Baby-on-Board Review: Red Hen Bread

By Elizabeth Shapiro in Food on Apr 25, 2007 4:10AM

Red Hen Bread lacks highchairs, changing tables, a kid menu and a door big enough to comfortably squeeze a stroller through. We wouldn’t recommend going there with a large group and eating in, but with a long list of appetizing baked goods, a menu of innovative sandwiches, a friendly staff and an actual stroll-though window, this bread cafe should not be overlooked as a place to grab a bite with your kid.

We recently tried the Red Hen Turkey ($6.85), your traditional turkey and provolone sandwich dressed up with tomato mayo and cherry dijon on fresh multigrain. It’s reminiscent of a post-Thanksgiving meal that tastes even better. We’ve also had their New Veggie ($6.95), a concoction delicious enough to make us forgo our usual meat-filled meal: honey walnut goat cheese, granny smiths, roasted red peppers and watercress on an organic onion rosemary baguette. We look forward to trying their peanut butter and strawberry jelly on challah ($3.50), which we bet would be a hit with the toddler set. That is, if they don’t spoil their appetites with any of their seven types of tempting cookies ($2.30-$3). Our favorite is the chocolate bomb, a cookie seriously committed to its theme ingredient and as heavenly as it sounds.

Aside from its yummy food choices, Red Hen earns high parent praise because of its location. At Diversey and Pine Grove, you’re steps from great lake paths and parks including Telcser and its massive playground. The next time you and your family find yourselves hungry at the lakefront, skip the hot dog stand and head over to Red Hen Bread.

This Red Hen Bread is at 500 W. Diversey. They’re open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Give them a call at 773-248-6025.