Chicago Restaurant Will Keep 'Eggs Benedicto XVI' On Brunch Menu After Pope Retires

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Feb 11, 2013 5:15PM

You can just hear the Pope asking you if these Eggs Benedict are heavenly. (Photo credit: Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist)

News of Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to retire at the end of the month took the Vatican by surprise and is historic in nature: Joseph Ratzinger becomes the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

When news of Benedict XVI’s decision broke the first thing we asked, however, was: What will happen to the “Eggs Benedicto XVI” at Polo Café & Catering? Chef Dave Samber put his take on Eggs Benedict— a “trinity of poached eggs atop ‘whole-y’ wheat toast & grilled German bratwurst sausage with creamy St. Basil pesto Hollandaise sauce and fresh fruit garnish”—since Ratzinger was elected Pope in 2005, where it’s remained as a tasty (and slightly creepy) menu item on the Bridgeport restaurant’s Saturday brunch menu.

Chicagoist placed a call to Polo Café and spoke with Samber, who told us that, while Benedict XVI may not have the mental and physical strength to serve the world’s Catholics any longer, his tribute to the Pope will remain on the menu.

“The Eggs Benedicto XVI will remain on the menu,” Samber said. “I actually own a trademark on the name,” adding that the dish is so popular it would be a bad decision to remove it.

“When a new Pope is named, I may consider adding something to the menu as a tribute to him,” Samber said. At least we’ll still be able to eat Eggs Benedict while the future former Pope looks for approval.

Polo Café & Catering is located at 3322 S. Morgan Street. Their Saturday brunch runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.