Introduction to Portage Park Breakfast Place
Portage Park Breakfast Place opened at 5040 W. Montrose Ave. at the end of December, serving “new American” breakfast dishes that also draw inspiration from the co-owners’ Mexican heritages. Areli Antunez and Alvaro Blancas, who have worked in restaurants for more than two decades, met while cooking at M. Henry cafe in Andersonville. A few years ago, the friends decided to open their own breakfast spot. In 2022, they drove past the Portage Park storefront, which had been home to Fannie’s Cafe and, before that, Pizza by Alex, and they saw that the space was for lease.
The Concept and Menu
Antunez, of Belmont Cragin, said they fell in love with the location after driving around the neighborhood and seeing how many families lived nearby. “That’s exactly what we were looking for,” he said. “We’re both parents, so we wanted it to be a place where families could bring their kids, a place that had something for everyone.”
Areli Antunez, left, and Alvaro Blancas, right, are the co-owners of Portage Park Breakfast Place. Credit: Molly DeVore/ Block Club Chicago
Antunez and Blancas began renovating the storefront’s interior in 2022, but they encountered delays getting city permits and rezoning the area to allow alcohol. However, they were able to get the necessary rezone and plan on applying for a liquor license this year. Antunez said they want to offer mimosas and bloody mary cocktails.
Menu Highlights
Antunez said all of the restaurant’s dishes are made from scratch. Menu highlights include a roasted pineapple French toast, a Chihuahua breakfast torta, chilaquiles verdes and rojos, a flight of three bread puddings — one made with orange, one made with guava and one made with mango and blueberry — and the Portage Park Breakfast Sandwich, which is topped with tomatoes, gorgonzola cheese, bacon and eggs.
The Portage Park Breakfast Sandwich. Credit: Molly DeVore/ Block Club Chicago
The restaurant’s lunch menu features a Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich, a black Angus burger and an herb-roasted veggie sandwich. Portage Park Breakfast Place also has a children’s menu.
Community Support and Family Involvement
The business is a family affair: Antunez’s wife, Elia Maya, and Blancas’ wife, Elizabeth Salinas, help out, while Antunez’s son and Blancas’ daughter work at the restaurant. Antunez said they’ve already had a lot of neighborhood support. He said they “had a full house” for brunch last weekend and about 75-80 percent of their customers live nearby. He also said several local business owners have stopped by to welcome them to the neighborhood.
Conclusion
Portage Park Breakfast Place joins a growing business community along Milwaukee Avenue. The chefs behind Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern opened Migos Fine Foods next door in 2024, Howling Pages comics opened down the street in 2022 and Moonflower cocktail bar opened around the corner in 2021. “We have some really good neighbors,” Antunez said. “We’re very proud to be part of this community.” The new restaurant is open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Updates will be posted to its Instagram.
FAQs
Q: What type of cuisine does Portage Park Breakfast Place serve?
A: Portage Park Breakfast Place serves “new American” breakfast dishes that also draw inspiration from the co-owners’ Mexican heritages.
Q: What are some menu highlights?
A: Menu highlights include a roasted pineapple French toast, a Chihuahua breakfast torta, chilaquiles
