Some restaurants are built for dinner. Others are built for brunch. This one falls firmly in the second camp.
Set in Chicago, IL, Bang Bang Pie Shop has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.
If you only order one thing, make it the shakshuka — a bubbling cast-iron pan of tomatoes, peppers, and softly poached eggs, served with warm pita for sopping.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Bang Bang Pie Shop. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- Bottomless mimosa flight (90-minute limit, weekends only)
- Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and seasonal cold-pressed juices
- Eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin
- Smoked salmon plate with cream cheese, capers, red onion, and a toasted bagel
- Shakshuka with feta, herbs, and warm pita
- Country-style biscuits and sausage gravy
- Smoked brisket hash with two eggs and pickled onion
- Lox bagel sandwich with everything seasoning and dill cream cheese
Light streams in through tall windows, jazz plays at a sensible volume, and the espresso machine hums in the background like a third instrument.
The hash deserves attention: crisp-edged potatoes, caramelized onions, peppers, and a runny egg on top, with hot sauce on every table.
Solo diners should head straight for the counter — the cooks will keep you entertained and the line moves fastest there.
Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Chicago, Bang Bang Pie Shop is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. Whether you're a tourist with one weekend in town or a local with a Sunday ritual, this is a place that earns its reputation plate by plate.
Tips from the regulars
- Coffee is taken seriously here. If you only know diner drip, ask the barista for a recommendation.
- If you're walking from public transit, the closest stop is a short stroll away — a small price to pay for the breakfast burrito.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free diners have real options, not just sad fruit cups.
- Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
- Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
Hours
Specific opening hours rotate seasonally — call ahead to confirm, especially around holidays. Most weekend brunch service runs from late morning through early afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Bang Bang Pie Shop open for brunch?
Specific hours rotate seasonally, but Bang Bang Pie Shop typically opens for brunch service in the morning and serves through early afternoon. Call ahead on holidays.
Does Bang Bang Pie Shop take reservations?
Most brunch spots in Chicago are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.
Is Bang Bang Pie Shop kid-friendly?
Yes — Bang Bang Pie Shop welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.
What kind of cuisine does Bang Bang Pie Shop serve?
It's classified under cafe — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Chicago.
Is there outdoor seating at Bang Bang Pie Shop?
Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.
Location
Located at Chicago, IL. Coordinates: 41.9190, -87.6971. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.