries. I had a beautifully presented seared trout served with sauteed spinach and fava beans. It may seem on the mundane side, but I have a great appreciation for a well cooked vegetable. The spinach was perfectly prepared and it was just as tasty as the trout. The waitstaff was pleasant, attentive, and kept the sangria coming. With regards to your immediate surroundings, you'll find that it is pleasantly lit and cozy. On the night that I went their was a live band, who was great but their sound person liked to tune things on the loud side which can be a bit much when you're sitting close to a speaker (like I was).
(4)
Tyra M.

Uncommon Ground on Devon - I have not been disappointed with this place yet. It's one of my mainstays because I know that I will always have a good-to-great and satisfying meal here whether it's brunch, lunch or dinner. The wait-staff has always been super-friendly. I do agree with one of the other reviewers, that it is deceptively expensive. Someone who is not familiar with the place might think because of it's inconspicuous outer appearance, pub-ish interior, relaxed clientele and atmosphere, that it would be less expensive. Nevertheless, the food is consistently good and I will keep going back. A lot of organic and locally grown items to choose from and a pretty good beer selection including Chicago's own Metropolitan Brewing company (the Dynamo Copper Lager is very nice). For brunch, I usually wolf down their eggs benedict of the day. Other yums on my list are: the grown-up grilled cheese, olive oil crostini and baked goat cheese w/spinach, sweet potato fries, the sunshine salad, pumpkin-filled ravioli, Dietzler farm burger, Gunthorp farm chicken and there are still a lot of items on the menu that I haven't tried but I'm looking forward to having. Brunch is my favorite time to dine there. The crowd is usually lively and happy and there is a good mix of young, old, singles and families, making it a thoroughly enjoyable, yet relaxed experience. I like to go to a place where I can see a melting pot of people. It's the kind of place where you can bring a date, go with friends or come with family. Dinner time is also fun. There is a very nice bar with a fireplace if you just feel like a drink or two. If you don't have reservations and the place is crowded, you won't mind sitting there for a drink while you wait. The walls are always covered with interesting art work for sale and you can hear live music and other entertainment in the evenings. They grow produce on the roof-top in the summer and have a farmer's market on Friday's in the parking lot. Yum yum yum yum yum.
(4)
F. Explora L.

This place is overrated and overpriced. Very nice atmosphere and setting, lively, busy, great live music. Unfortunately I went for the food, not the atmosphere. Not as vegetarian and vegan friendly as we expected. Went with some girlfriends; none of us liked our dishes so we ended up passing them around the table and trying them all. This place was definitely not worth the 45 min wait. Not recommended for vegetarians/vegans. The Dishes White bean & yellow squash ragout: wasn't a fan, a bit to salty and bean-y, not enough greens, didn't really like the texture, but interesting mix of flavors (some sweet spots!) Sweet potato ginger soup: meh... not impressed, very ginger-y tasting, baby-food-consistency and texture, I felt like it needed more salty spin to it... Prairie pure macaroni and cheese: very disappointed (esp being such a pricey dish $12), it's hard to mess up mac n' cheese, it wasn't bad but very plain, it definitely needed more spice/flavor to it, the bread crumbs on top added to the presentation but did not help the flavor/texture at all. Kraft's easy-mac is so so so much better. The apple slaw that came with the dish was horrible, haha, bland taste, awkward texture, two bites and I was done with it. Sweet potato fries & goat cheese fondue: very tasty! the one dish we really enjoyed. the sweetness is perfectly balanced with the umami of the goat cheese. The cheese was really creamy and warm, mmm! We ended up ditching our main dishes and ordering another sweet potato fries. This is the one dish I'd come back for.
(2)
Brian G.

My life isn't spent exclusively at suburban indoor water parks and south side coffee hangouts. No, there are times where I drop in at a trendy spot, and Uncommon Ground fits that bill. Now with Chicago's first certified organic, rooftop garden, Uncommon Ground blends the bohemian with the mainstream, the earthy with the urbane, the hip with the haute, and--as you can tell by all the darn reviews--it's got people chattin' 'bout it. Headed over here during the week to see my friend's band play. Like a diamond in the rough, Uncommon Ground is nestled in a gritty stretch of Devon in Lakewood/Rogers Park. It really doesn't fit in there, but I ain't afraid of grit so it didn't affect my experience. If you loathe grit, greze, or grime, or you are hyper-sensitive to human suffering and poverty, stick with the other locale, a'ight? Let's get the bad stuff outta the way: The band setup is pretty odd. A small stage in the petite dining room demands either a soloist, an a cappella act of no more than three uber-svelte chanteuses, or a band that is comfortable with each other's musk. And the band should probably keep to the lower end of the decibel range as it doesn't take much to compromise the dinner vibe. Regardless of the band logistics, the food was outstanding. We ordered an appetizer of crispy pork belly that was simple and delicious. Don't expect a heaping mound of pork belly though. It's enough for two people or three--if one is a vegetarian. Our waiter was upfront about this. No big deal. For my entree, I had the pork tenderloin which, like everything at Uncommon Ground, was locally grown and damn tasty. There was also a white bean puree with bacon pieces and...I think...chipotle in it. My meal was like a pork variety show, and every act was hot shit. True, any meal at Uncommon Ground is going to make you pawn your fine jewels to swing the tab, but if you have the means it's worth it. Save up and splurge! Take the little lady! Take the meaty man! As far as drinks go, the beer selection is fancy schmancy with a gaggle of craft brews, and the coffee is provided by Metropolis. The bartender hooked it up with a fine cappuccino, and you know I got much love for that. I had a fit of hypoglycemia knock me on my duff before our meal arrived, and I solicited the server for an orange juice. If you're an OJ enthusiast then stop on by as it is fresh squeezed here, and due to the compassion of our server--"Man, I know you can't help having that shit. Diabetes isn't your fault."--it was on the house. Much love, dude. Much love. To wrap it up: Tasty, pricey, hippie/locavore/foodie ethos, fancy, odd band setup, killer bevos, and--though many complain--decent service can be had.
(4)
Zoran O.

Wonderful owners that care about what they serve and their community surrounding them. First rooftop organic garden in the world - producing vegi's for the restaurant. One of those places you know what your getting without having to worry about making the right choice - all great and always fresh. Music on stage is always guaranteed to please. The X Hothouse booking agent is now here and doing some wonderful things. You have everything under one roof. Plus a great bar with a killer selection of beer plus the other top shelf favs. Super warm atmosphere - juts like the original location on Clark. Standing ovation here. Fridays: They serve up the GREATEST fish and chips EVER. Fresh and REAL Halibut - this is the best one I have ever had as most restaurants would NEVER send the $$$ to put Halibut in their fish and chips - awesome!!!! ONLY ON FRIDAYS.
(5)
Chip D.

First, the place is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, especially the front room which has a well-appointed, comfortable bar; low chairs and tables (some of which cozy up next to the fireplace), and the kind of dark, clubby feel you might expect somewhere much more pretentious. In other words, good job on the decor. As for the food, not so great and, believe me, for the $34 it set my companion and I back, it should have been much better. I mean, $34 for bacon, eggs, French toast and two coffees? Seriously, I did not detect truffle oil on the eggs and foie gras seemed absent as well, so what the fuck? Anyway, the thing that makes Uncommon Ground a two star joint is the following exchange that we had with the server. My companion hates mushrooms and she wanted the egg skillet sans mushrooms. Our server, a heavily tattooed lad with a slightly imperious manner, informed us that, "Chef won't change the recipe." Really? To say that I was bemused by this would be to completely ignore the white-hot rage that was bubbling up through my chest. Chef won't take out the mushrooms? I looked around for a moment. I looked out the window. Yes, we were in Chicago. For a moment I thought perhaps we had gotten on a airplane and flown to Spain to eat at El Bulli, but no, this was just a breakfast joint on Devon in Edgewater. Oh, well. We sucked it up and finished our meal and had a good laugh about it later. But we will not be back under any circumstances.
(2)
Ayako M.

I.Love.This.Place ! Wonderful ambience. Excellent service. Awesome food. I mean, really? Can I ask for more? Oh wait, you mean they have a full bar and great beer selection too? Well hot damn! This is a really great moderate priced restaurant with a huge and varied menu. There has to be something for everyone...they even have vegan items and specials. The sweet potatoes fries are the best I've ever had, crunch and salty and sweet, oh my! I will totally come back here!
(4)
Nada R.

Excellent service. From entrance to exit, everyone was grand. The menu's not terribly inspired, nor is it particularly veg-friendly, but frankly it's the pricing that's a drag. Confusion arose when some of us received very large portions, like sandwiches, and some very small portions, like mac & cheese, which weren't indicated on the menu nor could they be surmised from the price of the plate. This had some in our group paying out and leaving hungry. The sweet potato fries were good. Without the remoulade, that's what's vegan, so be it. The beer selection is decent and the wine specials seem to be popular. The cocktails are all right, but certainly not for $10 each. With Big Jones and In Fine Spirits so close, UG doesn't make sense for cocktail hour.
(2)
Michelle W.

My sister and I had brunch here on Christmas Eve. This place is amazing! I had some kind of french toast dish with honey butter and chicken sausage. OMG! I also had a seasonal beverage which was a chai tea-apple cider hybrid ("chaider"). It was okay, but I'd not order it again. I'd order either beverage on its own, or one of their many others. My sister had an omelet of some kind which she completely loved. (Can't wait to have an excuse to go back when the budget allows).
(5)
Jennifer L.

My husband and I have been wanting to try Uncommon Ground for a long time, not only because we have heard great things but also because it's in the neighborhood and we like supporting local businesses. Boy, were we disappointed. The first thing that struck me was that this restaurant brags about serving local and organic food, however there wasn't much listed on the menu that was actually organic and there was no information about the farm sources they use. Also, how can the food be "seasonal" when the menu never changes??? I had been to the Uncommon Ground on Clark in October of 2009 and then the one on Devon just a couple of weeks ago...SAME exact menu. So, seasonal? Not so much (especially if everything is supposed to be local!) But on to the food. In my opinion, it was overpriced and really nothing special. Mac and cheese was good but tiny portion (I mean, if I am ordering mac and cheese I had better be able to gorge myself). Had the halibut the second time and the fish was good but it didn't "wow" me. I have to say, the service was the phenomenal (our waiter was so nice, attentive, and helpful). I wish wish wish I wanted to go back but I just don't:(
(2)
Abigail W.

I eat here about once a month and love that the menu is constantly changing based on what is fresh and in season. There are a few things on the menu that remain throughout the year and are consistently good including the Prairie Pure Mac 'n' Cheese and the Korean Chili-Spiced Calamari are always an excellent choice. I've also always enjoyed their polenta dishes, usually with chicken or pork, but I have a sometimes freakish adoration for polenta, so I may be slightly biased. They also have fantastic brunch options, if you are so inclined. Uncommon Ground does its best to use locally produced, family farmed and organic produce as much as possible. I love that they are thinking local, which in addition to their amazing food, causes me continue to frequent the restaurant.
(4)
Cat L.

Oh, I just love this place. I've been several times for lunch/brunch (special shout-out to their bloody Mary!), but last night was the first time for dinner. Um, remind me again why I waited to have dinner here?! K and I joined a group of folks to celebrate my former roomie's birthday. For our group of 10, service was excellent, and just as nice and pleasant as can be! K and I started with the Korean spiced calamari. Nicely fried, not overcooked, yet the reviews at the table were mixed on the sauce - Was it hot? sweet? spicy? tangy? I certainly enjoyed it. For a main, I opted for the Friday fish-n-chips special; excellent choice on my part. The batter on the fish was light, yet the edges were the exact crispiness you want from fried fish. And a substantial portion to boot. I opted to get the sweet potato fries...totally worth the $1 upcharge. K had the new-to-the-menu halibut over risotto. The fish had a nice crust on it, and the flavors of the risotto were balanced. The only curious thing about the dish were these weird green "sticks" on top - not quite bean sprouts, not pea shoots. Still not sure what they were, but K didn't think they added to the dish. The other 8 diners enjoyed their meals - bacon-wrapped meatloaf, chef's choice steak cut (topped with a yummy chimichurri), and two of the day's specials. Dessert was fine - a S'mores tart, which was basically a chocolate ganache with graham cracker crust, topped with bruleed marshmallows. Another plus for me about this place is their commitment to fresh and organic (when they can) ingredients. Sure makes me feel better about eating all that fried fish...
(4)
Lauren D.

If I'm ever in one of my in-between moods where I don't necessarily want to commute from Evanston to the city, but don't want to stay in Evanston, I go to Uncommon Ground. There's a lot that I like about it - their menu is extensive and has lots of more creative dishes; they have great martinis with infused vodkas, and they always have a great musician playing in the back - I've listened to two great artists here while eating dinner. It's nice to hang out in the bar area, with lounge seating and a fireplace. Also a good place to have dinner. I've always had good service - never been disappointed.
(4)
David B.

OK - I have gone back to Uncommon Ground a couple of times. They revamped the music room and added some doors to block sound from the restaurant and bar. So, now musicians can perform and their audience can actually hear the music! I still wish they would pay the musicians and charge a cover rather than pass a hat for tips though! The food continues to be good and unlike some other reviews, I have good service my last two visits! I also like that they are making an effort to buy ingredients from local sources and during the summer grow items on their own roof! So, I have changed my rating from one to three stars. Parking can be a challenge if the lot is full as the adjoining street is zoned parking.
(3)
Erika G.

The food was very fresh and tasty, the Sweet Potato Fries were awesome! Crispy, thin, salty and sweet. Yum! I don't see it in the menu (must be seasonal) but i had an almost gnocchi-like pasta with lemon sauce and crab. It could have used a little bit more crab for the price but good overall. The atmosphere is loungy and relaxed. Glad i went and tried their food but probably won't go back anytime soon, a little too expensive for me.
(3)
Karen K.

Another disappointment...my husband and I dine in or order out frequently from UG because we live nearby and don't like to go far sometimes for a dinner. What I have the most problem with are the maitre d's or rather hosts and/ hostesses. Where are they getting them---a Loyola program? Consistently pompous , immature and really showing their lack of experience. Again tonight a take out order was botched.. Wanted sweet potato fries and a side salad with my black bean burger. Got no salad and regular fries. This after repeating my request so that she got it right.
(2)
Kate W.

I've been here for brunch and then again for dessert. Each time was nothing special but not bad either. As with any place in Chicago the wait for brunch was really long. I think that's exacerbated by the fact that the kitchen takes forever. From the time we ordered it took a little over 45 minutes for us to get our food. The food was good but nothing amazing like M Henry. The time I was there for dessert was weird. It was a big group of people that trickled in slowly. At first they didn't want to give us a big table (which I understand) but as the group got bigger they decided that we should in fact have the big table. Their dessert selection wasn't too big and there was nothing that I was dying to try. I had gelato in some weird flavors which again was good but nothing amazing. The decor is nice but a little cramped. If I went again I'd go during off hours to avoid the long wait and tons of people.
(3)
Emily M.

This place was nice, though a little full of itself. The laid back atmosphere of the (small) bar area was far better than the dining room. Some of the staff seemed very uppity and nervous. The bartender, though, was awesome. I should have just stayed at the bar! Good beer. If I go back, I'll sit on the patio-- it looked really cute.
(3)
Olivia H.

Delicious!!! Has a very eclectic menu, but it all goes together seamlessly. Get the chilaquiles! Runners up are the uncommon eggs and ricotta blueberry pancakes
(4)
Patty S.

I've never been here for dinner or ordered off their lunch menu, but their brunch has never let us down!! The first time I had brunch here, I knew I had stumbled upon something incredible. We ordered 2 specials that they had on their menu at the time (however, no longer available.) I couldn't tell you exactly what they were, but remember that they were delicious. They also offer some unique drinks such as the cactus league with sparkling wine with hibiscus nectar and candied hibiscus flower. I'm not a big bloody mary fan, but every time someone orders it at the table, I always take a sip and are blown away by the different flavors going on in that glass! (You can't miss it if you are a bloody mary fan!) The food is good (consistent) and any restaurant that is eco conscious is an A in my food.
(4)
S H.

Possibly my favorite restaurant in Rogers Park. Their burger is out of this world and I love the brunch. Great cocktails, tea, and coffee. I love all the organic, locally sourced products - eating delicious, healthy food is very important to me and Uncommon Ground is a staple.
(4)
Lauren B.

After a thoroughly enjoyable first-time experience at Uncommon Ground with my fiance, we just can't shake this place from our minds. We try to expand our horizons and eat at other restaurants, but we undoubtedly always say "we should have just gone to Uncommon Ground" or "This dish was soooooo much better at Uncommon Ground." I can't quit you, U.G.!!! We live nearby and always stop in for some fabulous drinks on the weekend even if we aren't eating. They're so good about mixing up drinks with herbs/fruits that are in season. And we always end up encouraging other people at the bar who are "just stopping in for a drink" to try the food because it is incredible. I need to stop eating anywhere else. I am always disappointed that other restaurants can't even start to compete with the dishes at Uncommon Ground - simple but HUGE flavor.
(5)
Elisabeth D.

My favorite place to eat in Chicago!!! The food, the ambiance, the great service....all of it! This is the perfect special occasion location AND every day place to grab a bite. If I were ever to have a restaurant I would just want to re-create Uncommon Ground on Devon and get to be there every day.
(5)
Arnold G.

Uncommon Ground is a restaurant/gallery/music venue/bar/cafe that boasts Chicago's (and maybe the nation's) first certified organic rooftop farm, which helps supply the restaurant with seasonal vegetables. The roof also houses two beehives, which helps provide pollination in their community as well as honey for the restaurant. Quite simply, this is urban farming that works. In fact, for every tree-tini (a martini with organic ginger-infused Rain Vodka, Liquor 43, tart apple syrup and apple cider) you order, Uncommon ground will plant a tree. For more information about Uncommon Grounds environmental efforts, check out their Web site. Of course, Uncommon Ground's environmental commitment deserves to be praised, but what about the food? Well, we went in with empty stomachs for a Saturday brunch and left with full stomachs and smiles on our faces. I had been planning on checking out Nuevo Leon for some chilaquiles on this trip, but we never got around to it, so I ordered them here. It wasn't the down-home chilaquiles I was craving, but this more refined version totally hit the spot. The blend of crispy tortillas, chorizo, salsa verde and sour cream was perfect. The home fries were perfectly cooked and a couple dashes of Cholula gave them a nice kick. Of course, I got to sample everyone else's dishes, which included some really good halibut fish tacos, a ground buffalo corncake skillet, and a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, mixed peppers, chihuahua cheese, cumin crÃ¨me, spinach tortilla and smoked chili sauce. We ended the meal with some Black Dog Gelato, which is made locally in Chicago. The flavors we selected were salted peanut, coffee cocoa nibs, and caramel goat cheese. The peanut ended up being our favorite because we liked the salty flavor, the slight sweetness and a nice coarse texture. The caramel goat cheese tasted like cheesecake (always a good thing), and the coffee cocoa nibs was good but still a distant third. Uncommon Ground is one Chicago restaurant that would be welcomed with open arms in the Bay Area. Their use of fresh, local, organic ingredients and a commitment to a sustainable, green philosophy, permeates every aspect of the business means that Uncommon Ground is doing in Chicago what many Bay Area restaurants only wish they could.
(5)
Megan G.

I like it. I came here during the summer once with my parents for a "light lunch." We sat outside and shared the sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue (perfect) and I also had a salad. The sweet potato fries were the best I've ever had; not at all soggy or greasy. And that goat cheese. God. So delicious. The salad was okay, it got kind of boring after I got over how giant it was. I went again in the fall for dinner and was really impressed with their seasonal menu. If I had died during dinner, I would've died happy. Sitting in a nice cozy spot next to the fireplace, I had the pumpkin ravioli with gorgonzola cheese sauce and it was...just...I mean...amazing. The pumpkin was a little bit sweet and the gorgonzola was just the right amount of salty (okay, maybe a little bit more than "just the right amount," but still great). My boyfriend Shawn had the mac & cheese. It was hot, but other than that it was just mac & cheese. A little pricey for what it is and the service isn't speedy by any means, but definitely friendly. Hopefully I'll go back soon and taste what's new.
(4)
Kathleen D.

I thought that overpriced food, small portions, and snooty attitude was pretty common, apparently these folks think it's unique (surprise surprise.) Overpriced, bad service, and small portions. It's nice that you want to be a gastropub, but do it somewhere else, eh?
(2)
Jenna N.

I would have liked it more if the portions weren't so small. My poor boyfriend left hungry after his small bowl of mac n' cheese. I had the grilled arctic char, which was a decent size and delicious, but I was more excited about and anticipating the gnocchi w/brussel sprouts that it came with. My poor little heart sank when I saw that I had only 4 brussel sprouts...cut into fours (seriously, I think i'm the only person who actually eats em...but they're so tasty!!!) and 7...counted em...SEVEN...gnocchi! What gives?! Feed your customers! 90% of them look like they could use a sandwich or two as it is... The Tom Waits for nobody martini is WAY too sweet (and I usually like sweet). I mean, how did you envision Tom Waits drinking/representing something like this? He probably "Waits for nobody" because the drink you named after him forced him into diabetic shock and caused him to rush to the hospital *snicker snicker snicker*. The saving grace is that I fell in love with the apple crumb w/salty peanut butter gelato thing. Ammmmaaaaazzzziiiinnnngggggg!!!! Oh, and props for using organic ingredients. It was all delicious, but just not enough for this hungry girl. I'll go back again though, because 1) I love brussel sprouts and 2) I live a block away.
(3)
Ji K.

My friend Q and I decided to get some carryout from here because we both wanted to be "healthy" after having worked out earlier that day. I was especially excited that they try to use seasonal, local, and organic products. Unfortunately, I was pretty much drawn to everything but the healthy. I was especially smitten by the macaroni and cheese, but it cost $12! That's pretty pricey for macaroni and cheese with nothing else in it but cheese, so I sadly decided to pass on it. Q knew that it had already captured my heart, though, so she forced me to get it. Ha. I love her. When we got home and I opened up my box of mac and cheese, I was horribly disappointed by the most blah looking mac and cheese I have ever seen. I guess I expected something that didn't look like it was made from the contents of a store-bought box of mac and cheese--and a small box at that. I was so disappointed that I didn't even want to taste it. I almost wanted us to drive back to the place and say, "Are you kidding me? Can't you add even a nice garnish or something? Maybe a few pieces of lobster?" Needless to say, I had my first forkful with very low expectations. All that changed, though, after a couple more forkfuls. And, eventually, the plain white box of boring looking macaroni and cheese had completely won me over by the time I got to the bottom. If I had been given the option to buy another $12 box at that very moment . . . I probably would've. Ha. Believe me, the cheese they use in this is exceptional and the high price tag is completely worth it. I will come back, my friends. And I might even try something else. With the mac and cheese, of course.
(4)
Kevin G.

Stop by here impulsively instead of heading for some Thai food. The crispy chicken was excellent. Moist and tender chicken with a delightful crisp skin/breading. Tis a bit expensive but worth it if you are looking for fancier fare up north. If you can travel Hot Chocolate in Bucktown seems better for the money.
(4)
Lleha J.

I had heard great things about this place, from it's rooftop garden and eco-cocktails to a great beer selection and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. I went there Saturday night, and I have never been so disappointed in my life, or gotten worse service. I know what it is like to work in a busy restaurant, as I have been a server for five years. However, this was pure incompetence on the server's part, compounded by the fact that it was not very busy at all. We were seated on the patio by the hostess, who said a server would be along shortly. So we waited. And waited. The busboy (the only employee who seemed capable of doing his job) refilled our waters twice. And still nothing. My friend had come from out of town, and I had come from work, and after a long day the both of us just wanted a drink and a little something to eat. Anyway. After about twenty minutes of waiting my friend had to get up and find a waitress. We should have just left, but the beer selection was so good and we both reeeaaalllyyy wanted to try the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. I figured the food and drinks would make up for the service. So we finally get the server to take our drink order. Then we wait. And wait. After ten minutes she came outside... with my friend's drink. She had forgotten what I ordered. At this point I was literally steaming. We almost left then, but years in the service industry forced me to stay and pay. Some guy came out and poured my martini in front of me - not only unnecessary, but the glass was not even close to full. If I am paying $10 for a drink, that I have been waiting for for almost 40 minutes, at least have the decency to give me my money's worth. Of course, by the time the waitress finally came back, they had switched to their late-night menu and we couldn't try the meatloaf, not that either of us really wanted to at this point anyway. We sucked our drinks down in record time, just wanting to get out of there - by this point we were both starving and wanted to go someplace decent. At least the girl brought our check quickly - only ten minutes of sitting with empty glasses! The highlight of the night was getting out of there. As we walked past the windows, I was prepared to forgive if I saw it was busy inside. Lets just say, if it had been even half full, I wouldn't have written this review.
(2)
Michelle F.

delicious, local, healthy! local beer! what is not to love. excellent. never had a bad thing here.
(5)
Gretta H.

I've only been for breakfast on a summer weekend morning and it was lovely. The service was pretty good and my meal was as well. They serve Intelligencia coffee that they sell by the bag as well. The prices are a bit steep in my humble opinion but ultimately worth it. Would like to try for dinner.
(4)
Lauren B.

My husband and I tried this restaurant last Friday and loved everything that we ordered. Our waitress Jessica was amazing!
(5)
Erin S.

Horrible service WITH attitude from waitstaff & management! Woo-hoo! Overpriced "farm fresh fare" & beverages! Sticky seats & tables! Over-cooked eggs w/o a smile! Bland as all get-out! Sweet potato fries NOT actually *free* despite advertisements. Did I mention "Cha*Ching"??? These yuppies need to keep tryin'! Maybe one day they'll get it right. They may have the Loyola campus fooled, but those of us who eat more than Ramen will stick to our cookbooks.
(1)
Amy H.

First of all I am loving me some Uncommon Ground. It's almost impossible for me to imagine anyone who would not LOVE the Tree-tini. This may be the worlds most perfect cocktail. Ginger infused vodka, chai vermouth, and handmade cider. Get the heck outta here with all that lovin in a glass. The artisinal sausages with the grainey mustard and purple potato salad-Yum! I also loved the calamari- I had mine with the sauce on the side so I could dip at will. Very light tempura style breading with a balanced sauce- not too spicy, not too sweet. I kinda wanted another of the Tree-tini's for dessert, but I had to drive home in the snow. Oh, and one more thing! I guess for every Tree-tini they sell they plant a tree. I like that, good people making great drinks.
(5)
Pat N.

Great place...the Moonshine Manhattan they do in the cooler months(that's not the exact name, but it is a version of a manhattan and they call it "moonshine" something made with Catdaddy Moonshine) is worth the trip. Order it served up and you will quickly become a regular. Rogers Park needed a place like this and we're happy to give Uncommon Ground our business.
(4)
Tiff H.

Girls' brunch out! So after standing in the cold for about an hour watching a football game I didn't understand, I was rewarded by sitting next to the fireplace while waiting for a table for 7. The wait was about an hour, which is fine for a large table for Sunday Brunch with no reservations. Had a bloody mary while waiting, pretty delish...but could have used a bit more of a spicy kick to it. Service was great. Had a cup of coffee....ok 3...and I'm still suffering from the jitters an hour later...great coffee....so strong. Ordered the lamb benedict which was a special...only for $12. I was so excited...I really was in the mood for sausage but this caught my attention. The benedict came out, served with mushrooms, onions, and a side of potatoes. It was good...but the lamb wasn't what I expected...it was a little fatty and made me wish I had ordered sausage. Plus, it came out a little cold. Hash browns needed a lot of salt. Price wasn't too bad...so for coffee ($4ish a cup), my meal, a bloody mary, and tax + tip...I was only in a $30 hole. Will I be back? Probably not unless someone offers me a ride...it's too much cta for me to get out here, especially when winter is on its way in full force.
(3)
Krista W.

The service I had it Uncommon Ground has motivated me to write my first Yelp review after 3 years of reading other people's reviews to drive my business choices. I am a little torn on the overall rating, but I am sticking with 2.5 stars. Service: 1 Star The more I think about the service I had there, the more insulted I am. I went to Uncommon Ground on a first date for dinner last night. It was both of our first times dining there. I picked the place, as I have been wanting to try it out, but we were both super enthused about the menu. We arrive at about 7:45 PM and were seated promptly. The restaurant was about 1/4 full. Even at the peak of the dinner crowd, the restaurant was 3/4 full at max, so I see no reason to rush someone through their dinner. Now let me preface this....I worked in the restaurant industry for 4 years so I appreciate an "attentive" server, but there is a fine line between attentive and annoying. Within a minute after being sat, our server approached to take our drink order. Great....If we had even opened the menu yet! She then continued to explain the specials for the the day and left to "give us a few minutes". I don't know what type of watch she wears, but it apparently converts minutes to seconds, because within another minute or so....guess who was back? Now at this point it is CLEAR that we are talking and are not in any hurry to order. I know she is glancing from across the room to see if we had touched the menus yet, but yet she still continues to come back 3-4 times every minute on the minute to take our order. We finally decide to just give her our drink and appetizer order so she would leave us alone and we could continue our getting to know each other conversation. Within another minute or so she was back again to take our dinner order. At this point I am getting really aggravated because she knows damn well we haven't looked at the menus to decide on dinner. We send her away and within another couple minutes she is back. We haven't even gotten our appetizers yet. We give her our dinner order in hopes to have a few minutes without her continuously interrupting our conversation. Our appetizer arrived shortly after ordering dinner. Literally 5 minutes into eating our appetizers our dinner arrived. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! There wasn't even enough room on our small, 2 person table for the 2 appetizers and 2 entrees.They offered to bring the entrees back to the kitchen to keep them warm...Ummmm No Thank You! Yes...I love my food sitting under a heat lamp for 10 minutes getting nice and dried out. We sat them on the empty table next to us while we finished our appetizers. The bus boy only seemed to appear when he was trying to clear our half empty plates. I am sure it was all part of the plan to get us out of there as quickly as possible. After dinner, our server offered us dessert. We decided on dessert within 2 server visits to the table. I did find it funny however that the dessert took 20 minutes to come out. Not that I minded, because at this point it was pretty much the only uninterrupted time we had to talk. Of course the server brings the bill about 2 bites into our dessert. We were still drinking our beer. She didn't even check to see if we wanted another round before she brought the check. Then she comes to the table 2 more times to try to pick up the payment. We were still eating dessert and it was clear that there was no credit card or cash in the check book. My date pays and right after he signs for the bill she comes back to ask if he had signed. She then takes the signed copy of the bill away, closes out with her manager and leaves all while we are still finishing dessert. The restaurant was still open and there was another couple drinking. Right after the bus boy takes away our 3/4 eaten dessert, he gave us the queue to get out by turning the lights on nice and bright. I asked him if we had to leave and he said, "Only if you want to." Well now I want to since the bright lights are glaring down at me! The bar was still open. At the least they could have asked us to move into the bar area. I guess that was too much effort. This may compete with the WORST service I have ever had in my life. Congrats on that! Food and Beer: 3.5 Stars Beer: They have a small, but good selection of craft beer. I was drinking Founders Porter and it was quite tasty. My date was drinking Bell's Oberon. Appetizers: We had the Grilled Mushrooms. The presentation wasn't what I was expecting, but it was delicious. We also had the pork belly, which was okay. Dinner: We ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and Ricotta Ravioli. The meatloaf had the potential to be amazing, but it was on the dry side. I am sure sitting on a table for 10 minutes while we finished out appetizers didn't help... The Ricotta Ravioli was yummy and all the ingredients tasted very fresh. Dessert: We ordered the Dark Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding. One Word: Delectable!
(2)
Jon S.

This is one of my favorite places for breakfast and dinner in Chicago (in fact I once had both here in the same day). They normally have a free band playing on Friday and Saturday nights. Great beer selection, medium-sized outdoor patio and creative dishes. Great use of local food and drink options.
(5)
Scott B.

Nice atmosphere....we were seated by the fireplace. Great food! Great drinks....had a really good bloody mary!
(4)
Janna N.

I love going out for brunch: I get to sleep in on a weekend and then get up and have a great breakfast with friends. Here's my thoughts of this place: Positives: 1. Great environment -- it's cozy and warm, the wait staff are very friendly, the bathrooms are clean 2. Good coffees and teas available...even alcoholic breakfast drinks :) Negatives: 1. The price was a little much -- I got scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, chicken sausage, and tea = price was $19 2. When the food came out my eggs were already a little cold -- nothing was really hot I left still feeling hungry, which is quite unusual when I leave brunch restaurants. I picked this restaurant just because it was in the middle of where my friend lives and where I live. Next time I think I'll invite her to my hood instead.
(3)
Kristin L.

As a far northsider who used to trek to Wrigleyville for Uncommon Ground's brunch, I was excited when this second location opened. This place has a lot to offer--an interesting menu that specializes in seasonal, local ingredients, good service, a nice bar, and live music. It gets crowded on the weekend, but they do take reservations. I've been here close to a dozen times, and while the specials are pretty much always on point, I do find myself coming back to the same few menu staples. For dinner you can't beat the sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue, the bacon-wrapped meatloaf, or on Fridays, my all-time Uncommon Ground favorite, the fish fry. The generous portion (though not all-you-can-eat) of beer-battered fish is made that much better by the accompanying 312 on tap and on special. For brunch, the seasonal scrambles and skillets are a sure bet. If you're feeling indulgent ($- and food-wise), you can't go wrong with a side of the peppercorn bacon. I've never had bad service here. The servers are knowledgeable and attentive. My only complaint is that, unless I'm sticking to the fish fry and a pint of 312, the bill can get pretty steep for a shared appetizer, an entree, and a drink (I'm usually too full for dessert, but the black dog gelato & sorbet trio is delicious).
(4)
Alyx R.

I LOVE this place! I've never been let down and the staff has always been pleasant and informative. The food is fresh, clean, and from what I've seen, very contentious and sustainable. I'm on their email list and there is always some kind of tasting menu, class, or a roof top garden event going on in the summer. I appreciate this business for being so green and so modern. I implore you to stop in and try this lovely restaurant. Maybe have a seat next to the fireplace and try out brunch. You wont be disappointed.
(5)
Jacqueline S.

I heard great things about this place from a friend who is a regular here and I was not disappointed. I went for brunch with a group of 5 friends. Half of our group arrived extremely late for our reservation (45 minutes late), but the hostess was very understanding and allowed us to change our reservation and then wait in the lounge area for our friends. The service was great and the food was delicious. The fireplace in the lounge area was very inviting on a snowy day. Our table ordered eggs benedict (a special), a seasonal scramble, a seasonal flatbread, and a burger with fried egg on top, and they were all delicious. The mimosas were the perfect combination of sweet + bubbly, and the bloody marys were heralded as perfect by those who ordered them. Side note: I ordered a cappuccino and was asked if I wanted a small or large. I said large and it came in a BOWL. Huge cappuccino. Very tasty, but I couldn't finish it.
(5)
Landi D.

Lunch on Saturday was my first time visiting the Devon location of Uncommon Ground, and it was lovely. As would be typical for weekend brunch/lunch, we were anticipating a long wait (even for 2) but were seated right away. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and our server was laid back and really sweet - and made sure to tell us about the $5 bloody Marys on Saturdays, which we took her up on! So many things sounded good, but because I'm on some sort of a veggie-burger kick (though I'm a carnivore through and through), that's what I ordered. While it's not house-made, it was very good - flavorful and held together nicely when topped with perfectly-melted white cheddar and caramelized onions. It didn't even need any condiments! I ordered it with the sweet potato fries, which were very generous. My husband ordered the turkey club, with bacon and slaw, which he liked but said he would probably order something else next time. And there will be a next time. Bonus: they're participating in ala card ( alacardchicago.com ), so we got $10 off our bill!
(4)
Nate S.

Went there for brunch the other day. Got the breakfast burrito. Have had a better breakfast burrito. Lady got the Montana omelette. Pretty good. Wasn't blown away, but this place has a really great beer selection and makes a solid bloody mary. That, combined with the decor, atmosphere, and a few of the lunch items I've tried before get this place 4 stars. Breakfast/brunch alone get two and a half.
(4)
Minh T.

I love that this restaurant has great food, great drinks, and still feels like your friendly neighborhood restaurant. It's an easygoing atmosphere and the food is delicious. I highly recommend the seared duck breast, which three of my four friends also ordered and raved about. Our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly and provided some nice insights on their craft beer selection.
(5)
Cristin M.

I've been to Uncommon Ground a few times now, and haven't had a disappointment yet. I highly recommend checking out the drink menu. They are awesome! The last time I was there, I tried one of the summer cocktails that was made with nectarine and thyme nectar, and it was incredibly smooth. So smooth, I needed to order a second! I've tried several others, and didn't dislike any of them. The food is pretty decent too. Some of the bites that I've tried of my dining companions' food was sometimes on the salty side, but I've had really good luck with the entrees that I've ordered. And for the desserts - you get to choose whether or not to drink or bite into those. The Haute Chocolate is great on a cold winter's night!
(4)
g b.

this is one of the best places to eat in the city. the food is great, and its got a touch of class, without being stuffy. i was REALLY sad when they took away their thai calamari, but they still have the sunshine salad and a boat load of great, different, organic, fresh menu items. they also have great music there. i use to live around the corner from the uncommon ground in wrigely, and i would love just walking in and going straight to the music room, finding a spot and sipping a chai tea latte. aww... those where the good'ole days. this is really the perfect spot to take friends or family when they are in town. they will be impressed.
(4)
Vaidehi R.

