Review: Handlebar, Chicago's Best and Only Bicycle Restaurant

Bikes, bikes, food and bikes! Handlebar (www.handlebarchicago.com), located at 2311 W North Avenue, provides a fantastic little diner for bike enthusiasts, beer connoisseurs, and anyone who loves fine Vegetarian/Vegan dining. Handlebar is one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Ahem. On Monday nights they serve draft PBR for $1.75! The first aesthetic element of Handlebar is that it caters to people who love to bicycle. You may often find a rack of bikes locked up outside: BMX, fixed-gears, 12-speeds, mountain bikes, and even recumbents. There is a definite love for bicycles - hence the name, Handlebar. If you like vegan cooking, you need to give Handlebar a try.

On the inside, expect to find enough room to fit about twenty tables for two. It's a small, neighborhood restaurant; there's a bar, and a great outside patio if the weather permits.

They're usually open until about midnight on weeknights, and have some accessibility if you travel by car. Ideally, you'll want to bike to Handlebar, of course! If you don't have a bike, you can also reach Handlebar via public transit by getting off at either the Western or Damen Blueline stop, or taking either the Western or North Avenue bus.

Ahem. On Monday Nights, they serve draft PBR for $1.75!

First, the food at Handlebar is generally Vegetarian and Vegan. They do have an excellent Tuna dish, as well as items that contain Cheese and egg, but there are plenty of Tofu options available.

I'll recommend a few items on the menu:

Breakfast Burritos

These were eggs and tofu packed with delicious cheese and wrapped inside of whole-wheat tortillas. They came with some of the freshest cilantro that I have ever tasted, and a side of salsa, beans and rice. Amazing; simply amazing.

BBQ Seitan

This item is essentially a sloppy-joe rib sandwich on whole-wheat bread, with Seitan replacing the meat product. These were usually cooked to perfection; I enjoy my Seitan almost blackened. I must admit that I am a meat eater, but if I had to switch, I'd be eating grilled Seitan like this every night of the week!

Fish Tacos

This item is scrumptious. It's an amazing little snack that you might expect to find on a beach in Mexico. Imagine freshly seared fish wrapped into avocado, fresh salsa, and cilantro. Whenever I order Fish Tacos at Handlebar, I eat them instantaneously and wonder if I should order some more!

Black Beans Maduro

This is a legendary dish at Handlebar; it makes my tummy feel yummy.

Along with the food, Handlebar has an amazing selection of beers and a special nearly every night of the week. Expect to find strange white beers from Europe, high-end Chimay Ale, Delirium Tremens, and all sorts of micro-brews. Did I mention on Mondays, they serve PBR for $1.75?

The waitstaff is generally friendly, most of the women I know seem to enjoy the male wait-staff because of their strong bicyclist legs and hipster beards. "Whatta cutie!" is a commonly heard adjective for the waiters there.

Handlebar is usually busy for lunches and dinners; it's a popular place, so you might have to wait in line for the deliciousness.

PRICES: $8-15 for most dishes.

BEER: Amazing Selection of beers

PATIO: Yes, definitely.

PARKING: Not much, ride your bike!