Let me tell you about the meal that changed how I think about a Tuesday night in Chicago. It happened at Bungalow by Middle Brow, a brewery-restaurant tucked into a beautifully restored bungalow on Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square, and it involved a naturally leavened pizza so good I actually paused mid-slice to look around and make sure other people were experiencing what I was experiencing. They were.
Middle Brow started as a brewing operation with a serious conscience — these are the folks who built their entire business model around sustainability, local sourcing, and doing things the hard way because the hard way tastes better. The Bungalow, which opened as their full-service restaurant and taproom, is the physical expression of all of that philosophy. Walking in, you feel it immediately: the space is warm without being precious, roomy enough for a real night out but cozy enough that the couple at the next table feels like neighbors. There is exposed wood, honest lighting, and the low hum of a room full of people who are genuinely happy to be where they are.
The beer program alone would justify the trip. Middle Brow brews with an eye toward the wild and fermented end of the spectrum — farmhouse ales, saisons, and mixed-fermentation offerings that reward the curious drinker. They rotate frequently, so whatever is on tap when you visit will be different from what was pouring last month, and that unpredictability is half the fun. Ask the staff what they are excited about. They will tell you without hesitation, and they will be right.
But let us talk about that pizza. Middle Brow makes their dough with spent grain from the brewing process and ferments it long and slow, which produces a crust with a chew and a depth of flavor that most pizza in this city simply does not have. The toppings are seasonal and thoughtful — not in a fussy, overexplained way, but in the way that makes you realize someone actually thought about what goes together and why. The char on the underside is exactly what it should be. The whole thing arrives looking effortless, which you know it is not.
Logan Square is one of Chicago’s most walkable, most interesting neighborhoods, and Bungalow by Middle Brow fits right into the fabric of it. This is a block where you can grab a coffee beforehand, wander into a record shop, and then settle in for a long, unhurried dinner. The restaurant does not rush you, and neither does the neighborhood. On warm evenings, the outdoor seating area fills up early, so plan accordingly — or embrace the fact that waiting with a cold saison in hand is not exactly suffering.
Reservations are available and worth making for weekends, though the bar seating often has room for walk-ins who are willing to be flexible. The menu is approachable enough for a casual weeknight and interesting enough to bring someone you are trying to impress. Prices are fair for what you get, which is a lot.
If you find yourself in Logan Square — and you should find yourself in Logan Square — do not walk past the Bungalow. Sit down, order something fermented, and let a Tuesday surprise you.