The Appetizers were awesome. Flat Bread and an unusual Mushroom dish. The main course that I tried was a vegetarian dish - Ravioli stuffed with some kind of sweet (Pumpkin?) paste. Was wholesome and tasty, may be a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall I felt very good about eating here.. will definitely go back and will bring out of towners whenever!! Wish they had more vegetarian options!
(5)
Michelle Z.

Great pepper infused bloody mary! Big fan of those. I went for breakfast and had an omelet with spinach, goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and roast garlic. It came with crispy potatoes and toast. It was awesome. The potatoes were super crispy, the wheat bread had that homemade feel to it and the omelet was perfect. My friend had corn pancakes with bananas slice on top that were equally impressive. My one complaint was that the breakfast items were all so similar. I think they could be a little more variety. But the flavors were great and the service was nice. I would go back.
(4)
Colleen C.

Aside from the atmosphere and ambiance, there is one other undeniable reason to frequent this local eatery: the freaking delicious menu! Whether you get the turkey and brie grilled cheese with shaved red onions, arugula, and fig jam, or homemade maple and bourbon brioche french toast, it's be a party in your mouth every time! Quite simply, they're in the business of GOOD FOOD, period. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Sarah F.

It is great to see a green restaurant in Chicago. They have a solar hot water heater with panels on the roof that was installed by Solar Service. They will have a green roof where they grow some herbs for the restaurant. They use a lot of locally grown and organic foods. The food is really good and the prices are reasonable. Their salads are especially good, but there isn't a large selection of vegetarian entrees. They have a small parking lot and rocking music in the evenings.
(4)
Joe S.

Great place and they set an example for other restaurants to use locally produced ingredients. We went on a night when they had live flamenco musians and were thrilled. If it's warm head down Broadway to Moody's afterwards for margaritas on the best patio in the city.
(4)
Kent L.

Always had a great meal at Uncommon Ground. You feel good knowing that the food is sourced from organic and local farmers or even their rooftop farm! Service is great. Their servers know what they are talking about and has always been prompt and polite which is unfortunately not the case at most restaurants. The Friday farmers' market in the parking lot during the summer is filled with friendly and knowledgeable vendors.
(5)
Carolyn G.

Friday Fish Fry! The serving size was perfect. The batter on the fish was really yummy, and the fries were great. Top it off with a $12 pitcher of Goose Island Honker's Ale, and you're golden. Lent doesn't begin for a few months yet, but I'll pretend like it's begun already!
(4)
sarah e.

We had been looking forward to visiting this new location, so we ventured out on a cold snowy Monday night, lured by the promise of fireplaces and coziness. We scored front row meter parking, which thrilled us until we walked through the free parking lot that we hadn't noticed. Nice touch. Once we got inside, the vibe was definitely warm and friendly, and we were seated immediately (without reservations). In the front bar area, there were intimate clusters of lounge-y chairs and low tables circling the fireplace--several people were working on laptops, pints of draft at their sides. I was hoping for a similarly intimate experience at our table, but unfortunately the smallish dining room offers several seating options that place you cheek-to-jowl with other diners. I know some people don't mind this, but being close enough to hear the next table's low, whispered conversation was a little distracting to me. Maybe we should have asked for a free-standing table (or made a reservation to that effect). Next time. But the food...the food! It was totally awesome. We ordered four small plates to share: the mussels, sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue, the Mediterranean trio, and a Sunshine (i think?) salad. The mussels had the most counterintuitively yummy sauce...it was a light lemony curry broth...I'm not sure if the Wrigleyville location also has this, but the flavor felt appropriate on this stretch of Devon. I'm mostly *eh* when it comes to mussels, but I couldn't stop dipping the Mediterranean trio's pita chips into the sauce. Really unique and delicious...I will go back just for this. The salad was pretty tasty, though mostly unremarkable, and the sweet potato fries were a generous, heaping pile for $6. I had a great English ale on draft--it was also $6. Despite the fact that the entrees venture into the +$15 range, we were stuffed with our four less expensive choices and our tab came to $50, including beverages, without tip. Soon after we ordered, the party next to us left, and that table was empty for most of our meal. That made a a big difference in the meal's vibe, and we enjoyed a really nice time. I would suggest that this is a great place to bring friends/family from out of town and/or enjoy some small plates in the bar. And don' t miss the terrific art work...I picked up the artist's card--Josh Moulton is his name. They bring an amazing energy to the space...I would buy one of his paintings if I had some spare thousands!
(4)
K G.

Sorry, Uncommon Ground. I want to love you because you support sustainable, local fare, with music, and it's a chill place in a good location. But... I have to admit the menu is 'meh'. Brunch there is nice, but there are lots of nice places. I would expect way more selection for vegetarians, given their expressed commitment to fresh-sourced ingredients (Granted, this does not always mean vegetarian, but really - fancy mac n' cheese or a cheese pizza?? I would expect a little more effort!) Also, I ordered one of their fancy cocktails...which arrived without garnish or any of the advertised special trimmings. When I asked if I could, um, maybe have the things that come with the drink, I was told the bartender didn't make them - too bad. I don't mind paying for a nice drink, and I don't mind drinking a normal beer...it just seemed weird for a place that prides itself on interesting ingredients. *Sigh.* I want to like this place more...I guess we'll see how it goes.
(2)
Josh M.

The new Uncommon Ground is a great success. The food is unique and fantastic. The staff is very friendly....and the owners Helen and Mike are awesome. The artwork that is currently hanging until May 5th is the best.....I can say that because I am the artist!!! joshmoulton.com
(5)
Julie G.

This place has a welcoming and cozy atmosphere but I've never had great service there. The food is quite good for the most part (especially the pumpkin ravioli) but it's way overpriced in my opinion. None of the specialty drinks taste especially special and the fact that they literally serve hot chocolate in bowls makes me postal. It's just way too gimmicky and awkward. Nevertheless, this place fills a stark void in its location for a hip, inviting gathering spot, and the live music selection is notable.
(3)
Dusty P.

I have a new favorite. Food: Organic, so it's good for you. Diverse and creative menu to cater to anyone's tastes. Locally grown ingredients so it's good for the local economy. Perfect portions so you're not overly full or left hungry. Freshness you can taste - in case you hadn't figured it out, I could go on like this forever. I'll stress it's important to go with friends so you can nibble off their plates and try as much as possible - you will love all of it. I recommend the sweet potatoe fries with goat cheese fondue, Tree-tini (for every one purchased, a tree is planted - $5 Martini Mondays!), artisan sausage sampler (the stone ground mustard is really all you need), the prairie mac n cheese (I would order this just for the coleslaw - perfect creamy/vinegar combo), and I will be back to try the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Pay attention to the specials - two of my group ordered the specials (one steak and one burger) and neither was disappointed. Atmosphere: I recommend the Music Room; I love that they offer dinner and a show. If you just want to have a quiet conversation over dinner, there's a seperate room for that too, but the acoustics are decent enough that the music isn't overpowering in the Music Room. The artwork is fantastically interesting - the kind you really want to look at. make sure you use the bathroom, too - the women's in the back of the music room had beautiful mosaic tiling. This place just maintains a quiet sense of class. It's perfect for a business dinner, a third or fourth date, or just simple relaxing. Parking: There's a small lot behind the restaurant where we were lucky enough to find a spot, but otherwise, there's plenty of street parking on Devon. Price: Very decent! The martini specials helped keep our drink bill low which left more money for food which, for the quality of what you get, is completely worth it. With multiple rounds of drinks, 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, 2 dessert drinks and 1 dessert at $155 pre-tip is an absolute steal. Service: Warm and friendly, knowledgable and patient - absolutely no complaints. I will be back... sooner rather than later... and as often as possible.
(5)
M A.

I really enjoy this place. The service is always top notch and the food is as fresh as it gets. I also appreciate the wine list a unique assortment of great wines... My favorite being the Twisted Oak &$@!. The mac and cheese is a must and the ravioli. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a great date spot.
(4)
Corey Q.

I have been waiting a while to try Uncommon Ground and decided to give it a shot for breakfast. I had my dog with me and I sat outside and they were very accommodating and even brought her water. The food was good but for what I got, it was too expensive for breakfast/brunch. They have a $14 BLT?! I would like to go back and try it again for dinner to see if there is more of a value for the money.
(3)
Thom C.

This is a lovely place. I've been there a couple of times for brunch, and there is always something tasty. I recently ordered the special egg benedict, and it was positively delicious. The decor is nice, they have a Farmer's Market during the summer, and there is an organic garden on the roof! It's quite a green place! Plus the staff are very courteous and friendly. Cute too! Which of course never hurts. Would recommend for a tasty brunch out on the town.
(4)
Mike M.

The first time I walked into UG I noticed its fancy and upscale decor. Something that scares me when a restaurant/business is located near a mostly college area and an up and coming neighborhood. So right off the bat, I was skeptical. Plus, I had visited the Clark St UG and was overly unimpressed (can I say that?). Well, I'm glad I stayed and enjoyed a few drinks and their plate of mussels. The muscles were so succulent that I had to ask for an extra loaf of their bread so that I could finish off the juice that the once there mussels soaked in. I ordered a few drinks and the bartender was very accommodating. He was attentive to my needs and even asked if I wanted H2O. This is what really got me hooked on UG on Devon. The attentive service while the restaurant was NOT busy. I'm so used to going to places when it's down time that most of the staff doesn't even pay attention to you, except for the bartender who's on the phone or busy running around setting up bar for the rush making sure they get their appropriate tip. This guy was genuinely friendly, even though his attire and tattoos would make some people think otherwise. Oh yeah, and I heard these guys grow their daily bread (in this case, vegetables) upstairs on the roof where they have a year round garden. Kudos to you UG. One last thing, I love the food, service, and selection of alcohol, but why are we still paying downtown prices? You guys are in Rogers Park for crying out loud. Don't get me wrong, I live in RP, but the people there are expecting great food at much lower prices. Or at least I am.
(4)
Ryan A.

I've had an excellent brunch at Uncommon Ground twice, both variations of the eggs Benedict. I've also had the Agripolitan with blood orange puree, which was very refreshing and my favorite drink thus far this year, although I'm usually partial to gin or whiskey. I'm actually writing today in response to Chelsie H.'s 2/10/2013 review regarding the bread pudding. I ordered it on 2/15/2013, and it was something entirely different from from Chelsie H. received. I would post a photo, but I don't believe Yelp allows it (or if they do, I can't figure out how to do so - this is my first Yelp review). It was a very tasty square of bread pudding, served warm, at least 3-4 inches across. The chocolate chips were gooey and melted; the spiced molasses sauce was nice and not overwhelming. And although the portion of ice cream was indeed small, it didn't feel skimpy - quality over quantity. I wouldn't usually pay $7 for bread pudding, given that I can make it at home fairly easily, but I was celebrating with a friend, and I don't regret spending the money.
(4)
Cathie D.

Although I was aware of the location on Clark I really had no idea that there was another location. We met here on a Friday night -- four women -- for dinner and I was really pleased with the food and the atmosphere. Although we discussed different option and "sharing bites" when we found out they had a fish and chips special that night we all wound up ordering it -- the fish was wonderful. It was a large portion, batter fried but not at all greasy, and very moist and tender. We shared the goat cheese and artichoke appetizer and it was yummy. The crowd was wonderfully eclectic -- young families, singles, couples, large tables of young people. Our server was very nice but a little distracted -- we did ask for salt and pepper (which is not on the table -- I get it . . .) and oddly we got a shaker of salt but no pepper. A passing busboy was happy to round up the pepper. Like the whole farm to table vibe, and there is an electric charging station in the parking area for electric cars!
(4)
Nicole C.

I had brunch at the new Uncommon Ground on Devon and very much enjoyed my breakfast. I had the Montana omelet (bacon, potato, scallions, cheddar cheese, sour cream), which was served with crispy potatoes. I also had the specialty bellini (quince-agave purÃ©e, pomegranate juice & sparkling wine). My dad had the open meatloaf sandwich, which is one of his favorites. I love that if you order a Treetini (organic ginger infused rain vodka, liquor 43, tart apple syrup and apple cider), they will plant one tree. I'll definitely be back again soon.
(5)
Jessica M.

My in-laws took us here and I didn't want to complain because it was very nice of them to do so but they probably don't read Yelp so: I thought it was really weird how I ordered the fruit with yogurt and granola...a bonafied, full-fledged entree on the breakfast menu and the waiter just brought me plain fruit and then acted like I was trying to scam him when I politely asked why there wasn't any yogurt or granola included. I know organic food is expensive but it just came off as really stingy.
(2)
Stephanie M.

lets start with the good... +strong, tasty drinks +really sexxxy interior +open late weekends (2 a.m.) +sunshine salad was really good +home grown and the bad... +fairly overpriced, unless you split a dish +inattentive service +menu could be clearer for those with allergies our server might have just been having a bad night... he was kind of a spaz. i think he only came to the table twice the entire night.. to take our order (after waiting 15-20 minutes) and to drop off the check. i might be back just for drinks and an appetizer or salad (if i'm in the area) but the entrees were absolutely nothing to write home about. duck with risotto was ...not a risotto. it didn't contain arborio rice, or parm, and didn't even stick together. i can't eat barley so i was kind of bummed out when i got my meal and it wasn't rice.
(2)
susie h.

What a great find, especially for a weary traveler looking for Chicago food beyond the four-legged kind. (But if that's what you want, there's plenty of that on the menu.). Great service, delicious fresh inventive food, no pretension, good art, delicious cocktails (particularly the Agropolitain, a cardomom-infused glass of goodness), laid-back atmosphere. I ate the sweet potato fries with goat cheese dip (nice), the spicy Thai fried calamari (delicious), and the house-made gnocci (pan-fried and dressed with vegetables, I loved it). My dessert, some kind of perfectly-made tart pastry with fruit and a giant scoop of the best vanilla gelato I've ever had, made me very happy, as did the after-dinner drink, the Frieda Kahlo. It was perfect; nicely chocolaty, a little spicy, and somehow only lightly sweet without the creamy heaviness you often get in after-dinner concoctions. Our party of nine, including a child, stayed for three hours and enjoyed every minute.
(5)
Kim V.

Went there again for their Women's folk series - just want to say another amazing drink is the Moonshine Manhattan. I was looking for a Moscow Mule, they didn't have ginger beer, and this was a great light alternative. Garnished with fresh juicy non-maraschino cherries - this drink is another must.
(5)
Dana P.

Food was good. It was priced on the higher side for the portion side. Loved the atmosphere. Very laid back and the service was phenomenal. One interesting tidbit. My friend consults on various EPA projects and knows the owner. They showed us their green roof. They're one of the few restaurants in Chicago that has a green roof with various plants and such. Loved the band also. Great place to impress a date.
(4)
Dan A.

MAN! I Loved this place...3 years in the hood...WHY did I wait this long to go?? Met my wife and small child at the farmer's market after work on Saturday (don't be fooled...not many framers at this market...just people selling products, not necessarily edible ones - but this ISN'T a farmer's market review, is it!? sorry) We walk in, the place is pretty packed and busy, and....BAM, we are seated almost immediately. Let me just interject that the bummer experience of a bad night at a different nearby local 'rant was still fresh in my consciousness, and I can still see that stressed-out face on the waiter presiding over THAT disaster, poor dude...but no freaked out waiter HERE...instead, we are fortunate enough to have a perky redhead who might be the best waitress working in Roger's Park that night. Kind, helpful, and instead of gazing on a 2.5 year old w/ disdain (oh yeah, that happens), she's engaging him in conversation, getting him crayons and drawing paper, winking at him...I mean, what am I, chopped liver? No...she's good w/ us too! Drinks are out instantly, and I'm just now noticing that they have the wait staff dressed to match the decor - a light milk-chocolate brown shirt that matches the booth upholstery and earthy interior design...why did that impress me so much? I don't know, but you gotta dig lil' details like that, right? There are some other nice design details in this place. Just check out the massive rolling interior door and matching wood-tile-block fireplace. Anyway, I should mention the food in this RESTAURANT review:-) It was a powerful experience! I can't remember what the wife had, because I was too interested in my own time spent with a chicken dish featuring a thick, perfectly cooked, flavorful, crispy on the outside, supremely tender on the inside - chicken breast. By all rights, this shouldn't have been as good as it was...I mean, it's just chicken...I should have ordered something more interesting, right? what's wrong with me. I was tired and didn't want to make decisions, I guess. Good thing! I LOVED it, and I'm ruined now, cause it's the best chicken I've had in recent memory, and I have a feeling many future breasts will fall short of this baby. It was a Gunthorp Farm Chicken. How 'bout that? Nice work, Gunthorp dudes. It was served on a bed of millions of chickpeas...too many for me - there was spinach and goat chease and a couple of beans involved, too, which were all great...but those darn chickpeas, not an especially flavorable pea as peas go, far outnumbered and overwhelmed the other ingredients in the supporting cast. That is the only, VERY SMALL, suggestion I'd have for that dish...smooth out that chickpea ratio out a bit. Oh yeah...the wife got the meatloaf. Did I mention it was bacon-wrapped-meatloaf? That should perk your ears up...cause anything wrapped in bacon just got better because it was just wrapped in bacon. Right? Caramelized onions on top...I would say this isn't your mother's meatloaf, but that feels like I'm in cliche' territory, so never mind. She had better things to say about it than she normally would about meatloaf (my wife, not your mother). Our picky-eatin' two year old found the "mac-mo-ronee" and cheese (his pronunciation, not the red-head's) good enough to eat the majority portion. I snuck in there, too, and checked it myself. Is that real cheese?! Nice. All the while, soft-drink refills were being proffered by the red-headed one, and I just truly dug the whole experience. I took the lil' dude out for a quick breather outside, and arrived back out in the market area just in time to hear a two man guitar/banjo combo do a 98% lyrically accurate rendition of Johnny Cash's "Boy Named Sue", and I just really can't think of a better way to end a great experience at this place. I remember looking at the menu when I first sat down, and thinking, albeit briefly, "hmm...the prices here aren't exactly low" Well, of course I wish they were, but now maybe I get why they're not...and I didn't care. They won me over. PS. They have a great website, and I dig the fact that, not only do they hang original art in the cafe, but they do a nice feature for that artist on their website. I'm a gallery owner, so I think that's a nice move. They aren't just getting free art for the walls, they're respectfully presenting the work, and doing their best to promote it. Props on that point. New Fave Joint.
(5)
P S.

SqueeeeeeeEEeeeeee!!!! Best. Place. EVER!!! The cocktails are delightful, the food is amazing AND sustainable and the waitstaff is classy. This is the perfect place for date night- particularly the one on Devon which has a better dinner-hour atmosphere and a classier menu than the coffee house-style UCG in Boy's Town. I love this place and would recommend it to anyone. I have made some very special memories there- and it lends itself to unique experiences. They created flavors I had never tried- the servers are very knowledgeable and can nudge you toward something that you will love if you are indecisive like me. I haven't ever had anything bad. The lighting makes it perfect for sipping your cocktail and batting your eyelashes at a date. They have absynthe and serve it in the traditional style. They do not rush you and servers are the perfect level of attentive. I just can't say enough good things about UCG and would go there every night if I could afford to do so. Oh, and LOVE the music and farmers markets in the summer!!!
(5)
Bo B.

I ate here yesterday for dinner and had probably the best meatloaf I've ever eaten. My wife had the Pumpkin Ravioli and loved it as well. It seemed a little pricy, but was good quality.
(4)
Emily M.

Me gusta. The only reason I'm not giving it more stars, is that I like to talk over dinner and it's somewhat of a chaotic atmosphere. The food is good (the mac and cheese was fantastic!) and I really liked the sparkling wine selection. Yum! Wide selection of food and drink for all types.
(3)
Katie T.

So obviously if you haven't jumped on the going green/sustainablity initiative by now, you are a loser. Uncommon Ground in Edgewater is green from its thumbs to its rears. They have a garden on the roof, they have signs in the bathrooms to remind you to not waste paper towels, they have martinis called treetinis; when ordered a tree is planted. A lot of the food is made with locally grown produce so if you're a locavore, this is the place for you! I had the sweet potato fries and they were delicious! Then I ordered a pasta to-go. It was a homemade pasta with buffalo Italian sausage. It's ok to drool, I did. The atmosphere is amazing especially this time of year. The place looked like it was built around the season of fall. Their beer list ain't so bad either. I had an Alagash. Dig it!
(5)
Michael C.

This is our favorite place for Sunday brunch. We are there practically every Sunday that we are in town. Great bloody mary's. the food is always well prepared and tasty. Love the chilaquiles.
(5)
Jeremy D.

Uncommon Ground is a very nice place to have a great meal and spend an evening with good friends. The atmosphere is very relaxing. The food is organic and grown in a sustainable manner and some of it was even grown on the green roof of the restaurant. Everything was incredibly fresh. I appreciate how much thought goes into each piece of food that is served here, and how much effort they put into running a green restaurant. All that being said, the food was really tasty. And that is the reason I will continue to come back here.
(5)
Joel S.

In a way they're dumb, because clearly they could have learned from certain "local markets" that you could give away an item like sweet potato fries for free, and then charge $20 a pop the next time the customer needs a fix. Anyway, they are into a different sort of local market here - lots of local produce and meat, which is awesome. Also a pretty decent beer and wine list... overall it's pretty damn close to 5 stars, but maybe every so slightly off in service once in a while and every so slightly a little bit pricey. Not enough to have kept me from eating here a million times though. And yeah, sweet potato fries ftw.
(4)
Stella S.

Great atmoshphere, great food, nice ambience, easily accessible. We went with a friend who was in from Nashville, TN - it was in the middle of winter and a nice treat for brunch admist the hustle and bustle.
(5)
Emily O.

Great outdoor seating area. Very cute place with good energy. The brunch menu is fantastic-especially the pancakes w/fruit. A bit expensive. Otherwise, good dining venue for a Sunday brunch.
(3)
Eric V.

Good stuff for sure, but with their efforts to stay organic and sustainable I think I need to give them another shot at a 5 star rating. Dinner started off with the Duck Confit Quesadilla and Korean Chili-spiced Fried Calamari. Duck is good, duck confit is really good, duck confit with melted Chihuahua cheese and carmelized onions between a crisp tortilla...I think you see where I'm going with this. I would eat this everyday if I could. The calamari was perfectly cooked, but suffered from a little too much sauce. After the calamari comes out of the fryer it gets tossed in the Korean chili-sauce, which by the why is not as spicy as it sounds. The sauce is indeed good, but with the rather thick coating that's about all I could taste after a few bites. I'd definitely get this again, but I'd ask for my sauce on the side. For dinner I had the Prairie Pure Macaroni & Cheese, my gf had the Pistachio Crusted Tilapia. I really wanted to like it, but to be completely honest I've had better Mac & Cheese. The cheese flavor didn't have as much depth as I'd like, and it could have used a little more salt. It also came out in a relatively small ceramic bowl, and I think the pile of tart apple slaw served with it might have been bigger. To be fair, mac & cheese can be pretty rich so the portion size was appropriate. Besides, with America's expanding waste lines I should probably be thanking them! The tilapia was well cooked, but neither my gf nor I were really big on the orange reduction sauce. Overall it was still a really good dining experience. The outdoor patio has a great romantic atmosphere and I'd definitely recommend it as a date spot. I'm sure I'll end up here again and will update my review after trying a few new entrees.
(4)
Melanie S.

going to uncommon ground does so much good for my soul. i want to open up there and let my senses breathe. the atmosphere is so comfortable and fun, the food is bold and flavorful, the music is sweet and lively. this is a place of pure genius. i wont tell you what to order (mediterranean trio, chili calamari, espresso-rubbed buffalo steak with onion marmalade...and the gelato...) go there with an open mind and a clean palate and let lucas the waiter serve you clean and extraordinary flavors. this is a dining experience you'll want to share with someone you like.
(5)
Aurore L.

I am a giver. I don't count. I learned that it's not the rule out there and have been exposed to bitter disappointments but still, I hate cheap people - especially when they work at restaurants, the ultimate "giving" place (at least in my opinion) Well I really like UG overall and am a big fan of their cozy atmosphere, their inventive drinks and their seasonal selection of small and big plates. But last Saturday it went down a notch or two to my own surprise. So the entree I had didn't really meet my expectations even though it was tasty. The steak was real dry, it was served with dry potatoes - but then again "dry" is on the item description (dry rub) so....my own fault in a way . But it was supposed to be balanced by "garden vegetables" and what I ended up having on my plate was - I carefully counted - 5 slices of carrots.... pretty lame as a side dish I would say. Anyway - dessert time comes around and we all go for the special - a goat cheesecake with fruit sauce and nuts........................I know that the country is at war and the economy is not at its best but still...3 drops of sauce and maybe 1.5 nut scarcely sprinkled over a mountain of cheese? Not in my book. So I am going to forget that night and focus on all the other good and yummy memories I have.
(4)
allison a.

I've never been here for brunch, but I am looking forward to going at some point. Went here for dinner and it was DELICIOUS. I had the pot roast with a mixed greens salad to start. I ate all of it and wished the plate was never ending. I had a Bellini which was made with fresh crushed cranberries and it was fantastic. The atmosphere is really great, too. I love the live music area, it's so cozy and nice. I'm knocking it down a star because last time I was there, I was supposed to meet friends to see some live music. I got there and they would not sit my bf and I by our friends b/c the room was "full," so we ended up eating at the bar and having to wait until the music was over to go into the room. I thought that was pretty lame. The staff is kind of pretentious, but overall I love it here.
(4)
Tim J.

Really excellent brunch! Excellent dishes that are homemade and delicious! Great drink creations, both alcoholic and sans-alcohol, hot and cold, sweet and spicy!!! The service is always superb... and the environment is really comfy and cozy! Must go... it has never let me down!!!
(5)
David N.

A friend of mine had suggested this place on a sunday morning for breakfast. The food was good, but I would not say it was excellent. For a vegetarian there are not a whole lot of choices. I do have to say though the coffee was excellent...I give the coffee 5 stars! I would love to go back again sometime and try their cocktails and some of their sandwiches that looked very good.
(3)
Sarah E.

We went to uncommon ground for the first time today after hearing great recommendations from our friends. We were very pleased with the meal and ambiance. For some reason, I had the (mistaken) belief that Uncommon Ground was going to be kind of hippy. This was definitely not the case. It was actually a lot more upscale than I had imagined (as I noticed when I showed up in flip flops for dinner). Our table had an appetizer of yam fries (delicious) and then we had entrees of halibut, trout, pork and gorgonzola gnocci. All were very delicious. Great flavors in all dishes (gnocci was amazing but rich). Only complaint was the fish was slightly overcooked. The atmosphere was really nice - a series of connected rooms to make the large space feel smaller. I would definitely return. Entrees ran in the $17-$24 range with burgers/sandwiches less expensive.
(4)
Heather F.

Glad this place came to the neighborhood. We need more places like this around these parts. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, good food. I would have given this place 4 stars because it is pretty solid ... but I took one star away because it is pretty pricey.
(3)
Michael M.

I love when I stumble across GREAT restaurants. First, for being up north they have a parking lot which is great. Had the Turkey Melt which was off the chain and my usual hard cider, and it had to be the best cider i've had in a long time. Maybe cause it was organic hard cider, but everything on the menu was organic, which I have never been to an all organic restaurant before. Oh, also their T-shirts are awesome, for some reason I love their T-shirt was even tring to buy one but not for sale, that sucks. But all in all Great place to eat wont be disapointed.
(5)
Renee L.

Ugh. I mean, it is a nice place and all, but come on! It is SO pretentious and uppity...I can hardly breathe through the thick air of arrogance when I hear our waitress tell us that they are conservationists and that is why they do not bring bread to the table (upon my professor's request for some bread for the table). I don't think they bring water either unless you ask. I mean I get the concept and all, valiant effort to save the planet, Uncommon Ground, but please spare us the condescending lecture! She ended up reluctantly bringing us some bread to the table. Ok so no big deal. Now, I do have to say the macaroni and cheese is very good, but I don't really think anything on the menu is worth the price you pay except for the sweet potato fries and the smores tart (I would just get that if I ever went back). What really ticked me off is when I went to see a band play. I mean it was such a to-do about getting a table and the room was not the slightest bit over-crowded at all. We ordered food and bottles of wine and I was kind of mad when I saw a $7 cover charge per person of our 8 person party being added on to the bill. Seriously, have I not paid through the nose enough for the overpriced fare here anyway?
(2)
Jamie W.

Love it!! Just might be my new favorite restaurant in the hood. They have an amazing cocktail menu, they infuse their own Vodkas. I ate there 3 times this week it's delish!
(5)
Alex S.

My first time trying sweet potato fries and they were delish. The meatloaf with a side of spinach and mash potatoes was good but the gravy way too salty. It was inedible! Also the calamari has was drenched in a sweet and sour sauce, which was too rich and soggy. 3 stars for their concept, warm atmosphere and sweet waitress. My friend had a drink (that i still daydream about) which consisted of eggnog and apricot. I don't remember what it was called but it was exquisite. Make sure you have enough money because it's pricey. I highly recommend making reservations on the weekends. We went on a Friday night and it was packed.
(3)
Ben S.

I really wanted to love this place and give at least 4 stars on my way into the restaurant. The Organic aspect is cool. As soon as you walk past the outdoor seating and see the parking lot there is an herb garden in the landscaping outside and on the roof. The vibe inside is earthy and warm and the people seem to be genuine and believers in the cause for homegrown and local food. Now for the food. We ordered the sweet potato fries and the calamari and both were delicious and tasty and I'm not a big fan of sweet potatoes. The special gnocchi was fresh and garlicky. BUT the pork belly dinner I ordered seemed like it was sitting a while. It was good but was on the lukewarm side and slightly tough. The cut was good and was obviouly a high quality meat. Maybe I was just hoping the whole meal would be as good as the hype. i will recommend and will definitely try again. Very kid/family friendly.
(3)
Jamie L.

I love the cozy atmosphere this place offers. The temperature of the restaurant is perfect and the warm cozy couches in the bar area add a more homey feeling. This uncommon ground is much more inviting than the one in Wrigely. I come here for their amazing mac n cheese and half price wine of Thursdays!
(5)
Brian C.

This place has become part of our rotation. I usually get the buffalo skirt steak. What an amazing dish that is. (Leave the spicy stuff to the side and regulate how much each bite gets. If you apply too much to the steak, it can be overwhelming.) I cant' say that I see this dish everyday, that's for sure. I miss the gamay from the wine list (apparently I was one of the few that drank it there), but I found a more than suitable replacement in the Valpolicella. I think they take their wine list pretty seriously at this place, anyway. There are a few more on that list that I want to try. The one time I went for brunch I had the uncommon breakfast melt. Very solid. Dinner is really what this place is about, though.
(4)
mike s.

Food and service are always great here. Good selection of beer and wine.... Sometimes they have live music.
(4)
Seth M.

The pros: food was good, decor was nice and has parking. The cons: price was totally unreasonable, $14 for a breakfast burrito? The Bongo Room has one that is equally as good for $6 less, in a trendier neighborhood. I am concerned that this area of Edgwater/Rogers Park won't be able to support the prices, not sure why they need to charge the prices that they do?
(3)
Lesley S.

Really laid back- I hope no one takes offense to this statement, but it seems like a hippie restaurant. That is the vibe I got from it, anyway. It was good though, we were seated in the back room which was a little crowded that evening, but it was fine. We had the Mediterranean trio to start off, and it was delicious. Everything on it was amazing, especially the hummus. I was less impressed by the entrees, mainly because I thought it was way overpriced. I had macaroni and cheese and my boyfriend had duck. We both liked our choices, but the prices are similar to that of a fancy italian restaurant and this place has such a laid back vibe that I really wasn't expecting our bill to be over $50 when we didn't even get alcohol. All in all, I'd probably come back but I still feel that the prices are too high.
(3)
annie r.

ok. the atmosphere is really comfortable, the service is always super nice, tad pricey, but hey, i dont go there everyday, so whatevs. let me get to the point. get the sweet potato fries. and ask for honey for dippin. you wont regret it. ive tried quite a bit on the menu and some of the specials...the millman burger was very tasty, and the mac and cheese is great too. but not nearly as good as the sweet potato fries.
(5)
Heather L.

Went her last Saturday night on the suggestion of my sister and loved it! Much better location than the Wrigley one and a much better space. Great beer menu, including some of my favorites from Hopleaf, and and even better dinner menu. Started with the sweet potato fries with goat cheese dipping sauce (could have drank the rest down, it was so good)... My boyfriend said his meatloaf was some of, if not THE best his ever had. I had the pumpkin ravioli with hazelnuts and gorganzola which was also amazing. Unfortunately, we had no room left for dessert. We will definitely be going back!!!
(5)
Jeff D.

I like this place for brunch. It's a nice atmosphere and the hipster servers are friendly not the typical condesending attitude you might think you'd get. It's a nice cozy place to chill and have a great meal anytime of the day.
(4)
K N.

Great atmosphere and probably the best pumpkin ravioli on earth. The fennel apple soup was wonderful as well. I've never had a bad dish here!
(5)
Emilia G.

The food was as good as the other location, and the performance space was much bigger, which was great, but I work with a band that had performed at the other location and was having their first one at the Devon location, and the sound guy was a complete prick! He basically blamed the band for the bad job he did on the sound! I also asked him where the bathroom was very nicely and he acted as if he can't be bothered. I would strongly suggest to Uncommon ground to choose all their staff wisely, not just the waitstaff and hosts. All of the employees, no matter what their capacity represent your restaurant.
(3)
Scott V.

Oh man, I am dreaming of Uncommon Ground's hot meat loaf sandwich as I write this. They build this delight with a hearty slice of crusty bread, layered with creamy mashed potatoes, a generous hunk of bacon-wrapped meat loaf topped with caramelized onions. Paired with their incredible Bloody Mary, it's a downright soul-satisfying comfort food experience with a buzz. On a chilly Chicago weekend afternoon, there is no place better to spend an hour or two than in UC's beautiful brick-walled room in front of their comfy fireplace. I've been to their Wrigleyville location and twice to their Devon location. Just for the ambience, wonderful service and ample FREE parking, I give the nod to Devon. UC has a permanent place on my list of reliably satisfying restaurant destinations.
(5)
Al I.

This place is probably the best restaurant in Rogers Park. The food gets better every time we go. The service is great, and all the funky martinis we've tried have been delicious. What more can I say? Go there now.
(5)
Carrie W.

I live right down the street from this place so I'm here a lot. The alcohol selection is great and the food is good (but I agree it's overpriced--I know it's expensive for the owners of this place to buy local but they don't do enough with the cooking to make it really worth the extra cost). I typically come here during the week and take part in whatever special they are offering, whether it's Tap Tuesdays ($4 draft beers!) or half priced wine bottles (on Thursdays now, used to be Wine Wednesday). The bartenders are friendly and professional, and know what they're talking about enough to recommend something based on what you tell them about your tastes. And when I've taken family here for full meals the whole crew has enjoyed it.
(4)
Christina K.

I've finally found my favorite brunch spot up in the Edgewater/Rogers Park neck of the woods, and couldn't be happier for it. The smooth, cozy atmosphere in the lounge/bar area caught our eye (fireplace? tasty tunes? a lovely first impression), so we skipped waiting to be seated, and parked ourselves at the bar. Having briefly Yelp'd the spot to get an idea of what it was like and then read up on the menu, I was already semi-intent on a certain morning drink. I picked the flying fig (a fig/vodka confection zotzed with a cream cheese-stuffed date), while my partner did something that was spicy and beery that wasn't quite to his taste; we both loved what has to be the tastiest figgy drink ever. Second round, I moved to the tree-tini, which was pear-flavored, and good, although as with any pear drink, it had a tendency to settle, while Mr. Man chose a "Tom Waits for No Man," which was whisky-ish and as good as the fig drink. For the non-liquid portion of the meal, we were equally ecstatic with our selections--he picked the Montana omelet with a side of apple sausage, while I tucked into the spicy chilaquiles. We sampled one another's dishes, and both came away impressed with the presentation, the quality, and how well the flavors popped. Looking around at other dishes told me that this wasn't unusual. Finally, the question of service--our bartender was quick and efficient with our first round, and she was unfailingly polite. Delivery of the food was well-timed at about ten minutes after the arrival of our drinks. There was a snag with the second round, but only insofar as there was some confusion on which bartender was making one of them, but then our bartender ate the cost of the round as a delightfully generous gesture. So, in a capsule: hip place, tasty drinks, excellent breakfast, and sharp staff. Add in the convenience of the place having its own lot, and I'm sold on the proposition that I should become a Sunday regular, and impressed enough to ponder popping back for a spot of dinner sometime, to explore the "other" menu. 3/12 Addendum: So, the guy and I went for dinner last night to celebrate my return after a week out of town on business, and we were immensely gratified to find this isn't just a breakfast spot. This week's special game-oriented sausage appetizer (duck, pheasant, and boar) was extremely tasty, and the evergreen scallops appy was the best pair of the little monsters--a personal favorite--that I've eaten in months. The main courses were also very tasty--he got the pumpkin ravioli that came in a cream sauce leavened with blue cheese and roasted chestnuts, while I decided to try something seemingly simple and tuck into the chopped salad. He's a bit of a pasta snob (too many projects took him to Italy), and really loved his choice, while my salad was ginormous, with better-than-average chicken breast, blue cheese, perfect (not woody) tomato, and a nice tomato ranch dressing. We washed it down with some more of their specialty drinks--he had a pair of the spicy/chocolate-y Frida Kahlo martinis, while I led off with a refreshing ginger/lemon martini and a finished with my favorite, the "Flying Fig." This is my favorite spot for a bite in the area, and add in the comfy dining space, the live entertainments, an unfailingly friendly, attentive, and easygoing staff, and you have a definite winner.
(5)
Van D.

