jhojati's Profile
Sub Sandwich on Chicago's Best on WGN
They make a darn good sandwich - worth the trip even if it isn't the place you're looking for.
Tokio Pub
Meh is the best response I can give for them. Not terrible, just not really that good.
Lookin' for fried chicken! Anything downtown?
Crisp in Lakeview has delicious fried chicken (and chicken wings), but I wouldn't say it is that suitable for a "special birthday"
Duke of Perth
Do yourself a favor and get the burger at o&e. It's heads above any other burger in Chicago in my book. Fish and chips also quite good, as is the bubble & squeak.
Diver Scallops
Ever since my wife had the diver scallops at Craft in Las Vegas, she's been craving them. If there were one place in Chicago that you'd know served a great seared scallop, where would it be? Thanks in advance!
Des Moines Update
I'd suggest:
Baru 66 - French
El Chisme - Al pastor pizza (among other things)
Kirkwood Lounge
Zombie Burger - highly recommend the burgers and wedding cake shake
Jethro's Jambalaya opens beginning of December if you'll be here after then.
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El Chisme
2920 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
Specialty food shopping in Des Moines
European Flavors on 73rd St in Windsor Heights may have some things. International Groceries on Douglas in Urbandale (75th maybe?) - not sure if they're still open. Could try Gateway Market as well. You may also find something at Taste of Italy on University in Clive (just east of 86th street).
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Gateway Market
520 Market St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
KC BBQ Sauce question.
I second cowtown, but for spicy nothing beats Rufus Teague blazing hot for me.
KC: Oklahoma Joe's -- BBQ that delivers exactly as promised
Huge OK Joe's fan here as well and miss it greatly. That said, I did try Franklin BBQ in Austin in July and it was incredible. Couldn't tell you about the sides though. Love me some OK Joe's fries!
ISO pizza - Des Moines
Glad to hear it - it's about as thin of a crust as you can find.
What is the best szechuan restaurant in Chicago?
Also agreed, and recommend the boiled beef in spicy sze chuan broth. Super spicy, very tender beef. Also love their dry chilli chicken and most items posted in kathryn's post
ISO pizza - Des Moines
When Gusto was Frank's Pizza it was delicious. Haven't had it in its current incarnation. Another spot to try would be Rock Power Pizza on the south side, or any of the old Italian pizza places over there - Bordenaro's, Scornavacca's, etc.
And I know you don't want funky, but do go and try the pizza at El Chisme in Valley Junction. It's a Mexican place that serves a wide menu (including Italian) from a classically trained chef. Everything from scratch - I love that pizza, especially the al pastor.
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Rock Power Pizza
4211 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
ISO pizza - Des Moines
Chuck's off Euclid. Plain and simple. And not too bad of a jaunt for you.
A challenge for Chicagoans
Noon o Kabab for Persian (although Reza's does do a pretty large buffet in Andersonville on Sundays that was good when I was there)
Best Old School Beer Garden?
Justin's in Lakeview has a beer garden that gets pretty busy. Love it back there
Fry bread tacos? (Navajo tacos, Indian tacos)
Is there anywhere in Chicago to get a fry bread taco? I'm missing one of my favorite places in Des Moines, Tasty Tacos (www.tastytacos.com), and love these fluffy, totally un-Mexican tacos. They are a total guilty pleasure and would love to get one near Chicago. Otherwise I'm going to have to pay relatives to bring me a bunch when they visit.
Sable Review
I agree with nxtasy on the creme brulee. Wife and I both loved it, and would go back simply for that dish and a cocktail.
organic farmers markets, food coops, CSAs KCMO?
Go to the City Market in the River Market area. Great market, fresh, cheap produce and bread from locals.
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City Market
20 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Des Moines questions
Just in case you do decide you're in the mood to spend a lot of money, I wouldn't go to 801. I'd try Baru 66. Not a steakhouse, but they do serve steak, and in my opinion it's the best restaurant in DSM, and would fit right in here in Chicago. It's really quite good.
Des Moines questions
Cevapi are little beef sausages. They serve them on their homemade Bosnian "pita" (more like a ciabatta if you ask me) and a side of sour cream. They also do a killer gyro (it's big).
Chopsticks is a hole in the wall, with spotty service. Might be fun to just go in and get the potstickers as a snack or appetizer before heading somewhere else.
Retro bar food = meatloaf, tater tots, fried chicken, deviled eggs, sloppy joe, etc. They serve cheap bear, basically, but right next door (attached) at El Bait Shop (not a Mexican joint in really any way, although I do like their margaritas) is a beer selection of over 100 beers.
If you go to El Chisme, tell Jesus (chef/owner) that you're with the Greater Des Moines Pizza Tourney (http://gdmpizzatourney.posterous.com/ - you'll get 15% off) and order either the al pastor pizza or the carne asada pizza.
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El Chisme
2920 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Des Moines questions
ajb is right in mentioning Saraj - try the cevapi.
I think the best pot stickers I've ever had are at Chopsticks in Johnston. They are seriously awesome (and large). I have tried a half dozen places in Chicago since I've moved and nothing has compared yet.
Tacos Marianas is fantastic authentic Mexican street tacos, as does El Chisme in Valley Junction, although I'd order the pizza at El Chisme if I were to go there. Go to Tasty Tacos if you've never been and get an original flour taco - not Mexican, but more of a Navajo Fry Bread type of taco. So good that I have dreams about them.
