When I first got my cross bike I used some 35mm Maxxis Raze cross racing tires for some moderately long (60ish miles, 3,000ish feet climbing) recreational road rides with friends. They're definitely slower, but it's probably not going to make or break most commutes. Being able to hop up and ride the parallel dirt path when I felt like it was fun.

I mostly don't like riding them on the road (aside from the higher rolling resistance) because I don't feel quite as confident cornering at speed on them, and because it really wears down the tread fast. Cross racing tires aren't cheap (and I actually used them for cross racing this season) and the worn tread really doesn't help off road.