Pillars Social Cafe

Been here twice.
The first time, good service, yummy coffee and smoothie, comfy environment. 5 stars
The second time: arrive at the door to hand-​written note saying hours have been shortened.
Went across the street to the Ethiopian Café. Yum on the coffee and yum on the teeny little cookies at E.Café.
Boo Pillars! Be open when you say you be open!

What a great find! A friend of mine has suggested that I join him for brunch at Pillars this past Sunday and it was suppose to be quiet delicious. Well, he was correct!
I had the Farmer’s Rambler which came with breakfast potatoes, toast, and what appeared to be home-​made jelly. All was fantastic!
The atmosphere is modern, clean, and bright which creates a delightful dining experience. There are are two sections to the café, which I feel optimizes the space quite nicely. Whether you feel like just sitting down for a delicious coffee creation in their lounge or more of a sit down meal, they have you covered!
I’m really looking forward to going back to Pillars and trying more items on their menu. The only down side is, on Sunday they only serve their brunch menu (so sadly, cannot try their burger!). Other than that, this place has my thumbs up!
…pity I didn’t know about this place when I was still in school. This would have been a GREAT place to study at!

HIDDEN GEM ALERT! One thing I learned since moving to Chicago 6 years ago is that brunch places here are a dime a dozen. Now, I consider myself somewhat of a brunch connoisseur, and in my opinion it takes a LOT to serve up an impressive brunch. Pillars hits it out of the park.
Tucked away in the northwest corner storefront of Pratt and Sheridan (I say this for ease of locating them because the sign is small and hard to see from the street), Pillars is one of the best brunch/​lunch options the City of Chicago has to offer. Aside from a really cool atmosphere (think reclaimed wood benches and baskets for lighting fixtures) and a super friendly staff (you’ll often see the owner, Bob, working the counter), the food is incredible and… wait for it… THERE’S HARDLY EVER A LINE. Even on the weekends! I know. I was shocked too, especially considering this place boasts easy parking, a large menu that effortlessly accommodates a variety of pallets (even my picky vegetarian sister), and locally sourced meats and dairy for us carnivores. There’s even Intelligensia Coffee.
My favorite brunch item by far is their signature Razorback Benedict — eggs benedict served on biscuits with parmesan gravy and a side of tasty potatoes, but I also highly recommend their bacon & cheddar buckwheat pancakes, or really anything with their applewood smoked bacon. As far as lunch menu items go, you can’t go wrong with their Salinas Panini — chicken, bacon, hananero jack cheese, and homemade guac on sourdough served with THE MOST DELICIOUS homemade potato chips.
My one criticism is that they’d benefit from a liquor license. With the creativity of their food menu, I’m sure any mimosa or bloody mary concoction they’d serve up would be simply divine. And a good local craft beer (Half Acre anyone?) would greatly add to my enjoyment of their sandwiches. Nevertheless, Pillars is definitely worth the trip north, especially if Andersonville continues to be as annoyingly crowded as it’s been lately.
Seriously you guys. Go there. You won’t regret it, and you can thank me later ;-)

I’m sad to have to report:
1) The food is inconsistent. I got the two egg breakfast (scrambled, rye toast) three times and while 2 of 3 were great, the third was soggy and cold. I have no idea why and find it problematic.
2) They overcharge for refills on tea (beware: they will tell you, «oh, I’ll just put in another tea bag» when you ask for more water. don’t accept it – it’s a ploy to add $ 2.50 to your bill without telling you that’s what they’re doing).
3) When they don’t like your complaint (mine was specifically for the above trickery with the tea refill), they will threaten you with: «Well, you know what? People on laptops will be asked to leave after an hour.» As if being a paying, eating customer (I had both breakfast and lunch the day of the tea incident), but (gasp) using a laptop somehow makes you a target for removal. Um, yeah. If you don’t want me to stay in eat and bring others and work in peace, I’m fine with that. Perhaps it’s the reason the place is often empty.
While the owner graciously listened to my complaint about this experience, I have very mixed feelings about returning given that these policies and attitudes toward customers are a reflection of how the place is being managed. There are about 10 other options within easy bussing or walking distance of Pillars. In fact, I’m at Metropolis right now, where my laptop-​toting-​tea-​drinking-​and-​food-​eating kind is welcome. I think you should be kind to your customers or you will lose them.

I am so happy to have Pillars in the Roger’s Park neighborhood. It is a nice place to grab a quick bite, sit on the patio, or work quietly.
This café uses locally grown and house-​made ingredients.
Portions are HUGE. Salads are great and full of many ingredients. not just your standard Chicken Caesar or spinach salad. Their yogurt ranch dressing is a favorite of mine.
Their burgers are great as well. They offer classic burgers with their own little twists.
Pillars also offers natural ingredient sodas, like their own versions of Coke Zero.
I have yet to try their coffee bar (which opens at 6:30 A.M. on weekdays.
A great addition to the Rogers Park neighborhood!

