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The Student Newspaper of DePaul University

The DePaulia

The Student Newspaper of DePaul University

The DePaulia

The Student Newspaper of DePaul University

The DePaulia

Happy Birthday, Birchwood Kitchen

Back when I lived in Wicker Park there was one day when my spirits needed a lift. Usually in this case, I go on the hunt for good food. I pulled up the trustyYelp! in search of a local favorite and I stumbled across a new and highly-rated gourmet sandwich joint – Birchwood Kitchen.

There are a lot of delis in Chicago, but I feel like most lack originality and creative flare when it comes to soup and sandwich shops. Birchwood upturns this stereotype and delivers on all levels that a caf’ÛΩ should.

The location, off North Ave., is prime; parking never proves to be an issue. The space is quaint and adorable to say the least. Diners munch Birchwood treats at small wooden tables and at high-top counters at the windows. Each numbered table holds a small vase with flowers and a salt-shaker/pepper-grinder. The walls are decorated with exposed brick, mirrors, local artwork and birch tree trunks. An aura of care encompasses the entire place.

Diners can witness the creation of specialty sandwiches and salads in an open kitchen right behind the cash register. The friendly, edgy crew – tatted and pierced – is fun to watch. They work efficiently while conversing and joking around with each other. The camaraderie is obvious, as well as an overall positive attitude. I witnessed one staff member overhear that it was a diner’s birthday and he brought out a free baked treat.

I enjoy the fast-casual operations of Birchwood. Guests order at the counter and receive their order at a table of their choosing. There is a self-serve station for cold water and when diners finish, they leave the plates on the table for the staff to clean up.

Since my first visit, I’ve dined at Birchwood a few dozen times and I’ve never disliked a meal. Being a veteran diner since they first opened four years ago, I’ve grown familiar with the seasonal menu items and find myself desiring them frequently.

This past week Birchwood celebrated its fourth birthday and for the occasion, they featured old favorites from past menus. I plan an entire day around eating Thursday’s treat – the chicken salad sandwich with chipotle-sage dressing, jicama, lime and cilantro. This remains the most refreshing and vibrant sandwich I have ever tasted.

I select the side salad with my sandwich, which is another menu item I always look forward to. Fresh assorted greens, cucumber and pickled vegetables come together nicely under the shiny glaze of  a light, tangy, oily dressing. They have a larger version of the salad with a greater variety of vegetables and assorted nuts that I often find myself craving (and I can’t believe I am craving a salad).

The daily soups surpass your usual sandwich shop chicken noodle and minestrone. Split pea and ham, authentic lentil and chipotle-squash reoccur throughout each month. Today’s selection – Hungarian mushroom – I’ve had almost as many times as the chicken sandwich. The texture is silky like bisque, but with small slices of mushrooms for something delicious to chew. Fresh chives and house-made crostini (salty and crunchy) finishes each bite beautifully.

I end my meal with a moist piece of chocolate chip banana bread and a cappuccino that tasted and looked like heaven. 

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