Lunchman Chronicles

Learn about Will the Lunchman and see pictures from recent lunch outings

Featured Bar of the Month

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

2717 N. Maplewood Ave in Logan Square

Established 2017

Taproom

Craft beer and cocktails

Good food

My former barbershop used to offer Maplewood's Son of Juice cans to customers--half the reason I kept showing up for subpar haircuts. Other Maplewood beers are on tap at various establishments I frequent. Alas, it was finally time to visit the mother ship, as foreshadowed on a recent podcast.

I met the crew at Maplewood Brewery around dinnertime on a Friday. The taproom was full but not crowded. We sat at a 6-top and ordered from our phones. (The online ordering process is a breeze.) Pulaski Pils, one of my favorite Chicago beers, is available in pints or liters. Yeah, I went for the liter. A bartender arrived posthaste, carrying my enormous cold mug of pilsner with a proper head on it. A beer always tastes best at the actual brewery, for whatever reason. Cheese curds were delivered shortly after, and I was encouraged to pop a curd immediately. When someone from Ellsworth--home of the annual Cheese Curd Festival--recommends a cheese curd, eat it. With one euphoric mouthful, all my troubles melted away. Ode to the heavenly, fluffy, warm cheese cloud, bringer of joy. And dippin’ sauce, to boot?

Atmosphere-wise, the taproom is blissful. Chill enough for comfortable conversation, but with the desired level of ambient noise to ensure your table’s conversation remains at your table. A Geese concert graced the televisions, literal music to the ears of jam band fans.

My smashburger showed up on a plate with a healthy offering of golden French fries and a cup of burger sauce. Good burger and good sauce. Highly recommend.

After another round of beers, endless laughs, and a shared dessert, the curd crew disbanded for the night, high on life…plus a bit of beer, THC seltzer, and curd assuredness.

Food & Beers We've Enjoyed Recently

MARCH 2026

Taqueria Super Burrito - steak super burrito

Cubby Bear - Old Style can(s)

Pilot Project (Wrigleyville) - smash burger, Serpente Italian pilsner can(s)

Max's Deli - hot pastrami on rye + coleslaw & pickle

Happy Camper (Wrigleyville) - pepperoni pizza, Pacifico draft

Lao Sze Chuan (Chinatown) - Crab Rangoon, Kung Pao chicken, Singapore fried noodle, Tsing Tao bottle(s)

FEBRUARY 2026

The Berghoff Restaurant - bratwurst, stein of Open Czech pilsner

La Chaparrita Grocery - tripa taco, lengua taco, pastor taco, suadero taco, longaniza taco, Modelo michelada

Gman Tavern - High Life bottle(s)