I happened upon this place a couple weeks ago, thought I was walking into Starbucks and soon realized I was about a block too far north. However, it was so cozy looking that I decided to stay and check it out.
I love it! As a RP resident I am so thankful that we have places like this opening up in the neighborhood. It is very relaxing, they have sofas, arm chairs, and tables with chairs set up on on the café side and then they have a slightly separated full brunch food area with indoor and outdoor seating. Free wifi for the entire place.
I went back a second time with a friend and we sat in the café section and were still able to order food from the menu and eat it there on the sofas. My only hang up is that my soy latte wasn’t that great so the second time I ordered the chai tea latte and that was much better. Food was great and reasonably priced.
I’ll definitely be going back!

We’ve been there 1 time before for only coffee and it was fine
but as soon as we went this time and wanted to order food, everything went awry.
We showed up and sat ourselves, then waited 15 minutes to put in our drink order (which was only coffee, something they should be able to do)
then waited another 15 minutes with nothing but water in front of us.
I wish I could tell you about the food, but we decided to leave after 40 minutes and close to zero service, despite there only being maybe 5 other tables that were actually eating food.

I’ve been here twice now and I really like this place. I do feel a little weird about it popping up right next to Royal Coffee (the ethiopian-​owned and run café right across the street), but business is business I suppose. The air here is very panera bread-​esque.
Go to Royal Coffee if you want a quieter study environment and better coffee. Come to Pillars if you want a less secluded study environment, more people around and the ability to eat a hearty meal if you so choose. They host events sometimes, on Thursday mornings they have storytelling for children in part of the café! Very cute.
My only complaint is that their coffee is thin, watery, and expensive ($ 5 for a less than mediocre 16oz latte!). Their frappes are delicious though! I’ll still come back a third time, the space is very well used and it is easy to be productive.

Nice décor and the folks working are friendly enough… Although, like any less established venture, particularly the coffee buz there are organizational kinks to be worked out. Pillar is nicely divided into three different sections, full dinning, coffee/​pastries, and ice-​cream/​sandwich.
Although, the signage doesn’t help make that clear for myself… or the family behind me in line who wanted full dinning but found themselves in the ice-​cream line. Thankfully, the young lady behind the counter explained the 3 part set-​up BUT only after they had already starting licking their tasty cones.
Advance to Pillar: either train staff to explain the 3 part set-​up or add clear signage.
PS
The vegan wrap 1 of 5 stars!!!

OK. I said I was going to update after giving them a few months to get their sea legs. I was pleasantly surprised.
Stopped by at 8pm on a Saturday night.
First when I walked in I noticed the menus where all on the tables with the silverware. I walked up to the counter and asked if they had table service and they said yes pick wherever you would like to sit.
We sat down and was promptly greeted by Karen and our drinks were on the way. One of my companions got the strawberry lemon-​aide and I was floored on the presentation. On top of the lemon-​aide was about an inch of cut strawberries. fantastic.
I ordered the Pillars burger with fries and a side salad. I asked for the Greek yogurt dressing that went on another salad and they said no problem. It was fantastic.
All the food arrived promptly and was all really really good. One of my dining companions got the Cobb salad and he said it was great. He also got the soup of the day which was a white bean soup and said it was fantastic.
The meat for my burger was amazing. Great flavor! The only hit they got on stars above was that it was a little over done. I like my burgers medium.
Again the desserts looked amazing. They were really proud of their new sundae bar and were really excited about getting the hot fudge machine this week.
Their sundae menu looked great but I had no room left. I WILL be back and will leave room for one of their specialty sundaes. By the way, they took the mac and cheese off the menu
Thanks Karen for the great service and thanks Pillars for a great meal!

I actually used to live in the building right next to where this place is for a year, at that time the space was empty.. . I miss Rogers Park. I was there the other day and I was very happy to see that more places like this café are popping up in this area. As amazing as this place is in terms of design and modern décor, I was not very happy with the quality of food. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything special and it was kind of pricey as well. In fact, compared to panera bread, the latter has better quality food at a lower price. However, you can’t beat the location, just a block away from the beach, and the atmosphere is great — very European.
Therefore, I would say that this place still needs some work, i.e. better food. But, I will definitely be back since I can’t resist the idea of hanging out at the beach on a summer day and then relaxing and eating in this nicely-​decorated café. I can guarantee that they will be packed this summer.

I’m reserving full judgement because I was only in for a breakfast sandwich and coffee. The coffee was delicious — Intelligentsia and they know how to brew it (some places don’t — even good coffee can be ruined if you don’t brew it correctly).
The sandwich wasn’t special — eggs, bacon, sourdough, cheese — all in all, pretty standard. The bacon was above average — thin sliced, applewood smoked and not crisped to sticks of charcoal like some places do.
I would have liked to see more of a breakfast/​brunch menu, such as omelets, hash, pancakes, etc. They have a full kitchen so I don’t know if this is something they’re planning to roll out once they have more business, or if they just don’t want to offer it.
I sat on a bench which was not that comfortable. Cushions would have been nice. They do have two alcoves with cushy chairs, one of which has a fireplace.
The counter setup was confusing to me — you walk in and see registers to the left and right, with a display case in between. It seemed like the counter to the left was for breakfast and the one to the right might be open for dinner service? Either way, it was hard to see that the counter on the left was even open because a wall hid the cashier.
I’m looking forward to going back for dinner — a lot of their products are sourced locally and sustainably, something I want to support in Rogers Park.

