Handlebar Chicago

Welcome to Handlebar Chicago, a true Wicker Park gem that has been delighting diners with its unique blend of vegetarian and vegan comfort food since 2003. Nestled in the vibrant heart of Wicker Park at **2928 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647**, Handlebar offers more than just a meal – it provides an experience. Step inside and you’ll immediately feel the inviting, laid-back ambience, a perfect reflection of Chicago’s friendly spirit. The decor subtly nods to its name with bicycle-themed art and rustic, reclaimed materials, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that feels both classic and contemporary. It’s a place where locals gather, friends catch up, and newcomers discover their new favorite spot.

Whether you’re starting your day with a hearty brunch, enjoying a leisurely lunch, or unwinding with dinner, Handlebar Chicago is ready to serve you. Our doors are open **Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM**, giving you ample opportunity to savor our diverse menu. For those weekend brunches and late-night cravings, we extend our hours on **Saturday and Sunday, operating from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM**. If you have any questions, wish to make a reservation, or simply want to say hello, feel free to reach out to our friendly team at **(773) 384-9546**. We look forward to welcoming you to our table and sharing a memorable dining experience that celebrates delicious, plant-forward cuisine in a truly Chicago setting.

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Menu Highlights at Handlebar Chicago

Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary journey through the culinary landscape of Handlebar Chicago, where every dish is crafted with passion, fresh ingredients, and a commitment to delicious vegetarian and vegan fare. Our menu is a testament to the idea that plant-based eating can be incredibly satisfying, creative, and full of flavor. From robust breakfast options that kickstart your day to comforting entrees and delightful desserts, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian or simply exploring new culinary horizons. We believe in sourcing quality ingredients, supporting local whenever possible, and creating a menu that reflects the vibrant energy of Chicago. Here’s a glimpse into the diverse and delectable offerings you’ll find on our menu:

Breakfast & Brunch (Served daily until 3 PM)

Our breakfast and brunch selection is legendary, drawing crowds from all corners of the city. We pride ourselves on offering hearty, flavor-packed dishes that cater to all morning appetites, ensuring a fantastic start to your day.

Breakfast Burrito: Scrambled eggs, black beans, cheddar, salsa, sour cream.
Huevos Rancheros: Fried eggs, corn tortillas, black beans, salsa roja, avocado.
Vegan Scramble: Tofu scramble, seasonal veggies, nutritional yeast, roasted potatoes.
Chorizo & Egg Sandwich: Spicy soy chorizo, fried egg, provolone, brioche bun.
Buttermilk Pancakes: Fluffy stack, maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream.
French Toast: Challah bread, cinnamon batter, powdered sugar, fruit compote.
Breakfast Tacos: Scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, cotija, cilantro, corn tortillas.
Oatmeal Bowl: Steel-cut oats, brown sugar, walnuts, dried cranberries, plant milk.
Avocado Toast: Smashed avocado, everything bagel seasoning, cherry tomatoes, sourdough.
Grits Bowl: Creamy grits, cheddar, roasted peppers, scallions, hot sauce drizzle.

Each breakfast item is a symphony of flavors and textures, designed to leave you feeling energized and deeply satisfied. Whether you crave something savory and spicy or sweet and comforting, Handlebar’s brunch menu provides an exceptional culinary experience. Our commitment to fresh ingredients shines through, making every bite a delight. The Vegan Scramble, for instance, is a marvel of plant-based cooking, demonstrating how tofu can transform into a surprisingly rich and satisfying egg alternative. Meanwhile, our Buttermilk Pancakes are a testament to classic comfort, served with a generous pour of maple syrup and vibrant fresh berries. We craft each dish with care, ensuring that your morning meal is not just food, but an integral part of your weekend ritual or weekday treat.

Appetizers & Small Plates

Perfect for sharing or for a lighter bite, our appetizers set the stage for your meal with bold flavors and satisfying textures. They embody our approach to creative, accessible comfort food.

Buffalo Cauliflower: Crispy florets, spicy buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing.
Fried Pickles: Dill pickle spears, light batter, creamy ranch dipping sauce.
Nachos Grande: Tortilla chips, nacho cheese, black beans, jalapeños, salsa.
Hummus Plate: Creamy hummus, warm pita bread, cucumber, kalamata olives.
Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy sweet potato fries, served with chipotle aioli.

