When Logan Square’s Brown Sack closed in late 2014, the neighborhood lost a casual, affordable lunch spot. But the corner didn’t stay empty for long—Wyler Road, a sandwich place/bar from the Burlington team, opened over the summer and picked up right where they left off.
This place is adorable, with tall mint green bar stools, lots of wood and windows for light, plus dishes served on mismatched china that you can’t help but photograph before diving in. The menu, from chef Forster Sorensen (Au Cheval) includes 21 sandwiches, divided into hot, cold, fried and grilled cheese sections. It’s a lot to choose from, but the clam belly is a good pick—clam bellies aren’t easy to find around Chicago, and the ones here come tucked into a batard with crisp strips of bacon, butter lettuce and a squiggle of zippy lemon aioli. The reuben has great flavor, with corned beef, muenster, bread and butter pickles and Russian dressing layered on rye bread, though the soggy bottom layer turned it into a fork and knife sandwich.
Beyond sandwiches, there’s an array of salads and sides—don’t be too tempted by the fried potato balls, served with a drizzle of Cheez Whiz, sour cream, bacon and chives—they’re giant, and I wish they were smaller for a more crisp-edge-to-creamy-filing ratio. And you need to save room for the fried cheese curds, perfectly fried and light. With fried basil leaves and ranch dipping sauce, they’re already one of my favorite versions in Chicago.
End with a spiked float, like the Fernet cow, housemade Fernet ice cream topped with Coke and Letherbee Fernet poured on top—it’s super strong, so it’s not ideal for lunch. That just means you need to go back for dinner.
Vitals
Atmosphere: Bright and airy, it’s equally good for quick lunches (or settling in for work or a meeting) if you live in the neighborhood, or as a low-key date spot.
What to eat: Cheese curds, clam belly sandwich.
What to drink: The cocktail list is entirely comprised of draft cocktails, and they’re all pretty straightforward—the delightful watermelon basil daisy is a seasonal tequila cocktail made with orange curacao and lime, while the Northern Abbey is a gin martini with Lillet Blanc and grapefruit. The beer list focuses exclusively on local and Midwestern drafts, including picks from Destihl, Off Color and Surly.
Where to sit: The long bar has plenty of high chairs for solo diners or pairs, while a handful of four and two top-tables offer more seating.