People have been raving about Modern Times since, well, the beginning of its time. You'll find it on all the "top" brunch lists and can read a myriad of glowing recommendations on the Yelps and the Googles. The first time I tried to go to MT was several years ago. It was a crisp Saturday morning in late winter and we were jonsing for some good eggs. MT popped up on the web search and we eagerly jumped in the car. We arrived, darted through the cold, flung open the door and were met with a wall of odor so intense I had to take a step back. In my fight-or-flight state, I glanced around to survey the scene and all I remember was dreads and dirty fingernails, trench coats, a cement floor and some picnic table style seating. And that SMELL. Like sweat and dirty underwear and a bunch of other gross unmentionable things simmered in a crock pot all day. I seriously thought I had wandered into a crack house. ***Let me just add a disclaimer here. I have eaten in some major dives and am not opposed to a moderation of dinge, but this was just an epic level of funk. We walked out the door and never looked back.
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| Eve and Nell holding it together |
Since that fated day, Modern Times continues to be on all the "best of" lists. It is known to be somewhat grungy and punky, but nothing described like the scene I had witnessed. Four score and several years later, I finally got some resolution.
Due to its popularity, the line was already out the door at 10am. We got our names on the list and pulled up a curb to nurse our post-Caroline-Smith-box-rosé-binge. Thirty minutes later, we were lucky enough to grab one of the coveted sidewalk tables.
Check this adorable hand-written menu situation. The special was barbacoa hash and a nettle scramble. The ingredients here are like nowhere else in town. Super creative, fresh and great options for veggie's, vegans and meat lovers. The only reason MT doesn't get five stars is because they don't server alcohol. Sorry, but not sorry. Brunch cocktails are mandatory in my life.
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| The OJ is fresh squeezed, of course. |
The barbacoa was stupid good. Hashbrowns, eggs, avocado, pico radness. All locally and humanely raised meats. Hell yes.
And here's the nettle scramble with bacon and ricotta. Weren't you just thinking, "G-damn, I need more nettles in my life"?
The inside of MT was not at all the shelter vibe I remember. Bright and colorful and FULL of shiny, happy people. No highly detectable body odor.
Maybe it's because my first experience was so jarring, but the reality of this place is that it's freaking incredible. There's nothing like it in town and I can say I absolutely, 100 percent agree with all of the fanfare. Modern Times is the best. Get with it.
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| This unisexy bathroom was a trip. |
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| So proud of this south side gem. |
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| Ride here and lock up to an old car door, yo. |
