Slightly Toasted, Now Open, Gives West Loop 'Old Man Beer' & Fine Dining

Monday may have brought another day of freezing, wintry temperatures to Chicago, but it’s toasty near the West Loop. Slightly Toasted, the new all-day bar, coffee shop and fancy toast emporium opened their doors this morning with food from sibling chefs and backing from the father-son-team that brought Oak+Char to River North.

Unlike the River North spot, Slightly Toasted allows Art and Tyler Mendoza the freedom to create an open space more to their specifications. While much of the business should come from the morning commute crowd, the team has fine-dining aspirations through a Saturday night dinner series they’re calling Mercúrio. They’ll host this special dinner only at 7 p.m. on select Saturdays. The first dinner date hasn’t been announced, but ownership wants to utilize Tock so guest can book reservations. A Tock page isn’t yet online.

The bar also picks up on the neighborhood’s happy hour sensibilities. During warmer months, a 70-seat patio should be a big draw for the after-work crowd, with co-workers enjoying the bar’s extensive whisky list, barrel-aged cocktails, craft beer, or a can from the "Old Man Beer" section. Of course, those who bring their laptop and work from the bar area won’t have to move to meet up for a post-work drink. They’ll just transition from coffee to booze. It’s that simple.

Check out the full drink list below.

Slightly Toasted, 22 N. Clinton St, (312) 967-2830, open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays; lunch service starts at 11 a.m.