When someone was murdered several years ago in front of the Diner at Clark and Devon the news report I heard said "Rogers Park'. Close but no cigar. The Diner is in Edgewater. So if a few of us Rogers Parkers want to claim this new Uncommon Ground as ours, let's call it even. This is a FABULOUS new addition to our neighborhood(s). I also couldn't wait for it to open. For the last few months I was going out of my way to walk the dogs past the windows just to see the progress. This last Sunday we had brunch and it was great. The owners have done a terrific job updating the place. It looks like a gazillion bucks! The food was wonderful, and the service topnotch. Our waitress Felicia (aka Felicious!) couldn't have been nicer. I'm really glad she decided to leave Louisville. And I also can't wait for them to start booking music. I'm tired of having to go down to Wrigleyville just to see Steve Dawson! Or Ilsabe O'Connell! Or Rose Polenzani! And Sharon Lewis! Uncommon Ground, welcome to the REAL northside!
(5)
Shonda D.

Uncommon Ground is a nice and spacious place with a laid back atmosphere. Love the burgers, chicken sandwich, sweet potato fries, rhubarb crisp is outstanding and the hot liquor drinks are de-lish! They have a parking lot, which makes it very convenient. I've been to Uncommon Ground 3-4 times and the food is always consistent. The lay out of the restaurant is great and its a relaxing place for mid-size groups. When the place gets packed the service suffers a bit, so arrive early for dinner. But all in all, the food is good and reasonably priced... a wonderful place for lunch and dinner with friends. Almost forgot... on Mondays selected bottles of wine are 1/2 price and they're tasty too!
(4)
jay w.

I saw Rose Polenzani perform at the new Uncommon Ground in Rogerswater (edgepark? but i digress...) tonight. I looked at the menu online and had braced myself for overly pretentious food in small portions. Luckily, I was wrong on both counts. I ordered the chopped salad and a side of sweet potato fries, with coffee. The salad was huge and everything in it was absolutely delicious--the chicken was juicy and tender, the avocado was perfectly ripe, the bacon was a nice touch. The amount of dressing was exactly right. I was so pleased that while it was $9 or so (that's a lot for me, i guess i'm cheap) I could only eat half of it and took home the other half for dinner #2. The sweet potato fries were divine, though I wish they had a half-portion because there were just too damn many of them. The sound was awesome and the setting was intimate yet still spacious enough that you don't have to dine on top of the people you are seated next to. I will be honest--though it was perfectly lovely, the prices are a bit much for me to be able to visit this place that regularly. Especially if I want to have a drink with my meal. But when you think about it, I suppose it's better to get one really good drink for the price of two mediocre ones. All in all, welcome to the neighborhood Uncommon Ground. You are a great addition to Devon.
(5)
Kelly W.

This is a pleasant spot for brunch on the north side. The food is delicious and fresh and they offer local ingredients. I would love to come back for dinner when I have the time!
(4)
Tom Q.

Ehhh, it was ok. They seemed to be going for that upscale comfort food thing, which confused me since it was early Spring. I found it to be over priced, and not very impressed with the food. It's not bad, I just wouldn't travel all the way back up to Edgewater just to eat there.
(2)
A M B.

Ordered the millman burger and the uncommon chopped salad...the waitress came back to the table and said that they stopped ordering ingredients for the millman but hadn't updated the menu yet. We ordered the black angus half pound burger instead...DElicious! The juices were running down my hand. The salad was wonderful too but $15 for a salad...yipes. I love it here but I think everything needs to come down in price and then the restaurant will be PACKED with people. Try the sidecar too, fresh and tart yummy apple slices are a nice surprise. I want to give this place 5 stars but the prices are too high~
(4)
Wendy F.

I love, love, love this place!! I have been going to the Wrigleyville location for about the last 7 years. The meatloaf wrapped in bacon topped with mashed potatoes, spinach and sauteed onions initially won me over. Comfort organic - I love it. I have now been going to the Edgewater location since it opened and I think its doubly amazing! Everyone who works there is always very pleasant. Because there is usually a full house, it does take a bit longer sometimes, but it is worth it. I use any and every excuse to go there. For appetizers, the korean calamari is great but the artichoke, goat cheese & pesto dip is amazing! The sweet potato fries are good too. The chicken breast and the pork chops are fantastic entrees but there are times where we will have everyone at the table ordering the meatloaf. One of my best friends swears by the mac and cheese as well. And if you have room, you should really try dessert. I have also become addicted to their brunch. I usually get the breakfast melt because everything just fits together so well . The montana omelet is great too. I have also tried the chorizo chilaquiles and the huevos (which I did not think I would like at all) and they were definitely tasty. One day, the woman next to me had one of their specials (I think it was crispy pork eggs benedict) and she was raving about it the entire meal. Their orange juice is freshly squeezed and delicious and sometimes I have to get the neal cassady coffee. They bring it to the table with this huge swimming pool cup full of strong maple coffee and a shot of whiskey that is perfect when you combine them. Drinks are great there - it's fun just to go sit at the bar as well. And the bartenders are nice about making a concoction that is more to your liking. I just genuinely like this place. Great food and great atmosphere.
(5)
Carrie M.

I liked the atmosphere until I looked up. Who paints a fan brown. I understand that they wanted the ceiling to recede, however I just have visions of paint flecks flying in to my hair and food out of the freshly painted duct work. The omelet had great ingredients but was a bit dry, the hot chocolate was luke warm, but the service was good and very friendly. The bar and the vodka will bring me back, the brunch will keep me at bay.
(3)
jeverr w.

breakfast ! at uncommon grounds on Devon ! my first time there and it is nice but a tad expensive ! I was going to go to a Sunday brunch but at the last moment got intimidated by the crowded parking lot ! today the lot was empty in fact I even wondered if they were open ! I had a Montana omelette allegedly with bacon and onions and cheese - mostly cheese ! a two egger there were potatoes on the side with just a hint of garlic and I had the house coffee a hearty robust coffee ! cream came in a tiny dollhouse sized mini silver pitcher looking for all the worlds like something from a child's play tea set ! OH and I had the sourdough bread toast (one slice - two points ) which was delightful ! 15 bucks for a two egg omelette toast potatoes and coffee is just a tad outta my price range but ...I am worth it ! the restaurant itself is lovely lots of local artist paintings hanging on their walls ( for sale no doubt) the rooms are a warm brown chairs are comfy and I sat at a booth back area very comfy ! one note I was surprised at the heavy weight of the silverware ! big but not clunky and the wait staff ! the boy (Peter) was young well built and good looking ! flat belly and pecs and very sweet to an old codger like me he really worked this old man for a tip I was generous to a fault indeed even to the point of hiding a folded dollar under the coffee cup ! hope that he found THAT winky flirt ! there is more to this place there is a very nice wooden bar area and a venue area for live music and nice fireplaces too !
(4)
Dawn R.

place is amazing...service is great...my boyfriend and i were here visitng some family and was looking for a great chill spot for desert...loved the idea of bowl sized hot drinks on a cold night:) the atmosphere is perfect .. sit next to the fire place:) cant wait to go back!
(5)
Emily H.

I was surprised at how expensive the beers were, especially given the location. The atmosphere and the decor were right on target and everyone was really nice. The place has a nice warm feeling with the fireplace lit, there is great artwork on the walls and there was a good sized-crowd there (especially for a fridgid wednesday night in february.) I'd like to go back when they have live music as there was a nice little stage in the back room. All in all though, I felt that the prices were a bit high for the quality of the food, and much too high for a pint of beer.
(3)
Susan F.

Uncommom Ground served us a terrific salad nicoise for lunch and very nice wine. The atmosphere is delightful and laid back. A really delightful place although the parking lot is challenging to enter and exit.
(5)
Sarah G.

Such wonderful food, beautiful decor, and incredible service. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Beth R.

My husband and I go to this place every few weeks. We are regulars and love love love the sweet potato fries and 'tini drinks. The portion sizes are "normal" - not overly generous. I highly recommend!
(4)
Sam N.

I've been going to Uncommon Ground for a few years now and have always, always had a great meal at both locations. I prefer the Devon location over the Lincoln Park location, in part because it's so much easier to find parking and in part because on a couple of occasions there has been excellent live music at the Devon location when I was there. Both places have awesome food--the menu changes somewhat frequently, so I sometimes miss meals that I liked in the past (there was once a buffalo ribeye steak that was unbelievably good . . . ) but there's always new stuff to try. The Friday fish fry is great--I lived in Wisconsin for several years, and although this isn't an all-you-can-eat fish fry, the quality is way higher than what I've had elsewhere. Great beer list, great atmosphere, really high quality ingredients, friendly staff. It's a bit on the expensive side, but you absolutely get what you pay for and more. I have recommended this restaurant to several friends and they've all become fans. I will be back!
(5)
Damarys K.

Great food, great atmosphere, great philosophy, great service......every time.
(5)
cathy n.

I live a block away from Uncommon Ground and it took me two years to walk into the place. The menu price is simply prohibitive for a quick eat. Press for time, the girlfriend and I decided to have a quick breakfast at the Devon location. First observation, the place is beautiful, elegant without being pretentious. Second, very sincere level of attention from the staff. Third, the price was in the mid 30's for what is basically: 4 eggs, one asparagus stalk, two pieces of bacon, one slice of bread, 2 ounces of spinach, one cup of coffee, and an orange juice. At this price level, I was extremely disappointed for the eggs were overcooked, the asparagus were tasteless, and to a get a single slice of toast!!! Come on. I didn't eat my meal (out of principle) and the poor waiter comped my breakfast (which I did not ask him to do). There are a lof of people who are just absolutely in-loved with this place. But I do have to ask one basic question: Why are you paying so much for mediocrity?
(2)
Kendrah R.

We like this place. A bit pricey for what you get, but quite good. The flavor on the pork is outstanding. Sweet potato fries, delicious. And salty peanut gelato from Black Dog Gelato, I literally had dreams about it that night. Pure, pure heaven. I like that there are so many options of where to sit and you can have dinner so smaller bites.
(4)
Sam G.

Simply i love it, i've been here a few times and its always amazing..the sweet potato fries are just..wow and everything else is really yummy and super satisfying..only down side the menu is kind of limited and the drinks are just ok, but otherwise i love it
(4)
Scott B.

Went on a cold, snowy Wednesday night, so the place was pretty quiet. the food was create, the service friendly and visible, and the ambiance is cozy neighborhood coffee shop. I would definitely go there again.
(5)
Beth B.

I went to Uncommon Grounds after reading up on them and their green roof garden and local products. It was a mixed pot. The atmosphere was very warm and inviting and loved that they were allowing artists to present and sell their items there. We got there a little early for dinner so ordered drinks and waited for the dinner menu to begin. I ordered a hazelnut latte that was supposed to have chopped hazelnuts atop it with a hit of syrup. It was served to me in a bowl- it was very awkward to handle and huge! I am a barista at a great place in city and was very disappointed in the latte. I expected better. The espresso tasted overpulled, the amount of syrup was overpowering, it was luke warm at best and no hazelnuts on top. The beer we ordered was great though. For dinner I had a bowl of vegetarian chili-which was rich with flavor and had a nice subtle heat to it. I also ordered the fried potato ravioli for an appetizer. I had never heard of a potato slice as a ravioli wrapper but it was ingenious. I loved the pickled cauiliflower served with it! My bf and I shared a banana bread pudding for desert. Moist with a nice creme anglaise but the bread tasted as if it was dunked in butter before serving. A bit too rich in that sense but the banana chocolate composition was great. Overall good time. Maybe change the latte size to a normal 12 oz cup with a handle..no one needs 24+ ounces of a sweetened drink and if they do they can visit a 7-11 for a big gulp. Also, kind of overpriced
(3)
Michael G.

great food, friendly staff...and it's close to me!
(5)
Fida C.

Dined here Saturday with new friends and one 16 year old son. Nice,locally sourced (including from the roof-top garden) French-ish food. I had a lovely cassoulet. The son's burger was highly approved. The vegetarians also enjoyed their meals. Casual-elegant kind of environment.
(4)
Marcella W.

I went to breakfast here today and the food was blah. My mom and I split the lemon poppyseed & ricotta pancakes with blueberry sauce (sounds much better than it tasted) and the breakfast melt (cheese, spinach, egg and bacon on toasted rye). The pancakes tasted pre-made and the blueberry sauce made them already soggy before even arriving to our table. The breakfast melt was greasy and gross. I would have preferred Clark's at half the price.
(2)
John L.

I think it is a bit over priced. Food is adequate
(2)
Karen G.

Oh how I love you Uncommon Ground! You never ever disappoint. I love the atmosphere, the staff are always super nice and helpful, and the food...the food! Some of my favorites: tomatillo soup, calamari, sweet potato fries with goat cheese sauce, short ribs...the menu changes based on season, but I've never had a bad experience.
(5)
John L.

I'll have to come back and try this place when it's not "earth hour" and when it's not so early in the evening that it's slammed with people that bring along their screaming babies and kids. Man it was like a day care center. I honestly did not enjoy my experience. Ok, so it was Earth Hour and I randomly walked in with the girlfriend for dinner at around 6 or 7 pm, I can't remember the exact time but it just happened to be at the start of this hour. The restaurant turned off the lights to comply with Earth Hour. Are you serious? Man, I could not see my menu and even worse I could barely see my food by the candle light when it came out. I ordered the crispy chicken. It was basically just a small, kind of dry chicken breast that had a slightly crisp layer of skin on top. I was expecting a couple of pieces of fried chicken or something but instead I got the one small chicken breast and a huge serving of red cabbage. It was all kind of bland. I can't tell you if the chicken was golden brown or whatever because they had the lights turned off for Earth Hour! I noticed some other people around us complaining about the lack of light so the waiters were actually standing over some tables with flashlights so that people could see the menu, etc. Ridiculous. I mean, I get the whole save the environment deal and all but come on man. This is a restaurant where people are paying a lot of money for food. I'd like to see my food. And why are so many people bringing their babies and toddlers out to eat at rather pricey restaurants?! I complained about the lack of light in the place and our waitress just said, "oh, it's Earth Hour" and quickly walked off. I'd like to note that they did not turn the lights back on after the hour was over. Our bill was $78 for two. I never got a good look at my food and I had to listen to several tables with loud kids the whole time. I'll give it another shot someday but I'm going to make damned sure that it's not Earth Hour and I'll go late enough so that there aren't many kids in there. Two stars for the kick ass appetizer of muscles with chorizo.
(2)
Molly B.

Perfect! We had a group of 8 for a joint birthday party on a Monday night. We gathered in the lovely bar and weren't rushed to our seats, which was nice, though the communal table in front of the big front window was all ready for us. Great wine and food, lively but not too loud to talk to everyone in the group, attentive and friendly service. I'll go back many times.
(5)
Kearby K.

So I went back... I try so hard to like this place- I swear I do. It is so Meh. I got a cob salad that was OK. Soup that needed salt and I asked for it and by the time they gave me the salt the soup was cold and why can they not just put salt on the table. I mean I like things saltier than others. You are not so awesome that you must force people to ask for salt if they want some salt. The person I was with thought her food was good but was annoyed with our waiter being so slow to bring salt and the bill. I still want to like it but ohhhh. The deserts were OK too. I got the icedcream and at $7 it was a good value and the chocolate and vanilla were good but the peanut butter was awesome. It was so so salty but great! The smores dish was pretty good but for $7 not a real value as you could hardly share it. I am sorry and feel bad and want to like it but I just gotta give it a 3 and hope no one wants to go there again. It was 54 dollars for two soups, two salads and two deserts.
(3)
Ken M.

We got off to a bad start coming in the door and having a hostess with an attitude asking if we had reservations. The place was nowhere full and she acted like she was doing us a favor. Although the food was good, the service was slow and our server had a habit of disappearing for long periods of time. We waited 30-40 minutes for our food to come out after placing our orders. We only were given a late lunch menu, so there was little to choose from. Everyone in the group seemed happy with the meal. Although one had requested sweet potato fries and received regular fries. I felt the cost was a little bit high for what we had, but I guess given the area and what it is, it would be considered normal. I think I would be inclined to give it another try, but I don't think I'll be running back any time soon.
(2)
Philip N.

I've been back several times and think that lunch is better than dinner. The food at the original location seems to be better at night. I do, however, like the decor and music. The bar is really a great place to hang and the drinks are good.
(3)
Harvey Y.

Great addition -- a place that sits on the line between Edgewater and Loyola Park (err...Rogers Park). Awesome beer offerings and decent wine list. The best food options are the simpler (American) dishes. For example, don't get the Duck Confit instead go for the Roasted Chicken. It's a really pleasant place. Live music. Friendly bartenders and hostesses. In short, it's definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Jamie F.

I love this place! The atmosphere is wonderful. I felt comfortable immediately, and even more so as I was drinking my hot toddy made with cinnamon and brandy. I ordered the crispy chicken with broccoli and wild rice. It was perfect. Seriously. You can tell the chef puts a lot of care into each dish and uses quality ingredients (local, sustainable, organic, etc). It's a little bit pricey, but worth it for special occasions. Also, they have live music which is a bonus if you're there late.
(5)
Mary S.

meh. i wasnt a huge fan of my drink and the s'mores tart left much to be improved (too thick/rich chocolate, marshmallows not gooey enough, not enough graham cracker), but the sweet potato fries, ambiance, and ability to seat 12 at 8:30 pm on a saturday made me think i should give this place a second chance.
(3)
Paul C.

My pal Kent wanted to meet here because it is close to his house. Nice atmosphere (but loud). Sweet potato fries were yummy. Pasta was excellent and salads were OK. Beer was great, too! I would come back.
(4)
M P.

Uncommon Ground - amazing in so many ways. I've always been a fan of the back rooms - coffee house (with ridiculously good spiked drinks) and live music, fabulous art on the walls. It took me a while to warm up to the newer restaurant in front, but I like the bar and the variety it adds. Just had brunch there for the first time - $5 bloody marys and chilaquiles to die for! I love that they are going local/green and cant' wait to check out the space on Devon.
(4)
Andrew E.

Best of the best. When people ask me what my favorite restaurant in Chicago is - Uncommon Ground is my answer. I know you could have more adventurous culinary experiences in Chicago, but my criteria includes the whole picture including a solid company mission. Uncommon Ground is the quintessential green restaurant - first organic rooftop garden complete with bees, they favor local farmers and produce, they give back to their community in multiple ways...the list goes on and on. AND the food is tasty. There's also good coffee, and good alcohol to round out the menu which is important to me. Plus, they host a slew of special of events that are fun and educational - like beer dinners and movie nights. The only thing to make it more perfect would be an emphasis on baked goods and particularly gluten-free - but that's my own bias. Otherwise, it's a great place for a satisfying meal and a great place to patronize because they are doing good to the world, too!
(5)
Parris N.

A good vibe and even better food makes Uncommon Ground worth the stop. The fish and chips are worth waiting for, and the meatloaf is a heartwarming meal if that's what you crave. Every Friday in the summer and fall they have a farmer's market; the one time we went they also had a pig roast, which we enjoyed while waiting for a table. They have their own garden on the rooftop along with solar panels to power their water heater. The service was great, and my only wish is that they would have opened up this location earlier.
(4)
Alexandra S.

wowzers. this place is delicious! my husband and i went there for lunch today on a whim since we were in the area, and i am glad that we did! they are little on the moderately pricey side [$12-$15 lunch dishes] but they did not disappoint! i also enjoyed their selection of local brews. we will definitely be back!
(5)
Dana C.

i love the devon location of uncommon ground. it's definitely more of a restaurant than a coffeehouse (which what the original uncommon in wrigleyville was like). i love the atmosphere and the food here is very delicious, just a bit on the pricey side.
(4)
Pete G.

Good food, but in a few words: TOO MANY KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is with parents these days. I pay good money for a quiet, comfortable breakfast and instead I am bombarded with the loud offspring of rude parents. I probably won't be back. If you go, request a QUIET area away from the screaming brats.
(2)
D K.

Great vegetarian options! Seasonal changing menu. Always fresh! Music venue also very good.
(5)
Chris F.

Great breakfast/brunch spot. Really good coffee and they brew some of their own beers. Really cool spot.
(4)
Nannette P.

5 STARS for the food and atmosphere. 1 -2 STARS for the continually lackluster and un-attentive service each time I have returned. The food is one of the only reasons that I keep coming back, and their unique cocktail list. The outdoor patio is cute and comfy, but for some reason, the most un-attentive and nowhere to be found servers normally get this section. Why, I will never understand. I have been to this location at least 6 times, and while I absolutely love the food and drinks, and the atmosphere, the service all but one time has been mediocre to not there at all. And the gal I got for my best service experience was a shorter gal with brown hair that sometimes wears a bohemian looking skirt. She rocks! Sorry that I forgot your name. Other than her, the other servers have been memorable more for their mistakes. I have had to ask for water, silverware, steak knives, spoons, wait a long time to order, wait a long time to get the check, etc, etc. Also, one night we went there and sat outside for dinner, looked at the menu for about 25 -30 minutes before our server actually acknowledged us to take our order. And as I went to order the much anticipated Trout, she informed me that they were out of it. I can't stand that!!! Also, on that same night, I ordered a martini and she brought the shaker out to the table to pour it there. As she was pouring, the top part of the shaker fell into my martini glass. I'm no germ-a-phoebe, but she didn't apologize or even ask me if maybe I wanted a new martini. She stuck her hands into my glass and retrieved the shaker, like it was no biggie. It was gross. Ultimately, we had one of the best meals of our life that night, so again, they are always redeemed by their food. But, someone needs to train the servers properly on better server standards.
(2)
Ada L.

I live closer to the other UG, but decided to venture up to this one for brunch on Saturday to see what it was like. I loved it! The service was much, much better than the one on Clark and the atmosphere was cozier. I love the art on the wall and I can't wait to come back for a drink in their cute bar area. Oh yeah, and I'll definitely be back to hear some live music. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Emma C.

I am being generous with three stars, because the food is fresh, the waitstaff friendly, and the atmosphere is hip, airy and cheerful. It's a nice, upscale addition to the 'hood. But as other reviewers have mentioned, the prices are downright unreasonable, a very poor value. My husband had huevos rancheros and coffee and I had mac & cheese for brunch, and the bill came to about $40. We both ordered sides of potatoes (I had fries, he had breakfast potatoes), and that tacked on $8 to the bill. Breakfast eggs should come with potatoes, and a small side of fries should not cost $4. The mac and cheese was very pedestrian, bland and $12...I can make a whole pyrex of cheesier, tastier stuff for probably less than that. The prices all seem about a third higher than what they ought to be. It was a nice special date for Mother's Day weekend, and we would love to come back and try other dishes and enjoy the atmosphere, but who can afford it? Sticking with Tre Kroner instead...
(3)
Gary S.

I haven't been to the other place, just the one on Devon. This place definitely has a corner on the market as it's the only place like in the area, I guess that's why they can get away with charging what they do. The food was good, but overpriced, $14 bucks for a chopped salad with chicken? Maybe downtown, but in Roger's Park?
(2)
C P.

Went to Uncommon Ground for the first time after much anticipation of it arriving in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Went for breakfast, and almost everything on the menu looked terrific. I had the Montana omelet and my boyfriend had the Uncommon huevos. Both came with potatoes and mine came with toast as well. The food was fantastic - fresh, well-seasoned, and innovative. The uncommon huevos came on top of a black bean corn cake - with a terrific ancho chili sauce. the omelet was large and packed with bacon and cheese. we had coffee, which was good and the service was very attentive. they came to fill water, coffee and take plates promptly. it seems like a very cool/cozy place to hang out - with brick walls and a fireplace. they had a small bar up front with a unique selection of beers and it's already smoke-free! the only draw-back is that the prices seemed a little high at first glance (especially for the neighborhood) but the quantity and quality did merit it. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Kris S.

We were delighted that Uncommon Ground came to Edgewater. The neighborhood really needed a good sit down place for brunch, lunch and dinner and I have had positive experiences on weekdays at this location, but today, not so much. We called earlier in the week to get reservations, and were told they didn't accept them for parties under 8 people. We arrived before 9, and there was already a long line of families waiting. The hostess seated families ahead of us and families after us of the same size and with children of the same age as our four year old. Not us, we were sent to the bar - we were told that they didn't have open tables - which clearly wasn't true because from the bar I could see a half dozen open tables in one room and several more in the back room. We asked the bartender - who was defensive at first, but then went to management to get us a table. We waited 45 minutes for cold lattes that were supposed to be hot, an hour and ten minutes for breakfast that was also cold. We saw parties that came in after us served before we were, and witnessed the hostess spew her special venom at more than one Mother trying to enjoy breakfast with her family. I do not recommend Uncommon Ground, which is a shame because as I said, Edgewater Glen really does need a few places like this where you can sit down to good regional cuisine.
(1)
Carl I.

Due to the beginnings of a cold my taste buds were not in tip-top shape, but the burger was excellent as were the french fries, and also the beer (non-IPA); we had a great server who was attentive but not over the top. Atmosphere was cosy due to the cold weather and the fireplace. The food is a bit pricey but the portions are huge. I wold recommend this not for a budget excursion, but when you want a step-up on pub food, and a relaxed, but upscale ambience.
(3)
Brian K.

Nice atmosphere, especially the outdoor seating during the summer but the food is not that good and is WAY overpriced. Good place to hang out and have a beer but they're a little delusional about the quality of their food.
(3)
Christine N.

Last night, my boyfriend and I went here, as we had booked a date through HowAboutWe Couples for 2 spiked coffee drinks. A week before our date, my friend also used her HowAboutWe and she said that it was a pretty bad experience. I just thought that it might have been due to the fact that she doesn't like booze. A sitting area was reserved for us in front of the fire place by the car. The fire place was really nice, especially with the negative degree weather, but the chairs were not. They were too low to the ground and to cushion-y. We requested to move to a place with real chairs and a real table, in which they relocated us without an issue. We ordered our two spiked coffees... THEY WERE HORRIBLE. I was expected a good coffee drink with some booze in it, but instead, i got booze with a little bit of coffee. Generally, lots of booze is good, but it wasn't for these drinks. It just didn't work well together. We ordered the vegetarian chili and the kale/lamb soup. My chili was extremely bland, except for the fact that it tasted like a burnt down cabin. The soup was cold when it came to the table and it definitely wasn't for me. We received our check and luckily we decided to move away from the fire place because they would have charged us $11.95 to sit there. I wouldn't come here again, which is a complete disappointment. I always wanted to come here, and when I had the chance to, it was a complete failure. On the upside - the atmosphere is really intimate!
(2)
John B.

Have'nt eaten there. Coffee is OK. Went to the location near Wrigley Field , several years ago , to see a friend who was preforming there. I was told the show was "In back.". I only saw an empty room with no seating in back. I missed that blinding pink neon sign that said " There's another room behind this one " , so that was my mistake. Later , another friend's band was playing at the Devon location . I was told I should make reservations. Seriously? OK , so , I did. They asked me to be there at 9:00 PM for a Ten O'clock show. Ummm... alright. My reservation was confirmed , but , I was told I'd have to wait. They said they were cleaning up tables in the performance area , and I couldn't go back there , yet . After waiting 45 minutes , I asked if they had a chair I could sit down on in the music room , where I wouldn't be in the staff's way....They said , no , it's against fire regulations (?). It was just before 10 O'clock rolled around , I did not see any other people , besides myself , waiting to get in , the Hostess narrowly admitted me through the door because a friend of mine , who happens to be a local celebrity , told her I was with her , and I was a friend of the band (I'd already told her the second part.) , so I was just narrowly admitted into this show , for which I'd made a reservation more than 24 Hours earlier. I know the idea is , if you don't show up with a group , the Dollar signs in their eyes won't go off. But , I played it their way and made a reservation and wasted an hour , by trying to be agreeable. Fortunately , it's rare that they have any remotely interesting acts there, anyway. It's almost like they're in competition with The Heartland CafÃ© , music- wise , and that's not good. But , if the Hostess had done something batshit crazy , like said " Sorry you had to wait so long" , I would've let it slide. A free drink wouldn't have been out of the ordinary , either , but , to Hell with it. No one I've spoken to has had a good experience , there , so , while I say it's up to you to decide for yourself , I Can't decide if my one star should have two or three points.
(1)
Judith M.

We wanted to love this place. From the minute we walked in and were greeted by the smiley hostess and hit the monthly rooftop garden tour we were all a chatter about how we were going to come here all the time and it was going to be our new living room etc... And then the food started coming... Suffice it to say that the beet salad at 12$ was- uh- shocking. And not in a good way. I lost my mind on the costumer review form and got close to over the top but really, I was that offended. Maybe it was a bad nite, but be forewarned. Then the Fish fry arrived. Yes, the manager brought me a new piece to replace the one inedibly burnt; but first I had to flag the waitress, who had to go find the manager. In my (rather extensive) experience in the "food industry," when someone has a problem with a food item- wether obvious or not, the offending object is removed with an offer to replace or remove from the check: immediately and with no questions. Leaving it sitting on a plate in front of me for 5 minutes doesn't not inspire confidence. It also smells like a staff that is micro-managed by policy on some level. The other indication of this was that the wait staff was cheerless. Perhaps this was to enhance a sense of "the solemnity of fine dining?" We were a couple who split 2 salads and 2 entrees (mostly out of curiosity- we weren't hungry. thank god we were just munching around and not serious about dinner). With 2 drinks apeice the bill was 80$. Our friends are big "it's full of hops so it' must be good" beer drinkers and were pleased with their beer. We had a hard time finding something to drink and I was sad about the Super Juicy Margarita. I refer to you David R.'s review of 7/8/13 and add: just because it's a great idea, does not mean that your product can or should be anything below average. Yes, I encourage you to go. No, I do not encourage you to stay away Yes. I will go back. No, I will not order a single thing I ate there again. Yes. I will update my review. No, I will not hold a grudge. UG, I want to love you. Try to meet me half way. .
(3)
Talia H.

Went here for a Sunday brunch. Half our table was satisfied with their food. I had the egg sliders which were terribly bland. Just eggs, spinach, and cheese on an English muffin. There was a flavorless garlic aioli which added nothing. The breakfast potatoes are fantastic. The breakfast burrito was very good and the chilaquiles were very flavorful and spicy. Service was a bit slow but friendly.
(4)
Judy L.

Coming from the burbs it is a really interesting drive down Devon from 90 to get to this restaurant. Kind of off the beaten path in Edgewater but definitely worth the drive! Fantastic party room with stage. Fresh delicious food and seriously the best vanilla latte. My friend said that there was a cute heart on top in the foam, but I drank it too quickly to notice!! Possibly the best sweet potato fries I have ever had. Great veggie flatbread panini, fresh green salads, juicy burgers, healthy chicken sandwiches. Great flavors and fast service!
(4)
Rachel K.

I don't typically write reviews, but we had Sunday brunch here and it was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was great-cozy and not crowded at all for 11 am. I had the sliders and they were great!
(5)
Valerie W.

Uncommon Ground has been on my bookmark list for almost a year now, so it was high time to check it out. We were at Uncommon Ground on Friday night to see a band (coincidentally, a friend of ours' band), so, the only thing I'm really going to say on that, is, it's pretty awesome that they have live music, and it's more of a "show." They turn the lights down, on Friday, there were 3 bands that did a 40 minute set each (ish.) Very intimate venue. We made reservations for 9pm at the recommendation of the band, they were not sure how full the music room would be. We were seated immediately, but had a bit of a kerfuffle with servers - one came over, said she would give us a minute to order drinks, and disappeared for a long while. After about 20 minutes, she came by and said she'd be right back. Immediately after that, a second server came up and said she'd be taking care of us. Either way... as long as we get drinks, right? We ordered beverages, and a couple of appetizers to share: :: Beer braised mussels & frites (spring onions / ramps / cranberry beans / crostini / smoked paprika aioli) :: Sweet Potato fries (warm goat cheese fondue) :: Beet salad (frisee, black river gorgonzola, pistachios, orange segments, horseradish vinaigrette) :: Our server offered freshly harvested radishes from the rooftop garden as well, served with butter and sea salt. The first thing I noticed that was for the price, the portions were all very small. I figured that we would stuff ourselves on a salad and two appetizers, and I couldn't have been more wrong. The salad was maybe four bites per person, for $12 I think? The portions were small across the board. The food was very tasty, don't get me wrong, but, maybe because we were sharing appetizers and not entrees? Graham looked at me at one point and asked if I'd also ordered an entrÃ©e for us to share. I wished I had. There were many tasty looking things to choose from. I would go back to Uncommon Ground for a nice dinner when I am looking for something healthy and sustainable. I'm not going to go out of my way to go back, but if I was in the area or someone else suggests it, I'd be down to check it out again. One thing I did find interesting was that the menu states that for conservancy, water is only served upon request. The first thing that made it to our table (before our server) was two glasses of water. Funny?
(3)
Samantha F.

Love this place! This was my first visit. I didn't know they had a location on Devon. We were meeting friends for brunch & they were running approx. 20 min. late. The hostess assured us it was okay to occupy the table w/ out our friends being there. They killed the bloody Mary! OMG, it was AWESOME! The food was great too. The man & I split the small Sunshine salad. Completely & totally fresh; it was delish! We ordered Chilaquiles & the Granola Pancakes. Everything was great! The service was good too. What a cute joint to come & enjoy drinks, food, and friends. There were great veg options as well as good lookin' stuff for you carnivores. Go here, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Steve S.

Excellent restaurant. Great food, good beer selection, good service. The only reason I give it four stars is because it is a bit pricey, which keeps me from going there more often. But it is a great place!
(4)
Michelle K.

As I start all my reviews... I had been wanting to come to Uncommon Ground for a while for a variety of reasons including their 1) vegetable focused cuisine, 2) their rooftop garden and commitment to sourcing ingredients locally and organically, 3) the live music! I was finally able to come with a friend and the ambiance was terrific, the service fantastic but the dishes failed to impress. They were good but nothing I would seek out. Well, except for the fries... Would seek those out. But maybe not for $8. We started with the sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue. The fondue was less of a fondue than a sauce but the fries were some of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had. Perfectly crispy, not too salty, not too sweet. These are the sweet potato fries every restaurant should try to make. The goat cheese fondue went surprisingly well with the fries but honestly, I could have eaten the fries by themselves. We couldn't decide what to get so we decided to split the bacon wrapped meatloaf and the uncommon pork scallopini. I would have appreciated more vegetables with the dishes but what we got was delightful. I personally enjoyed the asparagus on the meatloaf and the faro and vegetables (which were just mushrooms and spinach, I think--kind of a disappointment for the summer vegetable medley!) more than the meats themselves. For dessert, we shared the summer berry custard with house made almond biscotti. The custard had a tad too much vanilla but over all the raspberries and blackberries went well with the almond biscotti and vanilla custard.
(3)
Hannah H.

It's great that this place tries to support local farmers. Our server was quite awesome, too! We started off with the Buzzy Bee (which was espresso, honey, and soy milk served over ice), and the Iced Dirty Chai Breve (which was chai, espresso, caramel torani, half and half, all served over ice). The drinks were okay; not too sweet and not too strong. For entrees, we ordered Helen's Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Gunthorp Farm chicken breast, swiss emmenthal, red onion, tomato, sprouts, honey-mustard dressing, all on a hearth bread); the Slagel Family Farm Roast Beef Sandwich (which had an abundant amount of charred red onions, Cedar Grove white cheddar, an herb aioli, and a overly soft bun; both sandwiches were okay, and you can taste that it's fresh. This came with the sweet potato fries - they were crispy, and dipping it into the goat cheese fondue was interesting; and, the Prairie Pure Macaroni & Cheese (butterkase, Cedar Grove white cheddar, swiss, with a side of peach slaw) - too many dry breadcrumbs that were not baked into the mac and cheese, so be careful in not trying to inhale while you're eating it! The peach slaw was just slices of peach with roddichio. I had the Crisp Peach cobbler, which came out piping out, and melted all the ice cream before it came :( There is outside seating, so you can bring your canine friends along. They also have an organic farm on the rooftop on the weekends. +sweet potato fries +Crisp Peach cobbler (ask for ice cream on the side)
(3)
Jimmy B.

I love the concept of this place, and the atmosphere is really great, but unfortunately, the food and the service just isn't that good. The service bothered me the most as it took a long time to get their attention and then they just disappeared for a long time. Everything felt like a chore for them, which is just not acceptable when you're charging what they charge for food... The food too is very hit or miss. I've had one or two things that I thought were good, not amazing, but good, but generally I end up leaving pretty disappointed. Fortunately there are many options in the area...
(2)
Celeste L.

