Silly Name, Serious Matzo Ball Soup in Portage Park

On the South Side, there’s a word used to describe the living room-like area in the entryway of someone’s home.

“Frunchroom.”

On the Northwest Side, there’s a restaurant channeling classic delis and hoping to attract those familiar with the local slang term. 

It, too, is called Frunchroom. We hope you’ve enjoyed this little piece of trivia. Now, go enjoy a bunch of sandwiches there, because it’s open right now in Portage Park. Here’s the slideshow. 

From the chef de cuisine and owner of Community Tavern, this is a pretty casual counter-service affair filled with white-brick walls and wooden banquettes. Make your way through the narrow space to the rear counter, which is lined with cookbooks and chalkboard menus.

In the morning, you’ll be eating bagels and lox or more composed breakfast sandwiches stuffed with garlic sausage, egg and taleggio. Later, you’ll be eating raclette grilled cheeses, bowls of matzo ball soup and Grandma Terry’s meatballs. Terry is the chef’s 92-year-old grandmother. Thanks for asking.

And in addition to all of that, you’d be surprised what else the team is doing in the small space. Like making pasta from scratch and topping it with guanciale and curing salumi in-house for the charcuterie board.

Plus, you just get to say “Frunchroom” now.