Hidden gems

Uncovering a unique sandwich shop, a bar that has Nintendo and the best Friday night beer specials in the city.

By Trent Modglin

Calliope Cafe
Sandwich shops can tend to become a dime a dozen in this city if you let them. But every once in awhile, you discover one that separates itself from the pack. Having just visited Calliope Cafe (2826 N. Lincoln) for the first time, I’d have to say it qualifies. And I’d feel guilty if I kept it to myself.

Decorated in a vibrant orange and green combination, Calliope is a lunchtime hot spot for locals. It’s BYOB, has an outdoor seating area for warmer weather, offers a delivery service and the owner and his family couldn’t be nicer. But I’m not even to the best part, the sandwiches.

Salads, soups and wraps dot the menu, but I can’t stop thinking about the Pesto Chicken Sandwich. It’s a marinated chicken breast with mozzarella, arugala and a tomato and pesto mayo, all served on two slices of soft tomato focaccia bread.

The Calliope Grinder also makes the mouth water. It boasts roast turkey, ham, bacon, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and a mustard dill mayo. Other options like the Grilled Salmon Club, Fat Bastard Steak Sandwich, Orange BBQ Pork Loin and the Italian Grinder sounded top shelf as well, had I not been so full.

Sandwiches are served with waffle chips, but I’m going to suggest the seasoned wedge fries with homemade Thousand Island dipping sauce. Awfully good. Oh yeah, and every sandwich is under $7. Seriously tough to beat. (773) 528-8055.

 

Nintendo at Darwin’s

I feel obligated to tell you about a serious hidden gem in Bucktown that may bring out the kid in you. Well, probably the kid in the guy readers, anyway. Girlfriends and wives may hate me forever.

I frequented Darwin’s, a bar at 1935 N. Damen, for a bit on New Year’s Eve and admittedly got lost in the good times Nintendo can provide. No, I’m not joking. They have Nintendo there, hooked up to TVs, with dozens of games.

We played the original Tecmo Bowl, and I could have earned Joe Montana millions toward his next contract. Hard to believe we never complained about only four offensive plays back then. We raced in RC Pro-Am and tried to avoid the water puddles on the track. We remembered how to hit King Hippo in his bandaged stomach, how to wait for the jewel to start flashing in Great Tiger’s turban and how to withstand the charge from the Bald Bull. But Tyson again proved to be too tough.

Some night when you feel like going back to a simpler, more glorious time, head down there for a pint and a good run on Contra or Blades of Steel. You won’t regret it, but your thumb just might.

 

Chi-Town Tap

So it may be new and a little tough to find in a relatively dark and comparitively quiet part of Lincoln Avenue, located between Diversey and Fullerton (2642 N. Lincoln), but the prices, well, you won’t find anywhere else in Chicago.

Try $1 Bud and Bud Light bottles. On Friday. Yep, Friday. And $3 you-call-its. And $2 burgers. You can barely eat and booze at home for that.

On Saturday, they offer $2 Miller Lite bottles and $4 Jager bombs.

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