Servers made faces at each other about us, were passive aggressive, and refused to seat us. We waited 30 minutes and they said it would be another 30 minutes before we would be sat because they didn't put us on the wait list. Will never go there again. Instead we walked to Deluxe dinner and were immediately sat. We were charmed by the atmosphere and exceptional service for our Sunday brunch.
(1)
Rebecca L.

A sweet, warm ambiance for a chill night of beer or wine drinking. I liked the feel and the staff is great and welcoming. The food is-- fine. The main issue is the price/taste discrepancy. I had the pumpkin ravioli and while it was okay, it wasn't worth $19. Try the calamari appetizer and come for the drink specials but maybe don't shell out the full price of a dinner.
(3)
Frances A.

Sweet potato is everywhere - especially in fry formation. But the goat cheese fondue is truly a treat. There is a subtlety to this normally bold cheese that really brings out the sweet potato. The chile was just average, really nothing special. The flatbread was a great last-minute add-on. The butternut squash and roasted onions topping the bread was just do die for. This sweet combination topped with balsamic simply made the meal. I wish I had it after the pumpkin ravioli. At $19 for the ravioli, I was expecting amazing. Amazing I did not get. Also disappointed by the flourless chocolate cake. The berry preserves were far too sweet, and the cake wasn't dense at all. It was actually quite fluffy, not the normal consistency that I expect from flourless chocolate cake. Service was friendly per usual, but slow. We went at a slow time (2pm), so it's not even like it was buys. I was surprised I had to hound down the server for water, but when it came to the check, she was quick to try to close out so that she could leave.
(3)
Vito G.

amazingly fresh ingredients, top 3 mac and cheeses ive ever had. the ambience is great with a very chill vibe. great selections for vegetarians and for meat lovers. great about honoring reservations timely, nice patio, this place is awesome!
(5)
Leah H.

Why? Why do I go back here? Yes, they take up an otherwise empty lot on Devon. But I keep going back - it's a few blocks walk- yet every time I ask - why? Why the overpriced, muddled flavors? The unfocused menu? Why the horrific wine list? Spotty service at best, and just crazy prices. Please, UC, better food. I get you are using the kale from your rooftop, but you know what, so am I, and it tastes better from my yard. Please focus on what should be your core business: service and food. Have less turnover in your staff. Eventually there will be better options in the hood.
(2)
Kat A.

My boyfriend and I went here with another couple for dinner this past Sunday, and I must say we were all very satisfied with our experience. Favorite Moments: -Korean Chili Spiced Calamari: probably the highlight for all of us; incredibly delicious and not spicy at all -Cheesy Potato soup (soup of the day): very good, the consistency was perfect -Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf: I'm ashamed to say, this was my first meatloaf experience in my 28+ years of existence...but holy crap was it good! There really weren't any low points to the meal, other than the restaurant being out of pine nuts for the pesto and using walnuts instead. But that's only because I'm allergic and couldn't try it :(
(5)
Keith W.

Anyone who has given this place a bad review is either insane, lying or lacks the ability to taste food.
(5)
Vee E.

Love the sweet & spicy calamari! Nice vibe, great service, I'll be back!
(5)
Kelsey H.

I love Uncommon Ground, but it should really have three dollar signs next to it. Lots of great microbrews and a creative vegetarian-friendly menu. The only thing is that the menu changes often, so once you fall in love with a dish you may go back to find out it won't be offered again. The food is amazing though -- I recommend the vegetarian chili & sunshine salad which are staples.
(4)
Shanen J.

Service wasn't good. Server forgot our appetizer. There's only two of us, actually so it made me wonder how the hell she forgot to put it in. The servings are just right. Pricey but taste is average. Good nonetheless. The restaurant has a cool vibe which I really liked.
(3)
Jim S.

Love love love this place but they blew it tonight. "Kitchen is swamped" because of a show(?). 15 to 20 minute wait. Dining room is empty. Waited for 30 minutes. Bye. Will go again but not getting the situation tonight
(1)
Meredith B.

I've been to the Uncommon Ground on Clark St, but came here for the first time today for lunch with a friend. They had a fire going in the fireplace, giving the room a cozy atmosphere, but there weren't too many other people around! Weekday lunch looks pretty quiet. They serve both their brunch menu and their lunch menu on weekdays (yay!!) so I went for a chai latte and the uncommon huevos - eggs over easy with a black bean corn cake, and ancho chile sauce, with cheese. My lunch was hot and fresh tasting, eggs cooked perfectly. I thought the meal needed more balanced flavors - I definitely got the ancho chile in the sauce, but not a whole lot else. It was a little one-note. Portion not too big, which some people have complained about, but I don't like huge brunches - they don't keep well to take home so you want to be able to finish your eggs! The tortilla chips on the side seemed a bit pointless - I dipped a few in the ancho sauce, but didn't go too well together. $10 for this meal. The chai latte was okay, though I wish it was more strongly flavored. Pretty small glass too, for the price. I had a small one, but the big one was $6! The servers were friendly and attentive and let us stay and chat a while. $30 for two for lunch, he had coffee and the scramble of the day. I think it's a bit overpriced for what you get, but it's a pleasant space and everything tastes fresh at least!
(3)
Winston S.

I just moved and live in spitting distance to this place. I SO want to like it. I have been there many times now (several times in two weeks while I was moving in). I even had brought about 30 people to listen to a friend who played one night in their entertainment area. Not once did the staff start to recognize me or my husband. I don't need to have a long conversation, but it would be nice to have my patronage acknowledged after being there so many times in a row with the same staff several of those visits. The staff is coldly polite. I didn't go back for several months. Then, I had a coupon for $10 off if I spent $25, so I decided to return. This time, it was 1/2 price wine night. Since the waitperson was pitching it, I opted for a bottle of wine instead of a well drink which would have been my first choice. My husband opted for a martini. When we got our bill, I was told because we took advantage of the 1/2 price wine, I could not use my coupon. This was not explained up front. For the record, we had a salad and an appetizer in addition to 2 entrees and drinks. Our bill was over $100. I told the Manager that this was wrong not to honor the coupon. I also took the opportunity to tell her how disappointed my experiences with their staff had been. She might have said she was sorry, but beyond that, there was no other acknowledgement. She just looked at me and said she would tell the owners. She made no attempt to discuss the situation or try to talk through my disappointment. So, for $10, she has lost a customer who would probably eat there several times a month due to the proximity....and they lost the friends I would bring.
(2)
David C.

I went here on Sunday for breakfast with three of my buddies. I have been here once before and thought it was ok but we ended up going here with the insistence of our friend. I really like that this place has a garden on its roof and that it uses these ingredients in the food. I had the chilikillas...they were good but nothing to write home about. I think the restaurant is nice and modern and the staff was nice enough. I just don't see myself running back to this place. It is also a little far from my home.
(3)
Andrew D.

Was told the wait would be 20 minutes. After an hour, we were not seated and then told the kitchen was so backed up that if we ordered then it would be 45 additional minutes. It's unacceptable to be so incorrect about the wait times, and not fair to the customers.
(1)
Brittany B.

Love the food, nightly drink specials, and draft list but the service is iffy. Roasted and stuffed acorn squash was great - the brussel sprouts on top were incredible.
(4)
Julianna W.

Disappointing!! The concept seems to be good, but do not be fooled. If you are truly committed to sustainability, this may not be the place for you. The only vegan option on their menu is salad, as many options as you would have in McDonald's or a Steak House. They have limited plant based options. Would it kill them to put more non- animal proteins on the menu? Probably not, however, they will charge you a great deal for their concept. I was hoping for a forwarding thinking restaurant but it is not there yet.
(3)
Rex H.

I have lived down the street from this place for two years. I am sorry it took this long to give them my two thumbs up on yelp! I have never had a meal I did not love here. The drinks menu is great, the food is fantastic, and their live -music is always a blast! I will be moving out of the neighborhood in two weeks.... I won't miss my current apartment but I will miss living a few feet from this place!
(5)
Michael T.

This place was amazing. Our server was the nicest and so fun. I ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf which was incredible. The sweet potato fries were, as promised, celestial. Drinks were wonderful! We definitely took advantage of whiskey wednesday! I'll definitely be back here if I'm in the area again.
(5)
Jennifer Z.

I want to love this place wholeheartedly, but I can't. Maybe I haven't found the dish on the menu that I love, they all seem rather bland. I love soup, but their soups always seem to be milk based. I love - 1 - rooftop garden 2 - attention to food quality 3 - Bar and drink menu 4 - ambiance 5 - location 6 - mission
(3)
Chris C.

This place is a little pricey but is pretty good. Its a cool restaurant will all of the plants they have growing around. Also they have a pretty good bar menu.
(4)
Spencer Z.

Lu was phenomenal! I don't know if you've ever heard of a terminal lunch...but I had one here with some co-workers and had a great time and great food. The service was stellar and Lu kept the drinks coming, which is exactly what we wanted. Food was unique and delicious. I would highly recommend coming here if you want to have some awesome food and a great afternoon.
(5)
Michelle S.

I don't dislike this place but felt ripped off by my $7 house salad. I was handed a small bowl filled with about a handful of lettuce, 4 croutons and what looked like no dressing. When I asked for dressing our server said it was "lightly tossed" already. That is an understatement but regardless, if you're charging $7 at least throw in some of the beautiful fresh tomatoes growing on the vine right beside my table!
(2)
Julia W.

It is true what they say, the sweet potato fries? Incredible! I work nearby and this is kinda our 'go to' spot when someone has a birthday or for after work drinks. The atmosphere is great and the staff are always friendly. I've only had an actual meal here twice--once for dinner, once for brunch--and both times the food was pretty incredible. The ingredients are definitely fresh and there is clearly a lot of attention paid to the menu. -1 star: some items are a bit overprice. Namely, the drinks. $10 for a martini is a bit rich for my blood.
(4)
K C.

Was there on Saturday. While the ambiance continues to be lovely, and the concept and commitment to sustainability admirable, the food and service are near dismal. I had a chicken dish that was saturated in some kind of balsamic reduction and also surrounded my runny sweet potatoes. Also included with the plate - charred broccoli and cauliflower. It looked horrible and tasted bleh. I told the waitress - mind you it took a fair amount of time to get her attention- and eventually my charred veg was replaced by unseasoned steamed broccoli. Definitely sad but to be fair - an improvement. The carrot cake dessert arrived sometime after the snow on my shoes melted ( took for ever). While it looked horrible, it did taste good so kuddos for taste. I'd rather it taste good and look bad vs the reverse. The maÃ®tre d came by and asked if the broccoli was better. I gave an unenthusiastic yeah - it was better. When the waitress asked if we enjoyed everything I said no. She let me know that there was a comment card and if I fill it out it would get read. Then she said see you again. Mmm. Probably not.
(1)
Nova S.

It's nice to have a place in this part of Chicago that really seems to care about quality of food and experience. It's a little pricey but you get a lot for your money. Great service, ambience and food. I had a simple burger on my first visit (everything here is organic) and it was fantastic. It's a really pleasant experience - even the background music is just the right level of volume and tasteful. By the way, they have live performances every night. The place had a cool outdoor patio which was almost full on a weekday afternoon.
(4)
Andrea C.

Bacon-wrapped meatloaf and Grass-fed burger VERY good. Love the organic roof top garden - can't decrease the distance between your produce's birthplace and your mouth much more than this. Pretty awesome! Highly recommend.
(3)
F S.

I've been here several times now. While I support their eco friendly mission, their food is just boring. I've eaten brunch here, and dinner. Brunch is better than dinner. I remember one breakfast of sauteed eggs and kale that was pretty good. Everything else I've tried is hazy in my memory. After trying to eat dinner here again the other night (because we wanted somewhere pretty we could sit outside to eat and they have a nice patio), my husband and I agreed we would never go here again for food. Neither of us could even finish our meals...it just tasted...meh. That said, they make good drinks and if you want to just go out for a cocktail and sit outside, it's a nice place to go.
(2)
Iris H.

U.G. please leave. You just don't fit in. It's not R.P. or Edgewater; it's you. We need a good Irish bar and grill in this space. You go now!
(1)
Danny W.

I liked the veggie-focused food here. Really, the three stars is because I got served a $10 glass of crappy sangria that was literally 90% ice. That's just. not. ok. If you charge that much for for normal/bad wine juice, you better give me a lot of it. So, that's is one simple thing this restaurant can do to earn a star back. Love, Danny
(3)
Erika G.

Tough call. I went here to see live music, so it should be noted that this review is for that experience ONLY. Small room, which is good to see a band EXCEPT when the room is jammed with large tables as well. There's really no bar to hang out at, so you're stuck at a big table with 6 or 8 people. I don't like being stuck at a large table, sitting down when watching music. I'd rather roam around, hang out by the bar, dance if I feel like it, and finally end up hovering around the sound board where the sound is always the best. Plus, I don't like getting involved in a GIANT check situation. Sure, if I buy my drinks at the bar, I may end up spending the same amount of money, but I don't get the sticker shock of having it shoved at me all at once. Plus, if you're in a crowd of one or two cheapskates . . . you get it. Plus, people (and me) did get up and dance, and I think I was shaking my ass right in some guys face who was sitting behind me. Need a proper dance floor. This is a nice room, and a cool stage. It needs a proper dance floor and less tables, and it could be really nice. I'll give if another try - they get a lot of world music, which I like - if there's something else. Do not take this review as a comment on the food, as I did not eat. ONLY the live music experience.
(2)
Michael P.

The water smelled like fish, and every surface I touched was sticky in the dining room and bathroom. They put chicken sausage on my gf's vegan breakfast. I guess my food was o.k., once I got to the part of the dish where all the flavor was - all the toppings were on one side of the dish. "Avocado" and "chorizo" means, in fact, about a teaspoon of each. Eh. This place could use some adult supervision, like an owner who has a mortgage and a car payment and two young kids who need braces and a college fund - somebody who actually cares if it makes money and has happy, returning customers. Too many kids running businesses these days with absentee owners. Also the coffee - espresso machine thing was really loud, as in, stop talking until the guy was done using it.
(2)
Eileen Z.

Eating at Uncommon Ground is like the result of an unexpected average turned omigaaaw what just happened that was sorta a great date. Ever meet a chick/guy who you swore was dumb as soup, then she/he kinda sorta surprises you with something profound in a give good brain like she/he graduated from a good school way? Totally catches you off guard, but it's cool, bro. And it's these continuous versions of those second impressions that stick with you. It's kinda like that here -- reoccurring second impressions. I expect good things. I expect the sweet potatoes to be good. I expect that the goat cheese fondue ratio to the aforementioned sweet potatoes to be ridiculously tiny but I don't mind asking for more each time because it's damn good. I don't expect anything to be bad nor mind blowing, but somehow I always leave thinking about something I ate. Like, seriously thinking about it. I really do appreciate everything they do to keep this one of the greenest restaurants around, too.
(4)
Derrick L.

Nice restaurant. With good food and friendly staff. Everything that I've had from here has been delicious. I would definitely recommend this for some good food. They have a lot of vegetables that they grow in their own garden on the roof of the restaurant.
(4)
Michael W.

Spotty. If there's one word to describe the food, booze, service, and overall experience it's spotty. Frustratingly inconsistent. I've been to Uncommon Ground 20+ times since it opened. Why do I return if I give it only 2 starts? Proximity, my daughter's love of their burgers, and the naive hope that things will be better this time. (I guess I'm a sucker.) Beer list: exceptional. Cocktails: creative wine: bleh. Props for having a few Michigan wines, but it doesn't need to be half of the list. The other half is composed of Central Coast booze bombs that are unpleasing and terribly passe. Food: quality is all over the place. The chef's ramen burger was delicious. Flatbread was instantly forgettable. Ice cream is supposedly from some "old style" place in Wilmette, but tasted like Blue Bunny to us. Service. The servers are always extremely nice and warm at Uncommon Ground. Unfortunately, they have no training. They disappear for loooong stretches, while other servers (not yours) stand around confusedly. There's always some dysfunction in the kitchen -- you can see it in the knitted brows of these poor college freshmen they hire, don't train, and spit out in a few weeks. This problem is fixable -- if the owners take seriously the litany of complaints on Yelp and muster the will to do something about it. Finally, as many posters note, it's PRICEY for what you get. Until owners fix these problems, avoid.
(2)
T T.

I've been coming here for some time because there aren't many restaurants in the Rogers Park/Edgewater area, and I want to support it, but it's not very veggie friendly for the main courses, and honestly I've had a few bad experiences. One where the appetizer (just sweet potato fries) didn't come out for 40 minutes and the server said the cook was working on new dishes (an excuse that didn't make much sense b/c the fries certainly weren't new). The reason I wanted to write a review though is because the turnover seems very, very high at this restaurant. It's almost as though there is a completely new staff every month. There also seems to be an atmosphere of tension there--it just isn't a super relaxing space.
(2)
LeeLee S.

1. The atmosphere was nice..just don't sit on bench-style seats. The seat was much lower than the table and it was uncomfortable to eat. I had to ask my husband to switch with me, but even he was sitting too low. 2. The place wasn't particularly busy for Sunday brunch, but the service was very slow. The server was nice though. 3. For what you pay it's not worth it. We ordered brioche french toast with almond mascarpone, cherry compote, and toasted almonds
(2)
Samantha S.

I love places that focus on local economy and green living! The food is greay, although prucey. 8th for a splurge date night. But it's beautifully crafted and wonderfully prepared.
(4)
Margaret D.

My friend and I arrived to Uncommon Ground with high expectations of a delicious and healthy meal. It was warm out so we asked to sit outside, but since there were no open seats, we were asked to wait at the bar. The first disappointment of the night was that there was a lipstick stain on my wineglass, and I don't wear lipstick. The bartender acted put out that he had to re-pour my drink, but did so and the wine was decent. After waiting 30 minutes at the bar for a patio table, we discovered there were literally 10 tables ready for diners, none of which our hostess wanted to bring us to. After pointing out that there were available tables outside, she acted surprised but led us outside to a table. I ordered a simple burger and sweet potato fries and my friend ordered the special falafel shawarma. The sweet potato fries were crusted in a visible thick layer of salt. It was painful to even eat them. The burger tasted ok but was much more overcooked than a typical medium order. The shawarma tasted very good but was quite tough to eat (it required a fork and knife). The waitress was helpful and friendly and did get the manager to help out with the dissatisfying order. The manager replaced the fries with new ones that had no salt on them, took off the burger from our bill and comped us a glass of wine to soothe our offended taste buds. Overall, this place promises things it doesn't quite deliver. It needs focus on the basics of restaurant service instead of trendy vegan/sustainable/gluten-free specialties. I would love to come back because they have a great space and a lovely patio, but the food and service left us disappointed.
(2)
Chelsie H.

My boyfriend and I visited Uncommon ground after a lovely dinner at home. We had a bit of a sweet tooth and searched online to find something that would sooth our craving in the neighborhood. Online, Uncommon Ground has a menu of decedent dessert offerings: Black dog gelato, S'mores tart with ganache brulee, cheesecake and apple upside down cake. Due to the amazing assortment expressed online, we chose to leave the house and try this place! Upon looking at the menu, we were quickly confused. Absolutely none of the luscious desserts stated online were listed! We asked the waiter if they had any "specialty desserts", in hopes we had missed something and he said no. This "unlisted menu" incorporated desserts you would expect at Old Country Buffet, yet paired with a $7 price tag. Cookies & milk, bread pudding, and three scoops of ice cream are just a few of the poor offerings. Still craving something sweet, we set aside our frustration and decided to take a chance on the bread pudding paired with vanilla bean ice cream. Now, keeping in mind that this dessert cost $7 we had assumed that this was a sharing portion. What we received was a half dollop of ice cream and a 1X2 inch square of bread pudding. I expressed to the manager about our utter dissatisfaction and asked to have the online menu changed. The manager apologized, yet we still were charged in full for the crappy dessert. Needless to say, as first time customers to Uncommon Ground, we will not be returning.
(1)
Jen M.

This place is totally awesome on so many levels. 1) They were just named the greenest restaurant in America. We should all be running to support establishments that attempt to limit their footprint. 2) They support local bands and musicians. My husband and I saw two great folks bands while we ate dinner - Greenleaf and 3rd Sunday String Band. Both were phenomenal. 3) The food is unique, delicious, and affordable. Try the squash risotto. Seriously. 4) The building is gorgeous and the atmosphere is really romantic and calming. 5) I can't even talk about the desserts because I would drool all over my keyboard. Check this place out - ASAP.
(5)
Erin F.

We used to eat here a lot, and frequently recommended it to others. But the quality of the food has, unfortunately, gone downhill dramatically over the past few months. We gave it a last-chance try, and our main dishes were just... terrible. These were regular dishes that have been on the menu for a long time, so we thought they'd be safe. Both dishes were poorly cooked and literally inedible. Service is still great, and we love what Uncommon Ground has done for the neighborhood and for the green restaurant movement. But I am sorry to say we won't be going back until we know that the food is back to its previous high quality.
(1)
Kayleigh B.

This place is awesome. Really great service and excellent food. Good selections of beers too. Ambience is low-key and friendly. There's a stage in the other room which can get a bit rowdy, but the good and service are so good you don't really care!
(5)
N E.

Here is the reason I come here: Q7 Farm Burger prairie pure cheddar cheese, fried egg, pickled red onion, jones farm cherrywood bacon. But I do not get the fried egg! I'm a big fan of getting local raised/grown food. And they hit the mark with this. Another things that makes me very happy here, is they cook the meat how you ask. Med rare, done right is often hard to find. I'm sick of well done food being served to me, I just won't go back to places like that. So I am limited to good Burgers from places like here! My friends girlfriend does not eat meat, and always finds a great meal here. Having tried a couple of dishes she has order over the years one that stood out was the mushroom risotto.
(4)
Silvia F.

It is true, the sweet potato fries are delicious. Had the Egg Benedict Special was also well and it smelled really good. The only problem was that our food lasted a while to arrive. People that arrived after us were served first.
(3)
Shradha A.

I went back already, yes! Within days of my first visit, yes!! All the way from downtown, yes!!! I earned a shining "R" for check-ins here, yes!!!! This time I tried the veggie burger and the veggie chili. The food has brought this place down to a 4-star recommendation but the place itself remains my 'happy place' -- I mean fireplace, rocking couches and good coffee -- how can it not be?
(4)
Evan S.

Had the pleasure of going here twice, first for brunch with the lady and second for a large group dinner with some classmates. Brunch: I had the Farm Egg Sandwich (over easy eggs, housemade chicken sausage, arugula, wisconsin gruyere, hearth bread, side salad). Brilliant, nuff said! Dinner: we had a prix fixe menu that included: Apps: housemade broccoli cheddar soup, vegetarian chili, sunshine salad Entrees: crispy gunthorp farms chicken (ragout of chicken confit, morel, celery and lovage), bacon wrapped meatloaf (Q7 farms beef, gunthorp farms pork, roasted garlic & potato puree, asparagus), sweet pea caramelli (housemade pasta, sweet peas, rooftop mint, pea tendrils, garlic broth, herbed Neufchatel cheese, garlic chips) Desserts: pear brown butter cake (port-poached pears, almond brown butter cake, brown butter gelato), chocolate bread pudding (creme anglaise) The butter cake was out of this freaking world! The meatloaf was good. Solid meal all around. Beware of going in large groups though. Although serving 30-35 people is not easy, I found the service pretty slow. Happy eating, Ev
(3)
Christina F.

No complaints here. Real ice tea, sweet potato fries with a goat cheese sauce, veggie pizza, and a chicken with quinoa and curds. MMMM! Foodie's paradise. The only downside is that our group's order was wrong (some burgers were not quite right and given to the wrong people) but food quality and taste was spot on. Excited to try this place in the summer with the rooftop garden produce!
(5)
Evelyn H.

Sunday brunch was fresh, delicious and served hot. Server was a bit slow but only because of the crowd. I look forward to visiting in the winter as the place seems quite cozy.
(4)
Keith L.

Service was horrible, food ok but took an hour, for brunch. Thankfully they took 20% off of our bill or I would have been enraged. This was the second time coming, really wanted like it. I highly doubt I will return.
(1)
Jenn Z.

The concept of this place is great, sustainable, organic, locally grown foods made with care for the environment and free of pesticides. All very earthy friendly and modern hippy fabulous, while I love the overall concept and their mission, the actualy food was lack luster. Our friends (both Veggies) brought us here as it is one of their favorite places, it wasn't unfortunately our cup of organic locally grown tea. We arrived super late for lunch, dare say almost dinner, so that in-between time which in all fairness doesn't allow them a full menu...but, what I did see on the limited menu was bleh. I opted for the vegetarian chili, simple enough. Simple sums it up, nearly tasteless, I thoroughly enjoy many vegetarian dishes however this just didn't measure up. It was absent of salt, chili powder some sort of flavor to give it a "chili" taste. Mostly it was sort of like tomato bean soup. I can't speak to anything else because the chili was all that I ordered, I couldn't bring myself to order anything else as most everything was over priced in my opinion. I did find the atmosphere to be quite nice, simple wood furnishings modern in design, beautiful art hanging on the walls, it felt very natural - I suppose that was the idea. The patio outside looked like it would be nice during dinner hours or earlier lunch in months with warmer weather. The service was okay, and the beer list was very long, still after experiencing a bland chili and seeing the bloated prices on the menu, I will skip this place next trip to Chicago.
(2)
Margaret D.

I've heard and read mixed reviews but since this place is in my 'hood, had to finally give it a shot. We went for brunch, maybe that's a safe play, but it worked out. Why does no one mention that they have parking??? It's not a gigantic lot, but hey, they have it. I had no idea until we decided to go, it's behind the restaurant and fantastic if you find a spot. Service was prompt, pleasant and knowledgeable. The server did forget my chicken sausages but rectified it as soon as possible. I had the lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote, chicken sausages and cafe mocha. The cafe mocha was delish, basically pre-dessert before my brunch dessert of pancakes. The pancakes were lemony and moist, the blueberry compote was okay. I would have liked a bit more of a thicker texture, I guess more of a syrup consistency, but I knew it was a compote and NOT syrup. I was offered maple syrup as an alternative, so they try to please. They do not skimp on the blueberries. The chicken sausages are triangular patties and you can taste that they're homemade, yummy. Hubby ordered the breakfast sliders. I thought about these but you can order breakfast sandwiches everywhere so I passed. The order comes with two sliders on english muffins containing: scrambled eggs, avocado, bacon, a delicious cheddar and swiss, garlic aioli and spinach. These were the best I've had to date. I took a bite of one, then a second, hubby had to pry the sandwich out of my hands before I finished it and hurt myself. The way it all comes together is unbeatable. The sliders come with roasted potatoes. Hubby doesn't generally care much potatoes but he liked how they were done here and ate them all up. He ordered a spiked coffee but couldn't finish it mostly because he had already had two nuclear powered coffees at home, not because it wasn't good. He was tempted to ask for it to go but didn't want to be weird so he didn't. Our experience overall was positive, we'd come again and hope it gets repeated.
(4)
Claire M.

So I have been absolutely itching to go here for a few months and today was finally the day. Ever since my other half lost his job and our income became pretty much the equivalent of the lowest salary card in the boardgame Life (you know, the one NO ONE wanted and the one that caused much chaos and infighting whenever the person with said card landed on the "trade salary card with any other player" space), we haven't been able to enjoy the lifestyle that we had been in years past so we used Valentine's Day and his birthday as an excuse to treat ourselves and eat here. We went for lunch thinking it would be less crowded and we would eat less, thus our bill would be less but I also didn't want to be too frugal seeing as this is a place we would not likely be able to return to for a good long while. We were able to find a parking spot in the lot which was super nice and saved us a few bucks had we have had to park at a metered spot. It was fairly full inside, yet not packed. We arrived around 1 and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. My other half ordered a coffee. A regular coffee I guess. Whatever. I decided to be adventurous (as I am not a huge coffee drinker at all) and ordered the smores latte. I had planned on ordering the dessert but decided I may save some grams of fat by going for the beverage instead. I had the small sunshine salad and macaroni and cheese (lunch portion was $3 cheaper than the dinner portion) and the other half ordered the sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue and the whitefish tacos. My salad and his fries were brought to our table after just a couple minutes. Our waiter was so nice and seemed like the kind of fellow I'd be friends with if I knew him in "real life." The fellow at the table right beside us had to send his soup back because he had asked for no garnish or something and it was presented to him with garnish. Then almost as soon as our fries and salad were given to us, a girl came by and set a plate with a burger down in front of the other half which ended up being for the guys beside us. Although almost right behind her came our food order. We had to play Tetris with the plates trying to get everything to fit onto the table and were ultimately successful. Yay! My food was very good. The salad came in kind of a cup-shaped device so it was kind of hard at first to get a forkful without spilling some out of the sides. The sweet potato fries were REALLY good. I didn't try any of the goat cheese though, not a fan of anything that comes from a goat. The other half said it was good though. He enjoyed his fish tacos but said that since the tortillas had not been warmed up at all, they kept falling apart as he tried to eat them. My macaroni and cheese was just fine. I enjoyed it. I was already getting pretty full so I had to have the other half finish the latte, the mac and cheese and the seasonal slaw or whatever it was that came with the mac and cheese. I didn't have room in my stomach for that at all so I can't say how that tasted. The first thing the other half did was dump a whole bunch of salt and pepper on the mac and cheese, said it needed more flavor. He has a odd palate though. I thought it was fine the way it was. This is the same guy that also decided to pour the remaining sweet potato fries on top of the seasonal slaw and eat it together so... I can't complain at all about the service. Everyone was very friendly and prompt. We never waited for anything longer than what is normal, and actually, everything was very fast. Faster than we could keep up with, in fact. Our total bill including tip (and I always tip 20%) was $65. That was definitely more than I had anticipated but $12 of that was for our coffee. Apparently, you are charged per cup and my husband had two but as I learned in the car on the way home, he never got the second cup. I wasn't paying attention so I didn't realize that and he didn't realize that he'd have to pay for the second one so that stunk. If we paid for it, he should've been able to drink it. Water will be just fine for us if and when we go again. I probably would not order the macaroni and cheese again, not because I didn't like it, but because I'd want to try other things on their menu since, as I said, this was a huge treat for us. It's also kind of a hike from where we are in Forest Park. I'm glad we went though and I do want to go again. Some day...
(4)
Josh G.

Nice selection of unique cocktails. Everything a little too trendy and pricy.
(3)
Claire C.

I ordered bacon wrapped meatloaf and my boyfriend ordered grass fed burger. He loved the burger and the french fries were quite good. When I got my meatloaf, the gravy+mashed potatoes were amazing. However, when I actually took a bite into the meatloaf, there was so much disappointment. The meat was too dry, had weird aftertaste, It just didn't taste like a good meatloaf AT ALL. I had to tell the server and she brought the menu and I got the other dish, and it was better. Service was pretty good, wasn't impressed with the food.
(3)
Alexis G.

The two stars were because the food was great. But the service was terrible! We got there at 11 am and were told we'd seated in 15 minutes. An hour later we were begrudgingly served outside in the same place we had been patiently waiting putting in our order an hour and a half after wee arrived. And then our server/ hostess behaved like we were putting them out. If you're not going to staff the restaurant with people that handle it, don't bother to be open.
(2)
Faye B.

4 1/2 stars to this location! They won me over with the food and efficient yet speedy service. Nicely located just down the street from the Loyola campus this is great option to the Wrigleyville original. Came in on a Sunday and was worried about timing since I was on a schedule, but my husband seemed to think we had all the time in the world. Came in around 1pm, prime brunch hour and got nervous when I saw how full they were. The hostess said it would be a 10 minute wait and I was biting my nails (figuratively) the whole time, but sure enough they were true to their word. Waiter came up to take our order right away and thought surely it would take some time to prepare the food, but they brought me my sides in a blink of an eye and the rest of our meals shortly thereafter. Bravo! Now for those of you that aren't on a schedule, don't get me wrong they don't pressure you to get in and out, but they seemed to pick up on my needs and yet those having a leisurely meal enjoyed theirs without having to feel pressured to clear the table. I also like this location because even though they were busy it didn't feel overly crowded. It seemed to be a nice mix of clientele. Some of the family types in the Edgewater/Andersonville area and close enough to get some student types, but the staff was definitely on the ball and friendly to boot. The food, always tasty and who knows better than making sweet potato fries taste exceptional than by serving it with a goat cheese goat cheese fondue. I had a lox bagel and I have to say that was the best bagel ever. Just the right amount of crunch and gooey inside. Hubby had the uncommon huevos which he loved. The chips were a little on the salty side, but when you ate them together with the egg mix it was super delicious. I think we need to go back to do dinner some time.
(4)
Jacquie T.

Went there for the first time last night. I will never go back, It was the worst service I think I've ever had. Even if the food was decent, I wouldn't go back because the service was that bad. The food however, wasn't decent. It was mediocre at best. This place really needs to light a fire under their staff, to wait 40 minutes for a drink is absolutely unacceptable, then to get it and have it taste like the worst thing you've ever had, wow, what a disappointment. They are way over priced and under trained on how to run a restaurant.
(1)
Jennifer W.

I've eaten at the Uncommon Ground on Devon several times in the past four weeks and have had mostly good experiences. This restaurant has the country's first certified organic roof top farm which is very cool. What I like is that the menu changes according to the seasons. The flip side is that once you have a favorite dish, it might not be on the menu the next time you come. I found the ingredients to be fresh and well prepared. My standouts include: tuna melt and french toast (brioche is outstanding). The omelette is just average which was disappointing. Monday through Friday the restaurant opens at 11:00 am which I find odd since they have a full breakfast menu. The service can be uneven, and the food is not inexpensive. The atmosphere is pleasant (open, bright, mostly wood and brick), and they have outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)
Mark S.

Uncommon Ground is missing something, I am not sure what but, something is lacking in the food. I ordered the hamburger and my girlfriend got the chicken sandwich and they were both just okay. I keep hoping that this place can be our go to place in the neighborhood but nope, not going back. I am not saying you shouldnt try it but, we have been their twice and both times just okay. The beer list is small but good, there is a small parking lot for maybe 8-10 cars, the restaurant can be cold, but we were close to the gas fireplace.
(3)
Asha N.

I really like their food. Always fresh and healthy options. Great place to go with a group. It can have a long line and be a bit loud though.
(4)
Sage P.

My man and I went here for my birthday the other night, and the food, as always, was fantastic. Glorious white bean purÃ©e, amazing Mac n cheese, and dude's calamari appetizer and burger entree were killer. However, the coleslaw that was paired with my mac n cheese was good on its own, but not gonna lie, a little heavy when paired with its entree. I was hoping for a less mayo-heavy slaw to go with it. Otherwise, I love that this place has organic, locally grown veggies, etc from their rooftop garden, and I have always enjoyed my food thoroughly both here and at their Lakeview location. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. That being said, our most recent experience here warrants a review that's a little hard to write because I hate to complain about the people in a service industry that can be very unappreciative of its workers. This review is one that is four stars, rather than five, but only one star less because of the service. The problem we had was with our waiter who had some major 'tude issues. He acted annoyed with everything - any question we had was met with an irritated stare, like we were the biggest pains in the ass he's ever dealt with, and I'm sorry, but we are the furthest thing from high maintenance. A side note, the hostess was a pretty cold and pissy type too, and she didn't smile when we greeted her, or even act like she cared about anything. Maybe she didn't, which is fine. And maybe she had just had an accident in her pants. The rest of the experience was generally very good - the food saved our dinner experience. So, bravo to that. Now maybe a couple adjustments to the wait-staff could be made...
(4)
Walter P.

UC focuses more on being "funky" and being green and forgets about offering good service and good food at affordable prices. I went there with a friend to catch up and we ordered drinks and food. From the beginning the service was slow and we had to remind our server we had ordered another drink several times. They weren't that busy so I don't get it.
(2)
Cozette R.

OK so I am impressed that there is a farm on the roof, but they are lacking in Alot of other areas like: Does everyone in the place have to have a pretentious attitude? I know chicken apple sausage is sort of healthy but I ordered regular sausage. This breakfast that costs $25 (including coffee) was not any better than I can make myself. The bottom line is skip this place, Chicago has Alot better options.
(2)
skip l.

To the Yelper who said "This place doesn't disappoint...at all...under any circumstances" .... Sorry, but it did. We loved the concept:home grown, fresh ingredients, solar panels. They deserve kudos for setting a great example. And the outdoor space was very pleasant; we loved it. But only one food item was other than "OK' -- the wonderful, amazingly light sweet potato fries. The best we've had. What else did we order? Their veggie chilli, their mac and cheese, and their highly promoted burger. Each of these is an item on which even an average cook can shine with a good recipe, good ingredients, and good taste buds. The burger was perfectly done -- medium. Not juicy; I expected that from good lean meat. But I could detect no seasoning at all. None. The other items: nothing about them stood out. They weren't bad, just what your unimaginative mom would make. So to summarize our experience: it was simply OK. Except for those fries, nothing that we had was worth ordering again. (Maybe the problem is that we're spoiled. Chicago has become a city with increasingly high standards. Wonderful food is becoming common even in many neighborhood taverns. Last week I had really amazing soup in a bar across from the Old Town School of Folk Music). Smaller matters: the server at Uncommon Ground was nice, had a good manner. But the afternoon menu had changed -- they didn't have two of the items shown on the menu from which we ordered. After about 30 minutes we had to remind her about the drinks. The one special cocktail on our order was large but very weak, even after sent back and redone. And we waited almost an hour for the food. But all this could have when we stopped in, or one-time staffing issues. We had visited a year or two ago for dinner (and to hear music) -- all I remembered was being crowded in, liking the music but finding nothing memorable about the food. Other people have mentioned having had good meals here, which is why I was happy to try it again. Alas, our conclusion was: once again, nothing memorable except the green orientation. They deserve a better kitchen. Maybe Uncommon Ground this is a place where some of the food is very good some of the time. But when so many places in this price range or below it have consistently very good food -- even including bars that feature artisan beers -- I don't see any reason to give it another try.
(2)
Annie C.

