Elizabeth: But we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit. First, welcome to our blog, The Brown Line Diaries! We have just moved to Chicago and are living about a block from the eponymous Brown Line. While moving has not been easy for either of us, I have had a particularly difficult time. Lots of crying. Even more snot. And so this blog is our attempt to force ourselves to get to know our neighborhood and have a positive experience in our new city.
And now for Breakfast: Or How Marmalade Saved Chicago for Us
Michel: About 3 blocks south of us at Montrose and Damen, there is a diner called Marmalade that looks charming enough, but its unassuming appearance belies the true wonder within.
Great Perry White's Ghost, is this place delicious!
Elizabeth: Friday, moving day, had been kind of a hard day. Moving days are like that, especially when there are unpleasant surprises. I was pretty exhausted and upset by the end of the day, so Michel decided we were going to Marmalade for breakfast the next morning. We got there and opened the menus: Texas Bennies (eggs benedict), chilaquiles, hash, enchiladas, pico de gallo. For a Texas girl who had just about decided she was moving back home, this was a welcome sight.
Meet Gus, the awesome owner, and Margie, the best server ever!
Margie, a really nice Chicago and in fact Ravenswood (our neighborhood) native, took our order and explained the Tex-Mex menu theme: the chef was Mexican and had some experience in Tex-Mex as well. It was so exciting!!!
Michel: The food and the atmosphere are very reminiscent of Austin and the types of breakfast establishments therein. Growing up, I had always been curious as to what hash is, so I decided to order the hash special. As it turns out, hash is so great that it makes the work of Jonas Salk seem trivial. Elizabeth had the brioche french toast with strawberries and homemade whipped cream.
The Interior of the Diner
Beef Brisket Hash...yum...
Brioche French Toast...not quite my dad's, but really good with the most amazing, fresh vanilla bean whipped cream I have ever eaten!!
And the toast comes with homemade jam!
Everything: the food, the coffee, and even the juice was spectacular. The biggest disappointment was getting too full to finish our breakfasts.
Elizabeth: And then came the surprise. We had mentioned to Margie that we were new to Chicago, hence our interest in the menu, and she had sent Gus over to say hello. Suddenly, Margie brought out a welcome to the neighborhood present from Gus: the daily French toast special of sweet potato French toast with spiced pecans, sour cherries, and homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce. It's like fall in your mouth!!!
Michel: I don't even like sweet potatoes, and I loved it!
Elizabeth: So thank you, Margie and Gus, for changing my mind. Suddenly Chicago didn't seem quite so bad. And now we have a breakfast place to take all you family and friends to when you come visit us!
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