#renochicago

[adarkershadeofred]

the reno photo booth is my one true happy place 🖤 #haul #photobooth #renochicago (at Reno Chicago)

[saltandwine-blog]

I found myself famished this morning, so I devoured the Cowboy Killer: Maple fennel sausage, fried egg, bacon, american bechamel and rajas on a brioche bun. Also try the delicious thin crust pizza! #renochicago #eatlocal #logansquare #chicago (at Reno Chicago)

[xochicago-blog]

Reno

RENO 2607 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 773-697-4234

Last February Hannah, Azuree, and I were meeting for dinner at Telegraph on Logan Square. We had heard a lot of good things about the place, but as we came to find out, so had a lot of other people. We had a two hour wait ahead if we wanted to get a table. It was freezing outside and the thought of waiting in the cold or walking aimlessly around Logan Square for two hours didn’t appeal much to any of us. Hence we decided to pop in to Reno, the place next door, on the corner of Milwaukee Ave and Kedzie Ave. None of us had been there before, and had no idea that the team behind Telegraph, Bluebird, and Webster’s Wine Bar, also were behind this newly opened place. As we pushed our way through the buzzing crowd sipping on their cocktails and beers at the bar, and reached the hostess, whom to our relief would be able to seat us within half an hour or less, we had no idea that scrumptious, healthy-ish gourmet pizza’s and strong cocktails were in our future, laying the foundation for a memorable girls night out on the town.

Fast forward six months we visit Reno again. This time on purpose, and in the afternoon to catch the best light and avoid the crowds. The atmosphere is so different this time around. Drifting through the shades, the afternoon sun hits the surfaces of the exposed brick walls, the wooden counters and booths, creating a sense of warmth and serenity. As many other Chicago hotspots during the weekday hours, a few of the tables are occupied with people working on their computers while grabbing a bite to eat or coffee to drink. Still, it doesn’t feel busy or a tad annoying as coffee shops tend to do when the local “working-from-home” workforce invade your favorite spots. The vibe is casual and calm. Even as we later get caught up in conversations and overstay the allotted occupancy of a table, the nice staff at Reno let us hang around without making us feel rushed.

For lunch we opt for the Kale Salad, the Olympian, and the Southern Sandwich. Had the evening menu been available we surely would have stuffed our faces with pizza. Reno has designed a menu that is flexible enough to accommodate a diverse crowd’s food preferences and is flooded with a lot of healthy options at decent prices. Most foods are made in-house and to a certain extent in accordance with whatever local, seasonal, and organic ingredients that are available. What is not to love about that?

Whether you are looking for a cool and fun place to set off your saturday night or a place to enjoy brunch or weekday lunch with friends we think that Reno definitely deserves a visit. Go on a Tuesday* and get any 2 pizzas for $20, $2 PBR tall boys & $2 shots of whiskey! Most likely you’ll see us there.

*check Reno’s website to keep up to date with current specials.