Banh Mi Baget Opens on Milwaukee, Chicago Diner Giveaway

Banh Mi Baget partnered with fellow neighborhood buLogan Oyster Socials was featured at the opening party, as well, providing complimentary oysters to Banh Mi Baget patrons. Photo by Melissa Genova Hill. — Logan Oyster Socials was featured at the Banh Mi Baget opening party, providing complimentary oysters to patrons. Photo: Melissa Genova Hill

Logan Square vegans have a lot to celebrate this month. Vietnamese sandwich restaurant Banh Mi Baget opened on Milwaukee near Diversey and features a vegan-friendly menu. Meanwhile, city vegan staple Chicago Diner is celebrating its 32nd birthday by giving away a year’s worth of dinner.

What’s Pho Dinner?

The Banh Mi Baget (2735 N. Milwaukee Ave.) Logan Square location’s grand opening event was Wednesday, March 11. The party featured complimentary oysters from a local travelling oyster bar, Logan Oyster Social, and Goose Island beer. Guests celebrating at the grand opening event included outgoing 35th Ward alderman Rey Colón.

This is the sixth location of the Chicago franchise and the first location in Logan Square. Standout items include Traditional Vietnamese Pho, Papaya Salad and of course, 11 different types of Banh Mi—a sandwich with protein, pickled carrots, diakon, cilantro, and jalapenos on a baguette. The Saigon Classic Special features ham, paté and pork roll. However, vegans and vegetarians will not find themselves excluded on a hearty dinner, with three types of vegan banh mi sandwiches, Black Mushroom Soup and Noodle Salad.

Chicago based franchise, Banh Mi Baget, officially opened their Logan Square location on Milwaukee Ave. on March 11 with a Grand Opening party Logan Oyster Socials was featured at the opening party, as well, providing complimentary oysters to Banh Mi Baget patrons. Photo courtesy Greg Bauer of Banh Mi Baget. — Chicago franchise Banh Mi Baget officially opened its Logan Square location on Milwaukee Avenue on March 11. Photo: Greg Bauer of Banh Mi Baget

Logan Square location owner Le Trinh Hien’s personal favorite dish is the Beef Brisket Pho. “It’s a Vietnamese national dish,” he says. Hien is new to the Logan Square neighborhood and looks forward to getting to know it and getting involved with the community, including the Logan Square Arts Fest, in which Banh Mi Baget will participate.

Banh Mi Baget is open daily from 11 am – 9 pm and is BYOB.

Chicago Diner Turns 32 And Wants To Feed You

The Chicago Diner (2333 N. Milwaukee Ave.), which has been feeding local vegans by being “meat free since ’83,” is celebrating an upcoming anniversary by giving away “Dinner for 2 For 1 Year.” Chicago Diner currently has two locations, one in Lakeview and the most recent in Logan Square, which opened up in 2012.

Hungry residents can enter to win 12 monthly gift cards valued at $50 by checking out the diner’s Facebook page and registering here (and also sign up for a free birthday dessert). That’s a lot of Radical Ruebens and Vegan Milkshakes.

Well-Known Dining Companies Continue To Expand

Two Logan Square restaurant groups will open new eateries in the coming weeks. The owners of Scofflaw and Slippery Slope will open a chef-driven restaurant focused on seafood in the coming weeks, Eater Chicago reports. No location is announced, but it will be in Logan Square.

Meanwhile, the owner of Boiler Room and Parts & Labor, Russ Grant, will open a macaroni and cheese restaurant in the same building as the East Room, which Grant also owns. Eater Chicago reports that the restaurant is only 383 square feet. LoganSquarist will have more on these two ventures as they get closer to opening.