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Review: City Farms Market And Grill

By Minna A in Food on Jun 7, 2012 4:00PM

Farm fresh, organic foods joins the ranks of food options on the North side with the opening of City Farms Market and Grill.

City Farms Market and Grill opened last month and offers a casual dining spot with a rustic, American farm feel. Communal wood benches made from re-purposed barn wood, counters built from planks from an old bridge and rustic-looking metal seats contrast against the modern mirrors and fixtures.

The true highlight here is their pure localvore ideals; nearly all ingredients are from local farms and sources that are open about their practices and do not rely on industrial methods to grow their products. All their meats are organic and from local farmers and ranchers> Much of their fresh vegetable ingredients come from vendors at the Green City Market.

Now open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the small but growing menu has a slew of options to try for any meal. On our visit, we tried the local favorite porchetta sandwich, made with layers of succulent Berkshire pork belly and pork butt seasoned with a delicate balance of rosemary, garlic, fennel and sage smeared with a tangy chimichurri sauce on a soft baguette, a hearty sandwich with multiple layers of flavor without toting a pretentious vibe. Another great sandwich to try is their chicken salad sandwich made with Amish chicken, herbs and spices with tart cherries, nutty walnuts, grapes, celery and red onions, whipped together with a light handed touch of mayo. Each offers a decedent bite, sounding too rich and tasty to tote the organic label.

No meal is complete without dessert. City Farms Market and Grill has a baker in house who creates deliciously savory and sweet treats made entirely of organic ingredients, down to their organic flour.

Wanting for more? City Farms Market and Grill has an extensive option of breakfast and brunch dishes, as well as main dish menu items. Those seeking to try the sandwich but regrettably unable to trek to the storefront can try their new farm-to-food truck, @beyondborders4, roving the streets of Chicago with a selection of their organic, localvore sandwiches.

City Farms Market and Grill is located at 1467 W. Irving Park Rd.