The Berghoff and Berghoff Café continue one of Chicago’s longest restaurant legacies

Berghoff Café Chicago
17 W. Adams
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 427-7399

Hours: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Prices: $4.25 – $13.05

By Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman
Story originally appeared in StreetWise

Unquestionably, the Berghoff is one of Chicago’s most illustrious restaurants, with a history going back to 1882. The restaurant actually started as a brewery and the namesake beer continues to be its signature offering. This large, multi-room German American restaurant got major publicity two years ago when word got out that it was closing. Actually, this wasn’t quite accurate.

Fourth-generation owner, Carlyn Berghoff, opened the Berghoff Café Chicago, a casual cafeteria-style cafe downstairs and opened 17/West in the original space. But soon after, she realized how important the Berghoff legacy is and so 17/West is now known simply as the Berghoff and the Café operates downstairs as planned. Both the Café and the Berghoff offer many family favorites plus more contemporary comfort fare.

The Berghoff Café is open Monday through Friday during the lunch period and is an excellent place to enjoy a wide range of German specialties, signature sandwiches, Panini, salads and pizza. Guests can order at the counter and seat themselves in the spacious dining rooms or simply stop by for carry out.

The Café’s specialties include the traditional Weiner Schnitzel and Sauerbraten. They are hearty and perfected over the year. For a taste of Chicago history, you must give them a try; you won’t be disappointed.

Italian dishes include the Chicken Parmesan sandwich with homemade potato chips, the Italian Combo sandwich with Genoa salami, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, capicola and Italian dressing, Cheese-filled Tortellini with pesto, a pasta of the day, an Italian Salad with Genoa salami, provolone cheese, capicola, and Italian vinaigrette, and either Pepperoni or 4-cheese Pizza.
At the carving station, you’ll find hearty, tasty sandwiches, including Corned Beef, Roast Beef, Roast Turkey, Turkey Meatloaf, and their traditional Bratwurst, all served with a Berghoff pickle; sauerkraut is optional.

The Café has not left out Chicago’s latest sandwich preference, the Panini. Choices include Black Forest Ham with brie and apricot wasabi, Corned Beef or Turkey Reuben, with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on rye with Thousand Island dressing, and the Grilled Portobello & Asparagus on olive bread with goat cheese and roasted peppers.

Additional salad selections are spot on with today’s tastes: the Berghoff Café Cobb Salad, with turkey and choice of dressing; the Pear Salad with Mixed greens, pear slices, candied walnuts, sun-dried cherries tossed in a Champagne vinaigrette. Grilled chicken is optional; The Asian Salad with chicken breast, tossed with Napa cabbage, radicchio and wonton ribbons in a sweet peanut vinaigrette; Caesar Salad, with fresh Romaine lettuce, croutons and parmesan cheese. Grilled chicken is optional.

While you’re in the Café, don’t forget to stop upstairs to take a look around the Berghoff. Its historic ambiance is still a wonder to behold. We’ll talk about the main restaurant at a later date. In the meantime, grab a delicious casual lunch at the Café. Better yet, grab a colleague or shopping mate and enjoy it together.