CHIReview
Included In
This all-day diner from Girl & The Goat (Ever heard of it?), was originally in the West Loop. It’s now in a much smaller space in Lakeview, but the menu is pretty much the same. Including the fact that the “globally inspired diner” food is inconsistent: some things are delicious, others are overly complicated, and everything is pretty expensive.
They do have the diner atmosphere down though. There’s a counter with spinning stools and a laminated menu that says things like “burger shoppe” and “all day breakfast club.” The food that Little Goat excels at are relatively simple combinations. Like the Fat Elvis pancakes (peanut butter, bananas, and maple syrup with bacon), which are light, fluffy, and delicious. The patty melt is sloppy and great, and so is the burger.
We’re not big fans of any dish where there’s too much happening on the plate. “This Little Piggy” from the breakfast menu has a lot going on: a scallion cheddar biscuit with eggs, Sichuan sausage, blackberries, and a chili garlic chive sauce. Individually those things are OK, but they just don’t taste good together. Same with the Bullseye French toast, which has sweet onion brioche with a soft-cooked egg in the center, fried chicken, strawberries, and BBQ maple syrup. It feels like three different breakfasts fighting each other.
This doesn’t mean there aren’t good reasons to come here. For example, if you really just want breakfast for dinner—or other diner food that’s slightly more creative than what you’ll find at The Golden Nugget—it’ll do. Just avoid anything that sounds too convoluted, because chances are it is.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Spanish Omelette
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Patty Melt
photo credit: Sandy Noto