I came here on a weekday evening to get some studying in, and was pleased to see while they were not overly busy, there was still a good crowd there. Live music. Nice staff. I was in town for spring break and came in every day for breakfast and about 3 or 4 hours of studying in the morning before work, it’s the perfect place! I got the Veggie Handler sandwich — and, while I usually despise peppers of any color, I loved this sandwich. It was so good.
I love the Intelligensia coffee in the neighborhood! I mean, I like Metropolitan, and that it’s local, but it’s all you see around this neighborhood! It’s nice to have another option! Their specialty of the day drinks are also very good, great if you like sweets, or just don’t feel like getting the plain coffee. The vegan quinoa blackbean chili was amazing, even my non-​vegetarian boyfriend ordered it over the regular (though he gives high ratings to the meat-​filled one as well).
It’s a great, big space, well decorated, and well staffed. I hope this place is here for good!
PS — the lampshades are made of cut up cardboard — am I the only one that is amazed by this?!
PSS — the owner frequently walks through the place asking everyone how they are, and what they’re up to, I thought that was really sweet! I also thought it was sweet that he didn’t ask me, deep in study mode with headphones on! ;)

This place has only be open for 6 weeks, but they are obviously working toward making this a destination spot for Roger’s Park dwellers and Loyola students.
Great food and drinks. Lots of natural light. Attentive and friendly staff. Great ambient music. Lots of comfortable seating.
I’ll be back for sure.

What a great find. The food was fantastic.
Friends recommended this place and we went with our kids. Everyone loved their food… alternative burger, yummy soup, salads and panini, too.
The space is warm and inviting and the staff were friendly and helpful. We’ll be coming back to this place.
We didn’t try the desserts but they looked good, too.

Everything you could ask for in a neighborhood café– Great coffee, pastries, food and atmosphere.
Prices are a little high– standard for this type of establishment. A full meal with drinks and sides will run you around $ 10. But the food was spectacular. I loved my pulled pork sandwich with gorgonzola slaw, and even though I despise turkey burgers I tried my girlfriend’s and it was magical. Great fries, mac n cheese, and sodas.
Atmosphere is great– mix of tables, benches and comfy seats. Even a fire place! Light music playing, good group of people hanging out.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Pillars!
I had «The Alternative Burger» with a side of mac and cheese. It was fabulous. I also had a ginger ale (one of their agave-​sweetened fountain drinks.) Loved it. I am so glad they sell Intelligentsia coffee. But most of all, I think I am excited to have a macaron vender within walking distance of my house.
Things seem to be very fairly priced and well worth it. I appreciate a delicious place that does all the work for me of finding local and healthy food.
(Also, my colleagues were impressed with the ample amount of outlets for laptops etc.)

Sitting here during the first month of Pillar’s opening and thoroughly enjoying the environs while I get some work done (complimentary wifi). I’m sure many, as I did, saw how raw this space started out and it’s been completely transformed in to a very pleasant café with a very warm feel and an abundance of natural light pouring in through the large windows. Props to the owner who clearly put his heart and soul (and significant dollars) in to making an anchor restaurant on Sheridan.
I’ve also had the opportunity to eat here a couple times, once for lunch and once for dinner. I had two different salads both times and the chili. The salads were a nice size and filling. The yogurt based cream dressings are also a nice touch. Ingredients taste fresh and the accompanying bread/​rolls are tasty.
One small change I’d like to see on the menu is a few more vegetarian options. There are two panini/​sandwiches and one salad I believe that doesn’t have meat. Perhaps one more salad, sandwich, and soup option that is vegetarian would be a nice touch.
All in all I’m psyched to have this in the neighborhood. Along with SP Kebab next door, going out for a casual meal has definitely been upgraded significantly in the last 6 months.

I was really excited when this place opened a couple blocks from my condo. It’s a really good add for the Rogers Park community.
We went there for dinner the other night and I was pleasantly surprised at the food quality. It’s all organic and really tasty. I had a salad (large!) and my husband had a burger. All were really really good. The salad came with a zucchini muffin that was also delish! My husband commented (positively) about the burger quality at least 3 times during our dinner and he NEVER does that.
The atmosphere is really good, people were nice and there are a ton of outlets for those of you that like to work at cafes. I felt like the prices were very reasonable as well.
We will definitely be back and we’re super excited to have Pillars in the neighborhood.

It is a Great new addition to Rogers park area. Almost open a year. I love the recycled/​reclaimed theme. Coffee is great and the food is tasty.