By Mackenzie Kokal, Loyola Sophomore
Uncommon Ground | Address: 1401 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60660 | Phone: 773-465-9801 | Website: Uncommon Ground
Uncommon Ground certainly lives up to its name because it is anything but common. This unique restaurant has two locations in Lakeview and Edgewater and is unlike any other; the Edgewater location has the first certified organic rooftop farm in the United States where they grow most of their produce and herbs to make their delicious dishes.
Growing up in a rural farm town my whole life, I have always valued growing your own food and eating nutritious meals. Adapting to the city and college life proved to be a challenge to find healthy restaurants close to campus that used organic ingredients. With every bite, you can taste the quality, care, and freshness of each ingredient at Uncommon Ground.
To celebrate Easter, my family came up to Rogers Park to visit me for the weekend. While I was excited about their visit, panic filled me as I realized I was in charge of the grueling task of finding a restaurant that everybody in my family could enjoy for dinner.
Finding a restaurant is very stressful because each person in my family has certain food preferences or a food allergy. The usually complicated process turned out to be simple because I knew I had Uncommon Ground to rely on for fantastic food that catered to our dietary restrictions.
As you enter the restaurant, you can choose between indoor or outdoor seating on their beautiful patio, surrounded by blooming flowers and string lights to provide a welcoming atmosphere. We opted for indoor seating, following COVID guidelines and restrictions. The restaurant’s interior gives off a rustic feel with dim lights, wood floors, and brick walls.
The menu is extensive, reasonably priced, and provides something for everyone, even the pickiest of eaters. Uncommon Ground has multiple menus including ones for brunch, coffee, lunch, dinner, beer, and cocktails.
My family and I started with an appetizer of miso cauliflower, which was scrumptious, and I got the black bean burger for my entree. This burger was full of flavor, and it even had vegan mozzarella on top, which was the best part because it is so difficult to find vegan cheese that resembles the same taste and texture as real cheese. My parents both ordered the mushroom ravioli which was filled with portobello mushrooms, ricotta, and Romano cheese. It was topped with a delicate herb roasted garlic butter and fresh pecorino and parsley from the rooftop garden. They both finished the entire plate and said the dish was rich and delicious.
As more and more activities are opening up again in Chicago, Uncommon Ground provides live music and open houses to tour the rooftop garden to watch the beautiful sunset. I cannot wait to go back and experience all that Uncommon Ground has to offer. If I could, I would give this restaurant more than 5 stars. The atmosphere, quality, and deliciousness of their food makes Uncommon Ground a must in Edgewater.
