HUNTER’S NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: MINDY’S HOTCHOCOLATE

1747 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
www.hotchocolatechicago.com

The spirit of the holidays is warm and festive, and discovering the perfect presents at beloved neighborhood businesses is one of our favorite things. If you find yourself wrapping up wish lists in Bucktown or Wicker Park this season, treat yourself to a post-shopping warm-up at Mindy’s HotChocolate. Open since 2005, HotChocolate endures on Damen Avenue as the best place to take a break from the cold and refuel with delicious, locally sourced comfort dishes, updated classic pastries, and their signature hot chocolate drinks. Renowned owner and James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal knows there’s nothing better than a warm cup of hot chocolate to make your soul smile—and we couldn’t agree more.

Known and loved for their decadent sweet treats, Mindy’s HotChocolate is much more than a dessert bar, with lunch, dinner, and brunch options throughout the week. Their lunch and brunch menus each provide a list of classic offerings—think tomato soup, salmon bagel, mac & cheese—as well as a rotating list of specials like their spaghetti squash salad, seasonal quiches, and fried rice. For heartier fare, HotChocolate’s burger is a true winner—it’s been featured on multiple Chicago best burger lists. If you’re on a sweet-specific mission, try the Mexican hot chocolate with savory dashes of cayenne and cinnamon and Mindy’s signature homemade marshmallows.

If you’re still searching for the greatest gift for your foodie friend or family member, Mindy’s HotChocolate accepts catering orders for pastry items at their Damen Avenue location, and also at their Revival Food Hall stall. For the cookie-crazed baker in your life, Chef Mindy’s cookbook, Cookie Love, offers over 60 delectable cookie recipes to try in the comfort of your home.

HotChocolate is open for lunch Wednesday through Friday from 11:30am-2pm and 10am-2pm on weekends for brunch, and serves dinner from 5:30-10pm Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday. Extended dinner hours are offered on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:30pm-12am. Reservations are accepted and encouraged, but walk-in diners are always welcome.

For more information about Mindy’s cookbook, bakery catering, HotChocolate’s Revival Food Hall location, or to book a private event, visit HotChocolate’s website.

Planning your visit: HotChocolate is easily accessed by CTA bus line #50 Damen and is a quarter mile north of the #72 North Ave. bus. If you’re traveling via CTA train, the Blue line Damen stop is the closest in proximity, with a quarter mile walk from the station to the restaurant. If visiting by car, paid street parking is available on Damen and neighboring side streets.