Loyola Neighborhood News: Water Tower Campus - V3, I4

Hey everyone, I know how bad you have been waiting for another edition from your favorite foodie, so I wanted to do something special for you all. Instead of $25 a day solo, I decided to take my lovely co-worker Lauren out for a $50 a day.  We’ll call this the “Date Edition”. 

It is a gorgeous Friday morning, but as you know, mornings are still mornings.    How would you get through them without a nice cup of coffee?   We decided to go to Kings Café in the 900 building on Michigan Avenue.   Lauren went with a Cinnamon Raisin Muffin Top for $1 and I grabbed a medium house coffee for just under $2.50. Their house coffee happens to be Metropolis coffee so right away I was pleased.    Lauren loved the muffin top that they warmed up for her. If you are more of a breakfast person than me, I’d highly recommend trying one of their amazing egg sandwiches for only $3. The 900 building has free Wi-Fi so both of us could read our favorite newspaper while enjoying all the hustle and bustle going on around us.

Lunch time!  Since Lauren is a vegetarian we wanted to go somewhere that had options for her, but still let me be the carnivore that I am. Epic Burger was going to be that rock. It has an option for a Portabella patty that Lauren can enjoy and gives me choices of Turkey, Beef, or Chicken patties. I decided on the chicken and we both added Horseradish Havarti for 89 cents extra.    Whatever patty you choose, we both agree that their Horseradish Havarti is a must addition. Fries are $2 dollars if you are feeling frisky.  Bacon is an extra $1 if you like to live on the edge. Lauren enjoyed her Portabella patty but I think I am going to stick to their Beef patty. Our lunch came out to just south of $16.50, and with breakfast included we have around $30 to spoil ourselves at our dinner destination.

After walking around and window shopping with a girl, no matter whom it is, I am not going to lie to you- I needed a drink.   Lauren also worked up an appetite but could not make up her mind on one thing. I decided that McCormick and Schmicks would be able to satisfy both our needs.  Their happy hour occurs twice a day and is nice for late dinner eaters like us. We had a variety of their appetizers, but our absolute favorite was their baked pretzels that came with this amazing cheese sauce. My other favorite was their duck sliders that seemed to melt in my mouth. I was able to wash it all down with a reasonably priced rum and coke. In addition to the sliders and pretzels we also had their truffle fries and tempura roll.   For around $30 we were able to try a nice variety of their offerings, but we agreed that if we went again, we’d opt for more of their pretzels.

Lauren and I were able to stretch $50 between the two of us to please both our appetites. So for a lazy morning, hit up Kings Café and for a variety of burger options, stroll into Epic Burger.  Who said you have to take a date to a fancy meal to impress her?   Grab a few drinks and enjoy delicious appetizers over at one of McCormick and Schmicks happy hours (see times below). Stay tuned for next time when Lauren will head out on her own in search of delicious and healthy vegetarian fare for under $25 a day.

- James Records

Kings Café: 
900 N. Michigan Ave. 

Mon - Fri: 7:30am – 7pm
Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm

Epic Burger
40 E. Pearson St.

Mon – Sun: 8am - 9pm

McCormick and Schmicks
41 E. Chestnut St.

Mon – Thurs: 11:30am - 11:00pm
     Happy Hour: 3:30pm - 6:30pm, 9pm-10pm 
Fri: 11:30 am - 12:00 am
     Happy Hour: 3:30pm - 6:30pm, 10pm - 11pm 
Sat: 11:30am - 12:00am
     Happy Hour: 12pm - 6pm 
Sun: 11:30am - 10pm 
     Happy Hour: 12pm - 10pm 

$3.50 minimum beverage purchase per person