A private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired read story
New breakfast, lunch cafe opens near Montrose & Milwaukee avenues
by BRIAN NADIG
A new breakfast and lunch restaurant featuring an array of egg dishes, fluffy hotcakes, roasted pineapple French toast and a carne asada skillet recently opened at 5040 W. Montrose Ave., just east of Milwaukee Ave., on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
Owners Areli Autunez and Alvaro Blancas worked together at a North Side restaurant but hoped to someday open their own eatery.
They settled on a 2,200-square-foot storefront that was once home to Fannie’s bakery cafe, and they named the restaurant Portage Park Breakfast Place, which is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week.
“It’s family-owned” and operated, Autunez said, adding that his and Blancas’ wives work there.
How did they choose the Portage/Jefferson Park area for their business?
“We looked in other neighborhoods, but one day I was driving and saw the sign saying this place was for lease,” and quickly fell in love with the community because of all the families living there, Autunez said.
Plans for the restaurant were first announced in early 2023, when Alderman James Gardiner (45th) held a virtual community meeting because the project required the site to be rezoned from B1-1 to B3-1 to accommodate plans to obtain an incidental liquor license for the restaurant. The zoning was approved.
Currently the restaurant does not serve liquor, but plans call for a liquor license to be eventually sought, according to Autunez. It would be mainly for mimosas and other beverages which diners typically order for brunch, he said.
The menu features an array of Mexican-style breakfasts, including chilaquiles, Chihuahua torta, La Mexicana omelette and el burrito.
A variety of other egg dishes, skillets, omelettes, French toast and hotcakes are offered, and the lunch menu includes Jamaican jerk chicken, turkey club, white tuna salad, a burger, salads, and noodle and bean bowls. The kids’ menu has eight items.
(photo by Rob Mandik)
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