These starters are designed to tantalize your palate and prepare you for the main course. The Buffalo Cauliflower, a perennial favorite, offers a delightful kick, transforming a humble vegetable into a show-stopping dish. Its perfect crispiness and spicy coating, balanced by a cool blue cheese dressing, make it an irresistible choice for any occasion. Our Nachos Grande are generously loaded, perfect for sharing among friends, boasting layers of savory toppings over crunchy tortilla chips. Each small plate reflects Handlebar’s dedication to making plant-based food approachable and exciting, inviting you to explore new flavors or enjoy classic comforts with a vegetarian twist.

Sandwiches & Burgers (Served with choice of side)

Our sandwiches and burgers are legendary for their robust flavors and generous portions. Each comes with your choice of a delicious side, making for a truly complete and satisfying meal.

Handlebar Burger: House-made veggie patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, special sauce.
Black Bean Burger: Hearty black bean patty, avocado, pepper jack cheese, brioche.
Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Crispy plant-based “chicken,” buffalo sauce, pickles, ranch.
Grilled Cheese: Classic sourdough, melty cheddar, provolone, tomato soup option.
BBQ Seitan Sandwich: Smoked seitan, tangy BBQ sauce, coleslaw, toasted bun.
Cuban Sandwich: Roasted seitan, pickles, mustard, Swiss cheese, pressed baguette.
Falafel Wrap: Crispy falafel, lettuce, tomato, tahini, cucumber, warm pita.

The Handlebar Burger stands as a testament to our culinary creativity, proving that a veggie patty can be just as satisfying, if not more so, than its meat-based counterparts. Its rich umami flavor and perfect texture make it a consistent crowd-pleaser. For those seeking a bit of heat, the Spicy Chicken Sandwich delivers with its plant-based “chicken” perfectly coated in buffalo sauce, offering a familiar comfort with an ethical twist. Our sandwiches are not just assembled; they are thoughtfully constructed, ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors and textures in every bite. The option to pair any sandwich with a side like our famed Sweet Potato Fries or a fresh Side Salad elevates the dining experience, making each meal a personalized delight at Handlebar Chicago.

Entrees & Bowls

For those seeking a more substantial meal, our entrees and bowls are carefully crafted to provide both comfort and incredible flavor, showcasing the versatility of vegetarian and vegan cuisine.

Mac & Cheese: Creamy cheddar sauce, cavatappi pasta, breadcrumb topping.
Vegan Mac & Cheese: Rich cashew cream sauce, cavatappi, garlic breadcrumbs.
Chana Masala: Spiced chickpea curry, basmati rice, cilantro, warm naan.
Buddha Bowl: Quinoa, roasted veggies, avocado, tahini dressing, toasted seeds.
Taco Plate: Three tacos with choice of filling, rice, beans, salsa.
Seitan Stir-Fry: Marinated seitan, fresh vegetables, ginger-garlic sauce, rice.
Shepherd’s Pie: Lentil and vegetable filling, mashed potato topping, savory gravy.

These main dishes are designed to be both hearty and wholesome, providing a fulfilling dining experience that satisfies deeply. Our Mac & Cheese, offered in both traditional and vegan versions, is renowned for its luscious, creamy texture and comforting flavor, making it a perennial favorite. The Vegan Mac & Cheese, in particular, is a marvel of plant-based alchemy, utilizing a rich cashew cream sauce that rivals its dairy counterpart in decadence and satisfaction. For a taste of global flavors, the Chana Masala offers a fragrant and robust experience, perfectly spiced and served with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan. Each entree at Handlebar Chicago is a testament to the fact that plant-forward dining can be vibrant, diverse, and utterly delicious, providing a meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Sides

Complement your meal with our thoughtfully prepared sides, perfect for enhancing any dish or enjoying on their own. Each side reflects our commitment to fresh, quality ingredients.

