First Slice Offers First-Rate Food to Homeless

Dec. 3, 2008

Story by Leo Moskal

As the country’s financial situation continues to be grim, one little café on the north side of Chicago is trying to help those who are in need.

First Slice Café caters to anybody who is willing to cough up a few dollars and have a piece of pie, but unlike other restaurants, First Slice uses the proceeds to feed the poor. However, this is not a typical soup kitchen, either. Mary Ellen Diaz uses her renowned culinary skills to create meals for paying patrons along with the needy.

“We serve the same meals to the needy as we would a paying customer,” said Diaz. “I think the homeless deserve to have fresh, home-cooked meals once in a while.”

Diaz is the founder of First Slice and is a former student of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, l’Ecole des Arts Culinaires in Lyon and Madeleine Kamman’s School for American Chefs at Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley. She also spent three years working and creating dishes for Lettuce Entertain You restaurants.

Her focus shifted as she became bored with the concept of making great food just for people who could afford it.

“It’s much more satisfying to me to help someone with my food rather than just sell it and have people tell me how great it is,” said Diaz.

The small café is located at 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave. in a conjoined building with the Lillstreet Art Center. The interior is adorned with various works of art from the gallery and, though the space only has eight tables, it also serves paying customers through carry-out, catering and meal subscriptions.

The volunteer kitchen that helps feed the homeless is located on 3744 N. Damen Ave. and is where many homeless men and women come weekly for a nutritious, gourmet meal.

John Quinn has been homeless for 15 years and has been coming to First Slice for two of them.

“Before coming here I hadn’t had a home-cooked meal in about 10 years. This is the best food I probably will ever have,” said Quinn, who used to be a factory worker.

The First Slice Café offers an unbelievable array of dishes, but is best known for its pies.

“I think I’m addicted,” said Lupe Rodriguez, an local resident and investment banker who has been ordering pies from First Slice every month. “I tell anyone who wants to come here to try the chocolate peanut butter pie. It is fantastic.”

The vegetarian-friendly menu differs according to what Diaz wants to serve, although there are some mainstays like the Cobb salad and the veggie sandwich.

“The menu is huge for such a little spot,” said Amanda Parr, a first-time customer. “The food was excellent and I get to help others just by stuffing my face.”

First Slice offers family subscriptions that include three meals per week for a family of three. They charge $45 per week for 12 weeks, $180 per month or $540 in full. They also have individual packages for a slightly lower cost and even a senior citizens package.

The café is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and is closed Sunday.

“I just hope this makes a difference for people who have very little,” said Diaz.