Hot Spot - New Breakfast Place in Logan Square(?)

Mrs. JiLS and I ventured for breakfast today to the new hot spot, i.e., "Hot Spot" near the Armitage/California intersection. Whether that's Logan Square or "West Bucktown" depends on who your real estate agent is, but I'd say whatever the neighborhood, the character of Hot Spot is about 90% Bucktown. This trendy-looking breakfast spot is decorated in eye-popping fashion, with day-glo walls, floors and ceilings that would not be out of place in the romper room at Peter Max's house. Anyway, the place is nicely set up with a counter in front and two small dining rooms in back, probably seating about 50. The menu is typical artsy-Bucktown-Wicker Park fare; I think the menu could've been randomly assembled from Earwax, Lula and Leo's Lunch Room. I don't intend this pejoratively, simply to provide some idea of what to expect. The food was actually more than just decent and the service was attentive. Plus they had a big plate of free mini-muffins (cranberry, and delicious) by the register and didn't say a word when I grabbed three of them.

I ordered biscuits and gravy. Similar to my one experience at Leo's Lunch Room, the gravy at Hot Spot was mushroom rather than sausage, but this turned out fine because they made it rich and spicy enough that I hardly cared. One of my pet peeves with B&G served in this area is the general lack of flavor in the gravy; Hot Spot didn't have any problems in that regard, and I left the pepper shaker untouched. The biscuits were "cat heads" -- larger than my preferred "plop" size, but they came off pretty well. (I usually find the bigger biscuits to be tough or dried out; these were neither of those things.) Scrambled eggs on the side were, as Cathy2 would say, scrambled eggs on the side. "Country" potatoes were half-inch cubes fried up; nothing special but not bad, either. Coffee was so-so on the first cup; it improved dramatically as the meal progressed (probably due to increased customer traffic; I think our first cups came from an old pot.)

Mrs. JiLS had the corned beef hash and eggs. A minor mistake was quickly corrected (eggs ordered over-easy came out hard on the first try; replacements, cooked properly, were brought back in an impressively short period of time -- literally, about 30 seconds flat -- I think they robbed somebody else's eggs for us!). The corned beef hash was of the "big chunk" variety rather than finely minced and was delicious. The meat was flavorful, almost closer to pastrami, and blended well with the large cubes of potato and a dose of onion, as well. The eggs were eggs (over-easy). A little conversation arose between us about the varieties of corned beef hash. Mrs. JiLS, who grew up in Syracuse, NY, is more used to the finely-minced variety. I've seen both, but tend to associate the fine variety with delis and the chunky with steakhouses or specialty breakfast spots like Hot Spot. My theory is the finely-minced hash is a way of getting rid of the stale ends of the sandwich meat from the prior day (mincing hides myriad flaws), while the chunkier style uses a higher grade of raw material and is intended to show off how good the corned beef was before it got hashed. Just a theory, of course (*sits back and waits for thread-hijack*).

Hot Spot has a few rough edges, but given they opened up only about a week ago, I'm fairly well impressed. I foresee return visits.

JiLS wrote:Scrambled eggs on the side were, as Cathy2 would say, scrambled eggs on the side.

Shall I interpret I call a spade a spade? Or should I learn to describe scrambled eggs with a little more zest?

What are the hours of Hot Spot?

BTW - do you have your beef suet for the holidays? Let me know if you need my assistance.

Best wishes!

Cathy2 wrote:

JiLS wrote:Scrambled eggs on the side were, as Cathy2 would say, scrambled eggs on the side.

Shall I interpret I call a spade a spade? Or should I learn to describe scrambled eggs with a little more zest?

Quoting from your response to the Harry's Hot Dogs dead early breakfast: "The eggs were eggs (a gleaming example of a tautological argument, my newest conceptual conquest)."

Hot Spot's hours are set forth herein: Hot Spot (apparently, they do lunch, too).

JiLS quoting C2 wrote:"The eggs were eggs (a gleaming example of a tautological argument, my newest conceptual conquest)."

I guess I do leave a trail of C2-isms ripe for the picking.