Coleslaw: Creamy, tangy coleslaw, fresh cabbage, carrots, house dressing.
Side Salad: Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, choice of vinaigrette.
Garlic Bread: Toasted bread, fresh garlic, butter, parsley, savory goodness.
Roasted Potatoes: Crispy seasoned potatoes, perfectly roasted, fluffy interior.
Black Beans & Rice: Classic side dish, savory black beans, fluffy rice.

Our sides are not just afterthoughts; they are integral components designed to perfectly complement your chosen main. The Side Salad, with its crisp mixed greens and vibrant vegetables, offers a refreshing contrast to richer dishes. The Roasted Potatoes, seasoned to perfection and possessing a delightful crispy exterior with a fluffy interior, are an absolute crowd-pleaser and a perfect accompaniment to almost any meal. Whether you’re looking for something light and fresh or a comforting classic, our selection of sides ensures that every plate at Handlebar Chicago is precisely tailored to your preference, elevating the overall dining experience.

Desserts

No meal is complete without a sweet finish. Indulge in our delightful dessert offerings, crafted to provide the perfect end to your Handlebar experience.

Chocolate Lava Cake: Warm chocolate cake, gooey center, vanilla ice cream.
Apple Crumble: Baked apples, spiced streusel topping, scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Vegan Brownie: Rich, fudgy brownie, plant-based, dairy-free, pure indulgence.

Our dessert menu is a sweet celebration, designed to leave a lasting impression of culinary bliss. The Chocolate Lava Cake is a masterpiece of indulgence, with its warm, molten center contrasting beautifully with a scoop of cool vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful dance of temperatures and textures. For those who prefer a more rustic, comforting treat, the Apple Crumble provides a perfect blend of tender, spiced apples beneath a buttery, crisp streusel, again ideally paired with vanilla ice cream. And for our vegan patrons, or anyone seeking a genuinely satisfying plant-based treat, the Vegan Brownie delivers on all fronts – rich, fudgy, and utterly irresistible. Each dessert at Handlebar Chicago is prepared with the same care and attention to detail as our savory dishes, ensuring a truly memorable sweet ending to your meal.

Drinks

Quench your thirst with our selection of refreshing beverages, ranging from fresh juices to local craft beers, perfectly chosen to complement our diverse menu.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice: Sweet, tangy, freshly squeezed daily, invigorating.
Iced Coffee: Cold brew, smooth, refreshing, milk and sugar optional.
Local Craft Beer: Rotating selection of Chicago’s finest microbrews, diverse.

Our carefully curated drink menu ensures that there’s a perfect accompaniment for every dish and every mood. The Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice is a burst of natural vitality, offering a bright and invigorating start to your day or a refreshing palate cleanser during your meal. For coffee aficionados, our Iced Coffee provides a smooth and robust kick, ideal for a pick-me-up. And for those looking to experience local flavors, our rotating selection of Chicago’s finest Local Craft Beers highlights the vibrant brewing scene of the city, offering diverse profiles that perfectly complement our hearty, plant-based fare. We strive to offer beverages that enhance your dining experience at Handlebar Chicago, making every sip as enjoyable as every bite.

Handlebar Chicago truly excels in its holistic dining experience. The interior, adorned with local art and bike memorabilia, creates a uniquely quirky yet incredibly inviting atmosphere. Service is consistently friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, making every guest feel genuinely welcome. Pricing is very reasonable, offering excellent value for the quality and portion sizes, making it accessible for casual dining. The overall vibe is laid-back and bustling, a perfect blend of neighborhood charm and urban cool, ideal for any occasion from a quick bite to a lingering meal.

In conclusion, Handlebar Chicago is more than just a restaurant; it’s a culinary institution in Wicker Park, celebrated for its inventive and satisfying vegetarian and vegan comfort food. While every dish shines, the **Buffalo Cauliflower**, the **Handlebar Burger**, and the **Vegan Mac & Cheese** stand out as perennial favorites that perfectly encapsulate the restaurant’s ethos. This is the ideal spot for anyone seeking delicious, plant-forward meals in a relaxed, friendly setting – from dedicated vegans and vegetarians to curious omnivores looking to explore incredible meatless options. With its vibrant atmosphere, exceptional service, and a menu that consistently delights, Handlebar Chicago is a must-visit. It’s truly a place where good food, good people, and good times converge, leaving you eager for your next visit.

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