First Slice   

4401 N Ravenswood Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
773-506-7380

Directions   Email   Send to Cell  

This socially conscious eatery settles into the first level of Lillstreet Art Center, a community-oriented gallery and studio space specializing in pottery, arts and craft. First Slice Pie Cafe serves up artisan sandwiches as well as organic meats and vegetables, but its real dedication lies in helping those in need. Proceeds from the 24-seat cafe go directly to feeding the community's homeless and hungry, and all of the staff are volunteers. To further help families in need, First Slice has set up a foundation for folks to contribute: $40 provides 5060 servings of hot, freshly prepared home-style soup to be served to the area's hungry and homeless; $60 provides one weeks worth of First Slice cookies to children and adults living on the streets; $198 provides a low-income family of three with meals for six weeks; and $396 provides a low-income family of three with meals for 12 weeks. With the kitchen overseen by executive chef Mary Ellen Diaz, who was trained at l'Ecole des Arts Culinaires, the menu offers upscale, quality food--at moderate prices. Highlights include a Latin veggie salad, bacon and sweet onion quiche, turkey chili, and spinach and butternut squash lasagna. The bakery, of course, boasts a number of delicious, fresh-baked pies such as roasted red pear, lemon meringue and classic apple.