Thanks for the reminder and the hours of operation.

Regards,

I dropped into Hot Spot this morning with a couple of friends looking for something new (and partially based on the intriguing idea of biscuits and gravy in mushroom gravy) and we weren't disappointed.

The interior is certainly almost blinding, I commented that the addition of sterile but extra-bright fluorescent lights in the ceiling would make it just a touch more surreal.

The food was excellent by all accounts in our party. I myself tried the "Logan"berry sour cream pancakes. The mix of sweet and creamy flavors blended perfectly with the lingonberry compote that's served with the pancakes. The pancakes were a little thin, with just a hint of a crisp layer on the outside. I enjoyed them immensely. (And I kept having bits stolen off of my plate to confirm that I wasn't the only one.)

Companion #1 had the aforementioned biscuits with mushroom gravy. JiLS was on-point in saying that flavor was far from lacking in the gravy, but I'm an admitted fan of sausage gravy made with sage sausage. The mushroom gravy was utterly fantastic, but I can't help but find myself wanting the slight bite of spice that the sage sausage brings to the gravy. I didn't reach for the pepper either - it was good stuff, I just tend to expect something different. Still an excellent dish. She didn't have any complaints about the eggs which she'd ordered over "medium", but fried eggs aren't really something that makes a restaurant a destination for me anyway.

Companion #2 had the carne asada with eggs, I guess referring to steak and eggs in Spanish makes it more exotic? The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare as requested and the marinade imparted a complementary if not terribly strong flavor. It wasn't anything exciting but certainly a decently executed rendition of the dish. She had the scrambled eggs on the side - and well, they've been covered.

Instead of mini-muffins at the register today, they had whole wrapped gratis muffins. I'm kicking myself for not taking one. (I didn't realize they were gratis until we'd walked out.)

They were at capacity when we wandered in around 11:30 and the food took a little while to come out - but the wait was far from horribly long. (A table near us couldn't help but whine, of course. Since when has dining out become an activity requiring speed? Maybe lunch on a weekday, sure - but a weekend brunch? Come on.) Despite being busy, our service was friendly and attentive - no complaints on that front.

We're definitely planning on going back, it being pretty convenient to both friend's homes doesn't hurt - but the offerings are certainly a draw. (We were also presently surprised to be sitting near a pair of couples whose children must be in the running for the best behaved children in a restaurant ever.) We were all pretty pleased to have decided to try this place.

Pete, it seems like your experience was consistent with mine. This is a very good breakfast spot, and part of the fun is that to look at it, you'd expect it to be otherwise. The management clearly has a clue, the kitchen is on, and little things like the freebie muffins on the way out will go a long way toward building customer loyalty for Hot Spot. In a lot of ways, they fill a niche in this neighborhood created by places like Orange and Bongo Room, without the pretensions and with (I think) better food. It is an interesting juxtaposition of outre, artsy-fartsy interior design (the eye-popping colors, the twin TVs in the wall that serve no obvious purpose, the Burger Chef surplus booths) versus the food, which is pretty much right on - creative, well-planned and well-executed breakfast fare. It will be fun to watch their development.

Beat to the punch! I'd noticed the place during construction and was hoping to be the first with a post. Seems like this no-mans land, a bermuda triangle/tangle of humboldt/logan/bucktown west, is well surveyed. Maybe everyone is drawn in by several of the fine salons along the strip, such as the "Ace of Fades?" I'm still alarmed by how out of character it seems with the (granted, rapidly changing) neighborhood. How long before the shiny glass and synthetic luster of the facade is tainted with some scratched or sharpie tags?

Just west on Armitage I also noticed a coffee shop with a non-descript male name - John's, Charley's, something of the sort. It looks well-worn, like it's been there for a bit, but I can't imagine they'd get a lot of foot traffic in the area. Anyone know its story? I've also seen flyers on lamp posts for a bar further west on Armitage (3600 or so) advertising their diverse musical selection of such non-genres as shoegazer/brit-pop/electro (with or without "clash")/and so on. Seem that the condo-fication of Armitage is converting the character. Unfortunately, a little to late for some establishments, such as the adequate Luis' Restaurant, which came and shuttered while few noticed.

