About Us
OUR STORY | TIMELINE | OUR FOUNDERSAt Beard & Belly, our journey has been far from average. Founded by everyday folks with a love of food, drink, & good times, we set out to create a dining experience that elevates the vibrancy of our community with quality service.
From humble beginnings in a small kitchen to operating a new space in the COVID-19 pandemic, we've embraced every challenge along the way.
Our Story
Beard & Belly began in 2015 at The Long Room, a beloved Chicago craft beer bar. Founders Kyle "The Beard" Schrage and Jim "The Belly" Torres started with a simple goal: serve quality tavern food at fair prices. After two successful years, the team set sights on opening their own restaurant in Edgewater, partnering with Milwaukee's iconic Honeypie Bakery along the way.
Just as we were set to open in March 2020, the pandemic hit. We pivoted quickly, showcasing the resilience that would become our hallmark. Our commitment to serving the community, even in tough times, helped cement our place in Edgewater's heart.
At Beard & Belly, we're proud of our accolades, including Best Grilled Cheese in Chicago, 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago, and many other Top 10 lists from groups like TimeOut and Eater Chicago. But what truly defines us is our dedication to quality. We use only the freshest ingredients, make everything from scratch, and cook with care and patience.
Today, we're more than just a restaurant; we're a community hub. Our menu blends consistent favorites with creative specials, while our partnership with Honeypie offers a unique dining and bakery experience.
Beard & Belly is a story of resilience, community spirit, and an obsessive love for good food. We're committed to quality, fostering connections, and adding our own flavor to the neighborhood - all with a side of dry humor. Because at Beard & Belly, we believe in doing things the hard way, the right way, the quality way. It's the best way, and in our opinion, the only way.
Thanks for the Support
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Stay Succulent
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Thanks for the Support • Stay Succulent •
Wait so…
What happened, and when?
November
2018
Beard & Belly founders team up with Valeri Lucks of PIE Inc. to sign a dual storefront lease for Beard & Belly + Honeypie in Edgewater, Chicago.
Construction commences.
March
2020
Tuesday 3/17: City of Chicago grants Beard & Belly final approval to open doors to the public
Saturday 3/17: City of Chicago enacts the stay-at-home order amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
4.20
2020
In a strange new world, Beard & Belly + Honeypie opens their doors to the public for to-go only options
The team was equipped with masks, social distancing, and a some sick sense of humor to keep on going.
to infinity
& BEYOND
As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building connections with our guests. We strive to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home. Whether you’re enjoying a casual lunch or a special celebration, we are dedicated to making your experience memorable.
Join us at Beard & Belly and be part of our ongoing journey. Together, we celebrate the love of food, community, and the adventures that lie ahead.
Our Founders
The folks that make this place happen.
THE BEARD
Kyle Schrage
Owner & Operations
Kyle Schrage graduated from the University of Illinois with an bachelor's degree in Food Science with a emphasis in Hospitality Management, and has 15+ years experience in the restaurant industry. Kyle has gained extensive beer knowledge through experience as a bartender and beer buyer throughout Illinois, including In Fine Spirits, Farmhouse Evanston, and Dovetail Brewery. In 2011, Kyle co-founded founded the Omnivorous Culinary Fellowship - a Chicago based pop-up restaurant group, which successfully hosted 20+ invitation-only, fine dining events. He also has experience working as a chef in multiple kitchens, including Fountainhead, where he met Jim Torres.
THE BELLY
Jim Torres
Owner & Head Chef
Jim Torres has over 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and is an alumnus of Kendall College culinary program in Chicago. Jim has worked all over the city of Chicago as a chef, including stints at Red Light, Fountainhead, Graham Elliot Bistro, and Table 52 working under Chef Art Smith. As a chef trained in the classic French style, Jim relies on his extensive knowledge of the basics to produce big, bold flavors, with a focus on American comfort food classics.
THE &
Andrew Barbera
Owner & Investor
Andrew Barbera has 17 years of experience in the restaurant industry. He has extensive experience as a general manager and bartender and has designed successful craft cocktail programs for multiple bars and restaurants in Chicago and Milwaukee. During his time as general manager of Fat Cat in Uptown, Andrew was responsible for reinventing Fat Cat’s cocktail program, and he won the award for “Best Bloody Mary in the City” at Chicago’s Best Bloody Mary Competition hosted at Park West. Andrew’s focus is on using fresh, simple ingredients to create traditional and classic cocktails, done to perfection. Together with Kyle Schrage, Andrew designed and created the concept for the Omnivorous Culinary Fellowship, a pop-up restaurant group that has hosted over 20 invitation only fine dining events throughout the city of Chicago.
THE BAKESHOP
Valeri Lucks
Owner & Founder of PIE Inc
Valeri Lucks is the owner and operator of the Milwaukee-based hospitality collective PIE Inc, which includes Honeypie Cafe, SmallPie, Comet Cafe, Palomino Bar, and Honeypie Bakeshop. In addition to being an owner and operator, Val is also the mastermind and head baker responsible for the pies that have made PIE Inc famous. Her pies have been featured in multiple national publications, including: Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, the Travel Channel, The Week, TimeOut Chicago, Food Network Magazine, USA Today, and Oprah Magazine. In addition, TimeOut USA named the Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie as the 4th best pie in America.
Val’s passion for the industry and her love of baking have allowed her to create an instantly recognizable brand throughout Milwaukee, and she is extremely excited to bring that brand to Chicago and the Edgewater neighborhood.
