Comfort Food at Comfort Station

Who doesn't love a good potluck? Aside from perhaps Gollum, everyone enjoys gathering together and sharing home-cooked food. The experience is an innately comforting one, but especially when it takes place at Logan Square's aptly named Comfort Station. How poetic. Under the tutelage of chef Hugh Amano, comfort food potlucks have been popping up at Comfort Station this summer, with the next one due this Sunday, August 11.

Aside from the serendipitous name similarities, Comfort Station serves as the intersection of culture, community, and history in the neighborhood. And what better way to foster said community than with homey comfort food? Trick question, there is no better way. The monthly gatherings are open to all, with the goal of exchanging food and ideas about food. The one stipulation is that all food brought to the potluck must be homemade by you, inspired by food you ate growing up. So don't bring Little Debbie snack cakes. Rather, foods that warm your soul when you think about them today. In my case, perhaps it would be my mom's Chinese pie (aka shepherd's pie to most people who called it by its normal name), or one of my dad's "cowboy suppers" (aka rice and beans, somewhat lazily strewn together). It's a great, heartwarming opportunity to taste new foods and learn about everyone's personal traditions and memories.

The next potluck takes place August 11 at 4:00 p.m. To attend, sign up on the Comfort Food at Comfort Station Facebook wall, explaining what you will be bringing, or email food@comfortstationlogansquare.org. Make sure your dishes are ready-to-serve, as there is no equipment to cook or heat anything. Plastic plates, bowls, cutlery, and paper towels will be provided, but BYOutensils. Potlucks are free to attend, with a donation jar on hand for the truly generous.