The Taste Buds Get Their Kitsch On

Compiled by Scarlett Stoppa, January 19, 2010 

Chicago 6 Corners has added a yummy new dish – Restaurant reviews brought to you by The Taste Buds, a posse of Chicago 6 Corners contributors with strong opinions and healthy appetites. Sounds like me, you say? Well, you too can be a Bud. Just jot us a quick e-mail at chicago6corners (at) gmail.com and we'll add you to the list. (We're informal. Occasional attendance works.)

 For our inaugural review, The Taste Buds chose Roscoe Village's Kitsch'n – self proclaimed as "Chicago's Cult Favorite: Comfort Food & Brunch Destination." We took their advice and came for brunch to power us through a marathon shopping spree at Village Discount Outlet right down the block (the Taste Buds pictured here, tho' Dave was manning the camera; that monstrosity in front of us is our collective purchases!).

This review's Buds include: Alyssa, Ellen, Emily, David, and me (Scarlett).

David: Kitsch Factor: High! Billy Dee "Lando Calrissian" Williams' ill-fated decision to promote Colt 45 on beer signage is in full effect (above Kitsch'n's 21st century register, no less). "It works every time!" he says with a Claire Huxtable look-alike hanging off his shoulder. What's next, Billy? Pushing crack?

Breaded Egg Factor: Speaking of crack, the coconut-infused french toast with drizzly berry sauce is enough to push me to The Dark Side of gluten addiction. Texas toast – Ditto!

Coffee Refill #: Passes the Mr. Pink Reservoir Dogs test. 5 cups. Never less than 1/3 cup full.

Affordability: Less than $10/breakfast item. So...average.

Scarlett: Kitsch Factor: High, as the name infers. The doodads, knickknacks, and chotchkies sent us all down memory lane. Mork! (Robin Williams at his best.) Barbarella!! (Jane Fonda at her perkiest.) Candy Land!!! (We quickly discovered you're either in the Sorry school or the Candy Land school, but rarely both.) The one disappointing break in the kitsch fever was a big screen T.V. billboard pushing conference space.

Caliente Factor: SPICY! After being turned off the chicken and waffles by our server (she might have heard me drooling over a memory of L.A.'s Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles), I opted for the chilaquiles, which were delicious...and Hot Hot Hot!

Coffee Refill #: Being one of those that strives for that magic combination of cream and sugar in my joe, I found the coffee refills slightly manic. But that's my worst complaint. We didn't wait a second for a table. We were pampered with attention. And after a small mishap in the kitchen, where my plate landed chila-side-down, our server went to great lengths to get my fresh plate to me muy rapido!

Alyssa: The Classics Factor: 1. Green eggs and ham! (fresh spinach & basil leaves packed into a fluffy omelette garnished with ham); 2. endless cups of coffee; and 3. a lemon slice chandelier! (lemons in the water too, maybe so you won't suck on the chandelier)

Emily: Been Here Done That (& Will Do It Again) Factor: This fantastic brunch, lunch & dinner spot never fails to please. The fun and unique atmosphere is a great place to relax with friends. The brunch menu features crab-cake eggs benedict (YUM) and is now available all day long! Oh, and Kitsch'n is also a bar! Did someone say pancakes and beer? Score 1 for the good guys! (Tho' the silverware-in-the-toaster table centerpiece made me nervous.)

Ellen: There's a chicken in my salad Factor: Excellent!

Going Dutch Factor: So Cool. The check is automatically divided to show what each guest owes.

Overall: *Our* kind of kitsch. Thumbs UP (a'la Fonzie...Ayyyyy!)