Tempo Cafe

Tempo Cafe 6 E. Chesnut St.

Hours: 6:30 am - 9 pm daily

$11 - $30 per person Takeout and Delivery available at www.tempochicago.com

StreetWise’s expert restaurant critic, Lisa Getches, tackles Tempo Cafe this time. Sitting proudly at the intersection of Chestnut and State streets is this sleek white building with arched wooden windows that gently beckon you to take a closer look. There was an outdoor dining area with striped window awnings, bringing a comfortable shade to the people enjoying a meal in the fresh summer air. Bright chandeliers greeted Lisa upon stepping through the door, and the wooden interior was so warm, Lisa felt right at home when she took a seat in one of the chairs.

“The people around me seemed like regulars, like they knew the staff and were used to dining here. A lot of them chatted over breakfast.”

It was the staff that truly brought the cozy atmosphere into the restaurant. All of the servers were very friendly, or “young and energetic” as Lisa puts it. The busboys offered her coffee and were very prompt about cleaning tables. The server taking her order even let her in on the secret pot roast on the menu.

Lisa definitely ordered the pot roast special, which came with a tossed salad and soft drink. She noted that the prices on the menu were decent, ranging from $4 for sides or drinks to $20 for entrees like the steak stir-fry. Once Lisa received her pot roast, she could see that the beef was prepared well. The dish was hot and pleasant, but if there was anything Lisa would critique, it was the taste. If she hadn’t added more pepper, she felt that the beef roast would have tasted a bit bland. The generous size of the dish certainly made up for that, however.

Overall, Lisa would recommend other people to visit this restaurant; she plans to return, too. She also suggests bringing your own beverage or booze, which is something they allow. This restaurant is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., so whether you’re in the mood for lovely breakfast food or hot and filling entrees, the cozy Tempo Cafe is right there for you!