Eat Well and Support the Community at Inspiration Kitchens
Hungry? Tired of Hyde Park? Head over to Garfield Park's Inspiration Kitchens for a cheap and delicious meal. While you're indulging in dishes from fried green tomatoes to stuffed Chinese bing bread, you'll be supporting a restaurant whose main mission is to uplift struggling Chicago residents.
Inspiration Kitchens' first priority is to provide dignified programming to Chicagoans coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, supporting residents who are homeless, living in poverty, or leaving the criminal justice system. The kitchen runs a free 12-week training program where people can earn their food handler and sanitation manager certificates and receive job placement assistance. Their kitchen is staffed by trainees and graduates of the program.
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Inspiration Kitchens serves brunch and lunch Wednesday through Sunday and their space is beautiful; wood paneled with exposed brick, sunlit, minimalist and comfortable.
The menu boasts a diverse range of dishes, from American Southern classics like spicy gumbo and shrimp po boys, to house original fusion dishes, like Korean chicken wings on a savory scallion and bean sprout waffle, to classic New American, with fried brussel sprouts and homemade granola with warm chai milk.
Each dish I tried was delicious and presented beautifully. With such a varied menu and affordable prices (dishes range from $2-$14), Inspiration Kitchens is the place to be for an affordable, mouth-watering change of pace from Hyde Park, all while supporting local Chicagoans looking to build a better future!
Chicken & Waffles
Fried Green Tomatos
Shrimp & Grits
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