A Taste of the Diaspora: Avondale's Spice by CMB Brings Bold New Flavors to Kedzie Avenue
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Avondale ·
Avondale's dining scene just got a whole lot more exciting. Spice by CMB — the debut independent restaurant from Chef Mychael Bonner — has officially launched dinner service at 2853 N. Kedzie Ave., adding a vibrant new culinary anchor to Bricktown's already diverse food corridor. Bonner, a veteran of the powerhouse Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group, is channeling his years of European fine-dining experience into something deeply personal: a menu rooted in African diasporic cuisine that traces a transatlantic journey from Ethiopia to Guyana to the Carolinas. Think berbere-spiced roast chicken, braised short rib pepperpot, and broken rice — dishes that are as beautifully plated as they are full of cultural story. Weekend brunch, which has been a neighborhood staple at the Kedzie Ave. space for over a year, continues alongside the new dinner hours.
The opening of Spice by CMB is the latest sign of Avondale's culinary evolution — a neighborhood already celebrated for its Polish and Latin American roots now welcoming bold new voices to the table. Chef Bonner's vision fits right in: he's focused on creating a comfortable, cool experience for locals first, with a menu that invites guests to explore and discover. WTTW Chicago took notice, praising Spice by CMB as a sign of African diasporic dining's expanding reach to Chicago's North Side.
If you haven't made it to Kedzie Ave. yet, now is the perfect time. Stop into Spice by CMB for dinner this week or brunch this weekend, and taste what makes Avondale one of Chicago's most deliciously unpredictable neighborhoods. Follow Chef Bonner on social media for the latest menu updates.
Sources:
1. https://www.wttw.com/playlist/2026/02/19/spice-cmb-african-diaspora-restaurant