I love this place. I've been here twice already to see The Bergamot play, and I just love the space, the food, and the drinks. Yes, a little on the pricey side, but man I think it's worth it. You should def order the ginger martini, it's bueno! Eat, drink, and listen to music. Also the waitress we had was hilarious and so nice.
(4)
Sandy S.

They should rename this place "Uncommonly Bland". After reading a few reviews, I realize I am not the first to think the food there is less than stellar. I should say that I've been to Uncommon Ground several times for brunch. It was always delicious. Big cups of coffee and hot chocolate, standard brunch dishes made from good yummy organic food, service was decent, the bar is lovely with the fireplace, etc etc etc. But, I suppose, cooking with bacon, how could you go wrong? And cooking other basics like eggs and french toast (which were probably slathered in pork fat from the above mentioned bacon) how could you go wrong? You can't. It's a freaking taste explosion in your pretty little mouth. Brunch here is pretty good. But dinner... oh dear. I cannot believe this was the same place! First of all, the dining room was unbearably LOUD. And I don't mean it "cool-and-lively-and-we-couldn't-take-it-because-Âwe're-old-farts" loud (because we're not old farts), I mean "holy crap my brain is about to implode!!!" loud. I do not remember it ever being THIS loud for brunch, but I also don't remember it being as crowded as it was when we went for dinner. We were also seated in the middle of the dining area, so maybe that table is a black hole for sound where every noise gets sucked in and whirls around in a vortex from which your ears cannot escape. It was literally painful. A little soundproofing, anyone? Acoustic tiles, hello?? Good lord. The people working there will have 40% hearing loss if they stay longer than 6 months. Really. It's quite bad. After sitting there for a full minute staring horrifically at each other while trying to decide if we wanted to use this evening to hone our lip-reading skills, I asked if we could be moved outside, and the lovely hostess was quite accommodating. Lemme tell you, outside is where it's at when the weather is cooperating. Quiet-ish, cute lights strung around, really nice. So we ordered some food. The food. THE FOOD! Argh. I am so disappointed I cannot even tell you!!! But I will. Our dining partners started with the squash blossoms, stuffed with ricotta cheese, I believe. Except they couldn't find any cheese... huh. Maybe a little schmeer. Maybe. Rather lame though. Maybe they forgot to stuff them? Couldn't find our waiter so didn't ask. My husband and I shared the grilled peach salad, which was served over bibb lettuce and had some (goat? feta??) cheese on it. It was so... tasteless. The dressing was... tasteless. Completely unseasoned. Just odd. Even the peaches, which were in season (but unseasoned, ironical isn't it?) when we went, were blah. But I thought maybe it was just me, so I didn't say anything. Entree time, which took forever to reach our table. With no bread to keep us occupied, and feeling completely unsatiated from the tasteless first course, we were pretty hungry. Between the four of us we had steak, chicken, goat, and the quinoa burger. Everything but the steak was again, SO BLAND! Like they didn't have one salt cellar in the entire kitchen. My goat was "with Thai basil", which for me was the selling point, and there was one little sprig on top. Couldn't taste it. The sauce was bland and flavorless. My husband's chicken was dry. The "corn pudding" upon which is was supposed to be nestled was nowhere to be seen. Maybe there was some corn there, but "pudding"? Not so much. Our friend's quinoa burger was flat and tasteless as well. The sweet potato fries were tasty, though (we stuffed a bunch in our mouths as the food came while she was in the bathroom, don't tell her). The steak was fine, according to our other friend. We did ask for salt, and when it finally arrived halfway through our meal (where DOES that waiter go??), oh my god, WHAT a difference! Things actually tasted ok! Not great, because there was no real depth of flavor, but jeez, SO much better. The people in the kitchen need to TASTE! and SEASON ACCORDINGLY AS THEY COOK!!!! I had Gorden Ramsey in my head throughout the meal shouting "WHO MADE THIS?!? COME HERE, YOU STUPID DONKEY! TASTE THAT! DID YOU TASTE IT?!? NO OF COURSE YOU DIDN'T!!! F*** ME!!! YOU. HAVE. TO. TASTE. YOUR. FOOD!!!!!!! (throws plate in trash) BACK IN LINE!!!!! F***ING HELL!!!!!!!!!!" I'm all for low-salt if you're really trying to be "health conscious". But then, for god's sake, put salt on the table for those of us with low blood pressure and intact taste buds. Or you could just slather everything with pork fat from all that delicious bacon you cooked up during brunch. That would probably solve the problem too.
(2)
Rachel L.

Amazing food and service! I took my mom and she loved it. I think I like this location better than the Lakeview location. The Lakeview one has a slightly unwashed-hipster feel to it (or maybe it's my general disgust with urinals; that smell just follows you out the door). I had the crunchy chicken and it was positively amazing. I could, quite frankly, eat their sweet potato fries all night. My lack of one star is the price to food amount ratio. The prices are a bit high and the portions are a bit small. But man, you can taste the freshness.
(4)
Moni K.

I can leave this message because I was the President and in charge of this outing but what I got from Uncommon Ground for $350 was deplorable. Disgusting food and horrible service. Started as a disaster with the hostess not seating us at a table properly , no appetizer plates, no water refills, no tea refills.We dropped here over $300 for group of 9 people for an end of semester gathering and ALL of us agreed that it was horrible all around. Portions are small, all specials were not presented to us, just HORRIBLE Here is what we had Calamari artichoke Dip flat bread Sweet potato french fries Smoked trout ----tiny little trout Then everyone ordered dinner, There were 3 the grand prix entrees, 3 steaks, 1 halibut, 1 chicken 2 chicken sandwiches and my gnocchi plus most of us had dessert. So since I had most of the food on the menu I believe that my review is pretty objective. I can speak for my Gnocchii that it was horrible, fried and greasy. Three other people commented that their steak had a lot of fat and was not done medium well as they requested but rather overdone with a lot of fat I will never eat here ever gain. EVER!!!!!!!!!!! I tried supporting local business they knew were we were from and they FAILED miserably. If I paid for this with my own money I would cry but will I ever invite or suggest Uncommon ground to anyone ever. NEVER I let a guest read my review and quoting his comment "that was not a $300 experience"
(1)
Diana J.

Uncommon Ground is more hype than follow through. That being said, I went with friends on a beautiful night and got to sit in the outside patio area. We were at the table under a tree, and despite some spidies coming down to see what we were doing, it was a great spot. I ordered the chicken and succotash, and there was a cheese plate and 2 fish fry orders at the table. My chicken was tender and the skin was crispy, but the succotash was bland and the plate as a whole was pretty small. I understand that with fresh ingredients, you want to taste the food and not just salt and pepper, but I felt a little would have gone a long way. The veggies were mostly raw and tasted more like weeds than fresh veggies. The service was unfortunately lacking all around. They seemed to be out of menus and possibly short-staffed: that's the only way to rationalize waiting 15 minutes for a coffee drink and 20 minutes for a draft beer to be served :/ The other food orders were pretty good (which is why 3 and not 2 stars). They have a good kids' menu, and the fish fry dishes pleased their diners. The gelato for dessert was large in portion and big in flavor. I found the price to be too much for what we got and recommend sitting at the bar inside and ordering some food there to save a little and still get the Uncommon Ground experience that seems to be driving the droves there. If you do find yourself here, get the sweet potato fries!
(3)
Ziggy I.

I'm not so sure this place is as uncommon as its name would have you think. Sure, few restaurants serve greens they grow on site (much less on the roof), but the novelty ends there. Flavorless, uninspired grease-burger? Widely available. Weak cocktails with cute names? Ditto. Over-rich mac n' cheese for adults? Check. And I don't know why folks are so high on the sweet potato fries. They're good, but I've had better. Uncommon Ground is about as zeitgeisty as a restaurant can be, and while its light-footprint/homegrown philosophy is admirable, the food itself is hardly culinary terra nova. For what you spend at UG, you deserve a better meal..
(2)
Colleen C.

The brunch rundown, broken down into the five elements that compose the most bestest of brunches.... SEATING required: -------------A place to sit, preferably no wait. (check) found: ---------Free parking AND a seat on the patio, no wait on Saturday at noon. Bonus points for beautiful weather, a privacy fence to block out traffic noise on Devon, and sunshine. BEVERAGE required: ------------Coffee: Quick and plentiful refills, served on a cute tray. ------------H2O: Ice cold, with a straw. (served on request, they are eco) found: (all of the above...+) --------Alcoholic Cocktail of the breakfast nature: Uncommon Ground threw me a curveball. I'm most def a mimosa lovin', champagne swigging kind of girl...but the Black Eyed Dog is OUTSTANDING. Vodka, sweet (blackberry/cardamom syrup made in-house!?), garnished with an orange slice, and served chilled. An utterly fabulous cocktail all around, and most definitely worthy of a THIRD glass of liquid in front of me. Cute server did not judge: points scored. FOOD required: ------------Egg creations which earn the title "omelette." Potato sides. Meat. Fun stuff on pancakes and french toast. Ya know, the usual. found: -------- The Montana omelette with bacon, ham, sour cream, cheese and potatoes. Locally sourced? Can they get any more points? YES. Ding, ding. ding. Winner. I also tasted a bite of my gal pal's strawberry brioche french toast with pistachios. Insane. Good. SERVICE required: ------------Affable people that provide lots of caffeine and who generally enjoys life, smiles, and is happy to be working at brunch time. found: ---------Affable people that provided lots of caffeine and who seemed to generally enjoy life. Bonus: Also, an extremely (hot) friendly server with tattoos, beautiful eyes and....ok yeah, he was just very good looking. And nice. And, yes. Ok, I'll stop myself. He was also good at his job. PRICE required: ------------Main dishes under $12, coffee under $3, cocktails under $10. found: ---------Montana: $12, coffee: $2.50 (I drank a bucket), Black Eyed Dog: $8. We split the bill and each paid around $28 (with cocktail!) for an exceptionally lovely, sunny, and highly beautiful brunch with a slight buzz. That would equal a FIVE STAR brunchie, in my book. Uncommon Ground for brunch. I highly recommend. Obviously ;) Notes: -free parking. -water on request! -doggies allowed on patio!
(5)
RayRay A.

I like this place and will definitely go back. I just didn't like my entree much. I was starving and ordered a quinoa burger...it was horrid and I was only able to stomach half of it. Not impressed but it was only $13 so I guess its fine. My waitress was a bit flighty too. The place itself...different story. I loved the ambiance, the band playing that night was AMAZING (they're called the Slowbots), nice crowd and a lot of fun to hang out at. I'll be going back but not for dinner.
(4)
George G.

Great place and great food. Most items on their menu are organic and locally sourced. I had the Korean spiced calamari and the cheese ravioli. The calamari was great the ravioli was ok. Try the uncommon ground organic IPA on draft.
(4)
Eric H.

Delicious! I had the bacon wrapped meatloaf and loved it! Will be coming back soon!
(5)
John B.

Best sweet potato fries in the city. End of discussion. Crispy, which if you've had many sweet potato fries you know is a miracle. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and served with what they call a goat cheese fondue, which is really just a bowl of fatty goodness. Oh, they serve other food too. Last time I was there I had a turkey sandwich, which sound dull until you've had their turkey sandwich, which is a slap in the face to turkey sandwiches everywhere. The turkey is from Gunthorp Farms, which I didn't even know raised turkeys, but they do, and they're just as good as their pigs. Uncommon Ground is all about the local and organic, which is nice, but really it just tastes good, which is what I'm looking for. Also, they don't get all earthy-crunchy in your face, which is a relief. That said, here is the weirdest thing about UG. Their outdoor seating ... is in the parking lot. Seriously. Right next to the entrance. Sandwiched between Devon and people driving in and out of the lot. Yes, it's fenced in, but not such a lovely place for a meal.
(4)
Britni W.

This place was somewhere my boyfriend and I just kind of dropped into. The meal was good but there was a small hook up that I was allergic to the seasoning on my steak. After two bites I was started having trouble breathing and the warning lights went off in my head. Luckily with a quick benadryl and lots of water to chase it I got that under control quickly. With that said if you have food allergies you may want to be careful with what you order. They are very creative in introducing unusual seasonings so keep that in mind. Other than that the meal was lovely. I finished the meal with an unusual experience of pretzel cheesecake. It was not really a way I would eat cheesecake again but it was worth trying. All and all if you want a fun new way to look at food, drop in and try it out.
(4)
Benjamin L.

I really love this place for breakfast or brunch. Being in Andersonville, it's become my go-to brunch restaurant, especially if we're hosting out-of-towners for the weekend. Uncommon Ground has fresh ingredients, great service and a really hip, cozy atmosphere that's very comfortable, yet relaxed and open at the same time. The place has huge windows, a double-sided fireplace, and stylish artwork. We haven't yet gone there for lunch, but if it's as good as the brunch menu, it'd be well worthwhile. The frequently-changing brunch menu almost always features very fresh ingredients and has a little something for everyone. I'd definitely recommend it!
(5)
Ron Z.

I've been in Here for the brunch, good food but not great, service is slow much of the time. A little too slow for the price you pay for the meal I'll probably go back for drinks but not for a meal
(3)
Kelly W.

I went here for a show. The atmosphere is very nice and calming. The service is not as attentive as I would wish it would be. I enjoyed being there and definitely would go again. I tried some of their food, but it was slightly too high price yet the good quality of food. It is definitely a place you should go and check out at least once.
(3)
E B.

This place doesn't disappoint...at all...under any circumstances. Wait, let me say it again...you will not be disappointed if you eat here. Why should you trust me? Well, I ate here three times. And each time, it was awesome. I enjoyed every bite. I left full and satisfied. Sure, I could find some things to ding them on. Let me see...the tables are a little too close together in the main dining area. So much so that my friend and I could hear the awkward conversation of two folks next to us on a first date. And they could hear our awkward conversation as well although we were not on a date. I can assure you that I cared little once I started eating my delicious meal. Needless to say, their awkward conversation continued. There was the other time when it got a little chilly outside and they didn't turn on the heat lamps. To their credit, it was summer in Chicago which could feel like the Louisiana Bayou one day and San Francisco the next. Such is life. We asked to be moved inside and our request was accommodated. Immediately. The waitress brought out my homemade papparadelle with swiss chard, mushrooms and a garlic butter sauce. I'm on glass #2 of peach cider ($5 draft special-HOLLA!) and I can feel the warmth in my soul. Good food + good liquor + good ambiance + great friends = warmth in your soul. My point, you ask? If the food is good, who gives a damn about tables being too close together? In some parts of the world, that's considered to be "cozy." I mean, seriously, who gives a DAMN about the heat lamps not being turned on? I should've bought a sweater...or had a V8...oh, well. I'm repeating myself a lot. One too many $5 ciders will do that to you. No children or animals were harmed in the writing of this review. I can't speak for my liver though. P.S. Did I mention that you wouldn't be disappointed if you ate here?
(4)
Cecilia B.

I loved this place, I went this past weekend with my girlfriend. It's cozy and very cute. We only went for the brunch, we heard it was a great place because of the locally grown foods, organic foods and that immediately attracted it us. I had the Chilaquiles (with chorizo) it was delicious! My girlfriend had the Monte Cristo, that was a little too greasy for our taste. Their sweet potato fries with goat cheese dip is amazing. Have that if you get a chance! We are definitely going back there some time soon.
(5)
Scott K.

Really, 2.5 stars. The premise of Uncommon Ground is admirable. Sustainability is important and, although I have not quite jumped on the organic bandwagon, I appreciate the sentiment. Unfortunately the food is bland and overpriced, too fairly damning words for a food establishment. The salad I had was unremarkable, except with regards to its price. Perhaps it was an off week for leafy greens or other entree options are generally more impressive, but my dinner partner generally agreed with my conclusions. The wait staff was attentive as well as friendly and the interior was perfectly pleasing. Unfortunately the combination of banal and pricey is not going to make me a repeat customer, although I will probably give it another go one day.
(3)
Jack P.

While I have been to Uncommon Ground a number of times, my exposure to the food menu has been limited to a family-style brunch event I attended with Yelp, and ordering bites at the bar, while sampling local craft beers. This is one of my favorite places to enjoy an intimate bar setting, which is comfortable with area seating and a fireplace, as well as at the bar. The clientele tends toward some friendly locals, and the bartender, Andrew is a fun, friendly and efficient mixologist, who knows his brewskies and is always happy to recommend something. In fact, the service team there just appears to be a happy bunch. That always makes a restaurant a better place. The brunch food I sampled at our Yelp event was very good, but I will need to return and order a full meal from the menu before reaching any conclusions there. On a recent Saturday afternoon, there was a good crowd, and nowhere to park in the lot (easy street parking available), so it's a happening place for brunch here in Edgewater/Rogers Park, They also have a big entertainment line-up which includes live music, and once per month comedy show, and a weekly Tuesday night open mike. Unlike the other Common Ground, there is a cover charge here for shows. So at the very least, a great place for sampling local craft beers (most around $6) and bar food, have an intimate time with a good friend or bring a group for brunch. And probably more.
(4)
Mahsa T.

A brunch place must do well in all categories (eggs, French toast, etc) to get an overall good rating. Uncommon Ground did well in the French toast category but disappointed in the egg scrambler and other categories. The challah french toast (apple jam, toasted macadamia nuts, ginger and cinnamon whipped honey butter, maple syrup) was delicious. The chilaquiles (eggs, chorizo, tortilla chips, chihuahua cheese & sour cream) were a bit soggy and lacked flavor. The scrambler was also a bit disappointing. The crispy potato latkes were fantastic. Bloody Mary was great--garnished with celery, a pickle, and an olive. Coffee was nice and strong. Service was attentive and professional. I've only been to this location and it's nice and spacious. They have a parking lot out in back.
(3)
Meridith E.

I love the UC off of Clark and hadn't been to the one off of Devon, and when I went in over Memorial Day, I was delightfully surprised. Sure, I had heard that it had one the "Green Restaurant" award for their rooftop garden and local produce menu, but I totally loved everything about this place. I loved the little gated entrance with the al fresco dining option as well as the atmosphere inside, which matched what I loved about the Clark location. The food is good, and I love their soy mochas and mimosas. Can't wait to get back there.
(4)
Nicole S.

A combo hipster coffee, tea, and alcoholic liabations venue. Have a limited food menu too. The sweet potato French fries with goat cheese were great. I had a drink called the Wildflower, which was tasty. Alcoholic drinks were a bit pricey so I stuck to an iced tea drink after that which was good too.
(4)
Jennifer F.

Came here tonight to watch a friend perform for Open Mic night and decided to get some appetizers to snack on while we waited. We ordered the sweet potato fries with goat cheese dip, tempura veggies, goat cheese and artichoke dip, and vegetarian chili. All of it was SO good! I was skeptical about the fries because someone had warned me that they were soggy, but that person must've just had some bad luck before because my fries were crispy, lightly salted, and just oh SO good! And the cocktail menu... oh, don't even get me started. I wanted to try every single drink on that list. But because I have a presentation tomorrow, I opted for just one: the Bee's Knees (and maybe some sips of my friends' cocktails). My drink was just stellar. Really. Tart, not too sweet, fizzy... served in a champagne flute... and made with locally distilled honey liqueur. What's not to love? The ambiance, the service, and talent of the other performers just rounded out the evening. A perfect night deserves 5 stars.
(5)
Matt R.

I like this place! The drinks were creative, but the food is great. Honestly, the music is a unique plus, and the things this place stands for are pretty cool. The ravioli, the artichoke dip appetizer, the gnocchi, these things are straight up awesome. Portion sizes are actually kinda small, but the food is excellent. I guess I don't have much to say other than that it's a simple, nice place to go with good food and the option of some music depending on the night/event. Nothing really stuck out about the place.
(5)
A L.

This place is fantastic. The food and drinks are delicious. There is often live music. There is outdoor seating with shade and lights strung above. The inside is beautiful and rustic. This place really rocks. The only thing I don't like is how pricey it is. Not always the best option for a poor college grad.
(4)
Esra T.

The only con about this place is that the prices are a bit steep considering the amount of food you get.. I am not originally from the U.S. and I'm used to smaller portion sizes (being pretty petite, I get full pretty quickly) but I can easily imagine Americans leaving this place not really feeling full.. The food though is tasty and best of all, locally grown (which should be preferred, according to Michael Pollan's advice). I went there first for a live performance and had sweet potato fries with my drink.. They were absolutely delicious. Also, their curried squash soup is TO DIE FOR. One of the tastiest soups I've eaten, with just the right amount of spiciness. It really pairs well with their kale-and-bulgur wheat salad too. The atmosphere is great and it's really nice to be able to sit by the fireplace in the winter for a reprieve from the cold. As I live close by, I'll definitely come back to this place.
(4)
Lucas K.

As many have stated before I am unimpressed by their wait staff. I feel like waiting 20 minutes in order to flag down our server to ask them for our check and then only to wait 10 more minutes before we get it. Really? The drinks which my friends raved about seemed very McCocktail to me. The food was grossly overpriced and very bland. The Mac and Cheese was more bland than the stuff I can get out of a frozen Trader Joes box. I went with four others and none of them were that impressed with the food. In short: Everything is terrible.
(2)
Deleine C.

**LATE Post*** date to about 2 mos back... Came here yesterday for take out with the hubby. Had a serious hankering for a salmon salad, which although they did not have on the menu, what they did have very much satisfied any craving for food that remained in my body. I opted for the uncommon ground chopped salad but of course, Captain difficult here doesn't really favor ranch dressing. Without an eye roll or protest in sight 2 different people and the hostess proceeded to tell me about dressing options, for a good 5 minutes ..TOO KIND and very much appreciated. Opted for the goat cheese vinaigrette and boy was I glad I did. My one complaint: they forgot my avocado, one of the reasons I chose he salad in the first place. Needless to say I was a bit bummed. Fresh food, great service but never hold my avocado!
(4)
Kathleen C.

This was my first time visiting this location of Uncommon Ground, though I have visited the other spot many times and love it. After a bit of trouble finding the parking lot, I made it in! This is a nice spot. There are two large dining areas which are set up with a good mix of table sizes so that larger groups and smaller parties can sit. There's also a bar area which is set apart in a room that looks extremely comforting and relaxing. I visited for a private party, and had not had any of the menu items before, but everything was delicious. The potato latkes were delicious, but HUGE - I seriously couldn't finish my portion. I also tried the french toast with cinnamon butter (yum!), egg scramble, and house-made sausages. Everything was really flavorful. I didn't try the bloody marys, but from what I've heard, they are delicious. My coffee was always full and quite tasty. Service was a bit slow on drinks, but that's because we were a large party. I think typically, service would be great. I will say that it's a bit confusing upon entering. I entered from the parking lot, which is easy enough if you can see the entrance. There is also what looks to be an entrance on the street, but if you come in that way, there is no host stand...I'm not sure which is the main door, but you might have to weave your way through the restaurant to find someone to seat you.
(4)
Justin W.

Love this place, great to go with vegetarian friends because there are lots of options, and everything is always fresh. Highly recommended.
(4)
Cynthia E.

I dine here every other week with a networking group I belong to, and the food is always thoughtfully prepared with local ingredients. They offer a great cup of coffee, too. They have live music on weekends, and a nice patio is available.
(3)
Mrs. B.

I love going here. The atmosphere is cozy and the staff is awesome!! Me and my boyfriend try to go here regularly for drinks and appetizers because we love it so much. They have all organic, fresh and vegan foods...they even have some for the meat eaters too! ( like my boyfriend) This is a great date place!
(5)
Nancy H.

I love the idea of loving Uncommon Ground more so than I actually did. I liked the free parking lot (although small and forces you to take a hard turn into the alley to get in), and I liked the spaciousness of this restaurant once inside. The service was spectacular too. We couldn't get seated until all 6 of us arrived, and overall we were 30 minutes late, but they weren't rude about it. And our waitress was extremely upbeat and seemed almost eager to take 2 group photos of us. The food, however, looked better than it tasted. I wanted to really be able to taste pure, organic ingredients and be convinced that paying a premium at the grocery store is worth it, but I wasn't convinced. I had the $10 roast turkey sandwich on rosemary focaccia with garlic aioli, cranberry jam, avocado, and egg. The cranberry jam overpowered the sandwich, and the bread was kind of floppy, making it not that easy to eat as a sandwich. My bf had the $12 montana omelet with bacon, scallions, cheese, and potatoes that were stuffed inside. He prefers the potatoes to be on the side because it keeps the skin crisp. I really enjoyed the fresh blueberry jam that comes with toast, though! Now THAT was what I was hoping to taste throughout my entire meal - freshness that can't be mistaken!
(3)
Andrew B.

I wish the portions were a bit bigger, but the food was great.
(4)
Tiffany L.

I've been to the Wrigleyville location for brunch and I loved it. I visited this location for dinner recently to check it out. The space is much bigger and there's even a small stage area for local musicians to perform. We got the cauliflower crispy ravioli to start -- I was disappointed it was on the greasy side. For entrees, we ordered the fried chicken and the bacon wrapped meatloaf. I heard the waitress warn another table that the meatloaf came with brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts have such a bad rap man -- they are delicious, don't knock 'em till you've tried 'em! Anyway the fried chicken was just okay -- it was moist, but the breading was flavorless. The meatloaf was yummy, the gravy was DELICIOUS. Our service was a little off, it took like 10 minutes for our food to come out, which is like an eternity in restaurant time. Unfortunately, we didn't order the burger this time, but everyone and their moms were ordering it, and it looked sooooo good. I'll be back for that burger.
(4)
S K.

Review mostly centers around the cost. Good food, nice neighborhood spot to walk to, but incredibly, ridiculously overpriced. Helen's Chicken Sandwich with sweet potato fries is good but definitely not worth $16 with tax. Wanted to treat myself but all I thought while eating it was that I could've made this myself & saved the money. Had I paid a lot less that thought probably wouldn't have crossed my mind. So if you have more disposable income than the average person, feel free, you might enjoy.
(2)
T K.

Dirty bathrooms, foreign objects (garbage in the food), baaaad service!!!! Manager worst than employees.... Makes you think what is going on in the kitchen....I wonder when was the last time the city inspected this place. Sad...really wanted to support neighborhood establishments.
(1)
Team B.

I stopped here for an early dinner on Saturday. Since I was a party of one, I sat in the lounge area. The bar staff were busy preparing for the evening rush, but they still served me pretty promptly. I ordered the mushroom flan as an appetizer. It was tiny, but quite tasty. The herbs worked well with the mushrooms and cannelloni beans. I wasn't hungry enough for a full entree, so I skipped to dessert. I ordered the pear brown butter cake and was glad that I did. It was about the size and shape of a cupcake, topped with a generous scoop of brown butter gelato. The sweet, buttery flavors of the cake and ice cream paired very well with the poached pear slices. For drinks, I had a nice Virtue Redstreak cider and an outstanding beer from Greenbush called "Red Bud Ale". I'd recommend them both.
(4)
Weisun C.

Two days after the 2011 Blizzard, driving for the first time in 3 days, UG (Uncommon Ground)'s well-plowed, private parking lot was a welcome amenity. I had to miss the recent Yelp Elite brunch here, but savored what they had enjoyed vicariously in their rave reviews (three below mine and about 30 more at tinyurl.com/498qxyo ). Obviously it wouldn't be possible to recreate a boisterous gathering of Yelpers (Elite ones, at that) by just ordering a similar menu, so that was never the plan. But a number of the standard UG menu items had been served family style to the Elites, and sounded so delicious that having a taste of those (on my dime) was the goal. The winter scramble was similar to what my fellow Elites enjoyed: 3 scrambled eggs with broccoli, leeks, and white cheddar - done to perfection! The standard UG sides were the potato latke (as at the Yelp brunch), toasted sour dough with raspberry preserve, and garnish of orange, grapefruit, and blood orange slices (these latter items not being on the Elite's menu). A side of the chicken, maple and sage sausage in pork casing rounded out the morning meal. So now I can agree with those who attended that UG's fare is superb and worth another visit. If you were one of the lucky few (120) Elite who attended that Saturday afternoon brunch, you might ask, "What about the chilaquiles*, the French toast, those other seasonal sausages, and, of course, the Bloody Marys?" Considering that they were there between 2 and 4 on a Saturday, and I was there at 10:30 AM on a week day, the mix of those with what I ordered didn't please my mental palate and probably wouldn't have agreed with the digestive one. And that's what the next visit will be all about, trying the other items I skipped. Looking forward to that! *As explained by the waitress, their chilaquiles are akin to a nachos plate, involving tortilla chips, chihuahua cheese, and sour cream, but with eggs any style and spicy chorizo sausage. Sounded like a "big meal." Probably goes well with a Bloody Mary. But I was drinking only a cranberry juice this morning.
(4)
Fe T.

Amazing sweet potato fries! Food here is on the pricier side but they are good, with great portion. Staff are friendly and their drinks are delicious! There is a pub on the side for those who just want to drop by for a drink and a good conversation. Everybody should check out their rooftop garden btw.
(5)
T I.

Uncommon Ground in Edgewater gets a lot of hype for being green. Yes, every vegetable I had on my plate tonight was fresh and delicious. the decor is beautiful and includes all kinds of reclaimed wood products. But that's about all I can place in the pro column. The welcoming staff is a bit snobbish and the wait staff is luke warm to cold. Don't bother paying for overpriced kiddy drinks--with barely a drop of real booze. Stick to beer or wine and you know what alcohol content you're getting. Overall: don't bother.
(1)
Matt S.

This is so sad. Uncommon Ground came highly recommended, and any place that puts this much work into sustainable, eco-friendly food and service should be commended. However, our food took more than 45 minutes (during a slow evening), came out cold, and was flavorless and tough. One party member got fish & chips; the breading on the fish was just the texture (but flavorless), the fish was cooked fine (but flavorless), the tartar sauce was all salt, and it was lukewarm at best. One party member got the $23 pork dish. Our server described the glaze as a mouthwatering reduction of maple syrup and a few other ingredients; the actual meal was tough, small, and almost entirely flavorless. My burger, other than being lukewarm, tasted great. I can imagine they had an off night, so I'm not ready to say "worst restaurant in Chicago." But, especially with the hype and the cost, this was extremely disappointing.
(2)
Wesley R.

Uncommonly exquisite, grounds for a return trip! I've always heard great things about this place, and a brunch event gave me the chance to finally experience things for myself. Although the outside was fairly unassuming, the color scheme and furniture was quite cozy. For a Saturday, there was a decent amount of people, without being an overwhelming amount. When I brunch at a new place for the first time, I'm more "br" than "unch" most times. I elected for their braised beef hash. The meat was seasoned well, and was nice and juicy, working very seamlessly with the onions, sprouts and mushrooms. We also tried the banana bread and sweet potato fries which were quite tasty as well. Beverage-wise, you can't go wrong with their house blend coffee or any of their tea or alcoholic suggestions. I definitely want to try this place again soon, and again in the summer. It's a reasonable walk from the Loyola Red Line stop, otherwise, there is a free lot plus ample street parking in the neighborhood.
(5)
Jeffrey K.

I have been here many times since they first opened and it's okay. The service and food have always been spotty. There are better places for high quality food and most of them are cheaper. I think they are over priced for what one receives.
(2)
Rhonda G.

Loved it here! After a night of pretending to be 21 again me and my equally completely drained girlfriends hustled over to Uncommon Ground to refuel. We were all thinking the same thing...Coffee STAT! Dearest Uncommon thank you for not serving us coffee flavored water; but a good strong cup capable of bringing us all back from the dead. For brunch I had the chicken confit and sweet potato skillet. Very tasty and a nice balance of slightly sweet and savory. This selection also came with eggs in the style of your choice. My companions enjoyed their food, we enjoyed countless cups of coffee and uninterrupted conversation...winner!!
(5)
Catie P.

As many others have mentioned the wait staff/ hostess are not always kind. I ordered take out and when I opened the box literally two minutes after getting it, I was shocked. It looked like someone had taken the box and shaken it for 2 mins. Then despite the look I had really high hopes for the food but then it tasted meh! Which was really sad. The only positive I would have for this place was that my very small overprice salad tasted not too bad but dressing was a bit oily.
(2)
Puja L.

Mmm...sweet potato fries. These were delicious!
(4)
Rodger W.

I had a very nice brunch here. The space is very modern and trendy, yet comfortable. The $5 Bellinis were a great kickoff. I had the chiliquilies; an egg, corn tortilla, cheese and chorizo combination that eats like an omlette. My companion had eggs benedict with duck instead of bacon, and she said it was delicious. I had a small taste and I agree. The crispy potatoes were pretty good. However, they should perfect a savory and buttery hash brown and replace the current potatoes. If you are looking for a spot that is more upscale than a diner, yet not too stuffy and dressy, Uncommon Ground is a great choice. Another huge bonus is the parking lot! Street parking in Chicago is becoming a total ripoff, and places that offer free parking are poised to do well in the future.
(4)
Earlie C.

My girlfriend and I just enjoyed a meal here on Memorial Day. First, let me point out that they need to update their online menu so its in accordance with the restaurant menu. Nothing like being bummed out that their goat cheese pesto dip isn't available (beer on tap is different too). Second, why did it take 20 minutes to seat us when more than half of the dining area was empty? Strange. We'll enjoy a beer at the bar anyhoot. Lastly, our meal was good, but service was bad. Service was bad with a restaurant that was half full. Surprisingly. But the food made up for it. Our plates were on fire (heat lamp). Maybe 3.5 stars?... However, The Q7 burger is delicious and the black beans tacos were pretty good. The salad dressing is void of flavor. Needs work. We'll be back. Nothing here to die for. U.C. just needs to work on their service and menu. I think it's great that they're all about sustainability and what not. There's no need to stick your pretentious nose in the air about it though, especially with such a mediocre experience. Otherwise, a pleasant dining experience.
(3)
Jennifer K.

How cute is this place? Organic vegetables grown on the rooftop, a place to plug in your electric car? When did I move to Portland? Inside, the place is warm and inviting. There's a fireplace and couches in the bar for lounging and reclaimed wood throughout the restaurant. The food is tasty and fresh, and the menu is seasonal and filled with unique dishes. I have never had a bad meal at Uncommon Ground. Two thumbs way up!
(4)
Jamie W.

I've worked at a lot of breakfast places, and its easy to grow tired of omelets and pancakes. Once I moved to the city, I was thrilled to try out some trendy brunch places. Uncommon Ground was my first, and it was very exciting. The waitress we had was a doll, and the breakfast burrito was HUGEEEE. My boyfriend had the uncommon eggs and I almost wished I had gone with his. We both had a cup of chili as well. The boy is a red meat fanatic so I waited until after he ate the chili to tell him it was vegetarian. He loved every bite of it! A bit more expensive than I would have liked to spend on breakfast, but I know I'll be back soon.
(4)
Brett F.

Uncommon Ground; Take Two! New cast, new locale, new fun things to sip and try.... I've kissed goodbye the days of Sunshine Salad old and said 'Hello Looover' to a formula a bit more satisfying. Thanks to our GNO 2.0 outing at UG last night, I was super satiated with all things girls night out fabulous; think sinfully delicious martinis, the amazing company of 30+ glorious gals, a marvelous menu of fantastic eats and the pleasantly assiduous service to top it all off. Kudos to UG and the know-how in just how to orchestrate flawless crowd control... 1. Start with multiple Tree-Tinis - aka Christmas in a glass - a fabulously comforting mix of organic ginger house-infused rain organic vodka, chai-infused sweet vermouth, licor 43 and seedling apple cider dusted with a kiss of cinnamon and nutmeg. Tastes like home... if you live at Betty Ford like I do ; ) 2. Sprinkle above with appetizer of baked artichoke, goat cheese & pesto dip served up with perfectly crisp and warm extra virgin olive oil crostini. With a little help from my friends, this terrine of wicked deliciousness was devoured in mere seconds. Rich, creamy, tangy... it's the ultimate in delectable starters. 3. Layer in plates that spilleth over with scrumptious, velvety sage butter and gorgonzola laden pumpkin ravioli and my personal fav of the evening, the Gunthorp Farm crispy chicken with brown butter gnocchi, squash puree, apple & gorgonzola salad. Ahhhhhh-mazing! Talk about crispy... that skin was a-crack-a-lack-ing! I was so generously schooled on the new name in poultry perfection last night and it's spelled G-U-N-T-H-O-R-P. A little after-dinner time spent cozying up in those big, cushy leather chairs in the bar with a hot cup 'o joe was exactly what the cold weather Doc ordered, indeed. Three cheers to Uncommon Ground, the latest prescription for Uncommon Excellence.
(5)
maurice s.

