Owen & Engine
Blueberry Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting
Housemade Crumpets with Nordic Creamery Butter and Blueberry Jam
Scotch Egg with Stout Mustard
Chocolate Chip, Blueberry, and Poppyseed Scones with Clotted Cream and Blueberry Jam
Scottish Pancakes with Burton’s Maple Syrup and House Bacon
Steel Cut Oatmeal Risotto, Poached Farm Egg, Pork Confit, Shaved Parmesan, Grilled Brown Bread
Bubble and Squeak
House Baked Brioche French Toast Sandwich with Sunny Egg, Aged Cheddar, Smoked Ham, Maple Syrup, Blueberry Jam, Salad
Full English Fry-Up with Tinned Beans, Fried Egg, Grilled Tomato, House Bacon, Brown Bread, Blood Sausage, Banger
Located in Logan Square and loaded with beards, ink, and irony just moments after opening, Owen + Engine was selected as a ‘morning after’ celebration for two recently united families largely on location, but also in part due to items far more interesting than the ‘typical’ American bill of fare. Described by some as a gastropub, and by many as Chicago’s best British food, with a menu featuring items both savory and sweet it was thankfully with reservations and details of the special occasion that we were greeted at the restaurant’s doors and swiftly led to a semi-private room amidst the restaurant’s rustic confines both service and selections would shine, the unfortunate discontinuation of a coveted ‘foie gras cinnamon roll’ the meal’s lone flaw. Dining as part of a group of seven, with some still recovering from a wedding reception the night before, it was none-the-less with an eye on diversity that our tasting was crafted and starting out with a quartet of starters a theme of textbook execution was quickly made known – the sones and crumpets both as good as any I had in England while the ‘standard’ cinnamon roll and runny Scotch egg were delicious as well. Neglecting to photograph a burger proclaimed as ‘very good’ by the groom’s father but happy to document my own end of the table it was with a few double orders that entrees arrived and with two plates of pancakes plus a full English Fry-Up both impressive in their own right it was the pseudo-risotto and duo of French Toast sandwiches that handily stole the show, the former a creamy bowl of oats melded to crispy pig by egg-yolk while the later featured thick slices of bread griddled after a bath in custard surrounding sharp cheddar and smoky slices of ham, the savory flavors brought into sharp focus with a drizzle of syrup and sidecar of jam.
RECOMMENDED: French Toast Sandwich, Oatmeal Risotto, Crumpets, and an extra quenelle of clotted cream to spread liberally on the scones.
AVOID: Desserts, at least on the day of our visit, seemed utterly uninspiring compared to the menu proper. Additionally, attempting to share the Scotch Egg is hopeless – order one each.
TIP: Featuring a vast beer list, indoor seating as well as rooftop patio, and service far superior to the likes of Reno or Longman & Eagle the vibe of Owen + Engine is undoubtedly the best ‘family friendly’ brunch I’ve found in Logan Square – a ‘unique’ menu for those looking for something different while still familiar enough for those unwilling to explore.
