West Loop's The Garage Offers A Huge Variety For Lunch

Suffering from lunchtime attention disorder? The Garage is the place for you.

The new West Loop lunch counter is run by the owner of the taco-slinging Salsa Truck, and a selection of the truck's tacos are offered daily. The standard-issue tortillas are wan, but fillings are loaded with flavor: house-made chorizo is seasoned with six varieties of dried chiles and a splash of mezcal; rajas are hit with Mexican oregano, cumin, coriander and lime ($10 for 2, plus chips, salsa and a drink).

But tacos are merely one part of the equation. The Garage's menu changes daily, one afternoon featuring chicken shawarma; another, banh mi.

Publican Quality Meats, which supplies the raw materials for The Salsa Truck's carne asada and al pastor, is making jalapeño-cheddar bratwurst for self-proclaimed Wisconsin Day (Wednesday, 6/19). On Jewish Deli Day (Wednesday, 6/26), the counter will offer owner Dan Salls' mother's matzo ball soup.

Other food-truck friends make regular appearances, sharing the stove one or two days per week. On a recent visit, The Fat Shallot chefs were in the kitchen making BLTs on challah with a truffled aioli schmear (not exactly Kosher, but we liked it).

Breakfast service will begin in a week or two, with chilaquiles, egg sandwiches and La Colombe coffee.

The only thing (happily) missing from the eclectic array: boredom.