Know Your Neighbor: Monica Mooney

After almost a decade in the beer biz, you could safely say Monica Mooney knows her brews.

Name & Occupation

Monica Mooney, Field Service Representative, Bell’s Brewery

How Long In Logan Square?

A little over four months, but I moved from the edge of Logan.

Why did you move?

I intentionally looked at Logan. My job takes me all over the city and this neighborhood feels like home. I’m from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I feel like Logan Square gives people opportunity. It’s amazing how bars and restaurants draw people to neighborhoods they normally might not visit.

What are your favorite neighborhood spots?

I like the fish tacos at Rocking Horse (@Rocking_Horse, 2535 N. Milwaukee Ave.). Before I moved here I went there for food and drinks—it was one of the first places I went to when I moved to Chicago. This is a popular one, but … Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits (@bangbangpie, 2051 N. California Ave.). It’s so close to where I live. When friends come to town, I take them there. The outside group picnic aspect of Parson’s Chicken & Fish (@ParsonsCHI, 2952 W. Armitage Ave.) feels homey; I can bring my dog. And I love their beans. I feel like they’re the best beans I’ve had in the city. I tell my visiting co-workers to stay at Longman & Eagle (@longmanandeagle, 2657 N. Kedzie Ave.). It’s one of those places you walk into and feel comfortable. Jam (@JAMRestaurant, 3057 W. Logan Blvd.)—I’m a huge fan. It was part of a restaurant crawl we did. The waitstaff is friendly and chatty. If you want to have a party there, you don’t need a rental, just pay for the service, food and beverages.

Bell’s is Michigan. What’s your favorite Chicago brew?

Half Acre.

What food do you think goes best with beer? 

Beer is very versatile. There are so many beer and food pairings; the flavors you can get from beer are more dynamic than wine.

What do you think about so many breweries opening in Chicago? 

Fantastic! It’s an art, it really is. More craft breweries and the excitement around them, the better for everyone.

“Socializing the neighborhood” is at the core of the LoganSquarist mission, so we introduce readers to interesting and unique residents throughout Logan Square in our Know Your Neighbor column. If you know someone who would be ideal for to feature, let us know.