Smack Dab expands catering and private events in Rogers Park

By AI, Created 7:00 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Smack Dab, the queer-woman-owned Rogers Park brunch spot, is adding staffing and client support as catering and private event demand grows across Chicago. The business is positioning itself for a busy season of office orders, rehearsal dinners and community gatherings without losing its personal service model.

Why it matters: - Smack Dab’s catering growth shows rising demand for inclusive food service that can handle dietary needs, private events and workplace orders. - The Rogers Park restaurant is trying to scale without losing the hospitality that built its customer base. - The business is also creating room for more local events, including rehearsal dinners and private celebrations.

What happened: - Smack Dab said it is seeing continued growth in catering and private event business in Rogers Park. - The Chicago brunch spot is expanding catering support, adding more client touchpoints and preparing to grow its kitchen team with an experienced full-time line cook. - The restaurant is also hiring support to manage higher catering demand. - Catering and private event inquiries are open now for local businesses, organizations and event hosts.

The details: - Smack Dab serves guests with gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and allergen-conscious needs. - The catering menu is aimed at offices, schools, creative spaces, wellness providers, community organizations, rehearsal dinners, private celebrations and small business gatherings. - A recent catering customer praised a large breakfast delivery order as stress-free and called the spread incredible. - That customer highlighted eggs, chicken sausage, tofu and Beyond Veggie sausage as options that helped accommodate dietary needs. - The customer also pointed to handmade donuts and breakfast sandwiches, including the restaurant’s cheesy biscuits. - The customer said they received a personal call before the order and felt cared for. - Teeny, the owner of Smack Dab, said the team is being intentional about building support so the experience still feels personal. - Teeny said the goal is to say yes to more of the right opportunities while protecting quality, care and community feeling.

Between the lines: - Smack Dab’s growth reflects a broader customer preference for restaurants that can combine convenience with values-driven hospitality. - The mix of office catering and private events suggests the business is building multiple revenue streams beyond brunch service. - The hiring push signals that the restaurant expects demand to stay elevated through busy brunch, catering production and future growth.

What’s next: - Smack Dab will continue building out support for catering orders and event inquiries. - The restaurant will add an experienced full-time line cook to help with high-volume brunch service and catering production. - Local businesses and event hosts can continue reaching out directly about catering and private event options.