Ciao,

rien

rien wrote:Just west on Armitage I also noticed a coffee shop with a non-descript male name - John's, Charley's, something of the sort. It looks well-worn, like it's been there for a bit, but I can't imagine they'd get a lot of foot traffic in the area. Anyone know its story?

I could swear that I recall j3s mentioning it on her blog sometime last year, but her archives are broken. Maybe she can pop up and enlighten us?

There's a Thai restaurant called Charley's on that corner, next to streetside (?) tavern. It's fair to mediocre - based on one visit 3 years ago!

rien wrote:
Just west on Armitage I also noticed a coffee shop with a non-descript male name - John's

John's is affiliated with an addiction recovery program.

If the real estate folks can manage to call places west of California Avenue "West Bucktown" then lord help us all. Generally, I think of anything north of Armitage as Logan and south of Armitage Humboldt. So using this as the delineation, Hot Spot is technically in Logan Square. It's a welcome addition to the neighborhood nonetheless, even if my first meal there was uneven.
On that visit, I had the Chicken-Fried Steak and the meat was a bit off. My wife's meal was excellent tho and I've already been back since with success so I'll chalk that up as a first week aberration.

With the addition of Humboldt Pie down at California and Augusta and Hot Spot at California and Armitage, we now have a nice selection of breakfast joints in the area, with Flying Saucer and Cozy Corner already existing.

Not trying to thread jack or anything but any reports on Humboldt Pie (is it just coffee and snacks or do they have food), and anyone have anything to say about Flying Saucer for breakfast?
We currently go to Leo's Lunchroom for breakfast every Sat/Sun and usually 1 day a week if that tells you anything of my taste for breakfast
Jamie

Flying Saucer's terrific. The biscuits & gravy tend to be my standard order, even though both parts seem to vary slightly each visit. Usually a couple of "fancy" specials, almost never have the steak for steak and eggs, and also standard diner breakfast fare. Decent coffees, and really tasty hot chocolate w/homemade marshmallow.

Jamieson22 wrote:anyone have anything to say about Flying Saucer for breakfast?

It's been a while since I was at Flying Saucer for b'fast, but I remember a nice, funky interior, and decent, if not super-creative, food.

Jamieson22 wrote:Not trying to thread jack or anything but any reports on Humboldt Pie (is it just coffee and snacks or do they have food), and anyone have anything to say about Flying Saucer for breakfast?
We currently go to Leo's Lunchroom for breakfast every Sat/Sun and usually 1 day a week if that tells you anything of my taste for breakfast
Jamie

I've had a few decent meals at Flying Saucer. I've also had a few that were dissapointing. I remember a bad experience with thick and not-sweet french toast and some other bad sweet breakfast items. All the savory egg-based dishes have been solid.

I've only had coffee so far from Humboldt Pie, but have been planning to get some grub soon and will report back. BTW - they have Intelligentsia coffee...

Hi.

Decided to try Hot Spot based on the two recommends, and thanks to dead Presidents, I could head out for a quiet breakfast with my guy on Monday.

I wanted to like it, really I did.
It was cold in there. The hot dog-like stand seats and the obnoxious colors were just crazy. But, who cares, how was the food right?

My cappuccino was perfect, with a great foam. I think she made it twice to get it so perfect, 'cause it took awhile and we could watch her doing it the place is so tiny.

I wanted to like the Logan berry pancakes, but the were too dark(cooked on too hot a griddle perhaps) and chewy(perhaps overbeaten or pre-mixed to long prior). Lingon and berries syrup was awesome, but I'm not sure they make it. The lingonberries were so tiny, but good.

I should state that the Mr. loved the pancakes. Though, it's hard to trust his judgement sometimes when it comes to food.

I was disapponted in the omelet with tomato, baby swiss and honey ham. It was overcooked and the egg part very chewy. I chose steamed veggies instead of potatoes which was a great option, though too much squash for me. The swirled rye toast was tasty.

No free muffins!

