Weekday Lunch/Brunch Favorites?

I live and work out in the burbs, so I rarely get to spend a weekday in the city. Alas, I will be in the city on Friday! I really want to get lunch/brunch at a restaurant that does not serve lunch/brunch on the weekends or usually has ridiculously long waits for a table on the weekends. I am up for eating any type of food in Wicker Park, Logan Square or Bucktown. I feel like such a tourist to ask but I cannot narrow down my choices. Does anyone have a favorite to recommend? Thanks

You might want to try Hot Spot or Lula Cafe (use the search function to read many posts about this great little place).

Bongo Room songs totally for you as the difference between weekday and weekend waits are huge. I know the place is yuppie to the extreme, but I love their decandant breakfasts with all their glorious goo. Another suggestion, same wait dynamic, is Wishbone. Really good "straight" breakfasts there.

Rob

I'd go for dim sum at Phoenix myself. I know it's far from Wicker Park, but if I were looking for a line-free weekday brunch, I'd go there. Personally I just don't get the culinary value of the Bongo Room. If you strip away the hipness and the scene, the chow is nothing to write home about, and certainly nothing to go out of your way for on a weekday where you have all the time you want to find tasty food.

I love dim sum, but I often find that the weekday selection is not as varied as the weekends' choices. I am also spoiled in that dim sum is always the default when I am in the city w/my parents b/c we are often there to stock up on Chinese groceries. Otherwise, I am definitely open to consider other ethnic choices for lunch.

I'd send you to LT's Grill at Grand Ave. & Wood (1800 N. Grand, NW corner - Ashland to Grand, west on Grand about four blocks or so). Open for breakfast and lunch only. Very good, homey food, in an exceedingly pleasant atmosphere - a little oasis in a light industrial district. Larry is a great guy, too, warm and welcoming, and chatty as can be, if it isn't too busy. You'll like it.

I heartily agree with rec for Hot Spot. I was there a few weeks ago and can't stop dreaming about the Loganberry Pancakes.
Peggy