Dine Well, Do Good. at Cafe Too
By Christina Whiteus 
August 2, 2010 
19 Comments
Cafe Too
4715 N Sheridan Rd
(between Lakeside Ave & Leland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60640
Tel: 773.275.0626
Website
To someone looking for a position at Cafe Too many of the requirements will be familiar. The application asks: Do you work well under pressure? Do you pay attention to detail? Can you handle multiple tasks at the same time? Normally the possessor of these qualities would additionally require previous experience, a permanent address, and a clean record. However at Cafe Too the advertisement stipulates: “Applicants must be homeless or have a criminal record.†The restaurant is run by Cafe Inspiration, an organization that supports homeless Chicagoans, offering them meals, helping them find jobs, and providing them with permanent subsidized housing. Cafe Too is part of the organization’s employment services program. Homeless people often lack sufficient work experience and skills to gain employment. At Cafe Too, trainees work for 13 weeks in all areas of the restaurant business. There are no classes or exams: students learn from hands-on experience, spending time serving, cooking, or behind the register at the Cafe. The customer’s opinion is the most concrete readout of success and by that measure Cafe Too’s students have been getting straight A’s.
I found Cafe Too looking for a new lunch locale on Yelp. It scores a rare four and a half star rating, so I put it on my list of places to try. The Cafe lies in the heart of Uptown, where, according to the Uptown Chicago Commission, 25% of residents live at or below the poverty line. Hidden on a somewhat unpopulated stretch of Sheridan Avenue, the restaurant’s uncluttered facade is a welcoming sight. Light enters the long windows from three sides, lending the space a bright and airy feel. A modern elegance is achieved with tented fabric tiled across the ceiling and alternating brick and cream colored walls, one supporting a framed mission statement: “In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation helps people who are afflicted by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency…†This is the only hint that the service staff is anything but extremely experienced. Our service was A-one: attentive, cheery, and informed without being overbearing.
I ordered the Southern Tuna sandwich with a side salad and my date took a recommendation from our waitress: the pork sandwich with a chilled yogurt and beet soup. While we waited we munched on some very addictive homemade pita chips and sipped on ice coffees. The portions at Cafe Too are very generous. When I first saw my enormous roll, I immediately offered to share with my more gluttonous date. However, after the first bite I took back my promise. It was too good to share! The roll was warm and crispy, toasted with a slice of jack cheese. I consider myself quite the connoisseur of tuna salad and Cafe Too’s tuna wins my (much prized) seal of approval. It had just the right amount of mayonnaise to be smooth but still taste healthy and a toothsome combination of spices gave it a pleasant kick. The salad was fresh and well-dressed. My date’s beet soup was very unusual, from its bright pink color to its sweet but earthy taste. His sandwich was absolutely delicious. The breaded pork was tender and full of flavor. It was garnished with a succulent yellow tomato, a spicy, creamy sauce, and melted cheese. The price tag for this excellent meal was very modest at $10 a person.
The excellent dining experience at Cafe Too goes far beyond great food. A sign in the restaurant says, “We serve people on both sides of the counter.†That mantra reverses the presumption that poor and homeless people must be cared for and ministered to. Instead it proves that anyone with motivation can make valuable contributions to the community. The Cafe Too program empowers its students, shows both them and their customers that they have great things to offer.
Photos by Christina Whiteus for Appetite for Good.
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“…with my more gluttonous date.”
Haha, nice.
I am so impressed with the cause. I’ve never thought there was a restaurant out there like this! its extremely admirable and probably the best cause of any restaurant that we’ve come across! Theyre actively making a difference. So impressive. There definitely needs to be more like this!
It’s such a great idea. I’ll bet there is something like this in New York city, hidden somewhere.
This is great! I wish there were more organizations helping the homeless like this
Teach a man how to fish, right?
Or to cook fish!
Love the concept and the food looks delicious too — I’ll be sure to tell all my Chicago friends!
Yeah! And their menu changes pretty regularly so you can keep going back for new dishes.
wow. that restores my faith in humanity. at least for a little while…
What an absolutely brilliant concept. I wish more companies would take this approach. Its not giving a handout it giving people life skills to move on truly wonderful thank you for sharing this.
I think so too! There are too many hurdles for homeless people to find employment, there should be more places like this.
I ran across this web site by chance and found this particular article interesting in that whilst potentially finding a great place to eat (I WANT that Tuna sandwich too now), I found the concept of helping people, which for ever reasons have fallen on tough times, a real statement of how people helping other people can be done with dignity and just as importantly successfully.
I have to agree with Geoffoy. Its nice to be reminded the good in us and helping others who have fallen on tough times and teach them to support themselves and help pick them back up on their feet.
I took a date there the other day and had no idea of the homeless/criminal record requirement. The food was wonderful and the service was cheerful.
This place is so unassuming, I must have ridden my bike past it 100 times without ever noticing. Thanks for the review — I’m looking forward to trying it out soon. My recent Uptown dining experiences have been so bad (I can confidently say the brunch at Fat Cat is some of the worst looking and tasting food I’ve ever been served), it is nice to know at least one place in the neighborhood is doing things right.
Let me know if you decide to go. We need to hang out soon!
I was just reading about this someplace else. Great post, great pictures!
Thanks! I’d love to read that other article if you have the link.
What a fabulous idea! If I were in the area I would definitely give this place a try!