Absolutely beautiful room and delicious food. I'm a fan of the concept and find the prices to be quite reasonable. Service was generally good. The hostess, bartender, and runner were all excellent and friendly. The server we had was efficient but rather pretentious and off-putting, unfortunately. One example: she seemed annoyed when I asked her for a protein suggestion. My understanding is that this is a routine question to ask a server, but she apparently disagrees.
(4)
Carlo D.

Stopped by this place after work with a friend last Friday. We sat at their outdoor seating area on a parking lot. Although, the view wasn't that great, the food was. I had the salmon and a glass of pinot noir. My friend had a very plain looking vegetarian sandwich with a glass of white wine. Service was great, waiter was very knowledgable and informative. A bit pricey but overall very satisfying experience.
(4)
Mary T.

Two visits, two events. Same space, different place. Uncommon Ground Devon took over what used to be the Speakeasy Supper Club. This outpost of UG has a very different feel than its Lakeview sibling, and I like it. Lakeview has a hodgepodge, part bar, part restaurant, part live music venue, sorta casual feel. Devon, on the other hand, feels smoother, sexier, classier, yet still low key. I absolutely love the vintage art deco bar area. I love the dark wood; low, cozy tables; and amber-toned lighting. I also loved the sip I snagged of a lemon ginger martini, I'd come back for one of those and I'm not really a martini sort of gal. Many of their cocktails contain one of their own house-infused vodkas too. Just past the bar are two oblong rooms, connected by two doorways. Our event was in the far room, which conveniently had its own set of bathrooms and a stage used for live music. Exposed brick, lots of wood and warm brown tones make it very cozy. The food and service for the event lived up to the expectations set by the ambiance. Service was very attentive; one server had my drink refill in hand just as I was taking my last sip, I didn't even need to ask! Our meal started with two appetizers, a Mediterranean platter - hummus, olives, roast eggplant salad, tzatziki, and pita; and a baked artichoke, goat cheese & pesto dip served with crostini. The baked dip was my favorite of the two, I probably could have polished off a whole portion of that warm, cheesiness myself. Next came an organic mixed green salad with apple cider vinaigrette. It was perfect between the two courses a nice, light little interlude to cleanse the palette. To finish we had two dishes, pumpkin ravioli and a chicken and gnocchi dish. I don't eat chicken so you're stuck with my commentary on the ravioli. I'm always a little skeptical about things like pumpkin ravioli, many times the come off too sweet and dessert-like, but UG gets it right. The ravioli, served with creamy sage butter, gorgonzola, and toasted hazelnuts, was excellent; the perfect balance of savory and sweet, with all of the flavors melding together so well, like they were destined to meet. Even though this place is pretty far North I'd definitely make a return trip. After all they have a small parking lot, easy street parking and are close to public transit (151, 36 & red line). P.S. On the roof is a certified organic farm - how cool!
(4)
Amy H.

I'm still full from the GNO dinner last night. Uncommon Ground did not disappoint!! I started out the evening with some treetini's (Hey look! I'm planting a tree by drinking this!!) and lemon-ginger martinis and they went down smooth. Then we went in for our main event! Appetizers: A Mediterranean platter and a baked goat cheese, artichoke, and pesto dip. I'm not one for goat cheese, but the dip wasn't half bad. Entrees: The pumpkin ravioli was to die for! I wasn't thrilled with our other dish. The menu made it sound like the items were separate, but they were all on one plate and it was too much going on for my taste buds. I liked the items individually, but since it was plated together all the flavors co-mingled. I truly love this location. I love the cozy fireplace and big soft leather chairs in the bar area. I love the staff. I love the back room that hosts events and musical acts. Love. Big thanks to Brett for planning and for our sponsors for the evening. A free dinner and loads of information made for a very great experience.
(4)
Lauren H.

I attended an event in the back last night and it was handled wonderfully, plenty of food and good service. We started with a mixed mediterranean plate of hummus, tsatsiki and baba ganoush with pita. This was only okay, I must confess. Then we got the baked artichoke, goat cheese and pesto dip, which was good (and thankfully I couldn't event detest the pesto, as I don't care for it). A salad followed, simple and nicely dressed. I was worried about how I would receive the main dish, because all my life I have DESPISED pumpkin: the taste, the smell, everything. However, the pumpkin ravioli (topped with gorgonzola cheese and toasted hazelnuts in a sage brown butter) here was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooÂooo good I scarfed it down like the nearby Loyola students scarf down beer. Gone in seconds leaving me with a silly grin and wanting more. If in the neighborhood, I would go back to try more dishes and enjoy a drink by the bar.
(4)
Kate K.

I live a block away from Uncommon Ground and it's quickly become my go-to place for a nice, quiet and relaxing dinner. The decor is warm and inviting, it feels like you're having dinner and drinks in my parent's comfy up-scale living room... a fireplace warming the room, lots of dark leather couch type seating and wood everywhere the eye can see. The menu is solid -- comfort food -- steak frite, mac n' cheese, bacon wrapped meatloaf. The service has always been outstanding -- I'm a little confused as to why UG isn't constantly packed to the gills... but, I'll take it, as I love being able to get a seat whenever I want. I highly recommend you try Uncommon Ground, it's Midwest cuisine at it's finest. =)
(4)
Suzanne V.

Been for breakfast, had to try dinner. Quinoa stuffed seasonal squash was tasty and very filling. It wasn't super flavorful, but the ingredients were wholesome and quality. I wasn't crazy about the sauce, but then I'm not a red wine person. Sweet potato fries were unreal--sweet, salty, crispy and fluffy. As they should be. I didn't love the white bean puree. It was a bit watery and creamy, and I was expecting a thicker more hummus-y type of dip. Oh the whole: convenient location for me, great atmosphere and service, quality food, but maybe lacking in the inventiveness and flavor.
(2)
Caroline M.

Following the scent of delicious fried fish, my man & I headed to UG for some more awesome Friday night halibut. We were quoted a 25 min wait at 8pm. Okay, no problem--I know where the bar is at. Just give me a good drink and I'll be fine. The Farmers Mojito sounded perfect--a bit of seasonal fruit tossed in a standard mojito. Delish, no? Answer: No. I have never been so disappointed in a drink--it had no flavor. The bartender was slammed. I know. She probably thought omitting the muddling of mint would be okay, right? Wrong. It tasted like really expensive minty water. My uninspiring "mojito" was $12 ($10 + $2 tip). So I paid for a glass of ice cubes, 5 mint leaves, and a splash of rum? I demand a refund!!! Oh, and they ran out of the fish & chips. We left with empty stomachs and $12 less in our wallets. What I learned from this experience: 1) Muddling mint is essential 2) Get to UG early to snag the halibut 3) Order beer
(4)
Jennifer B.

This place usually surprises me with inventive food. They find a way to incorporate non-traditional ingredients into rather commonplace dishes, and for the most part the end result is pleasing. Unfortunately, I've had enough almost-total-misses that I wonder why there isn't more consistency in quality or presentation. There are few gray areas on the menus--the food is either great or mediocre. The same can be said for the drinks, they are either well-prepared or weak and lackluster. I also wonder about their pricing model, as some items are entirely too expensive considering their ingredients and preparation. A key area where the restaurant shines are in simple touches. Cardamon and star anise where there's usually only cinnamon. The option to have your latte served in a bowl (more appealing in reality than description). Sweetened squash puree instead of ketchup (see previous qualifier). A key area where this place drops the ball is in offering "high" dining items alongside often "hippie" dining accompaniments. I once ordered the mussels and dared ask for a seafood fork. The incredulous look on my waitress' face made me wonder if I suggested that sustainable food was the latest craze which should die a slow death at a factory farm. She mentioned that I could use the french fries ("which are quite similar to pom-me frite-s") to absorb the sauce ("which is how the Belgian do it"). Fantastic, but about the mussels? She offered me a teaspoon. I ate them with a dinner fork and my fingers. Yes, to the horror of my date and my sensibilities. I needed to wage a silent protest, and licking delicious greasiness off of my fingers never felt so emptily self-righteous. I won't even get into how the sweet potato fries come with a goat cheese dip. It's labeled a fondue. Don't get me wrong, this dish is one of the highlights of the menu. But don't gussy it up--they are cheese fries. But they do offer Absinthe with a traditional French preparation, which almost makes up for any raised eyebrow moments while reading their menu. I have resisted drinking these while having their cheese fries, as I would not be surprised if I held a Bic lighter under the cheese ramekin while slurring, "See, this...THIS is a fondue...somewhat!" That is, if I'm not too busy sopping up the water which runs down the side of its awkward metal pot after each pour. I won't bother mentioning my waitress' (who, by the way, was not Mussel Girl) response to my request for another, less messy, method to add water to my drink. Sa-c-re Bl-eu! The menu is revised often enough to ensure an almost 50/50 chance that what is offered will be outstanding. There is also a performance area in the restaurant, which is home to some of the more eclectic musical choices I've seen under one roof. While there's a parking lot? It's quite tricky to use when it's almost full. There's usually ample street parking, though.
(3)
April K.

I am bummed to only give UG 3 stars because they're within stumbling distance of my house, which can be handy in the lazy days of winter. But 3 stars it is, as I've had 4-star experiences here but also some 2-star days (usually because of the food, rarely if ever because of the service). They're just overpriced for what you get, and their bizarro decision to frequently not turn the AC on to acceptable levels in the summer of 2012 was just inexcusable. If you do find yourself at Uncommon Ground though, do get the sweet potato fries, as they're some of my favorites around.
(3)
Quinn K.

If I could hug Uncommon Ground, I mean wrap the entire restaurant in my arms and give it a squeeze, I would. Everything I've eaten there has been downright delicious. And I can fulfill my trendy, hipster sustainability needs with the knowledge that it's nearly all local and organic. The burger is delicious. A fried egg on top? Win. My favorite by far is the chopped salad. I've ordered it probably 10 times. Nice house made dressing, and usually with little treats from the rooftop garden. The hot chocolate is amazing and you can drink it out of a bowl if you so desire. Nothing like a whole bowl of beverage. I will divulge that I'm biased since I was a farm intern here, but that doesn't change the fact that I would stuff my face with this shizz every day if I could.
(5)
Megan S.

I don't really understand the draw to this place. The space is very nice, and the location on Clark has a nice patio, but when it comes down to it the food is mediocre, extremely overpriced and the service is SO SLOW. It's the same story with both locations. I have given this place multiple chances and have been dissapointed every time. I appreciate a leisurely lunch but it shouldn't take a half an hour to get drinks and order food and another twenty minutes after you have to ask for the bill and another 15 minutes to pick up the bill. The last and final time we ventured there my extra-hungry girlfriend kindly asked our waitress if she ordered banana bread if she could get it right away, and she said "of course!" Ten minutes later she brought back a side of jelly for her banana bread, then another ten minutes she finally brought it out. When my other girlfriend ordered yogurt and granola for breakfast they brought her yogurt with no granola. That's 50% of the ingredients forgotten about. Then we had to wait, another 10 minutes for granola. Waiting for this food is not worth it. I will give them credit for having perfectly consistent slow service at both locations - way to go!
(1)
Kelly F.

I absolutely love this place! The food is great and it's so nice and cozy inside during the winter months and then the outdoor seating is great in the summer. The only reason I didn't go for 5 stars is that it's a little pricey. It's worth the money, but I can't go as often as I'd like because it is quite expensive. Anytime we have out of town visitors, we always end up doing a brunch here and everyone always leaves full and happy. I recommend the whole wheat granola pancakes and chicken sausage, so good and so filling!
(4)
Theresa S.

Went here after passing it to many times and wanting too then saw it won most eco friendly restaurant and had to. It was good, nice ambiance, food was good, waitress was awesome. My only complaints were the host was a bit pretentious and that this location doesn't serve the duck entree it advertised on its online menu anymore. Which of course is what I was really looking forward to trying. According to our waitress the Lakeview location still does, so may have to check them out sometime too. The menu is limited though there are only about six entrees to choose from. Unfortunately although all looked appetizing none were what I was in the mood for that night so I just went with the chopped salad and split their sweet potato fries with my friend. Both were very yummy.
(4)
Lynn V.

We thought we were in for a nice treat at Uncommon Ground on Devon one summer Saturday. I had been the Grace Street location and always thought it was pretty nice. Not so UC on Devon. First off it has a little parking lot of its own that is almost impossible to access from the street. When I finally did get there the lot was full. Great, street parking for me. We wanted to dine outside, but they claimed there weren't any tables. We pointed out two that were unoccupied and they grudgingly wiped down a table for us. We saw our server a total of two times: once take our order and once to give us the bill. When our food was delivered we had no silverware or napkins (they were delivered later with no apology). Basically only one person checked to see how we were doing and she didn't seem to care very much. My cornbread waffles with fruit topping were okay, but very filling. After eating only half of the concoction I felt as if I had a lump in my stomach. I drowned myself in Ice tea to compensate. My co-diners felt their sandwiches were bland, and also also oddly too filling. Also, we were told there are no refills on the ice tea. I don't think I've ever heard of any place with that policy before. It's a little outrageous.as ice tea costs pennies to make. I also had a personal battle with the bathroom. I thought there was only one unisex bathroom for the whole place--and it was always was in use. When I finally got in there, people were constantly trying for the door handle or knocking. No matter how I yelled, "just a minute!" they kept it up. When I got out, no one was there. Later I discovered that there was another bathroom around a dark corner. How about a sign telling people this? It might cut down on the chaos. All in all, I'd say Uncommon Ground on Devon has a lot to learn from its sister store on Grace.
(2)
Laura S.

This review is long overdue! I've dined here a few times, including last night, which prompted me to finally write about it. The cocktails here are stellar. I've had the agripolitan and lemon ginger martinis before, and they are some of the most pleasant drinks I've ever tasted that still pack a punch. We also had three bottles of champagne for the table; Korbel was their "best" offering, but no matter. Our appetizers were a huge hit. We shared two plates of artichoke, goat cheese and pesto dip, which disappeared within minutes. The flatbread (chipotle BBQ sauce, onion, sausage and chihuahua cheese) went down equally well, but less so the croquettes. They were just "fine," so said most of the group. At UG I tend to let my gluttonous side show: my go-to entree is the bacon-wrapped meatloaf, which is served with the most delectable garlic mashed potatoes. I've also sampled the crispy chicken, roasted whitefish, orrechiette and macaroni and cheese, all of which are worth ordering. Portions are plentiful, and flavors bountiful. It's too far out of my price range and travel radius to visit more often, but it's absolutely worth the trip for a special occasion (preferably on someone else's dime).
(4)
Corey B.

Three stars because the average of my experiences comes up...average. I won't stop frequenting the place, it does fulfill some of my needs -- sustainable food, an amazing Bloody Mary, outdoor seating, Wi-Fi and a good walking-distance place from my house. I will, however, probably stop ordering food and definitely won't go for breakfast. I will travel to some far reaches of this city for my favorite food staples (because food is important) but I just cannot keep justifying the cost of their plates when they are almost always missing ingredients and the portion size is getting smaller and smaller. In general, I get very good service, except the bad can sometime stand out: if I say I'm allergic to a food item, please check that it is not in the items I am ordering! Being in the industry, I would never say - 'I don't know if that dish has *blank*, but you could just order something else UNLESS (eye roll) you want me to check'.
(3)
Paul L.

I wish I knew about this place years ago. I'm a fool to have never played around this part of Chicago.
(4)
Davy W.

I've lived half a block from this location for almost a year, and I've walked past it regularly. Rooftop garden? Neat! Amazing menu on the Web site? Cool! Numerous friends extolling its virtues? I had to come here. I decided to have my birthday dinner here, so I and ten of my friends descended upon them. My sister ended up being an hour early, so I got to sit at the bar and listen to local musicians play. A bar AND a string bass? I started loving my night there. (Note to Uncommon Ground: I tried to look up who was playing on your Web site, but I can't find anything prior to today. Why not maintain a list of previous performers for people like me who want to know more, but were busy drinking at the time?) We had a group of 11, and we got seated at a table for ... 14? 15? So they can definitely handle large groups, and they did so with attentiveness and good cheer. The food was, in a word, amazing. Friendly chatter was replaced with talk of how good the food was, and there was much sharing between us. Happily enough, my dessert *did* come with a birthday candle, and even more happily, no song. It's great being a grownup. Great food, great service, great ambiance, and I only had to stumble home half a block. Best. Birthday. Ever.
(4)
Randy K.

Everything was tasty and healthy; the staff were attentive and friendly; the atmosphere was nice--we were outside in the garden.
(4)
Netta S.

Pricey but well portioned and flavored. French toast hash browns homemade sausage were delicious. Large juice is huge. Coffee is awesome!!
(4)
J O.

Eat here often, and overall, it's a great experience. Vegetarian, so cannot speak about other food, but I like the pumpkin ravioli, sweet potato fries, cheese and artichoke dip, chili, and every single one of their soups. Skip the root vegetable cassoulet.
(4)
Ross W.

The food is great and local but WAAAAY overpriced!
(3)
Jelena Z.

Finally I made it to Uncommon Ground in Edgewater last Friday... partly for the band ODE but also for the food and Tree-Tinis I tried at the Yelp Holiday Party. Not only are Tree-Tinis delicious and pretty much guarantee a hangover-free day post-imbibing (you can thank the VeeV for that), but Uncommon Ground will plant a tree for each Tree-Tini ordered. Now that's what I call feel-good drinking! We had a 9 pm reservation and were led to the best table in the room-- right in front, close to the stage. A sheer coincidence, but a very nice one considering we're friends of the band. We settled in all comfy and admired our beautiful surroundings-- per Colleen C's review, this space really does feel like a sanctuary. All zen but without the granola: just serene, classy and smart. I dig it! So I was planning on ordering a Tree-Tini, but then I eyed their beer menu. Bell's Oberon, Goose Island Matilda, and Great Lakes Holy Moses? And on tap? Easy and delicious decision. We ordered the Mediterranean Trio as an app (hummus, roast eggplant salad, mint tzatziki, citrus marinated olives, herbed pita) and we devoured it. Even my cousin, a professed non-lover of hummus (the blasphemy!), had her way with it. Yes, it is that good. Next up: Black Angus burger, Prairie Pure mac n' cheese, the pesto, 3 cheese and tomato pizza, and the Helen's grilled chicken sandwich. Talk about a coup-- all four of us were happy little campers, which is a rare feat! But if I had to settle on one dish, I'd wholeheartedly recommend the mac n' cheese: prairie pure butterkase, aged white cheddar, Gruyere, with tart apple slaw. WIN. After dinner we enjoyed another beer at the bar. Our experience was top-notch and I can't wait to return... okay, so the mac n' cheese might have a *little* something to do with it!
(5)
Stephen F.

Like everyone else I like the idea of this place and since I live very close by I was hoping it would be a place I could frequent. My wife and I were walking by one day so we thought we would grab lunch on the large outdoor patio but we weren't thinking $15 bucks for a burger so we left. I finally went back with my dad to see if the fine dining prices were appropriate but I was sorely disappointed. The server was obviously new and should have been more aware that when you are reading off the specials to an older person like my dad you need to speak up. We ordered the steak which was mediocre at best and the pumpkin ravioli which wasn't any better. Desert was good but not remarkable. The wines by the glass were pricey like the rest of the menus. Overall I wish I liked the place as I eat out in the neighborhood all the time.
(1)
Todd G.

I find it so much easier to get a table at the Edgewater location than the Wrigleyville location, so I head north to get my Uncommon Ground fix. This is the type of restaurant I like to support--local, organically-grown good-for-you food. At my last visit, I tried the sweet potato and goat cheese appetizer...despite not liking goat cheese. I'm glad that I did...it was delicious! Their chicken is from Gunthorp Farms and is a personal favorite. For dessert, try their s'more. You'll thank me for it.
(4)
Shannon M.

I came here for a wedding shower, and since I was under the impression that Uncommon Ground was merely a coffee house, my first thought was, "Wedding shower at a coffee house...?" But as it turns out, Uncommon Ground is so much more. They have a large menu of food (we were there while breakfast and lunch were on offer), a selection of appealing-looking cocktails (issuing forth from the beautiful Deco-inspired bar, all sleek lines and dark wood) as well as coffee drinks abounding. I went with breakfast and had the brioche french toast, which came with homemade strawberry rhubarb "syrup." The french toast was light, fluffy and eggy; as for the strawberry syrup, put out of your mind thoughts of those fat-bellied jugs of flavored goo on the table at IHOP. This was homemade, opaque, a soft pink color; if you'd presented it to me in a bottle I might have guessed that it was hair conditioner or some sort of bath product from the consistency and texture. But boy was it tasty, and the perfect complement to the two pieces of toast; I swabbed up every bit. I also ordered the black-pepper bacon, a flavorful side option. Drinks were a mixed bag. My initial mimosa tasted flatly like OJ, not even a bubble of champagne to be seen, so at $10 that's a pretty costly glass of juice. Perhaps I should have gotten the "She Wore a Raspberry Bellini," made with fresh raspberry puree, as did some others in the party (they declared it tart and satisfying), but instead I went for the famous "Tree-tini"; for each of these cocktails that is ordered, the restaurant has a tree planted. Blessedly, the "Tree-tini" was a tasty drink (with citrus and ginger notes keeping one another in check), so you don't grit your teeth and go, "Doin' it to be green!" and grimace as you gulp down something medicinal and horrible. Our group imbibed enough of these to leave at least a small sylvan glade in our wake by the time brunch was done. These are "craft" cocktails, so don't expect to feel a buzz; I'm a major lightweight (one cocktail is usually my limit), and after 2 drinks I was still in perfect shape. They will set you back $10 a pop, though, although that seems to be becoming standard in Chicago. Service was super; our waiter managed to keep track of our big group with ease and kept drinks coming with practiced pacing. Overall, I had an uncommonly good experience at Uncommon Ground. I would certainly return and also check out the original location on Clark to see how it compares.
(4)
Laila C.

Uncommon Ground is 2 blocks away from my bf's apartment and it's one of his favorite restaurants. Since I'm adamantly opposed to restaurants that can't stop talking about how organic they are...in fact I don't believe in eating Organic at all. I was surprised I actually liked Uncommon Ground. However on a Sunday morning when most other restaurants around the neighborhood are either closed or only serving brunch (which I SUPER hate), I finally agreed to go back once again and give it another try. OMG...even if I hate healthy organic ingredients you just can't ignore how delicious all their items are. Like the greedy little girl I am, I made my bf split it super juicy burger with me, while I ate way more than my 50% of the 3 cheese pizza. I take back all my negative thoughts and I'd definitely go back again and again!
(4)
Stan S.

OK, with 500+ reviews there is little I could add but I can't resist putting in my 2cents.. I came here out of curiosity mostly because I had enjoyed going to the original in Wrigleyville 5 or 6 years ago. I wanted to see what the greenest restaurant in America was like. It was all good. The other reviews make that clear. The food was good, not too expensive, and somewhat creative. The service was professional and attentive and friendly enough. The ambiance was cool, the art was good. The biggest negative was something that comes with the territory when you go to a popular and yes, trendy new restaurant: it was crowded and noisy. I really wanted to carry on a conversation with my new friend. The only way we could hear each other was to lean in and talk in uncomfortably loud tones. So don't come here during busy hours and expect to be able to carry on a normal conversation. Of course in the green spirit, you could just mouth words and use the recycled conversation all around you:))
(4)
Emily R.

It truly pains me to write a poor review of a restaurant that promotes a sustainable business model and local goods. The menu is great and the actual dishes have always been good (I've been there three times), though nothing to write home about. My only complaint (and this makes or breaks an experience for me) is the service. If I managed or owned this place, I would be embarrassed by the people who are representing my business. This last visit really took the cake. I arrived ahead of my dinning partner and I asked to be seated outdoors. The host informed me that they would wait to seat me until the rest of my part arrived. I didn't realized I walked into a Communist state! So I sat in the empty lounge (the TV's were off and the bar was empty). The host kept throwing haughty looks in my direction as I sat, by myself, with no menu, twiddling my thumbs. By the time my friend arrive, there were no more seats open outdoors. I was peeved, especially since I was going to order while waiting and the weather was gorgeous! Our waitress arrived and rambled off the specials, never once making eye contact. I ordered granola and banana bread. My granola came out but no bread in site! I asked if it was on it's way and the waitress rudely stated that she didn't hear that part of my order. Okaaaay. . . so I asked if I could get it to go instead, since I'm a sucker for banana bread! We received our check - no charge for the banana bread. I thought for a fleeting moment that I wasn't going to be charged for it since the waitress messed up. But we waited and no bread. I flagged down the waitress who looked incredible annoyed that we were still there taking up her table and I asked about the banana bread. She said she thought I changed my mind. WHAT?! Where on earth would you get that idea?! Overall, some of the worst service I've had in Chicago for the quality of restaurant.
(2)
Desiree P.

I went to this restaurant on 11/4/2012. The food and experience was amazing. My friend recommended this, and we liked that it a sustainable restaurant with a rooftop farm, making it the greenest restaurant in America. We did the customer appreciation menu that included an appetizer, entree, and dessert. It was helpful for first-time diners. I had the baked mussels, the crispy gunthorp farms chicken, and the panna cotta, and each was savory and delicious. Lastly, the unique contemporary art pieces with the cozy interior made for a truly hipster and casual atmosphere. Great for groups, and I would come back here again.
(5)
Susan F.

My fiancÃ¨ and I had heard great things about this place and looked into it for our upcoming rehearsal dinner, and I would highly recommend them as a great site for a private event. The can accommodate a large number of people and offer some nice all-inclusive packages with food and drink, at a pretty reasonable rate. This location also has the added benefit of the lovely rooftop area, which was a big draw for us, and we received prompt, friendly and super informative customer service from Travis, who assisted us with our inquiries. As far as the restaurant is concerned, there is a lot to love about both Uncommon Ground locations, with their green philosophy, eclectic selections, and their tasty locally grown food. It might be a little on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. The pumpkin ravioli practically melts in your mouth, and that's just one of my favorites. A great date spot to have a nice night out with good food minus the pretentiousness that you see at so many of the hipster magnets in our neighborhood! Love it.
(5)
Gary P.

Usually good, but had the Beet Salad last night. It came with one beet, about the size of a golf ball, cut into 5 wedges, about a 1/4 cup of Frisee, a couple of small orange wedges and the rest of what's in the menu description. It was the smallest salad I've ever seen; not much at all. $12 Crazy. I know Frisee isn't the cheapest but when I asked about the lack of beets I got this story of how they grow the produce on the roof but because the company setup and financial arrangements are different from the restaurant to the roof-top garden, the restaurant incurs such a great cost to purchase the produce. This has nothing to do with the incredibly small salad with hardly any beets. Don't call it a beet salad - and don't tell me about seasonal difficulties of getting larger quantities of produce. If you can't provide the goods, take it off the menu. It's not good business to discuss financial arrangements between the restaurant and the roof-top garden with the customer. This was a terrible experience. I've frequented this place since it opened - many times. I won't be back. (oh, and the grilled chicken I asked to include = $6 more, which would normally be fine, but it was the most dried-out, charred fat included, piece of poultry I've ever had). Terrible!
(1)
Buggin O.

What kind of restaurant asks you "what can I do for you?" when you approach the host? I'm here to eat, isn't that obvious!?! Food can be better than average but is overpriced and portions are way small. Annoyingly over-enthusiastic waitress. They seemed more concerned with their green theme and selling craft beer than with food and service.
(2)
Cassidy P.

Soooo good! Their brunch is unbelievable! My favorite was their challah french toast with toasted macadamia nuts, apple jam, and ginger cinnamon butter. Wow.
(4)
Ashley T.

We live right up the street from this place so it is always a Sunday morning staple - especially when guests are in town. More often than not, we have great service, great food and a great time. I give it 4 starts because there have been a couple occasions when the service isn't that great.....but it has only happened a handful of times.
(4)
The Humane Choice S.

Uncommon Ground has been a trailblazer in the sustainable restaurant movement in Chicago. This second restaurant on Devon Avenue is devoted to supporting and showcasing sustainable producing and eating. We give them 5 stars for their sourcing of humane animal products. They list on the menu which farms the products come from (with a few exceptions). A phone call to the restaurant yielded a conversation with chef Daniel Jacobs about where they source the rest of the animal products that appear on the menu. For example, chicken and turkey comes from Gunthorp Farms. Cheese is sourced from farms such as Prairie Pure and Cedar Grove. Eggs come from New Century; milk and other dairy products come from Organic Valley or Kilgus Farmstead. Beef comes from Dietzler Farms and pork comes from Becker Lane or Gunthorp, depending on the dish ordered. Uncommon Ground goes above and beyond by also hosting Green Room Sessions, networking and learning opportunities for community members interested in green and sustainability issues. We applaud their efforts and heartily enjoyed the meal we eat in this branch of their restaurant. Room for improvement: Consider sourcing beef products that are completely grass-fed and grass-finished to protect cattle health. The Humane Choice is a project of Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT). This restaurant was reviewed by FACT staff members Larissa McKenna and Lisa Isenhart. FACT is a Chicago-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the way animals are raised on farms. For more information on our work and mission, please visit foodanimalconcerns.org
(5)
David B.

Excellent. Outstanding service, great food and most importantly, solid beer menu. My wife and I had the farmhouse burger and chopped salad, but outstanding. Service was attentive and super friendly. The space is very neighborhood bar/restaurant like. Excellent place to just grab a drink and eat at the bar.
(4)
Richard B.

Nice decor. Good location. Slow service. Knowledgeable staff. 2 of 4 of us enjoyed our food. My dish was a pile of nacho looking stuff with eggs on top and lots of grease. I was hoping for something more like Migas (a South Texas favorite). Sweet potato fries good. Hamburger good but messy with bun unable to handle the volume. Prices seemed very high for what you get. A salad with chicken was lacking flavor and variety. Worst part was slow service.
(2)
Chitown D.

This place is still crazy loud, but I have discovered their hamburger and it is kind of worth a visit. Also, you can't beat half-off wine bottle night.
(3)
Jerry B.

Nice patio for being in the parking lot. BLT, burger and omelette were all upscale and excellent. Very good sweet potato fries. Pricey, but good. Would go back for breakfast and try the indoor seating.
(4)
Nick M.

I got hosed!!! Yelpers and friends a like have raved about Uncommon Ground but my experience was very lack luster. I went for dinner and it will probably be my last meal. But there were things that I really liked, the service was great (friendly, helpful, and left me alone), the atmosphere and decor are excellent (warm, trendy/hip, great local artists paintings, nice patio and a beautiful bar). I do appreciate that they support not only local painter/artists but also a lot of musicians from all over. With shows every single night you can always catch something entertaining. What absolutely killed me was that the food, it was bland and for the price...I was floored. How can you charge $15 for a chicken sandwich that tasted like cardboard!!! The fries were good (they have sweet potato fries!) but I feel cheated. Not impressed with their chopped salad either. I think it's great that they use seasonal, locally produced, family farmed & organic products. The rain vodka bloody mary was good too but thick, the kind that sticks to your bones. Dessert was also very disappointing pumpkin sorbet (good) and a piece of pumpkin/carrot cake....$8 @!# what!?!? I would go back for a drink and a show but not the food!! Also fyi a lot of families go here with kids/babies I noticed, so if that bugs you... Uncommon Ground also is a sponsor of The 10th Annual World Music Festival....check it out!!!! Going on right now in Sept.
(3)
Cecilia M.

I have been an uncommon ground fan since it opened the devon location a while ago. Overall its a great place with true socially responsible values that i respect (even if some of those meant taking some of my favorite dishes like their tuna melt and their original burger off the menu). I have only had a bad experience here once and it was during a transition in the menu when some dishes were still being experimented with. We were glad we could give our opinions :) I had not been to UG in almost a year and in the last month I went twice for lunch. I was really underwhelmed with the food selection and both dishes I had were just "OK" (uncommon huevos and chicken sandwich) they weren't bad by any means but these folks had already got me used to really outstanding food. I am hoping to make it over for a dinner int he winter a I am a big fan of their Gorgonzola squash ravioli and hoping its still on the menu this season. Hopefully they won't disappoint. I would normally give them 3 starts based on my culinary experience of late but their service, adherence to socially responsible principles and their food iN COMPARISON TO what is close by is above average.
(4)
Ali K.

Good food, good friends, good drinks and GREAT music. I love going to the shows here, i love that they just put the envelopes on the table so you can support the artists, there is no awkward cover charge and it always inspires me to throw in a little extra when I like the artist. Uncommon Ground is doing great things with their treetini while I end up calling a cab but if its saving the environment I'm ok with that. (see the website if you're confused) The food and drink list, while pretty heavy handed, is worth it. Their sommelier proved truly knowledgeable when we put him to the test. The cosmopolitan i had wasn't watered down or more cranberry juice than it was worth, it was sheer perfection. And the dinner... wow. My family are avid duck hunters yet I have never enjoyed the taste. The duo of duck my husband ordered was exquisite. I took a chance on the pumpkin ravioli with goat cheese fondue and toasted hazelnuts. Simply typing the words makes me salivate, it was undoubtedly well worth twice what I payed. All in all, I would eat there every day if I could afford it.
(5)
Vaidehi T.

I would give this a 3 and a half stars. I love it for promoting and encouraging sustainable food. We were there on Thursday when they had half off on the wine bottles. The food was good, freshly made and tasty. But nothing that blew my mind. We started with the croquettes with the dill sauce - they were tasty but were on the greasy side for me. I ordered their flat bread which had garlic, cheese and heirloom tomatoes - this was the yummiest dish that we ordered. My husband ordered the gnocchi and we did not like it too much. All in all a cute little place, and the service was very good. Though a little pricey for the quantity of the food.
(4)
Stacey H.

Uncommon ground is right up my vegetarian/vegan/sustainable food-loving alley. I visited this location with a group of five and we were lucky enough to get a table outside on a gorgeous day. If I lived in Chicago, I would find my way here at least once a month. Probably more often that that actually. Everyone in my party liked their lunch/brunch. I ordered a special - which was a quinoa burger with grilled peaches and chipotle sauce on top. Sounds odd right? Well, it was awesome. Also, the bloody mary wasn't too shabby either. Other highlights were the breakfast burrito, the scramble and the sweet potato fries. I can't say anything was bad, except maybe the service seemed a little slow especially since it wasn't very busy for the time we were there. The coolest part? The roof garden where they grown their own vegetables as well as the greenery surrounding the outdoor seating area. I won't lie, I might have stolen a few tomatillos that were ripely hanging off the stalk. Oh, and I stole a mint leaf too to freshen my breath after wards. Maybe stealing isn't the best word - sampled is better. All in all, I really love this place and wish more restaurants would follow suit.
(4)
Cortney R.

Thanks to the staff at Uncommon Ground who stayed open for us last night! So after attending a memorial service and getting towed from a place that said "free parking" we all really needed a drink and were craving the amazing coffee creations and fireplace at Uncommon Ground. Unfortunately, by the time we recovered the car from the towing service and drove to Umcommon they were closing :( However, we explained our story to the manager (I think that's who he was) and he warmly invited us in to have one round of drinks while they were closing things up. The drinks were fabulous as always and they didn't even try to rush us even though we arrived after closing. Thanks again!
(5)
Julie B.

What a fantastic place for dinner and drinks! The bar is so cozy and warm. Excellent wine and drink list as well! Dinner, I had the pistachio crusted Tilapia and it was out of this world! If you are in the neighborhood and looking to find a great place for dinner & drinks, you should check it out. Great service, good music and an eclectic crowd.
(4)
Lindsey C.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Uncommon Ground yet!!! When I moved to the neighborhood (2 years ago) I was thrilled to find something other than Indian and Middle Eastern food. I was even MORE thrilled to find that they have an environmentally and socially conscious menu, a certified organic rooftop garden, and an outdoor eating area that allows DOGS! What could be better? A delicious menu too! I have come here for Valentine's Day, my birthday, random nights out, breakfasts with friends, and I have always been pleased. It can get a bit pricey when you start adding drinks, but they do have a great menu of beer and cocktails. The menu changes seasonally, but I recently had a coat cheese, spinach and artichoke dip that was incredible. On the weekends, I like to order breakfast to go and pick it up! The chilaquiles with chorizo is to DIE for. YUM.
(5)
Unity O.

So, I returned last night for girl time (there were 10 of us)--this time we sat inside since it was a chilly evening. I will utter again that their food takes what seems like forever--seriously you will wait a bit of time before you get your food, so don't go super hungry. That really is my one complaint because other than that it is a super place. They can accommodate large groups as the interior is rather roomy--the wait staff is very attentive, and I gotta love a place that is doing the green thing. Oh and if you get one thing from their menu--please let it be the Sweet potato fries---OH MY GOODNESS--they are delicious!! It is like eating fried candy--yummy!!
(4)
Slu S.

Uncommon Ground is a place that serves a good breakfast. The Uncommon Melt however was pretty common other than the quality of the Nueske's bacon. I would not go out of my way to make it to Uncommon Ground, but if I am nearby and am craving a decent breakfast, I could find worse spots.
(3)
Sydney B.