They do have a lot of choices and the price for the quantity is pretty good. We might try it again, but I'm okay with Clara and James the corner diner down the street, too, with "the best hashbrowns." The pancakes aren't very good there either.


The Hot Spot
2824 W. Armitage Ave.
773-770-3838

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dini ... g_top_heds

Clara and James Restaurante
3159 W. Belmont Ave.
773-539-3020

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dini ... 5272.venue

Food Nut wrote:I wanted to like the Logan berry pancakes, but the were too dark(cooked on too hot a griddle perhaps) and chewy(perhaps overbeaten or pre-mixed to long prior). Lingon and berries syrup was awesome, but I'm not sure they make it. The lingonberries were so tiny, but good.

I went there last saturday for the breakfast rush with my fiancee and had the "logan" berry pancakes as well, and had a different case altogether: they were a little custardy, like they hadn't spent long enough on the griddle. They were fine, but nothing special.

She had french toast with berries which she enjoyed, but she enjoys pretty much all french toast equally.

-ed

gleam wrote:I went there last saturday for the breakfast rush with my fiancee

Ed,

Friend, girlfriend, now fiancee, congratulations!

Enjoy,
Gary

Not trying to thread jack or anything but any reports on Humboldt Pie (is it just coffee and snacks or do they have food)

They have many sandwiches, including a really nice grilled cheese with three different kinds of cheese and tomatoes. It's a "pressed" sandwich, ie, like a panini in that it comes with "ridges" from the grill. Their side salads aren't bad, and their hot chocolate was great. I think they had other items on the menu but I liked the grilled cheese so much that I've gotten it both times I've been there.

I really hope it survives, it's a pleasant place to hang out--big windows, comfy couches, lots of magazines to read--and it's nice for those of us who live around there to be able to walk somewhere for good food and coffee.

Pete wrote:I myself tried the "Logan"berry sour cream pancakes. The mix of sweet and creamy flavors blended perfectly with the lingonberry compote that's served with the pancakes. The pancakes were a little thin, with just a hint of a crisp layer on the outside. I enjoyed them immensely.

That is what I had as well. Delicious.

Corned Beef in the corned beef hash could have been shredded or cubed smaller IMO as most were 3/4" x 1/2", but it was homemade!! very good.

Food Nut wrote:Hi.

Decided to try Hot Spot based on the two recommends, and thanks to dead Presidents, I could head out for a quiet breakfast with my guy on Monday.

I wanted to like it, really I did.
It was cold in there. The hot dog-like stand seats and the obnoxious colors were just crazy. But, who cares, how was the food right?

My cappuccino was perfect, with a great foam. I think she made it twice to get it so perfect, 'cause it took awhile and we could watch her doing it the place is so tiny.

I wanted to like the Logan berry pancakes, but the were too dark(cooked on too hot a griddle perhaps) and chewy(perhaps overbeaten or pre-mixed to long prior). Lingon and berries syrup was awesome, but I'm not sure they make it. The lingonberries were so tiny, but good.

I should state that the Mr. loved the pancakes. Though, it's hard to trust his judgement sometimes when it comes to food.

I was disapponted in the omelet with tomato, baby swiss and honey ham. It was overcooked and the egg part very chewy. I chose steamed veggies instead of potatoes which was a great option, though too much squash for me. The swirled rye toast was tasty.

No free muffins!

They do have a lot of choices and the price for the quantity is pretty good. We might try it again, but I'm okay with Clara and James the corner diner down the street, too, with "the best hashbrowns." The pancakes aren't very good there either.

I'm gonna update my thoughts a bit on Hot Spot, and agree with the above review. I really did want to like Hot Spot.

After trying Hot Spot around 5 times now, I've given up on expecting much. It's only a 2 blocks from my place, so it remains an option, and they do a few things passably well (toast, coffee, plain eggs, pancakes okay). But I've had 3 or 4 pretty bad breakfasts now, and its just simply a place of convenience rather than any food-related draw. Cozy Corner (2294 N Milwaukee Ave) and Mama Kitty's pump out better food for cheaper imo, so I'll be going the extra few blocks when it's early and I need someone to cook me some breakfast.