Where to Eat Before the Sox Game: Batter & Berries South Loop Is Your Answer
Where to Eat Before the Sox Game: Batter & Berries South Loop Is Your Answer
The South Side Has a New Pregame Ritual
There's a certain energy on the South Side on game day. The black-and-white flags, the familiar crack of batting practice, the smell of the grill — it's a Chicago tradition. And whether you're headed to Rate Field at 35th and Shields or keeping an eye on the exciting future of White Sox baseball in the South Loop, one thing is certain: a great meal makes game day even better.
For years, Sox fans have had to settle for whatever was convenient near the ballpark. But now, right in the heart of the South Loop, there's a destination worth building your entire gameday around. Batter & Berries at 2318 S State Street is the pregame breakfast and brunch spot that South Siders have been waiting for — and it is every bit as legendary as its reputation.
The White Sox are actively exploring a brand-new stadium in the South Loop, with proposals centered near the 14th Street Coach Yard and "The 78" development near Roosevelt and Clark. With the team's lease at Rate Field expiring after the 2029 season, the South Loop could soon become the permanent home of Sox baseball. Batter & Berries is already here. Get ahead of the curve.
The Must-Visit: Batter & Berries — South Loop
Batter & Berries needs no introduction to anyone who takes brunch seriously in Chicago. Since 2012, this Black-owned restaurant — founded by Dr. Tanya and Craig Richardson — has been redefining what breakfast can be, earning features on the Travel Channel, Check Please (WTTW), Chicago's Best (WGN), and more. The South Loop location on State Street brings that same legendary energy right to the doorstep of Sox country.
At 2318 S State Street, you're perfectly placed. You're deep in the heart of the South Loop, close enough to the action that you can fuel up, take your time, and still make it to the park with energy to spare. This is not a grab-and-go situation — this is a full pregame experience.
Location & Hours
- Address: 2318 S State St, Chicago, IL
- Mon, Fri–Sun: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Tue–Thu: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Website: batterandberries.com
- BYOB: Yes — bring the bubbly
Why It's the Perfect Sox Gameday Spot
Founded on the belief that fresh, natural ingredients and bold, innovative flavors should be accessible to everyone, Batter & Berries has become a Chicago institution. The South Loop location is a natural fit for Sox fans — it sits right in the corridor between downtown and the ballpark, making it an easy and rewarding stop before you head south to Rate Field.
"The idea was simple: offer the freshest food possible with flavors that people would come from all over the world to experience, and want to come back for more." — Founders Dr. Tanya & Craig Richardson
The restaurant's partnership philosophy — collaborating with local Chicago artisans and purveyors like La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Love Cork Screw wines, and Brown Sugar Bakery — makes every visit feel rooted in the city. This is South Side Chicago through and through.
What to Order: Build Your Pregame Plate
The French Toast Flight
The dish that made Batter & Berries famous. Strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel French toasts — each made with its own distinct fresh batter and house sauce. Order it. You'll understand the hype immediately.
Cluck & Gaufre (Chicken & Waffles)
Award-winning chicken and cinnamon-sugar waffles. This is the dish Sox fans will be talking about in the bleachers all game long. Bold, satisfying, and entirely unforgettable.
Ribeye Omelette
7oz Linz Heritage Angus Ribeye, grilled onions, mushrooms, and a cabernet sauce alongside cheese-crusted hash browns. A power meal for a full day at the ballpark.
Brisket Hash
12-hour coffee and ancho chili braised brisket, caramelized onion, cheddar hash browns, and a fried egg. Deep, smoky, and built for a South Side appetite.
Specialty Pancakes
Fresh blueberry batter, lemon zest with candied walnuts, caramel with Dulce de Leche — every option is house-made with fresh, natural ingredients. Not your standard stack.
BYOB Bottomless Brunch
Batter & Berries is BYOB — bring a bottle of bubbly and they'll handle the rest. There is no better way to kick off a Sox afternoon than bottomless mimosas and a French Toast Flight.
Pro Tip: Arrive early — Batter & Berries fills up fast, especially on weekends and game days. Doors open at 8 AM Friday through Monday. Use the waitlist on their website so you can stroll in without the stress. For day games, a 9–10 AM arrival gives you a relaxed, unhurried meal with plenty of time to get to the park by first pitch.
A Community Institution, Right at Home in the South Loop
What sets Batter & Berries apart isn't just the food — it's the spirit behind it. The restaurant has built its identity around community partnerships, local sourcing, and giving back. Collaborations with organizations like After School Matters and Chicago Public Schools Culinary Arts speak to a brand that genuinely invests in the city it serves.
The South Loop location brings that energy to a neighborhood that's rapidly becoming one of Chicago's most exciting. With new development, a growing dining scene, and the potential future of White Sox baseball right on its doorstep, Batter & Berries is exactly the kind of anchor a neighborhood deserves.
Getting to Rate Field from Batter & Berries
From 2318 S State St, Rate Field at 333 W 35th Street is just over a mile south. Take the CTA Red Line from Cermak-Chinatown south to Sox-35th — it's a quick two stops and the most convenient gameday commute in the city. Or enjoy the walk south through the South Loop and Bridgeport on a warm Chicago afternoon. Easy, direct, and stress-free.
The Bottom Line: Start Every Gameday at Batter & Berries
The South Side has always had heart. It has grit, loyalty, and a community that shows up. Batter & Berries on State Street fits right in — a restaurant built on those same values, serving food that demands your full attention and earns your repeat business.
Whether you're a lifelong Sox fan or just discovering the South Side, make Batter & Berries your pregame destination. Sit down, order the French Toast Flight, maybe crack open a bottle of something celebratory, and remind yourself why Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world to be a baseball fan.
The Sox game will be great. The brunch will be unforgettable.
Go Sox. ⚾