Miscellaneous short report: Calliope Cafe, Caribou

Based on a quite enthusiastic LLS capsule in the reader I dropped into Calliope Cafe for lunch on Fri. Obviously I didn't get the full range of the surprisingly varied menu in one visit, but overall it was pleasant without being in any way a destination.

Very bright, comfortable space. Feels like a slightly upscale lunch spot that someone would open in a vacation community like New Buffalo.

The wife had a chicken avocado wrap which she pronounced very tasty, though we both agreed that these luminescent tortillas (tomato, spnach, etc.) that people use for wraps are all about color and nothing about actual flavor.

The homemade waffle chips that come with were enjoyably crunchy/salty/greasy.

We split an app. of baked potato wedges with cheddar and bacon topping. These were the classic bar food app., and made me wish I was at a bar. Very generous with real bacon bits. Sour cream on the side.

I had a marinated sliced steak sandwich. The meat was done medium. But moist and tasty. The roll was lightly toasted, which was nice. I'm guessing it wasn't terrific bread to start with and the toasting definitely improved it. The sandwich was enhanced with a nice helping of grilled onion, mushroom and melted provolone - though this was standard issue provolone, i.e. not a whole lot of flavor.

The one odd note was that the menu went out of its way to mention a homemade steak sauce on the sandwich. Neither my eyes nor my tongue could perceive any dressing, so I went to the counter and asked for a side of the sauce. They happily provided one. It was a sort of mustard color, with a hint of orange in the nose - but in the mouth I could discern literally no flavor of any kind. I tried it alone, I tried dipping the sandwich in it. Nothing. Nonetheless, a fairly flavorful sandwich.

It's a great place for kids - spacious, everything served in baskets, lots of plastic. But the menu is broad enough with some fairly sophisticated options to keep parents happy.

Didn't have dessert, but saw a brownie that looked quite promising.
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Caribou is supporting breast cancer research with a special blend in honor of someone connected to the organization. It's a very nice blend. On the light side, body-wise, but bright good flavor.

Where is Calliope?

It's on Lincoln, just north of Diversey on the West side of the street. They have a small parking lot.

I am a big fan of this place. They put together a nice Reuben-style sandwich and a very good turkey/avocado club. I also love the homemade chips.

I think it is a chain, as we are getting a (or has it already opened?) Calliope cafe in Evanston on Sherman between Church and Clark (next to Gary Poppins)

My guess is that the orig. may be expanding, but i don't think it's a chain in the usual sense (corporate headquarters, franchises or scores of units, etc.) The Reader capsule review mentioned where the owners had come from, and the vibe at the Lincoln Ave. location was fairly individual.

But if they're trying to create a model for creating a handful of them, more power to them. It's better than most.