Longman & Eagle, a Logan Square establishment in Chicago, celebrated its sixteenth anniversary recently. Despite its long history, the gastropub continues to innovate under new executive chef Alex Swieton. Known for its wild boar sloppy Joes, the restaurant now also emphasizes vibrant vegetable dishes.
A Legacy of Transformation
The restaurant opened in 2010, nearly a century after the Illinois Centennial Monument was erected nearby. Partners from the Empty Bottle music venue launched Longman & Eagle, which garnered a Michelin star for its hearty bar food and rare whiskey offerings. Recently, it earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, recognizing its exceptional yet reasonably priced cuisine.
Revamping the Menu
Swieton has retained classics like the sloppy Joe, double smashburger, and roasted bone marrow, but also embraced local produce for fresh salads. For instance, the cucumber salad features raw and grilled cucumbers from Nichols Farm & Orchard, paired with pickled fennel and a melon vinaigrette over basil creme fraiche.
It’s the restaurant that I fell in love with many years ago.
Swieton crafts unique dishes such as beef heart tartare, innovatively combining French tradition with Midwest flair. This dish uses beef heart from Slagel Farm, paired with house-smoked trout tonnato-style sauce.
Seasonal Delights
Seasonal offerings include pork ribs with a cherry char siu glaze, sourced from Kilgus Farmstead, alongside a dish of summer squash hiding a zucchini fritter beneath a vibrant chutney vinaigrette.
The Turkish eggs highlight morning offerings, with poached eggs resting on garlic conserva yogurt and urfa biber brown butter served with house-made focaccia.
Beverage Innovations
At the bar, Jay Cullen prepares the Calamansi Crush, a non-alcoholic drink balancing citrus shrubs with hints of orange and lime. The espresso martini brings Italian coffee liqueur into harmony with Kentucky small-batch vodka.
Sweets with a Twist
In desserts, Swieton developed a unique french fry ice cream. Fries steep in Kilgus milk to create an ice cream base, accompanied by malted chocolate mousse reminiscent of a Wendy’s Frosty.
Longman & Eagle remains a beloved spot in Chicago, with its offerings continually evolving to delight patrons seasonally. As Swieton puts it, they strive for dishes that provide more than expected, even from something as humble as cucumbers.
Longman & Eagle
- Address: 2657 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL
- Phone: 773-276-7110
- Website: longmanandeagle.com
- Open: Daily; weekdays from 11 a.m., Monday to Thursday until 11 p.m., Friday until 1 a.m.; weekends from 9 a.m., Saturday until 1 a.m, Sunday until 11 p.m.
- Prices: Range from $11 for ice cream to $26 for pork ribs
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Ratings by the Chicago Tribune are paid for and the restaurant was rated excellent, earning three stars.