Beard Out, Belly Up by Kyle, Jim, and the Beard & Belly Team

Beard Out, Belly Up: A Tale of Edgewater’s Restaurant: Beard & Belly

From humble beginnings to neighborhood haven

Kyle Schrage “The Beard”

Beard & Belly's story begins not in Edgewater, but in a walk-up food window at The Long Room, a beloved Chicago bar in Lakeview with a focus on local craft beer. Kyle "The Beard" and Jim "The Belly" (creative nicknames are clearly our forte) had a simple approach: Share quality bar food at a fair price.

While the original plan was to have multiple chefs work out of the space when it opened in 2015, Beard & Belly quickly established itself among The Long Room's late-night customer base. With Zeeshan Shah of Biscuit Man serving delicious biscuit sandwiches and other breakfast foods in the morning, we were slingin’ food six days a week. Apparently, people enjoy good food with their beer. Who knew?

After a year and a half of success at The Long Room and many important connections later, we decided it was time to open our own stand-alone bar and restaurant. One of the most important connections was with Valeri Lucks, owner of Honeypie Cafe, an iconic establishment in Milwaukee's Bayview neighborhood with a focus on scratch-made pie. Because if there's one thing that pairs well with beer and burgers, it's pie.

Searching for a neighborhood

In searching for the right home, we knew not any neighborhood would do. Alongside our growing business came growing families, an essential component of our values that drives decision-making. Edgewater seemed to provide the perfect meeting point of all that was important to us: A vivid and inclusive community seeking quality products--all while not taking themselves too seriously. We fit right in.

We found a storefront on Broadway just south of Granville; it was previously home to the Pumping Company and Holzkopf's Meat Market. The space was gutted and converted to a dual storefront with Beard & Belly's bar and restaurant on one side and Honeypie Bakeshop treats on the other; they’re connected inside. After signing the lease in November 2018, we spent the next year preparing our new space to open to the public. Little did we know, the universe had other plans.

Facing the storm

After a long-awaited approval, Beard & Belly + Honeypie finally got the green light from the city to open. Our grand opening, meticulously planned, was derailed just days before by the COVID-19 stay-at-home order in March 2020. Because why make things easy?

Undeterred, we showcased our adaptability--a cornerstone of our brand. We pivoted to online ordering, to-go service, and patio service as soon as it became available. A scooter was purchased for in-house deliveries, proving that yes, your gourmet burger can arrive with style and only mild wind damage. As the weather cooled off in winter, we installed a massive tent and personal heaters to ensure patrons could still safely dine with us while following all Health Department regulations. Our unwavering commitment to serving the community, even during the toughest times, solidified Beard & Belly's place in Edgewater's heart (and stomachs).

Beyond beer and burgers

To us, Beard & Belly represents more than just delicious comfort food and a welcoming atmosphere. It's a testament to the power of community. Kyle's involvement on the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce board ensures the voices of local businesses are heard, occasionally even over the sizzle of our grills.

Our doors are always open for collaborations with neighbors like DMApothecary and Lickity Split, while our catering services support local teams and organizations. Beard & Belly aspires to be a "third space"-- a place beyond home and work where people connect and create lasting memories, preferably over a plate of our famous burgers and legendary poutine.

A legacy in the making

We like to think of our story as one of resilience, community spirit, and a love for good food that borders on obsession. It's a testament to the power of facing challenges with humor and emerging stronger, if slightly better fed.

Michele S. reading for Kyle, Jim, & the Beard &Belly Team

By nurturing connections and providing a haven for Edgewater residents, Beard & Belly is weaving its own unique thread into the fabric of the neighborhood. We promise many more chapters filled with delicious food, good times, and a whole lot of heart. Just don't ask us to promise fewer dad jokes. Some things are sacred.

This story read by Friends member, Michele S.

Copyright © 2024, Beard & Belly