LOGAN SQUARE — Neighborhood staple Same Day Cafe is now serving dinner and cocktails after years of only offering breakfast and lunch service.
The Logan Square cafe, 2651 N. Kedzie Ave., recently launched a dinner menu crafted by chef Jazer Syed, who was most recently the chef-in-residency at Theaster Gates’ Retreat at Currency Exchange Cafe.
Syed’s menu, available 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, is a reflection of his Indian and Filipino roots and Midwestern upbringing. Dishes include garam masala carrots with labneh ($13), lamb kefta kabob with house roti ($18), a house corned beef Reuben ($14) and spinach and artichoke dip ($14).
Syed grew up in the Detroit area and moved to Chicago to pursue his cooking career. He was the sous chef at popular Humboldt Park spots Café Marie-Jeanne and Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar, he said.
“I like to think I create Filipino- and Indian-inspired dishes with a French-European technique and a Midwestern palette,” Syed said.
The dinner menu won’t impact Same Day’s daytime offerings.
Same Day Cafe opened in 2015 as a breakfast and lunch spot with freshly baked pastries, sandwiches and old-school, soda-fountain-style drinks.
The restaurant got its name from a business that used to operate out of the storefront and was for years known for its repurposed sign. Owner Will von Hartz replaced the cafe’s sign in 2021.
Also new to Same Day is a full beverage program with soda-fountain-inspired cocktails, wine by the glass, beer and wine spritzes.
After years of closing in the afternoon, von Hartz obtained a liquor license in October and extended the cafe’s hours to bring in night patrons, hiring Lillie Page as lead bartender.
Same Day’s cocktails include This Affects All Of Us, which contains aviation gin, blackberry, ginger and lime syrups and soda, and Inconceivable! with Redwood Empire Bourbon, ginger syrup and angostura.
Syed said the expansion is the natural next step for the neighborhood restaurant.
“I want the whole menu ordered. That’s my goal, that you can’t say no to anything,” he said.
The dinner menu:
Same Day Cafe Evening Menu by Mina Bloom on Scribd
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