A spacious (especially to this NYC-dweller) restaurant with great local, veggie and other notable choices. The back room had live singer-songwriters performing on a Friday night--a nice touch. It's kind of expensive, but very good. The roasted pepper gnocchi special was great! My friend and I kept talking about the rhubarb strawberry dessert with goats cheese ice cream on the way home. With warm wood tables, a martini that plants a tree, and good lighting, it'd be a great date place.
(4)
Brandon Z.

I didn't hear about Uncommon Ground until I actually went there for a Fair Trade Mixer a few months back. The cozy atmosphere was apparent, and even though I only had a plain salad to eat (wasn't that hungry) I knew this place was a winner. I came back a month or so later with my girlfriend and her parents and had a WONDERFUL meal. The help was friendly and knowledgeable, and the menu was full of awesome locally grown items. I had the fish and chips and the fish was so tender and full of flavor. My girlfriend had a burger with some kind of bacon that was just ridiculously good. Whether you're out with a group of friends or on a date, Uncommon Ground is going to satisfy you.
(5)
Dee W.

Wow - a healthy, flavorful, organic option for food and drinks here in Chicago? I'm totally won over. They have a parking lot right there which is free and they have gardens outside of the restaurant. They also had outdoor seating where we sat to enjoy the last bits of summer to try out brunch. We tried their freshly squeezed juice (grapefruit and orange) whereas others in our group got their coffee (one in which came with a shot of whiskey) and their bloody mary. And we started with their sweet potato fries which came with this fondue dip - YUM! The hubby got their chicken burrito which had scrambled eggs, mixed peppers, chihuahua cheese, cumin crÃ¨me, in a spinach tortilla with smoked chili sauce on top. The burrito was HUGE - practically the size of a Chipotle burrito and he swears that it was the best breakfast burrito he has ever had. One of our friends got the Melt which was eggs over easy, nueske black peppercorn bacon, cheddar-ale cheese, organic spinach, on black bread. I opted for the baked potato skillet which had eggs, roasted potatoes, bacon, peppers, and green onions. Really delicious and huge portions, too. I definitely can't wait to come back again with the great service that we got, too. It seems like a family friendly place for brunch and we heard some rave reviews for dinner which includes live music, as well.
(4)
Karen Z.

A favorite for a late lunch, w/time to relax. I try a new dish nearly every time. I appreciate their flavor profiles & seasonal dishes. I do love this place, but 2 things: although the staff is terrific, the service is always, always, interminably slow. Some slices of homemade bread or ... Something... Would help ease the annoyance of long waits. Depending upon who's making them, the cocktails can be terrific. The price point is a little high, but it only really bothered me when we tried the fish fry; $19.00 for 2 small pieces of fish & the plate filled w/fries -- & this ain't all you can eat. At $12 a plate, tops, I'd be 'OK' w/it, but $19 is way out of proportion to what you get.
(3)
Rebecca W.

Food was good...tasty, solid meals. I had the duck with pumpkin "risotto" (made with orzo), bok choy and some type of reduction sauce. Our server didn't ask how I wanted the duck cooked (-1 point), but it came out med-rare. The risotto was delicious, but I wonder if it was made with pumpkin from a can...? He got the bacon-wrapped meatloaf with mashed potatoes. Big portion, tasty meat, but nothing stellar. It was something we could have made at home. Drinks were strong -- the Triple Salchow was sweet and syrupy, but delicious. Our table was in the back of the restaurant, butting up against all their music equipment...not exactly nice to look at. Lots of parking nearby, and no wait (although we were the early birds there at 5:30pm on a Friday). Overall, a tasty meal but nothing noteworthy. I do love that I could eat some meat at a restaurant without feeling the inherent guilt that comes with eating non-organic stuff. We'll probably be back, if for nothing else than to try the goat cheese spinach dip...mmmm...goat cheese...
(4)
Jessica R.

Loved the menu. Loved the food. Loved the support of local agriculture. Loved the great service. Loved sitting on a cushy window bench with lots of pillows. Loved the cutest damn bathroom I have ever seen in my life. Did not love listening to Death Cab for Cutie the ENTIRE MEAL.
(4)
John Y.

Great food and atmosphere. Some items are overpriced in my view. Individual press coffee is $7 ?? However, given the quality of ingredients and preparation, most items are fairly priced. It is a great addition to the neighborhood. I do not recommend this place for certain types of music. If it is a louder type of performance, no problem. If not, it can be very frustrating. We recently saw a Samba band and could barely hear them over the patrons. No attempt was made to deal with the situation. It was very obvious that the performers were also frustrated. I hope that UG management reads these postings and will take this into consideration. I would have e-mailed them directly, but there site does not provide for that.
(4)
Nicole E.

I love this place! They have amazing food and great service. What I appreciate most is that they have their own organic rooftop farm and source from local farmers. Plus, I have a lot of food allergies and they are always willing to accommodate. p.s. Try the burger! Yum!
(5)
Sara H.

The vibe here is great -- cozy but spacious, with good live music. Our waiter was awesome: amazingly attentive, even though we didn't have a full meal. As we were leaving, he even gave us a to-go cup to finish up the rest of our tea in. The sweet potato fries were great and I got a good amount of them. This place is definitely pricey, but I feel like the atmosphere helps make up for it.
(5)
Heather K.

Though I've been to the Lakeview restaurant a bunch of times, this was my first time dining at the Edgewater UG. I was very pleased to discover that mac and cheese was on the menu at both locations! Love that stuff. UG is one of those places where I really struggle to settle on dishes because everything sounds so fantastic. One of these days I should get around to trying their bacon-wrapped meatloaf, because there's no way that could be anything less than heavenly. LOVE: - macaroni and cheese - eco-friendliness - decor...wood, local art, awesome mosaic in the women's restroom. It's just a huge, comfortable, beautiful space. (The entire restaurant, I mean...not the bathroom specifically, haha). - they serve Metropolis coffee! And a bacon Bloody Mary! I need to go back for brunch.
(4)
Jo-Elle M.

Second time's a charm, I guess. I had a much better experience this weekend and I'm glad I gave Uncommon Ground another chance. There was no wait (Saturday brunch probably not as popular as Sunday brunch), and the hostess and wait staff were friendly and attentive. I had a breakfast melt and it was yummy and satisfying. My dining companion had the enchiladas skillet and loved it too. And I discovered there is a handicapped-accessible restroom at the entrance of the restaurant. Probably was there when I visited last, but just didn't notice. Good job UG - I will be going back.
(4)
Katie P.

I was very nervous walking in here because previous reviews were either "I loved it" or "not." Personally, I liked this place enough to go back and try other things on their menu. Allow me to explain. First, the location for me cannot be matched. As others have said, there's nothing else in this neighborhood that meets what uncommon ground is able to do...it's a cross between "finer dining" and "casual dining" without being pretentious, which I appreciate. Sometimes, you just want a step up from the usual Thai for $6 dinner and UG was that place today. Our service was wonderful. We were seated promptly in a dining room that was comfortable and friendly. The wine list was amazing...just from the descriptions you could choose to travel to France, Italy, or--as we chose--Napa. The cabernet we picked was wonderful. The server was ready to answer our questions if we had them (which we really didn't.) Our main course was good. I had a pizza which was super crispy thin crust (just like I LOVE...but not oven fired...don't get too excited). Everyone's entrees were good and, given the unique flavor combos and the "one step up from usual" ingredients, we were more than satisfied (this, of course, is the dinner menu). Up to this point, my review was wavering between 3 and 4 stars, but let me talk to you about the dessert for one minute. We ordered some cherry-ginger--wonderful cookie confection with "salty peanut" gelato and a tasting bowl of 3 kinds of sorbet: caramel and goat cheese, "salty peanut" (which was described to us as "like peanut butter" but ended up being 10 times more sublime), and cucumber-rose. This dessert just made me happy. The cookie thing wins HANDS DOWN. I was amazed at how well ginger and peanuts pair together but I would pay mucho deniero to have it again. It was wonderful. In the end, the dessert and the wine sold us on this place. I definitely want to go back to try out the other "menu regulars" and their other specials looked wonderful. There's more exploration to be done here, but I can definitely say that for a middle-of the-road dining experience in Edgewater, this place totally cuts the mustard. The slightly higher prices are totally worth it. I'll certainly be back...if only for the gelato...but really, isn't that enough?
(4)
Christine P.

How did I pass over Uncommon Ground for so long??? Came here for lunch once, then breakfast the next weekend and was impressed with the whole shebang. The setup of the restaurant as well as the cafe are open and inviting - even when the place is packed, you feel like you have room to breathe. The service? Phenomenal - drinks were prompt as well as the food - a great sign that Uncommon ground can keep up with what I'm sure are busy dinner shifts. But the food? Oh my, the food! The macaroni & cheese I had for lunch was SPECTACULAR! 3 kinds of cheeses, bread crumb topping, and apple slaw? it was like consuming a hug. And then the french toast the next weekend was also just as fantastic. I cleaned my plate both times! The ABSOLUTE best part though, had to be the chocolate chip banana bread pudding. That put me over the edge. I was pleasantly full after both meals that I just wanted to take a nap in the sun to continue on with what started out as blissful mornings!!!
(4)
Dina D.

I haven't written a review on Yelp in 8 months. THAT'S how annoyed I am at Uncommon Ground. I simply must share. Uncommon Ground has food. It is edible. But who cares when it costs so ridiculously much more than comparable restaurants. That's all on that. My annoyance comes from their attempt to showcase live music. My friend invited some people to join her there for her birthday for a band we all are friends with and see out often. The band is known to be great for swing dancing which the group of us all do. If the music booker had done ANY research into what kind of band s/he was bringing in, perhaps they could have done a better job. Firstly, I showed up after work and was not allowed in the "back room" where the music is. I told them I was there for a birthday and that my boyfriend was also back there waiting for me. They said there were no seats. I convinced the front desk kid to let me go back there just to tell them I, and 4 others before me, were there and they weren't letting us in. There were plenty of seats open which I mentioned to front desk kid and he said those guests weren't willing to share their extra chairs. Um, are you kidding? Did they purchase tickets to hear this band? No, because there are no tickets and if there are no tickets how can you regulate who does and doesn't get to hear it? Lame. Lame of the management. I was finally "allowed" in for the last set. Gee, thanks. Can I get a drink? How 'bout some food? Apparently not because no server EVER approached me, EVER. I get my and my bday friends drink at the bar. And I'm sorry, no drink that comes on the rocks should cost $10. You are in Edgewater, Uncommon Ground. They also do not pay the bands they book. They feed them and give them some beer and leave envelopes on the tables asking to tip the band. Tacky. Also, the bands are told very clearly they are not to eat their food anywhere other than the green room (aka-storage room in basement) or else they have to pay for it. Tackier. Not paying bands but then refusing to let friends and other patrons in to HEAR the music and be able to tip the band. Tackiest. Uncommon Ground, you have no idea what you're doing up there with the music. I hope a friend never plays up there again so I don't have to torture myself dealing with you.
(1)
Bess R.

Went here last night for dinner with some ladyfriends. Shitty location for me, but I really enjoyed it. Especially the parking lot. I was surprised by the decor of the restaurant - very swanky, very cool. The food was interesting and tasty - I had a hummus plate for starter, pesto pasta dish for entree and the banana bread pudding for dessert. All were great, but portions are HUGE so some self-control is needed...self-control that I do not have. Prices were about what I expected, and pretty reasonable. Our waitress wasn't very exciting. She seemed to be annoyed with us for some reason. Who knows. Otherwise, great place, will be back!
(4)
Ngoc H.

Sweet potato fries are a must here, they come with this goat cheese dip thing. So good. I usually get the burger here, enough to be split by two people. Atmosphere is great, they usually have live bands on the weekends, not so sure about the weekdays. I would recommend this place to anyone, great for a group. If you have a band, try to get a gig here!
(5)
Meg O.

I had not made it up here yet, so I was thrilled when my friend Uvon suggested it as a brunch possibility. I am a pretty big fan of the original Uncommon Ground on Clark and Grace, but I am happy to say that these two sister establishments are unique enough that they can each hold a special place in my heart. I just happen to currently love the one on Devon a bit more. First of all, this Uncommon Ground has the only Rooftop Farm in the nation, and it even has its own beehives! I cannot even tell you how excited I am about this self-sustaining gesture! I think everyone needs to take note--especially all those urban hipster-farmers in Brooklyn; take that! You can even tour the farm on Friday afternoons during the farmers' market. Our super sweet server, who appreciated how my eyes matched my dress, told me that this year they are going to have 13 vendors--up from 4--this year! This is definitely worthy of the long trek up to Rogers Park from Hyde Park. I was all set on ordering the chorizo chilaquiles, but then, completely enticed by the way our server said, "pepper encrusted bacon," I jumped ship and got the breakfast melt. Yum! Just be prepared for a very present beer taste in the cheddar ale that's melted onto the onion black bread. Uvon got the buttermilk pancakes with a wild blueberry compote and the mint creme-anglaise. Even though I'm not a sweet brunch person, I was certainly jealous of all the creme...but blueberries? In late May/early June? They also had a french toast with homemade rhubarb syrup, which I completely salute! What also stood out was the fact that Uvon and I walked right in at 11:15 on a gorgeous Sunday morning. This probably doesn't bring them great joy, but it thrills me! Overall, I'm psyched about this place. For the moment at least, it is totally replacing Heartland Cafe in my mind as THE spot in Rogers Park. I want to come back, shop at their market, tour their farm, hear a show, try their dinner...if they make a pear-cassis martini as amazingly delicious as their--COUSIN--down in Wrigleyville, I may never need to go to that location again!
(4)
Tam H.

I went to Uncommon Ground for the 2nd time and still I continue to be pleased yet again. I love the ambiance and the first time I went they were serving Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes. Talking about delicious! This time around I went for Easter brunch with friends. It was definitely a treat to have. I really enjoyed myself. The triple berry belini was awesome. I ate the egg tostada which was really good. Honestly, I couldnt keep my eyes on my own plate. My friends had great dishes as well and all were really good. I really appreciate that they serve local and organic foods. You can tell the difference in the taste of the foods. I will continue to go back for more.
(4)
Nancy T.

The atmosphere here couldn't be any better. It's just so cozy and inviting, especially in the winter with the fireplace going. The service is good and the food is delicious. It's just a wonderful place to come if you want great food and drinks and a relaxing evening out.
(4)
Dejan B.

The food was great. The sweet potato fries (try them!!) as well as their regular fries are delicious. The food is nicely presented. The service was very good. The atmospher is relaxing and comfortable. And the reason I give this place 5 stars is the environmental leadership exhibited by the Uncommon Ground owners and all others interested in its operation. If not for the last thing I would give this a 4 star because of the expense but you do get what you pay for...
(5)
Rona H.

In Yelp-speak, this place is A-OK. Why do you ask? Because the food is surprisingly expensive for Edgewater/Rogers Park. Perhaps the organic-biodynamic-crunchy ingredients are supposed to justify it? I'm admittedly not an environmentally conscious restaurant-goer. Maybe I am neglecting to give them enough credit for their green efforts... Also, my "rhubarb and seedling raspberry French toast" was too tart. (And what is a seedling raspberry? Is it a baby raspberry?) If this place could lower the prices AND be eco-friendly/save the world/only source within a 500 foot radius AND have better French toast, this place would be amazing.
(3)
Rachael L.

83 fucking dollars was our total. They charged a $7 per person cover fee to get into the music room even though nobody was in there besides us friends of band members. This they put on the ticket at the end and didn't mention or ask for in advance the way most places that charge a cover do. And who has a cover on a Monday? The band also lost money to play there. I'll never eat or drink there again, even though I enjoyed it, because it's too fucking overpriced. $9 fries, enjoy.
(1)
Chitown G.

The fried chicken was so good here! We also had the lemon cheesecake with blueberries. I definitely will go back. The service solid too. The tab was pricey but thats to be expected. Fried Chicken was $25 but enough to share. We went there early on a Friday night, around 6:30pm. We were seated right away and ordered. My only wish was that the waitress told us of the special... bc I would have liked to ordered that. Next time!
(4)
Chi-gal C.

We live walking distance to this place and always find ourselves craving the food, live music and featured artist on the walls. Never disappointed with their basic items: sweet potato fries, sunshine salad in the summer is a delight and muscles when they have them. When the chef makes a special burger - try it - you won't be disappointed. The ramen burger was out of this world. Make a reservation if you want to eat during prime dinner or date hour. They can get really busy but for good reason. The 5 bucks is worth it to be see local musicians. They always choose talented peeps. They seem interested in making sure your experience is to your satisfaction so speak up if something doesn't come out right. They always make it good before you leave.
(5)
Christi L.

Friendly bartender (Elizabeth M.) and host (perhaps also the manager?). I enjoyed a flight of four beers, three of which were from their own Greenstar Brewery: Cherry Wheat, Black Currant Kolsch, and Mutti's Kolsch, as well as Brewery Vivant's Zaison. All were great. I snacked on the Warm Olive Medley which was delicious. I asked for bread with the olives and a wonderful crostini was brought out (and at no charge, which was very much appreciated). I have lived two blocks away for the last two years and this was my first time here. I will definitely make this a regular stop, and look forward to trying more beer and menu items. The host (and manager?) made sure to see how my visit was after I paid my bill (again, much appreciated) and gave me a 10% off card for next time. Overall great experience. Keep up the great work guys.
(5)
Christina G.

I found it difficult to give a rating because I think the food is amazing, but the service was bad. Skimming through the other reviews, it sounds like my experience wasn't unique. We arrived around lunchtime to a pretty empty restaurant. We asked to sit outside, not in the sun, as we had spent the morning at the beach and needed some respite in the shade. We were seated quickly and given menus, but our waiter didn't come by (not even to give us some water) for close to 20 minutes! It was so odd. There was an employee nearby who was tending to the peppers we were seated near, and she even kept looking around to see what was going on. A table that came in about 15 minutes after we did was helped right away. Maybe we were in a server no man's land, but it was really off putting, especially at this restaurant's price point. Once we did get service, we ordered some drinks - a spiked blueberry limeade for me and a beer for my husband. The drinks came out pretty fast. My drink was great, but I was surprised to see the beer. It came out in a tall, thin glass, not a pint glass. There was definitely less beer than we expected. So strange. To eat, we started with the sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue - my favorite menu item from the other Uncommon Ground location. They were piping hot and yummy. I didn't think they gave us enough fondue though. It ran out before the fries did. To eat, I had the fish tacos. They were really good. the guacamole tasted incredibly fresh, and so were the veggies. They grow a lot of their own vegetables (which is probably what helped them be named as most sustainable restaurant in the country, as our waiter told us), and you can tell. My husband had the fish banh mi, and i think he was a bit underwhelmed. The fish wasn't uniformly thick, so I think some of his filet was more done than other parts. The atmosphere was really great though. There's a huge outdoor space, mostly covered by shade, right among some ground level gardens. There are even patio lights all around, so I'm sure it's gorgeous at night. I expected better service, which I think we do get at the other location. Perhaps we'll stick to that location from now on.
(3)
Eva B.

After living in Chicago for more than ten years, I can say this is my favorite restaurant in town. A little too pricey for regular visits, but reliably delicious with gracious and attentive staff. The Wrigleyville location has an equally ambitious menu, but in nice weather I prefer the outdoor seating at the Devon restaurant. The rooftop garden is also an attraction. Great vegetarian options, gluten-free options and new taste combinations that will surprise and delight.
(5)
Suha A.

Sunday brunch should be always here . If you have a date with your parents this is the right place family cuisine, and organic food I always love to try the seasonal eggs Benedict "It's available on weekends" worth to try I like the organic chicken and vegetables hash was so delicious
(5)
Marq C.

Mehhh I've been here numerous times for business meetings. It's the first choice for my partners so I haven't got any choice since I aim to please. My gripe about this place is that their menu is pretty limited and very pricey. $20 for a salad with steak on top. Yes, the quality is great but I don't know if the price is justified. I ordered the Edgewater Chilaquiles and although it was good, it was nothing spectacular. And I guess the $15 price tag is just ok for its taste. It is loaded with garlic or something that wasn't really great for the breath if you know what I mean. It literally lasted through the day and after brushing my teeth, water flossing, and 2 mouth washes. I shall never order this again when meeting for business. They specialize in gluten free food and great quality produce that's fresh and local. That's probably why they're so expensive. It's on the company so why not??? But on my personal tab, I'll pass. They're usually not too busy as well but the day I came, we waited 45 minutes for our food. On a normal day, the service is pretty fast. I will definitely be back just because it's my client's first choice, so no business lost here
(2)
David N.

This started as a two-star review. We walked and it took forever to get a seat in a not-full restaurant. Then we sat and were promptly ignored for a while until they figured out who our waiter was. Once assigned, she was lovely and very good at her job. The food was really very good, too. I'm surprised that a place like this can get away with being subpar at service -- there aren't a ton of breakfast places in the immediate vicinity but it's Chicago! There are a million places to go for great food and service. I got the Benedict of the day (salmon) -- it was the perfect amount of fish, I thought, and everything seemed very fresh. FiancÃ© got the chilaquiles which was scrumptious.
(3)
C.C. H.

This place was unexpectedly spacious and there was no(!) wait for Sunday brunch at around 11:30AM - an altogether gratifying experience as I went by Bongo Room and its hungry waiting crowd on my way up to Edgewater. Got the Neal Cassady - appreciated the volume of coffee I got in the serving bowl, but the milk to coffee ratio was too heavily skewed towards milk. The vanilla-infused whiskey was delicious though. Wanted the campfire trout but they were out of campfire trout - settled on the chicken hash which was tasty but wished the potatoes were more well-done. Thought the service was somewhat slow for a place that was not so-packed, but maybe our server had a lot of territory to cover. Still grateful that there was no wait.
(3)
john g.

Uncommon Ground's delivery trucks park on Glenwood dangerously close to the corner of Glenwood and Devon creating a hazard for pedestrians, cyclists and cars. Since the vast majority of the ingredients are coming off the same Sysco truck that serves every other restaurant there's zero reason to pay their inflated prices.
(1)
Sasha H.

Summer steak salad, tempura fish and sweet potato fries with goats cheese fondue. Delicious fresh organic food in a relaxed atmosphere. Service was great! Good coffee too.
(4)
Michael N.

This place is great. Food has always been really good, beer selection is good - a fun place for brunch. It is something of a hike if you're coming from the red line but they are easily accessible by bus and have maybe a dozen parking spots in their lot. Tempted to give 5 stars for their "green-ness." There's a couple spots for electric car charging and the entire roof is a garden. Awesome! Something I can't put my finger on keeps it at 4... So similar to so many other brunch spots, although I like it better than the Ann Sathers etc. They have live music on some nights. I think it's the atmosphere maybe. Kind of in between a brighter sunnier brunch spot and a dark pub. My ape brain is confused. Feels too "chain" somehow? Not lived in? Sorry Uncommon. Love ya, but I don't take people there to show them something unique.
(4)
Martin P.

I went to see Glenn kaiser Band and Chainsaw Dupont on their Blues Night and the food was pretty good. My Mocha was just Okay but what a great room for a personal music night with perfect sound. I really had a good time and my Uncommon Hummus was pretty good and tasted fresh. I will be back for more concerts in the future.
(4)
Rox C.

A good local place! The staff is fun and friendly. The salad and meatloaf are tasty. I also enjoy the local beer menu.
(3)
August B.

Initially seeing the 3.5 star rating made me second guess my 5 star rating. After a forensic evaluation of other reviewer concerns, I noticed some common complaints. While other Yelp reviews had problems with the service, ours was fine (I don't want someone interrupting the flow of my meal). I couldn't see having a problem with the food unless you have a problem with the price. Now to me those are two different things. I had the breakfast nachos, which were given an ethnic identity, but they were great regardless of name. I couldn't decide what I wanted but everything looked great, one of those throw a dart and something will appeal to you. Now the prices were a bit high...I will give you that. The average price of everything was around 14 dollars which really is a lot of money for this food. Despite a bad hang over I knew/know this, you are paying for the tagline---organic.
(5)
Rich L.

I love this place! I love the fact that they grow a lot of their own food. This alone deserves a 5 star review. The chilaquiles are magical, the cuban sandwich is great and the servers are very friendly. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. :)
(5)
Simone T.

Fantastic food, cocktails, and a wonderful live music space. Be prepared to drop some coinage, but still a great evening...
(4)
Lex B.

I visited Uncommon Ground to try the food and because we wanted to learn about Uncommon Ground's mission. Farmer Allison spoke to us about their history and their hopes, and it was so interesting! They are the first certified organic rooftop farm in the country, and have continued to experiment with rooftop farming since 2008. They use what they grow in a lot of their dishes. They get their food remains composted and it is brought back as fertilizer for their plants. They also have bees for pollination and honey, though like the rest of the world, they had some difficulties with their bees last year. They have solar panels, and their 3800 N Clark location now has a brewery with organic beer! Go environment! Now on to their food. Several items were split, and they were delicious! The Korean chili spiced calamari was probably one of the best that calamari that I have ever had. The frites, bruschetta trio, and house-made gnocchi were also delicious! And for dessert, we shared the chocolate cake and carrot cake, and they were to die for. The ambiance we chill and quaint. And the staff was friendly and attentive. Delicious food and a great cause/mission. You can't get any better than that!
(5)
Lisa P.

Local, fresh ingredients, hip atmosphere, what's not to love? Right? Well actually there's a lot about this place that makes it difficult to love. For one thing, this is a review that is an accumulation of several visits over a few years - not some one off, came in on a really busy Saturday brunch kind of review. I live in walking distance, and it's great that there's a unique and sustainable independently owned restaurant nearby, but the food is hit-or-miss, I once had salad greens from the rooftop garden that were definitely not fresh, and other times the salad was gritty from poor rinsing. Other times the food is just bland. Multi cheese mac&cheese? Sounds delicious! Oh, except they apparently never added salt at any point in the recipe. Other times we haven't even gotten to the food portion of our dining experience. We have had waitstaff flat out ignore our table, not even bringing us glasses of water. When we mentioned our consternation to the host/hostess, a different server who was covering another section did bring us water, but then we were promptly forgotten about again. We gave them plenty of time to acknowledge us before leaving for a restaurant that sat us, watered us, and fed us immediately. The straw that broke this camel's back was when we didn't receive our appetizer (which we were then told after 20 minutes had been delivered to a different table), took another 15-20 minutes to deliver our salads (complicated meals, I know), and were given the excuse that there was a big party on the patio that the kitchen was busy handling. Hummus appetizers and salads can pretty much be passed along to a kitchen hand or even someone from the front of the house instead of them standing around making excuses. In the end, we were comped a drink and had $4 taken off one of our salads. Moral of the story? If you ever find yourself at Uncommon Ground, saddle up to the bar and have a cocktail, but forget about ordering anything that deals directly with waitstaff or the kitchen staff.
(2)
Leanne M.

We stopped by for brunch on a Sunday morning, and it was really disappointing. Our first clue should have been how empty the place was. Most good breakfast places in Chicago have a line spilling outside the door. The menu was interesting, but the prices were crazy expensive...$15 for Eggs and Toast...and I'm talking two eggs and one slice of toast. I don't think I've ever gone to a breakfast place and left hungry...but I did at Uncommon Ground. I also ordered their $5 Mimosa on special and I think I got ripped off - I don't think there was any champagne in it. Needless to say, we won't be returning. There are far too many other really good breakfast places in Chicago that are a better value for the money.
(2)
Sara B.

My husband and I have been here numerous times, the food and the service are always excellent. When my parents came to town, we told them they had to try the food. But since I just had a baby, we phoned in for some take out. The food ended up taking twice as long as we were quoted, and when we got the food back to our place, my mom's sandwich had all the toppings she had asked to be left off. It was disappointing to speak so highly of the food then have my mom barely be able to eat her sandwich. She called and spoke with a manager, and they could not have been more understanding. They really seemed to care about our experience, and were incredibly generous with their compensation. My mom was very happy with their response, and we are going to eat there again before they leave town. Still LOVE this place. Cheese Curds are a MUST!
(5)
Lizette Y.

Uncommon Ground is a wonderful place for fresh, local food and great drinks. I've been here a number of times and they've always been great. I appreciate the local food and rooftop garden they've got going on, high five! I think this is a good place to introduce your non-foodie friends to some great, unique (and sometimes vegetarian/vegan) items while keeping them in a comforting atmosphere. The people here are not food snobs, but they do know their stuff! I've been a longtime fan of their cannellini bean puree with flatbread, vegetarian chili, and yummy pastas. Looking for a cozy fireplace to cuddle up to a nice cocktail? Uncommon Ground has it! Great joint!
(4)
Kelighj J.

OrgAnic ... Snoreganic..that's exactly what your food is if it's not tasty. I am all about clean eating...and food conscience ness. Note to self :do not get anything with rhubarb or seeds... Yes that's what the "seedling raspberry rhubarb toast" tasted like...esp if you just want to brunch. The goat cheese omelet that was also ordered with a side of (dehydrated )fries, was nothing short of....Yuck. My brunchy morning ruined.:(.
(2)
Tim K.

The Uncommon Huevos is an excellent pick for brunch...Although my Bloody was a tad spicy but bearable.
(5)
Paul D.

A lot of my friends were poor loyola grad students for every Big Meal, we'd end up here. I have literally only eaten one thing on the menu (the meatloaf) and it's: Fine. In the 10-20 times I've been there the last time we had by far the best waitress we've ever had.
(3)
Jennifer H.

Decent food, horrible service by our unseen waitress and bartender. My boyfriend lives down the street and we decided to grab some brunch for my birthday, yesterday. We entered around 12:30, we were sat down and by 12:50 someone still hadn't greeted us. A, what I assume was a busser or possibly a food runner, brought us some water. Two other tables in our vicinity were sat and orders were taken in the time it had taken us to get water. Finally, we decided to move to the bar where we were greeted with near disdain by the bartender for sitting down. We tried to make conversation and were responsed to with entirely pompous replies and a bit of a message that we weren't welcome. The bartender had the air about him that being there was beneath him. It took another 20 minutes to take our orders because he was so busy making drinks for the rest of the restraunt. He had no knowledge of the food, and asked another server walking by to answer one of my questions. She was nice and friendly, but I didn't get her name. When the food finally came it was pretty decent (I got the omelette, my boyfriend the breakfast sandwiches) but nothing mind-blowing for the price. I've always saluted the fact you guys use entirely organic ingredients, and this wasn't my first experience but you definitely didn't wow my pants off this time. I may give it another chance sometime but it won't be soon. Both my boyfriend and I are in the service industry and have been for years. Never in our life were we treated so dismissively, it's like we were incovinencing him by being customers... And he treated the three gentlemen to my right the same way.
(1)
Janice R.

Loved it! I had the Sunshine Salad - AWESOME! I plan to try something different every time I go. I so wanted those grilled Brussels sprouts (my fave vegetable!), but sadly, I was told it's a seasonal item - and just my luck ... they changed the menu that very day. (Timing is everything, isn't it?! :-) Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Parking can be a real chore, so get there early ... but the food is so worth it!
(5)
Melina D.

Solid. Wonderful service, but the food is overpriced and pretty hit-or-miss. I adored the pumpkin ravioli, but the fish bhan-mi I had was super dry and pretty flavorless (request extra cilantro, a lime, and extra sriracha mayo and then we're on to something). I love that they are sustainable and grow a lot of their own ingredients, I just wish the execution was better. I do love that fireplace though.
(3)
Brian F.

This place has a beautiful patio and great servers. The food is good. The problem is the tap beer. I'm not going to pretend I have done scientific analysis and can say without a doubt that they have dirty tap lines on their kegs. However I am giving them two stars for their dirty tap lines. My girlfriend and I both had 3 beers - each of us had only one variety of beer. We are both hungover and I feel gross. The beer was around 5% alcohol - I did not inadvertently drink a double strength beer. I ate dinner, was hydrated and slept a full night. Under these conditions I can tell you I should not feel hungover from three beers. Either the problem is the tap system - or both beers that we had from their own brewery - Greenstar Brewery are the problem.
(2)
Kelly C.

Lunch service extremely slow...all I wanted was a salad and it took over 30min. Food is always good but timing with food getting served seems to be a challenge during lunch.
(3)
Ron R.

Really tough to decide on a proper rating here. The ambiance of the outdoors was great, although maybe a bit too dark as the party I was with had to use their phones to read the menu. The place has their own garden built into the patio and rooftop which is supposedly where a lot of their ingredients come from and that is pretty cool. This place is located very close to Loyola University and the servers there seem like they are most likely students. While that isn't a bad thing, you tend to lose out on the intimate connection with the server explaining to you the menu and which of the garden items are on the dish. Next, the menu/food. The menu doesn't really scream wow...this is amazing, but does have a few options that catch your eye. I came here with 6 others, and most know me to be a self-proclaimed foodie so I got to try a bit of everything off their plates. I have to say that the Pork Scalopini was delicious....unfortunately not the dish I ordered, so I only got 1 bite. :( I ordered the Crispy Chicken which was a chicken breast grilled with the skin on to induce the flavor, and served with a tarragon-sage sauce that had creamed corn, green beans, tomatoes and onion in it. While it is my own fault for ordering chicken (although I thought maybe with the skin it would change my mind), I thought it was very bland. That is the curse of ordering chicken anywhere I think. The part that disappointed me the most is that typically to remedy this fact, they give you a large portion....but this portion was tiny. When I gauged everyone's opinions around the table, everyone agreed that this place had a ton of potential and promise, but unfortunately failed to fire on all cylinders for us. So many options in Chicago, this one will not be one I return to.
(3)
Katie D.

Every time I go the service is horrible and the food is subpar. I appreciate that the food is organic and sustainable but the cost is not worth it. Definitely an overrated brunch spot.
(2)
Kate P.

Very nice menu, absolutely wonderful creative plates, coffees, good service. Eggs in Purgatory -- flavorful, steaming hot dish on a skillet. Chicken sausage is very good. Chilaquiles -- amazing combo of fresh and savory hearty "breakfast nachos". Huge plate. Breakfast sliders -- incredible with avocado. White latte -- this is like a hug in a cup. Locally grown organic freshness. Good service, cute decor and fun vibe, however, the bathrooms are never too clean and 2 out of my 2 visits have not had hand soap. Eeek.
(4)
Karlyn G.

Summary: Good food, friendly staff. I just can't get past the prices, which are too high for this neighborhood. Uncommon Ground is a few blocks from our place, so I really want to love it there and go all the time. I just can't justify it. We went once for brunch back in the summer and just did Friday dinner there. Both times I walked away feeling like "That was OK..." I got the grass-fed burger with an egg ($16) and fresh-cut fries, and my husband got the bison brisket ($24-ish). My burger was great, and I would get that again. Husband found the brisket rather fatty and portion size relatively small for that price. We eat grass-fed / local / organic food at home, so we seek that when we go out... and this feels off. Bonus points for good cocktails at reasonable prices. I enjoyed the Beast of Bourbon ($10-ish).
(3)
Hank S.

I had been to the Wrigleyville location before and liked it so I stopped in for lunch on Devon. The staff seems to be a bit hurried and put off. I was surprised by the prices but thought that if it was good that $17 for fish tacos was OK. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't blackened fish filet but instead a substance that could have been anything, pork, cauliflower or fish, in a nicely spiced sauce. The tortilla fell apart so they could not be easily eaten by hand. Not worth the bucks.
(3)
Millie Roo S.

The food was good. The atmosphere was nice. I have to agree that the prices were on the high end for what it was. Service was inconsistent as well. Had to go to the bar at one point to get attention. Great beer and nice vibe made up for a lot of this. I'd probably go back just for beer and skip the $14 Mac and cheese.
(3)
Angela B.

The food here was pretty good but they had some serious missteps with the service. The good: Homemade Pork Sausage=DELICIOUS I asked for eggs scrambled well and they delivered precisely (without burning them! Seems to be hard for a lot of Chicago restaurants) The sour cherry french toast was very balanced and enjoyable They have Co-op sauces, which are all delicious. The Bad: They gave me a FILTHY cup for the tea I ordered (they were happy to give me a clean glass when I reported it, but what they originally handed me should have never left the kitchen They gave me a broken tea pot of the tea I ordered My boyfriend cannot eat nuts so he asked for his order of sour cherry french toast not to have nuts, not only did they deliver the order with nuts, but our server initially tried to convince us that they were not nuts!! The place smells like a, not entirely clean, cafeteria Maybe we'll order to go next time?
(3)
Jackie G.

There sweet potato fries are good and I love the veggie burger ! Pricey burger but it was yummy.. But once I spent 20$ on a salad here and it was not worth it
(4)
Jen W.

Uncommon Ground has great quality food-tastes very fresh, and seems to be quite consistent. I'd be surprised if you could make an ordering mistake here, as everytime I've been I've enjoyed my entrees. On my most recent trip, I ordered the Organic Mac & Cheese and added Sundried Tomatoes-heaven. I'd definitely get this again. They also have a comprehensive wine list, with some nice organic options. For the price and quality/freshness of the food, UC is a great option in Chicago
(4)
Tressa C.

I don't go often because I work in the nonprofit field and make pennies, but when I feel like getting a bit dressier and having a great burger, I go to Uncommon Ground. I had a couple of things on their menu, but when I discovered their burger with bacon and goat cheese with sweet potato fries and that white sauce dip stuff, I never had to look at the menu again. Seriously, it's my favorite burger and fries in the city. I like the atmosphere. The wait staff is always friendly. It may be expensive, at least for me, but it's always worth it.
(5)
Chris R.

