Panes Bread Cafe — Restaurant in Lake View Township

While I was in Chicago visiting a friend we were trying to decide what to do for lunch. Subway came up as an option and I mentioned maybe we try something unique to Chicago since I can get Subway back home anytime. She suggested Panes and I was good with that, so we drove over there and parked on the street. I decided I wanted a Turkey Club and ordered and just as I was getting out my credit card, the woman working said they don't take credit, it was cash or check only. Being that I didn't have any cash on me, my friend picked up my tab. I ordered the turkey club, with no cheese and a water. I asked for a pickle, because I'm pregnant and really, what pregnant woman doesn't love pickles? LOL I mean, come on! But they didn't have pickles, so, better luck next time. The sandwich comes with a side of potato chips (which to me, tasted like Lays). I asked for water and she pointed me to this little side bar, that had a set up for old fashioned plastic glasses and a little freezer bucket for ice and a special little spout, just for water. It was quite cute. After my friend finished ordering and paying, they gave her a number to put on a stand when we chose a table. I went and got water and sat down. The cafe itself is cute and small. It has very tall ceilings and an open feel. It has about 12 tables inside, maybe 15 at most and a seating area outside as well. After I sat down, I noticed an ATM, in case you don't have cash. They brought our food out within 5 minutes of sitting down and everything looked great. Once I took one bite of my sandwich I realized I had been there before. I asked my friend if her brother lived near there and she said he did, about a block away (at one time, he's since moved) and I asked if she had brought me there before and she remembered a time when we had been there. How funny! Something as simple as a turkey sandwich, but I remembered it from my past, and about 13 years ago too I might add. So if that says anything about the flavor. It definitely stands out. We spent some time reminiscing from that visit so many years ago and I noticed she didn't order a sandwich, but she had what appeared to be eggs. I asked what it was and she told me Chilaquiles Verdes. Which I had never heard of before. However, my well traveled friend, who recently spent close to a year in Mexico, knew exactly what they were and explained the ingredients to me. Crispy tortilla strips, simmered in fresh green tomatillo sauce, shredded chicken breast, scrambled eggs and potatoes. She offered a bite to me and I gave it a try. It was pretty good, with a little spicy kick to it. After we were done eating we bussed our own table and put our stuff in the designated area. It was good, so good, I remembered it from so many years ago. What a nice blast from my past. I'd recommend giving it a try if you're in the area, it's a quaint...

This place is awesome. Super good sandwiches at a price point that is hard to believe in this city ($7 bucks for a sandwich and a bag of chips). One thing to note though, they don't take credit card, so be sure to bring cash! (or a check, if you're from the 90's). Tends to take 10-15 minutes for them to make your sandwich, so order ahead if you're in a hurry.

My process is, go in, check the specials on the chalk board on the wall on the right. Order a special, or one of my fallbacks, the Pollo Diablo or the Oaxacan (pronounced wah-ha-can) Pork sandwich (the Chicken Club and Pompazo are also solid choices). Bread is always fresh (makes sense for a place named after the Spanish word for "bread"). A friend swears by requesting everything on sweet bread, but I like them just the way they are.

Dessert: People talk up the monster cookie, which is good, but I love the carrot cake. Always moist (a word which people hate, but is appropriate to use when describing cake, I think), and super balanced with the cream...

This is the place for a cozy, quality sandwich spot! The inside is warm and colorful, and carried a fragrant scent of baked bread with a nuance of frying bacon. There is a lot of indoor and some outdoor seating. There are many varieties of sandwiches on the menu, but the bread is definitely the star. The bread from this cafe is noticeably fresh. The outer crust is lightly crisp and crunchy, and the inside is soft and airy. There is a subtle sweet and savory nuance in the bread itself. I would 100% pay just to eat the bread plain! You pay at the counter and they bring your order out to you. After you finish eating, you bring the basket up and dispose of the trash. There is also a dispenser for water at the front as well. On top of that, the staff is wonderful. There was a woman working when I went (maybe the owner?) and she was so lovely, I definitely need to catch her name the next time I stop in. All in all, Panes Bread Cafe...