Sam & Gabe's does a good steak, but I prefer to sit in the bar and listen to live jazz on the weekends and eat the Italian Nachos.
Fong's Pizza downtown Des Moines does some good pizza, including a crab rangoon pizza that I love. Wig & Pen in Ankeny is also a favorite of mine, serving a Flying Tomato pizza that I get every time.
Cafe Fuzion on E 14th has awesome crab rangoon and pad thai.
High Life Lounge has great retro bar food.
The Q in West Des Moines has very good fried chicken.
I've never been to Kelly's Little Nipper, but you can get tenderloins around Des Moines and its surrounding areas, including Cactus Bob's ajb mentioned. For an Italian Sausage sandwich just go wherever sells a Graziano's version.
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Fong's Pizza
Des Moines, IA, Des Moines, IA
Kelly's Little Nipper
1701 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
High Life Lounge
200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Cafe Fuzion
1240 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50316
Saraj
3811 Douglas Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Tacos Mariana's
1305 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
El Chisme
2920 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
Wondering about a couple different areas (Evanston, Wicker Park)
Avoid Reza's and try Noon o Kabab instead if you're interested in Persian.
Driving i-35 between KC and Des Moines
Honestly, I've made that trip hundreds of times, and really can't think of anything that was worthy of mentioning. Just north of Bethany there is a Mexican restaurant that was pretty good, but not that noteworthy. You might get luckier if you stray farther off of 35, though.
sushi recs for Chicago suburbs
Loved Sushi Ya in Schaumburg. The fire crunch roll was awesome.
Kansas City "musts"
I'm guessing if you live in KC you've been to Oklahoma Joe's. If not, go, for obvious reasons. I would say the place I enjoy most in Kansas City is La Bodega. It isn't very expensive and can be very fun sharing tapas and sangria. I also think any taco (I like the al pastor) at El Camino Real and the tortillas from Ninfa's in KCK are both musts.
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La Bodega
703 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108
Best restaurant in Des Moines?
Agreed - anybody I've sent there has been very impressed too. I couldn't even talk it up so much that it disappointed them, which often happens. You'll be very happy you went.
Need help deciding on one restaurant!
Quick mid-trip update:
Thursday night we were in Schaumburg. In the mood for sushi, we decided to risk suburb sushi at Sushi Ya. Worth it. A quaint place with about 10 tables, we sat at the sushi bar and were treated to impeccable service. Sushi prices were on par with the rest of the midwest. We tried three maki rolls and the red snapper nigiri. The nigiri was outstanding - much fresher than I expected and a good amount of fish. The rolls, save one, weren't mindblowing, but were still very good - the spicy scallop roll was a bit heavy on the mayonnaise, but the spicy was more subdued and sneaky than the usual in-your-face sambal that is usually used. The fire crunch roll was unique, but grew on us with each piece. The spicy tuna that they freshly prepared for the roll was ice cold and was much like a sorbet - although confusing at first, it ended up, in my opinion, divine.
I had lunch at Wildfire the next day, and save for the corn bread, wasn't impressed by the food or the service.
We ended up choosing Sable Friday night - really great service - we asked for as private of a table as possible and they seated us in the back dining room away from the hustle and bustle of the bar area. We appreciated that. Our server was helpful selecting drinks, and each was made very well - you could tell they didn't skimp on the booze, but they were very well balanced cocktails. As far as food goes - thank for your the sweet corn creme brulee recommendation - it was awesome. I would order this again and again. A rundown of the other items we ordered:
Chicken drumettes: Not very good. Not bad, but really just a simple piece of fried chicken, without much flavor, served with a spicy ranch sauce that was just prepared and didn't have time to set.
Beef jerky: Great flavor in the jerky, albeit a bit TOO dry.
Rock shrimp corn fritters: Wow, these are good. Addictive little things, and I think a must-order menu item. They are served along with a sauce of what seemed to be honey and sweet chili sauce, which, although good, completely overpowered the fritters. Go without the sauce and you'll be happier.
Cheese plate: We love cheese, so we were happy with it, but it just didn't compare to most cheese plates we've had elsewhere.
Bison sliders: Man, these are good. Tender meat, great flavor. Maybe could have used some "freshness" in the way of a slaw, or a bright sauce, but I'd order these again.
Mussels: Fantastic broth. Well cooked mussels. Great char on the bread. Another great dish.
Deviled eggs: Way too salty. You really couldn't taste much else from the egg and the salt. Wouldn't order again.
So far, we've had some pretty great food. Going to Kuma's Corner for lunch today, probably Hopleaf for drinks this afternoon, and Pars Cove for dinner, then Malnati's for lunch tomorrow.
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Hopleaf Bar
5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Pars Cove Restaurant
435 W Diversey Pkwy Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60614
Kuma's Corner
2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Need help deciding on one restaurant!
Seriously, you get around! Awesome recommendations again. Thank you.
Need help deciding on one restaurant!
Thanks again for all the feedback - I need to decide quickly, but also need time to marinate a bit on the decision. A couple quick followups:
1. Any Accanto experiences? I've read some good things, some not so good.
2. I'll be in Schaumburg Thursday night - any suggestions for something low key?