Here's the trouble: the service quality is apathetic (1-2 stars), driving down a rating that the quality food or rich atmosphere would make 4-stars. Food? The Chilaquiles with avocado, eggs and chorizo is out of this world tasty. Coffee is mild and balanced and quality. Atmosphere includes big windows, solid wood panels, fireplace, and unique lighting without feeling too pretentious. Service? Doesn't match the tablecloth quality. Watching the hostess on a Saturday morning, she spent most of her time slumped against the hostess stand, texting from her phone. Several guests walked in and had to wait for her to finish whatever she was doing, her not even looking up. For me, she handed my menu to me and waived me towards a table, not even walking over with me. There wasn't a line at the door. My server showed up almost 5 minutes after I was seated. She took my order, but I didn't see her for the next 20 minutes. Got water 15 minutes in. I got a coffee refill by getting up and asking the bartender (later saw another guest have to do the same thing--and then return to explain that the coffee refill was cold). Food came and I was half-way done before she noticed and checked on me. Details were completely lost (served my "black coffee" order an inch low and with a spoon, no silverware delivered until after food). I'm guessing the service crew are friendly enough people: maybe to hang with at a bar. The way you know is that they spent time in the corner laughing and killing time, often joined by the collared-shirt guy you could only assume was the manager. I doubt the manager noticed the service faux pas going on around him: he seemed equally distracted and apathetic on guest service. The service might make sense at a diner, but in a place that's prices really are more in the $14-$20 for breakfast, you'd probably want the details to be thoughtful. A different crew might do better (I'm sure there are better servers than others), but if attentive service is your thing for brunch, you might try elsewhere.
(2)
Justin B.

The food is a little pricey, but we had a great experience this past Saturday night with tasty flatbread, a solid burger/fries combo, calamari and mac-and-cheese. Green/organic/free-range or not, $15 for a plate of mac-and-cheese half the size of the cheaper and much tastier mac-and-cheese at Kuma's is ridiculous. But I had to find out for myself, so shame on me there. $12 for the calamari was also hefty; the calamari was basically Costco fish with incredible homemade seasoning, not bad but not getting that again. Cool vibe and a big shout to the hostess for seating my wife and I at a table next to the fireplace for our date night (didn't even request it, so a happy random accident). We didn't stay late enough for the music, but I'm sure to check that out next time.
(4)
Laurie V.

Good solid lunch menu. I had the Cuban sandwich with fries and it was pretty delicious. Apparently they are a sustainable restaurant and they grow some of their menu items in their organic rooftop garden. Allegedly this is the "world's greenest restaurant". I'm not sure if I believe that 100%. The food was good- so I'll just leave it at that!
(4)
Adri B.

Best Damn calamari of my life. The sunshine salad is my favorite salad in Chicago. You cannot go wrong.
(5)
Katie H.

Meh. I always walk away feeling like the food and drink were not enough--either good enough or in terms of portion--to have paid what we did. The vegetable mole was NOT good, and adding chorizo chalked up the price to $26. I think they forgot to add a central ingredient to the flavorless tiny biscuit that came on top, the "cilantro lime salad" which was really just some strands of lettuce gave the whole thing a weird texture, and the vegetables were not cooked through. I wish I liked it better, but maybe that's the problem -- it's the kind of place that wants you to be aware of how much you like it while you're there, instead of just being there and liking it. It's a little too into itself. And it shows up in the check.
(2)
Dolly V.

We used to go here all the time! Literally once a month since 2010. I'm not quite sure when it started to go downhill - maybe around 2013? But the over all food quality is just not good anymore! The past handful of times we left the restaurant feeling very "meh" but we keep coming back because it's got some sentimental value to it when it used to be good. Not anymore. We went back again last night and ordered our usual sweet potato fries (standard, hasn't changed much) and tried the Wisconsin cheese curds (I could get better ones at a state fair) to start off with. To balance all the greasy food I decided to try the Vegetable Mole with Queso Fresco (an additional $2 - puh-lease). This dish was the worst thing I've had in a while. I love mole and have had some pretty fantastic mole...but this was bitter with a taste of raw spices and all at the same time, very bland. I did not enjoy this dish at all - couldn't even make it halfway through the dish. The dish was not very well put together...there's was a cilantro lime salad (iceburg lettue? c'mon) that was hidden beneath the masa cake - ended up being soggy and mushy from the heat of it. The place itself, their drinks and service are great...but we can't keep coming back to bad experiences with food anymore. Uncommon Ground! Please do something about this.
(2)
L S.

I live in this neighborhood and have been eating here for years since they first opened. However, the food quality is so bad compared to what it used to be. The food is bland, the service is pretty ho-hum, and their menu hasn't really changed in ages. They have a few seasonal specials here and there, but for thre most part is it is same food just done poorly. I am pretty sure the last time I had dinner here the meatloaf was rewarmed from God knows how long after it had been made. It was dry, and on a bed of cold flavorless potato salad, with droopy green beans stuffed inside a stack of behemoth onion rings that would have tasted better raw. It was all I could do to choke down a few bites. I left over half of it on my plate. You'd think the waiter would have noticed that a patron barely touched their overpriced food, and asked why, but nope. I also had breakfast there. Same deal. Food not made to order, despite explicit instructions for an over medium egg. Super runny yolk instead, with bland potatoes and cold butter that I assume they wanted me to blow on to warm up enough to make spreadable on my toast.
(2)
Matthew W.

OVERPRICED AND SMALL PORTIONS My wife and I ordered takeout and were very disappointed. We paid $36 for a cup of mediocre Mac and cheese and pumpkin ravioli! We can appreciate their dedication to organic and locally grown foods, but at that price we expect high quality as well as quantity. I Would not recommend this place as a takeout option whatsoever.
(2)
Ryan O.

The environment is great, but the food does not match. It's sort of pricey, and the portions are average. Their vegetarian chili sounded great, but it just tasted like black bean soup. The staff is decent - not the friendliest, but not mean either.
(3)
Alex G.

Very high quality place to have lunch or drinks! Bring your other wallet just in case! The price is high but so are the spirits, and this place runs on good vibrations. My experience at the bar was liberating, the bar keep kindly served me some fruit, while I decided on a hot beverage and breakfast. A great place to dress in your best clothes and allow the sweet smell of success to permeate the atmosphere with whatever knowledge you may have to lend.
(5)
Daniella S.

Uncommon Ground isn't out of this world but it's good and consistent. I especially love the atmosphere (particularly the outside patio) and overall concept of this place. Everything I've ordered here from the spinach dip to the calamari to the chicken sandwich and burger were good. My only complaint is towards the sangria, which definitely needs some work. Great neighborhood joint!
(4)
Eve P.

I love this place for the fact that they have their own rooftop garden/farm. How much more organic can you get from a restaurant than that?! My friend insisted that we go to this restaurant, it was last minute and there were not that many places open and in the back of my head I did not want to go to this restaurant. I had never heard of it and when he told me they have a rooftop farm, I thought that the food was going to be bland and boring. Boy was I wrong! Can you say closed-minded. I hate to say it but yep, I am embarrassed. I wish I would have just ordered more and maybe even a main dish but I didn't because I just wasn't sure how this food was going to taste. I can't remember what soup I had but I think it had beans in it and of course it was delicious. I literally ordered one thing at a time. Since the soup was good, I then ordered, actually, I ordered calamari first and then the soup but that was good too and then I ordered the best macaroni and cheese in the world. I need to go back and just order a normal meal now that I know that their menu is oh so tasty. The drinks are great too. I think I ordered something lemony with ginger in it, I can't remember but whatever it was, it was good. The best thing about this place is that it is organic. The food is so fresh. Try the mac and cheese, it's not ordinary, it's deeelish! Oh and I think there was entertainment there in another room. I really just wanted to relax so we didn't ask about it but I think it's great that you have a choice of having entertainment ...or not.
(5)
Frankie F.

I love this place! The ingredients are always fresh, the meals are delicious, the appetizers are interesting and tasty! The pumpkin ravioli is to die for, the sweet potatoe fries are incredible and the sunshine salad is always outstanding. I love their teas and lattes and this is such a gem for the Northside. The drawbacks are only how close tables are to one another and they are somewhat short on space. Otherwise, great lighting and cool atmosphere :)
(5)
Julia J.

I've been to Uncommon Ground a few times. Service is always pretty great, and that's likely the reason I'll continue to return. I really like the concept and the fact that the produce they use is so locally sourced, it's literally grown above house. Their parking lot is stocked with solar panels. That being said, food and drinks have been hit or miss for me. Mr.'s bacon wrapped meatloaf was a revelation to him. My risotto was completely undercooked and pretty much inedible. His cheeseburger was delicious. All I could taste on my chicken sandwich was the sprouts. The artichoke and goat cheese spread was delicious as well as the cheese curds they brought over one night when there was a delay on our food in the kitchen. There's great options for little ones. Their bloody mary was great but I had to choke down the argopolitan (however you spell it...it was not good) I really enjoy their outdoor dining space and like I said, service has been stellar, so I'll bank on the hits for now and just not order the misses again.
(3)
Tara M.

NO! #1: Slowest service EVER! We were there for almost 2 and a half hours & felt tortured waiting for our waiter the whole night. Argh! #2: I cannot BELIEVE I paid $13 for mac 'n cheese that I make even better out of the box! SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, TRUST ME, GO GET A BOX OF ANNIE'S SHELLS FROM THE GROCERY STORE, especially the alfredo one with herbs, & MAKE IT! IT IS MUCH BETTER BY FAR & COSTS $10 less! Perhaps the mac 'n cheese here was having an off-night you say? I DON'T CARE! ALL I KNOW IS THAT I PAID $13 for mac 'n cheese that wasn't even cheesy and had a few specks of something on it that they call "breadcrumbs." Extremely disappointed. #3: Also extremely disappointed that I went here for the warm chocolate chip bread pudding that they have on the menu online, only to find out that it hasn't actually been on the real-life menu for ONE YEAR. (To clarify, this was for my visit in August 2013, but I just had not pressed "Post" yet, but I still should, the person I went with was even more upset than I, it ruined our night [understatement], and that person STILL complains to me about it, so that is what happens, business owners, when you do a shoddy/dishonest job, I am a business owner myself and would never allow this.
(2)
Andrew T.

Yum! Good food, very organic and health conscious food. -2 stars for the fact the guitar player was too loud but +1 star for the bartender who let me try a faux - mallow (vegan marshmallow). It's a little pricey and it's not the best value but the service was otherwise great and it wasn't astronomically expensive but I'd rather spend less
(4)
Kay R.

Amazing, healthy, farm to table food! Lots of great vegetarian options, and a great beer list, including a number of organic beers brewed in house, at this restaurant's other location. My husband and I dined on their lovely (and spacious) outdoor patio. We had a beer flight, the vegetable gnocchi, the organic Mac and cheese (with mushrooms and broccoli), and the lemon ricotta cheesecake. Everything was delicious!
(5)
James O.

Like others who have commented, I want to like this restaurant, I really do. I have been several times thinking that I've just been in a bad mood or was there on an off night. I like the idea of organic, sustainable, locally produced, green food. But every time I've been, I have been disappointed with both the food and the service. Went again this evening with my husband for his birthday dinner, his choice. (He has not been here before). He had the grilled chicken sandwich with the sweet potato fries, I had the bacon meatloaf with potatoes and broccoli. We both had a reasonably priced glass of wine and we split a slice of carrot cake for dessert. With tip, it was $80. For $80, I want to be wowed. I understand that the cows and chickens all come from free range organic farms, that the vegetables are locally sourced, and that all of them apparently have bedtime stories read to them before they end up on my plate. I get that. But the food as prepared was really quite bland. Honestly the tastiest thing was the sweet potato fries. My meatloaf was dry and my vegetables were cold. His sandwich was "just ok." The carrot cake was also "just ok", and took the server an inordinately long time to bring us. Her excuse that the kitchen was backed up was a little thin. How long does it take to plate a pre made slice of cake? We live around the corner from this restaurant, and honestly, I can't see us returning. The value for price is just not there. The whole enterprise of providing such healthy and organic, sustainable food is for naught if the price is so high and the preparation and service is lacking.
(2)
Robin D.

PLEASE NOTE, THERE'S A $7 COVER CHARGE THAT IS OBSCURED ON FACEBOOK AND WON'T BE PHYSICALLY VISIBLE ON OUR DOOR UNTIL AFTER WE'VE TRAPPED YOU INSIDE. Please be sure and spend over $100 + tip so that we may give you attitude for not paying a $7 "charity" fee. I hope you pay your musicians a professional sum. If not, your'e the same garbage, false-hippie establishment I've been boycotting and badmouthing (and will continue to laugh about) from literally ONE BLOCK away where I live. Great bartender, though ... not being sarcastic. Excellent bartender and EXCELLENT music. Ungrounded Common, Here's how professional music works. You have an establishment that serves food, drinks and has an audience waiting. You pay your musicians to entertain that audience. The audience is entertained and, in turn, spends more money. It's that simple. Shut up. Good bye. There. Now you have a piss-poor excuse to bitch about why you "can't afford" to host live music.
(2)
Rafail O.

Just came from this place. One good thing to say about it was the music. Guitar players were fantastic. The rest -mediocre at best. Start with the drinks: IPA beer was the watered down version of the real IPA. The dip was way over salted, same as the "Grass fed" burger that was hard to eat because of the amount of salt in it. At the end we were charged 20% gratuity on food, drinks, cover fees($20.00) and taxes. Waiter conveniently disappeared never to be found again. If you are desperate to go there -- order the water and listen to the music. Skip the rest.
(2)
David R.

My up-and-down history with Uncommon Ground continues. I'll keep this short and sweet. While I appreciate what they stand for, they can be kind of pretentious about it. And while the menu always looks fantastic, sometimes the execution is poor. 1. Basil julep cocktail. With muddled basil and basil-infused Four Roses, I was expecting a drink that tasted like basil. Or bourbon. I detected neither. 2. Korean chili spiced calamari. Where is the squid? 90% of the mass of this dish is heavy, oily, fried batter. Awful. The sweet chili glaze is promising, but overall they miss an opportunity to buck the trend and serve a light and flavorful calamari appetizer. So disappointing. 3. Summer pappardelle. Nice vegetables and quality noodles, but characterless sauce. How about just a few herbs from that rooftop garden? A token sprinkle of cracked black pepper? Nothing? Okay, thanks for the boring dinner. 4. Chocolate-chip bread pudding. Oh, hell yes. Now THAT is worth eating. This stuff would stand on its own, but the vanilla ice cream and spiced molasses sauce are basic but excellent compliments. A wonderful dessert doth not an uncommon dinner make. This joint is a brunch-only restaurant for me from now on. And I don't eat brunch very often. And I live closer to several better options.
(3)
Sarah Z.

We have been regulars for years and have put up with the high prices because the quality was so good and so there was perceived value for money. The cocktails are good, not extraordinary, but good and the food overall is very good, also not extraordinary, but a nice organic option. That was until we pretty much got fleeced in my option on the fish and chips "special" on a Friday night. I heard they had this and was dying to try it. I love a good fish and chips dish and for $19, which is very high priced for this type of entree, I expected either an interestingly reinvented fish and chips or at least a healthy amount of amazing wild caught fish. Well, the fish was pretty tasty, above average, but there were two very tiny pieces and the rest of the plate was loaded up with fries. Way, way more fries than they serve with any other entree. It was a painfully obvious cash grab to load the plate with mounds of cheap fries while providing no more than $3 worth of fish to the diner. I shop for wild caught fresh fish at the best markets in chicago and I know what the costs are. This was ridiculous. I sadly walked away feeling quite cheated and it has tainted my feelings about this restaurant. I doubt we will be regulars anymore and will move on to something else. And yes, the service here is always crazy slow. We often go off hours when there are only a few people in the place and they struggle to out out a few dishes even though I can see and hear enough people in the kitchen to prepare a simple hamburger or sandwich.
(2)
Jennifer B.

I want to love Uncommon Ground. I really do. Their focus on growing as much of their own food as possible, sustainable farming, and on locally- and regionally-sourcing as much of their food as possible makes me really really want to love them. But. I honestly find the food bland. Their staff is great - knowledgeable, attentive, and accommodating. The service itself is on the slow side. And the prices are rather steep for what (eventually) lands on your table. More than anything, the food is merely okay. It's good, but not great, and I every dish I've had has left me wanting more in the flavor department. Oh, and their mac & cheese is terribly overrated. The pasta is overdone, and the cheese is only on top. Wha? Very disappointing. It's also very loud inside the restaurant, just from normal patron conversation.
(3)
Beth R.

To anyone who read my original review: I'm sorry I gave you almost no information about what you can expect to experience, other than the wait. I am here to right that wrong and tell you why you should do yourself a favor and get thee down to Uncommon Ground. Three plus years later, but better late than never, no? First, allow me to expand on the veggie burger. It's a black bean burger with, from top to bottom, avocado, chipotle slaw, cheddar which I of course omitted, arugula AND spinach, on an oat bun. Mama mia, mama mia. The burger itself is really hearty, and the accompaniments kick it up to 11 on the amp. The slaw added heat and crunch, and the greens added color (duh) and nutritional value. This is the burger you want to cheat off of on the deliciousness exam of life. I'm not going to offer any explanation for why I chose fries instead of the side salad with my burger and if you think I owe you one, kiss my grits. The UG fries are stellar - sea salty and thick, and with an appropriate level of greasiness (mmm, greasiness). My friend ordered the sweet potato fries and I'm sure they're good too, but I forgot to steal one to make sure. I was kind of focused on the task at hand / in my hand. My recent visit was on a Saturday, and although Elton John believes that makes it all right for fighting, I believe it's better for just drinking. I saw three cocktail choices that sounded great, but the one I most wanted contained bourbon. Basil-infused bourbon, but still. As I am one who prefers her liquor tasteless, I asked if bourbon could be substituted with gin. After some pushback from the waiter, which a purist would applaud, I was able to submit my bastardized order. It was nice and refreshing, but a little too sweet even with gin, and also not very strong. It was the only misfire for me. Finally, our table finished with chocolate chip bread pudding with ice cream (us) and blueberry cheesecake (them). The chocolate chip bread pudding reminded me of one of the big truths of my life: that hot chocolate chips are the best chocolate chips. They were very abundant and very hot, making this dessert incredible. Again, I was too focused on eating my own (shared) food that I forgot to eat my friends'. I imagine the blueberry cheesecake was very good though. The other things that make Uncommon Ground a destination are its rooftop garden (my greens were from upstairs!) and pleasant outdoor seating. We sat inside, but I can use my powers of observation and imagination. The service was fine and the prices about right (burger $13, cocktails $8-$12). They were also setting up for live music as we left, just after 9. Oh, and this time there was no wait. So really, a very solid option and definitely worth a trip.
(4)
Christian L.

First time here and love it. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because it seemed to take forever to get the food and although our server was really nice, she really was off her game. The artichoke dip is amazing and the chorizo tacos were delish.
(4)
Hume A.

It seems like a slight to give this restaurant the same star rating that I gave to White Castle. I don't mean it that way. My actual rating is 3.5 stars. Here's the thing: I love what Uncommon Ground stands for. It sources most of its ingredients from local, sustainable farms (or from their rooftop garden). I also love that I can walk to the place in literally 30 seconds from my condo. I just am not that wowed by the food, and it's a bit expensive. I've had a pretty good eggy/meaty breakfast thing, a decent cheeseburger, a pretty good steak, but nothing that struck me as memorable or all that satisfying. I want to love this place, but if I want to eat clean/sustainable food, I can whip up something I got at the farmers' market, or I can hit the Whole Foods prepared food section at a fraction of the cost. To be honest, and maybe this speaks more to my philistine palette than to any deficiency of Uncommon Ground, I get more overall satisfaction making a late night run to White Castle than I do eating here. Perhaps my star-rating should take into consideration social and health considerations, but I'm going to eschew an overly intellectual analysis and go with how happy the overall experience made me. It was fine. I felt good to be eating responsibly. The food was fresh, but the preparation was kind of boring. White Castle, on the other hand, is garbage. It's socially irresponsible and unhealthy, but it tastes good and I have fun eating it. Overall, social responsibility trumps fun (Uncommon Ground get 3.5 stars while White Castle gets only 3 stars), but only slightly. Wow, what an inauspicious start to Yelping . . .
(3)
Matt P.

Uncommon Ground on Devon became my newest weekend brunch spot this summer. The interior of the restaurant is nice, feels almost like a nice art gallery, complete with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and plenty of artwork on display. The bar area with its comfy lounge seating and fireplace is a nice spot to hangout during the cold months. They have a well-publicized rooftop garden and they incorporate as much of the harvested produce as possible into their menu. It appears they also utilize solar panels for part of their energy needs. I think more businesses should follow this restaurant's lead in doing their part to become more environmentally responsible. The one thing that keeps me coming back for brunch is the ever-changing menu as the seasons change. I've had everything from the Rooftop Tomato Scramble (bummer, already discontinued) to the Montana Omelet and everything I've tried thus far has been amazing. The produce used in the dishes are about as fresh as it gets. A friend had the Sweet Potato Fries with his sandwich, which he said were outstanding. They also offer a menu of interesting brunch drinks. The service is not rushed or exceptionally fast, but has always been very friendly and they make sure to keep your coffee cup filled as well.
(5)
m d.

I probably don't even need to tell you that the cocktails are dangerously good. I have been drunk here on so many Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Sundays. The food is not cheap for the neighborhood, but you're already blowing your cash on cocktails, right? So splurge.
(5)
Colleen F.

I am torn between 3 and 4 stars for this place. Not that I don't think this place deserves 4 stars but it always bugs me when restaurants can't quite deliver on their lofty promises. I do think that this location is way better than its Wrigleyville counterpart. We started with beers since we were outside and it was sweltering. You would think that a place offering craft drink and food could offer something other than Sophie, 312 and Daisy Cutter. I suppose you can give them props for supporting the locals but it left me wondering if these were really the best craft beers they could find or if the waiter was "dumbing down" the beer list for me. I have really enjoyed some of their cocktails in the past but did not partake on this particular visit. We had the mussels which I enjoyed but my husband insisted that the tomato 'fondue' tasted like ketchup. We then had the sockeye salmon and the grilled farm steak. Both were a bit underwhelming. The salmon itself was tasty but came in their Green Goddess Dressing which was reminiscent of a plate full of tartar sauce. The steak according to the hubs was a little dry but good, the plate visually was not that appealing for me so I passed on a taste. Overall, I do like this restaurant. The atmosphere is good. I think they change the menu relatively frequently so maybe next time they'll earn another star.
(4)
Leah C.

to my dismay... 114 reviews... thought the secret wasn't out about this chicago fave spot's rogers park location :( THE best bloody marys in this town and very accomodating service. they took a reservation for a 7-top for sunday morning brunch 30 mins before we showed up! i can't name one other place in the city that would honor that. my only "semi" complaint is i wish the menu was more descriptive as far as accompaniments. (i would've loved to sub my potatoes for something else!)
(5)
Jennifer Q.

-Just a little update to reiterate what a gem this is. I don't often come to Uncommon Ground (I don't know why...?) but after my second visit here, I realized I should frequent more often. My second visit gave me a new appreciation for what a great restau
(4)
Ms T.

I have seen this for a while and have been like "yeah, whatever... gentrified/hipster/eco-hippie shit." Don't care. Then I had a friend come into town and want to eat there. I rolled my eyes but she was a guest so like, when you have a guest you try to be all hospitable and crap so I was all like "Fine, Bitch." and we walked there. I had the roast beef sandwich with sweet potato fries. It was VERY, VERY, VERY good! I mean good enough that I would like to go back and have another! But I'm going incognito...Can't have people suddenly thinking that I'm some friggin' hippie or something.
(4)
David S.

Dinner was brilliant. On the coldest day, sitting down at a friendly table to hear someone say 'the special today is the lobster mac and cheese' was the best thing ever. Not overkill with a mix of tail and claw meat, but actually the interesting dimensions was the little arugula like greens and cauliflower in the mix added so much flavor and texture that it was just incredible. The whole place is so very great and so very Chicago.
(5)
Danielle C.

This is supposed to be a breakfast review- but we need to take a quick detour first. "What are you doing? Would you get down here? We are going to be late! " Came the shout from the driveway- underneath my balcony last night. Not quite a Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair- but the message was received. My friends were waiting! We got to dinner and the liquor store on time and proceeded to have a fantastic meal- and then continued the party on- way on. I think we all finally called it a night around 4:30 (it was light out)- 3 bottles of wine and one empty and one 3/4 empty bottles of Tequila- All in all, a great time! The grand plan for my birthday celebration also included brunch. But- guess what? No one could get up. The dire need for sustenance and liquid finally arose around 2:30. Iced coffees consumed, dogs walked, we were on a mission. Unfortunately- by then it was past 3 and NO ONE serves brunch in this town at that time... WTF? However, uncommon ground did serve a tasty bloody mary (heavily peppered) and chicken sandwich. That was almost as good! The sweet potato fries were outstanding. The fish tacos looked ok- but well, I did not think fried would serve me well. One of my friends consumed them with glee. Our server was great- funny, quick with the drinks and patient when she had to refresh my memory on the choices. The atmosphere was cool, calm, and QUIET- a much needed pleasure! They did have outdoor parking lot seating, but given the tornados in the area, torrential down pours, and lack of umbrellas, we did decide to pass on that option. I do have to say- the food was amazingly slow- especially when they had only 4 tables seated. However, good things come to those who wait. In our case- it was great food, quick drinks, and then to our homes for well earned naps. I do hope to make it to brunch at uncommon ground. They had some great looking options- however, that will require a bit of restraint the night before! We shall see, we shall see!
(4)
Camilla G.

Picked this place for dinner because it was close and the menu looked fantastic. It didn't disappoint! Very friendly service, nice atmosphere, good drinks, and nice food. The restaurant was surprisingly un-busy for a Saturday night, which was cool because we didn't have reservations going in. We were seated immediately and enjoyed cocktails. One friend ordered the Agropolitan, which was decidedly tastier and more interesting than the Palmer on the Porch that I ordered (basically an alcoholic Arnold Palmer). Mine was watered-down and uninspired, but that Agripolitan: man! The Lemon-Ginger Martini was also delicious. Another member of the party ordered the absinthe, which was presented in the "traditional French method." It was pretty but the beaker of water was hard to pour and led to my friend soaking the tray and napkins accompanying the liquor. The food was very good. I went with the flatbread special. I am blanking on what it included now, but key ingredients included roasted peppers, tomatoes and blue cheese. Very tasty. We split the carrot & sweet potato croquettes and those were to die for. All in all, a nice choice for a special dinner out with friends.
(4)
Maria L.

My husband and I stopped here for breakfast while running errands and were expecting greatness based on the Yelp reviews. Sadly, we were really let down! The omelette I had was bland and the veggies promised inside were few. The strange thing is that the omelette came with a salad? My husband had french toast which was good, but not nearly worth the cost. We wanted to get coffee, but not at $4 a cup! This place is way overpriced and the breakfast/brunch menu is extremely limited.
(2)
Aletta J.

Went with a group just last night. Sat at a farm house table and it was great to have half price wine night. The group shared sweet potato fries (I'm not a fan, but I ate these!) and a flat bread. I ordered the roasted red pepper soup (very thin, not textured at all) and mac/cheese. Hubs had the chicken w/ the hamhock, beans and collard greens. All very tasty. Another diner was vegan so they catered to his needs/wants, too. Most of the table ordered the white fish w/ guac on it. Looked great! We shared 3 desserts: gelato (malted chocolate - yum!), s'more pie and bread pudding. The latter does not appeal to me, but had a tidbit of each of the former two. Great job. Pros: hot food - important! and unique combinations. Small but very convenient parking lot, especially on this rainy night. Cons: Noisy. Hard to hear, especially as the night wore on. The unisex bathroom smelled terribly like a urinal that hadn't been cleaned in YEARS. I told the hostess this right away. Maybe the other two did not; I will never know.
(3)
Lynn S.

My husband and I have eaten at this restaurant many times over the past couple years, but I haven't been inspired to review it until we had such a successful event there last week: our wedding! All of the staff outdid themselves--they accommodated my every bridal whim, they served all of our guests promptly and with smiles, and in general facilitated a very fun, homey and welcoming atmosphere for our special occasion. We feel very lucky to have had our wedding there and would highly recommend it as an event space to anyone who asks.
(5)
Jessica G.

The food was okay, but nothing special. Portions are a little small. The hanger steak would have been good if cooked correctly (was served way too rare) and the butter on top was a solid, cold disk that didn't melt onto the steak - disappointing. The trout on special was well prepared, but served with a really strange salad of sharp red onions and orange segments - it didn't really go together. Service was good, but I probably won't be back. They try hard, but leave something to be desired.
(3)
Jackie H.

Disclaimer: I have only had appitizers here and also kind of want to give this place 3.5 stars but don't have that option. I've been here on two occassions, both to have a drink or two and check out some local live music. There is a whole lot the folks at Uncommon Ground are doing right but a few areas that could be better. First, I love the decor. There is a relaxed and easy going vibe. I like my craft beers and they have a good selection. Food prices seem a bit high for the area. Again I haven't had dinner here and probably won't because of the prices. There is also a bit of an odd policy with the seating. On my first visit the only table available was in the music room and to sit and eat we had to pay either $5 or $10 each as cover. We would have gladly sat else where but it was that or no table. However, the music was good. On my second visit, we wanted to sit at the bar and listen to the happy hour band. The bar area was packed and we had no choice to take a table. Again, the music was good, the drink selection was solid but the set up was odd. Overall, this neighborhood needs a place like Uncommon Ground and I like the idea of the place, sustainable food, live music, good beers, however it could be executed a bit better.
(3)
Alan M.

I haven't been to the Wrigleyville restaurant, but the one on Devon has become a regular for my wife and I. We like to meet the kids there, who live in Andersonville, it's a nice halfway point. It's trendy enough, healthy, and sustainable local farming, with a garden/farm on their roof where they grow many of their own herbs and greens, for the kids. The restaurant is warm, and pretty. They have a back room where they have music sometimes. We were seating in the "music" room once, when they were having a babyshower and singing to the new mother from the stage... (a little weird... we felt like they were intruding, especially when they started passing the "hat" for donations to the new family... yikes!) The food is delicious, I've never had a bad meal there. It's a little "pricey" for the amount of food you receive, but tasty as heck.
(4)
Jen M.

What a helpful place! I've enjoyed the food at Uncommon Ground for several years, but today they went above and beyond the call of duty. A colleague and I arranged to have a meeting there at 9:30 this morning, not realizing they don't open until 11. Well they invited us in anyway, let us meet there and even served us coffee, all before their scheduled opening time. Thank you!
(5)
Kate W.

I'd heard awesome things about this place from some locals, so I was excited when I was invited to a private brunch. There's a parking lot in the back that I almost missed - it's not huge but you might be able to find a spot - enter off of Devon. The space is awesome, very comfortable, lots of wood, great atmosphere. Lots of big tables that are perfect for groups. We got to try: - potato latkes - tasty, huge (sort of too big), a little greasy - french toast with fruit, macadamia nuts, & cinnamon butter - decent - scrambled eggs with broccoli, leeks & cheddar - yum - 3 different kinds of sausage: turkey, pork, and chorizo - the turkey & chorizo were SPICY but great, the pork was sorta boring - bloody mary - perfect level of alcohol, VERY spicy, watch out!! My only complaint was that for this event, our food was served family-style but without any serving utensils. Sort of awkward when you're there with people you just met. But on the plus side, they brought more than enough food to share, so we weren't arm wrestling for the last piece of anything. I definitely want to come back for a regular meal!
(4)
Alan K.

This place seems to specialize in organic ingredients. I ordered some kind of eggs benedict with beef and spinach. It was quite delicious with some homemade hash brown concoction that was also tasty. Yes, the place from the exterior looks quite dull, but when you enter the establishment, there is a more urban eclectic feel to this restaurant. It has that earthen bohemian feel to it. Parking was somewhat scarce so I had to find one outside.
(4)
erin w.

I can't believe I've never reviewed Uncommon Ground. I love this location, it's so cozy, like some lodge you want to go to after a long a day of skiing or hiking. It's also spacious enough that even when it's packed you don't feel overcrowded. I definitely prefer it to the Lakeview location (plus they have an organic garden on the roof...hello fresh veggies in the kinder months!). I've been here many times for both dinner and brunch and have never had a less than excellent experience. The meatloaf and various preparations of gnocchi are among my favorite dishes at dinner time. Most recently I went for brunch with a few friends at prime time on a Saturday morning. We were seated within moments of our arrival (which is awesome for a Chicago brunch spot). Between the four of us we had the Uncommon Huevos (x2), the Eggs Benedict (which was the special) and the breakfast scramble (which had leeks, broccoli and chedder on this particular Saturday). Everything was fantastic! The diner who ordered the Eggs Benedict is still raving about it over a week later! Plus our server was super friendly and attentive (I've actually had her before and she is always this way), which in my eyes is the icing on the cake. All in all, Uncommon Ground is a great place, whether you go in the evening and enjoy some live music or on a weekend morning for a fantastic brunch.
(4)
David Y.

I had brunch here with a few other couples. They've got a very comfortable area near the bar to wait or have drinks at. Anyways, the place was very nice and the service was super friendly. Our server Katherine was very upbeat, attentive, and sweet. I ordered the chilaquiles with chorizo. At $10, it was priced well for brunch and it tasted delicious. They did first serve it to me with eggs over easy which I couldn't handle but they brought it back with new eggs. Chorizo was delicious with IMO the perfect amount of saltiness (that is to say, much less than typically found in chorizo).
(4)
Samuel S.

Me and my lady went to the one in Wrigleyville but just moved to Edgewater. Went to the Edgewater locations and had a great experience. The waitress was amazing, and because I'm a 20% tipper I appreciate that. We had a $10 off discount from A LA Card which was applied to the bill. Now dig this, the manager who makes these awesome Latte's gave it back to us to use again. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Todd H.

I've gone twice, bad service both times. Today I went and it took 70 minutes to get our food. My 'over easy' eggs were cooked hard. Really a bad experience!
(1)
Pam C.

Love it! We ordered Ricotta Pancakes and the Montana Omelet...both were delicious! The omelet came with fresh seasoned, browned potatoes, toast and what seemed to be homemade raspberry preserves. The pancakes were simply pancakes with maple whipped cream (no syrup, but perfect without it). All ingredients tasted very fresh, and portion size was just right. Just right for me is enough to be full, but not bursting. The cost is high, but with ingredients so fresh and such a cool menu it is worth it. Our server was very personable, able to make good suggestions, and great at reading her customers needs. We will be back many, many times!
(5)
min. r.

Sometimes you find a great place that captures a wonderful cozy vibe, great decor, supports local artists (and sells their work), has wonderful open mic nights, books fun musicians, has a friendly and helpful staff, with great food, uses local produce, great drinks, and better coffee. And you're really happy when you do, and feel very fortunate. Then they open a second location and managed to pull it off again. We came here tonight to have dinner and see some musician friends perform and from start to finish had a great night. The "new" Uncommon Ground is just wonderful. And they're in the process of being certified as having the first organic roof vegetable garden in the country. In lots of cases, those are the veggies you see on your plate. (awesome!) I highly recommend the artichoke goat cheese pesto dip. If I was a different person I'd have licked the dish clean. Wow. The chicken sandwich, pumpkin ravioli, and winter salad were all worth noting as well. I'd skip the mac & cheese. It wasn't bad by any stretch, but the clear loser at the table. The staff is all friendly and helpful, the decor is wonderful, and honestly, I'm in love with their bathroom. The mosaic in there is some of the most gorgeous and inspirational stuff I've ever seen. The performance space is great, and learning from their mistakes at the Clark location, they set the sound booth outside of the main area so it doesn't interfere with the room flow. I love you Uncommon Ground. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Gerald P.

It's the sweet potato fries and goat cheese fondue that keep me coming back. This was a great addition to the Rogers Park/Edgewater area. Perfect representation of the eclectic vibe that sweeps through this north side hood. Like the home of a former hippie, they've replaced the patchouli and amber incense with organic meal options and live music. Plates dressed with the flair of top chef and food that begs for 4 stars. There's a small, chic bar area to the left when you enter (drinks are not cheap), the dining room a little further in (very cute but very impersonal on a full night - you may be elbow to elbow with a stranger) and a performance space in the back, complete with stage. When there is room to spread out, which is usually, this is the perfect setting for a romantic date or for just a chill, comfortable dinner with friends during the week. Free parking, patio seating and pluggers for cool bands sitting in a stand by the bathrooms - they make for great art on an empty apartment wall - just grab a frame from the dollar store and go crazy! Again, try the sweet potato fries with the goat cheese fondue. You can thank me later.
(4)

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Address : 1401 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL, 60660
Phone (773) 465-9801
Website https://www.uncommonground.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch, Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Uncommon Ground

1401 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL, 60660

Uncommon Ground Menu

Soups Salads & Small Plates

Large Plates

Main

Sides

Refreshers

Small Plates

Soups & Salads

Entrées

Healthy Meal suggestions for Uncommon Ground

Soups Salads & Small Plates

Large Plates

Main

Sides

Refreshers

Small Plates

Soups & Salads

Entrées

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