Victory Banner & Kitsch'n - Chicago, IL Review

Victory Banner.  So you always wanted to go Buddhist?  Perhaps not totally, but you are curious about other religions and gosh, the Buddhist just seem so...well, zen.  But you are so busy.  Who has time to do the research?  Hey, no better way to stick your toe in the pool than to check out enlightenment over Breakfast.  Victory Banner on West Roscoe is a breakfast-only, (Eggs Satisfaction-Promise!  Eggs Satisfaction-Promise!) Buddhist-run (all in full garb) breakfast spot.  There is a tiny TV that has yoga/prayer/ceremonial events being displayed way in the back corner.  There are some pamphlets on Buddhism, as well as offerings of classes, books and meditation gatherings.  The staff is ever-so calm and unearthly, of course, and the large crowds never rattle them. 

Yes, prepare to wait if you are going on a weekend because not only is this place filled with monks-in-waiting, it has excellent food.  The Vanilla French Toast is heavenly (sorry) and the Eggs Satisfaction-Promise are Eggsellente. ( Sorry again.)  The one thing that isn't mellow is the coffee.  It is so strong and so good and the cups so large, that one cup will send you buzzing straight to Nirvana.  Ohhhhhhm!

If Buddha isn't your thing, then perhaps Pabst Blue Ribbon is.   Kitsch'n on West Roscoe in Chicago is true to the original character of the neighborhood before everyone had babies and condos.  Ready for some homemade Mac N' Cheese in the same plastic bowl you had at home while watching the Brady Bunch?  (Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!)  Want some Biscuits and Gravy or a big sloppy Sandwich while you stare at posters of Farrah Fawcett and Leaf Garret?  Down home, Midwestern Comfort Food that takes you right back to the 7th grade, and memories of big brothers that beat you up and snuck outside for some smokes and an Old Style.   Wow, they were cool.  And so are you - sitting at Kitsch'n with your date, living life and loving food on memory lane.   Two large rooms filled with retro, goofy memorabilia, as well as a year-round outside garden, make this a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Starsky & Hutch sure think so.