Local Loves: Monica + The Southport Grocery & Cafe

Today I have Monica, the fashion blogger behind Caravan of Style, sharing her favorite breakfast spot on Local Loves! If you are new to Cedar and Rush, Local Loves is a post series where I feature Chicagoan’s favorite thing about their city. If you have a spot, event, etc. of your own you would like to showcase, be sure to shoot me an email.

So let’s get to it shall we?



Name: Monica
Blog: Caravan of Style
Lives (neighborhood): East Lakeview
Local Love: Southport Grocery
Location: Lakeview
Why Do You Love It?: I had been coming to Chicago for years to visit my college friend Connie, who happened to live down the street from Southport. Every time I visited the city we made it a point to visit Southport Grocer for their delicious “pop tarts”. I instantly fell in love with the place and continued to frequently visit almost every weekend as soon as I moved to the city. Southport Grocer feels like home in a way, and I love every delicious item that comes out of the kitchen – especially their bread pudding pancakes. Yummy!

{Monica out front}

Southport is a charming grocery store and breakfast nook all rolled up into one. There is a no reservation policy (it is a VERY popular spot), so be sure to get there early to put your name in. Luckily there are plenty of shops and local watering holes nearby to keep you busy while you wait.


Monica, Lindsay and I worked up a pretty nice appetite and ended up with six meals for just the three of us. Whoopsies!

{I ordered the breakfast sandwich with mashed potatoes – sooooo good!}
{…the cupcake pancakes, sour cream coffee cake, bread pudding pancakes and the club also made an appearance}

{the infamous grown-up pop tart – a must for first timers}

{an assortment of sweets and treats to go}

{Monica in all her glory – sporting the #WRUW sweatshirt}
{sour cream coffee cake}
Occupation: Recruiter
Age: 25
From: Michigan
What is your “go to” cocktail of choice?: Vodka and Water with lemon/lime
Heels or Flats?: Heels
Favorite Chicago blogs/websites?: This is so hard to choose but currently on my rotation is Chloe Cline, The Garden Apt. and 312 Beauty
Next spot you want to try: Bavette’s!


One of the reasons I love doing Local Loves is because it gets me out of my Goldcoast, River North bubble. Southport is a slam dunk and I will not hesitate to make the trip to Lakeview to get here. I am mad at myself it took me so long to try it! The coffee alone is a major highlight. So if you have never been here either, hop to it! You are missing out.

Have you been to Southport Grocery before? If so, what do you order? I need suggestions for round #2.

Also, be sure to head over to Monica’s blog. She is adorable and a great resource for the upcoming spring trends!