Lincoln Square, a vibrant neighborhood in Chicago, boasts a diverse culinary scene. While known for its German heritage, the area offers a surprising array of delicious options, including an impressive selection of quiche. This guide dives into the top 11 spots serving up this savory custard tart, highlighting what makes each unique. Whether you're a long-time resident or a curious visitor, get ready to embark on a quiche-tasting adventure.
The Best Quiche in Lincoln Square: A Neighborhood Exploration
Finding the perfect quiche can be a quest, but Lincoln Square makes it a delightful one. This guide helps you navigate the neighborhood's diverse offerings, ensuring you find the quiche that best suits your taste. We've considered factors like crust quality, filling variety, overall taste, and ambiance to compile this top 11 list.
1. The Cozy Corner Cafe: Classic Comfort
The Cozy Corner Cafe is a local favorite known for its warm atmosphere and consistently good food. Their quiche Lorraine is a classic example: a buttery, flaky crust cradles a rich, savory custard brimming with smoky bacon and cheese. Pro Tip: Their daily specials often feature unique quiche fillings, so it's worth checking their board.
2. The Little Bakery: Sweet & Savory Delights
While primarily a bakery, The Little Bakery surprises with its surprisingly excellent quiche. They offer a rotating selection of both classic and creative quiche, often incorporating seasonal ingredients. Their spinach and feta quiche is a standout, boasting a perfectly balanced savory and slightly tangy flavor profile.
3. Lincoln Square Farmers Market (Seasonal): Fresh & Local
During the warmer months, the Lincoln Square Farmers Market transforms the neighborhood into a foodie paradise. Several vendors offer homemade quiche, often showcasing locally sourced ingredients. This is a great opportunity to discover unique quiche variations and support local businesses. Keep an eye on their schedule online as vendors and offerings change frequently.
4. The Village Pub: A Gastropub Gem
The Village Pub might not be solely a quiche destination, but their quiche is a hidden gem on their menu. Their take is often elevated, utilizing high-quality ingredients and creative combinations. Think Gruyere and caramelized onion, or perhaps a seasonal mushroom and truffle oil version. Check their menu for current offerings.
5. A Taste of Europe: Authentic European Flavors
As the name suggests, A Taste of Europe offers a selection of traditional European pastries and quiches. Their Lorraine and Florentine are both excellent choices, reflecting authentic French techniques. The crust is remarkably crisp, and the fillings are generously portioned.
6. The Green Cup Cafe: Vegetarian and Vegan Options
The Green Cup Cafe offers a wonderful selection for vegetarians and vegans, including delicious quiche alternatives. They often feature unique veggie and vegan fillings, such as roasted vegetables with goat cheese (vegetarian) or a hearty mushroom and lentil quiche (vegan). They prioritize fresh, locally sourced produce whenever possible.
7. Golden Apple Bakery: A Sweet and Savory Combination
Golden Apple Bakery is another local favorite with a wide range of baked goods. While they might not always have quiche on the menu, when they do, it is usually a hit with customers. Check their website or call ahead to confirm availability.
8. Mindy's Bakery: Classic French Techniques
Mindy's Bakery uses classic French techniques in their quiche production. This translates to exceptionally flaky crusts and perfectly balanced fillings. They may have limited quiche options compared to other spots, but the quality is often exceptional.
9. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!: Spanish Flair
While primarily a Spanish tapas restaurant, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! sometimes features a unique, Spanish-inspired quiche on their menu as a special. This is a great place to experience something different and outside the traditional quiche experience. It's worth checking their menu to see if it's available during your visit.
10. The Lincoln Square Deli: A Unexpected Delight
The Lincoln Square Deli isn't just about sandwiches. Sometimes they offer quiche as a side or daily special. It's a casual spot where you might stumble upon a surprisingly good quiche. This is a good option for a quick bite while running errands.
11. Your Neighbor's Homemade Quiche (Community Spotlight): The Hidden Gems
Don't underestimate the power of word-of-mouth! Ask your neighbors, local shopkeepers, or fellow Lincoln Square residents for their personal recommendations on the best quiche in the neighborhood. You might just discover a hidden gem—a neighbor known for their amazing homemade quiche.
Finding Your Perfect Quiche in Lincoln Square
This list provides a starting point for your quiche quest in Lincoln Square. Remember that menus can change, so checking websites or calling ahead is always a good idea. Happy quiche hunting! Let us know in the comments what your favorite quiche spot in Lincoln Square is!
