JustWildAboutChicago's Profile
johnstown PA eats
Rey Azteca just opened a new location in State College. I went there this past Saturday and it was AWEFUL!~
I'm from the Chicago area, I've eatten my share of really awesome Mexican foods. I love Mexican food, as I think it's my "go to " when in need of new recipes. But this place was horrible. Tiny portions, everything served on flour tortillas, everything slathered in melted cheese, and can we say "BLAND? "
Yeah...I won't be going back there anytime soon. I'd just as soon make it myself at home.
This is some local-yokel chain dumbed down for Pennsylvanians as if we've never heard of Mexican food before.
Well, buddies, you've met your match in me. Your food sucks!
What is it about central PA that everyone will rave about a restaurant, but when I get there I'm always so horribly disappointed? Is it because folks in this neck of the woods are just used to bad food?
Whatever it is...Rey Azteca will be feeling the backlash of my poor word of mouth.
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Rey Azteca
80 York Rd, Warminster, PA 18974
Another NYer visiting Chicago (mostly West Chicago though)
Right in West Chicago there is the tiny little hot dog hut on Roosevelt Road just across from the Jewel..."Happy hut" is the name....Best Chicago Style dogs Anywhere in the Far Western burbs next to Portillos. But if you were trying to stay away from the chains, that's where we always go!
I'm sorry this post is about a year too late, but if you find yourself out here again, I'm a St. Charles Native and have found amazing places to eat out here in the Far Western Burbs. St. Charles actually has quite a few really good places to eat.
St. Charles: The Filling Station for burgers and other sandwiches...and great fries!
St. Charles: Rosati's Pizza for authentic Chicago THIN crust
St. Charles: El Puente, Mexican...a bit upper class Mexican, but well worth everybite
St. Charles: McNally's Irish Pub: Need I explain? Authentic, deliscious Irish Fare, and on weekends great live entertainment.
Geneva: Tia Maria's Mexican / Great home cooked fare
South Elgin (St. Charles border) Village Squire for sandwiches and such..but I wouldn't recommend it for entre's as they're not really all that great...but the atmosphere and entertainment is worth it.
St. Charles: Chord on Blues, really great place for circuses
St. Charles: The New Scotland Yard (I think it's now called "The Yard"...good all around american eatery)
St. Charles: ZaZa Trattoria; international/ Northern Italian
St. Charles: Odessy - Greek / good but not as good as Greek Town in the city, but worth while if you're trying to stay in the Far Western Burbs
St. Charles: Al Capone's Hideaway & Steakhouse (hard to find so Google Map or take your GPS...it's out in an area known as Valley View and it's really hidden away. It's an Authentic Al Capone's Speak Easy, hidden along the Fox River...where Capone's gang would hide their booze and ferry it down the river to the Baker Hotel's catacomes for parties.)
St. Charles: Erik & Me / really nice place for traditional Sweedish and American fare.
Pleasant and relaxing atmosphere, Midrange prices, well worth it to impress out-of-towners.
St. Charles: Salerno's On the Fox / Great Pizza and Italian fare
West / Far West Burbs -- Mexican Markets / Groceries
La Huerta on Randall Rd. St. Charles.
It's just north on Randall from the Jewel/Osco at the corner of Randall & Prairie St.
They also have amazing tacos and reminds me a bit of the old El Centro before the ownership change, but cleaner and they speak more English...and are really helpful and friendly to those of us who might not know what we're looking for..
Whenever I go back home for a visit, we always stop there for Tacos for lunch! I just adore their stuff and honestly I can't get them way out here in PA. (I'm a Far Western Burb native.)
Caramel Apples
Actually I have to respectfully disagree, there's an amazing chocolate shop in Geneva, IL that makes the best chocolate & caramel apples ever. Graham's Chocolate makes these thing first with caramel then by drizzling chocolate and sometimes nuts or marshmallows or other confections...on them...DELISH! These are usually HUGE johnagold or golden deliscious apples and they are simply the best!
Help! Transplanted to State College and can't find familiar foods...
Ok, I was transplanted to the State College area about two years ago and I just can't get used to the style of foods I'm familiar with in Chicago that are just not right here in State College.
I can't find a decent pizza to save my life. I'm not talking about the famous Deep Dish pizzas everyone equates with Chicago, but the less familiar thin crust pizzas that are a staple of the Chicago diet. They're more akin to a St. Louis style, unlevened crust pizza. Out here all I can find are the floppy, sloppy, greasy New York style pizzas that I really can't stand.
Another thing I've noticed is no one around here knows how to serve a hot dog. Let alone the fact that they're all the Turkey, Chicken & pork varieties...I've noticed they're usually served luke warm at best. What's up with that? And Ketchup on a Hot Dog? OMG NO WAY! Ask for a Steamed bun and you get sideways glances that tell you they all think you're crazy. Is it really too much to ask for some decent toping choices? Really? I'm so used to the Chicago Style dogs that I just can't go with anything less than fresh ingredients to top my dog. Tomatoes, Dill Pickle spears, relish, mustard and please don't forget the celery salt!
Ok, so now on to the Italian Beef sandwich. They simply don't exist out here.
Don't get me started on the breads these atrosities are served on. What is with the chewy, gooey, flavorless breads? Is it the water?
I like a solid bread with a crisp crust, airy and light in the center and something that can hold a sause or two!
I actually had to go back to Chicago to get the amazing foods I love and grew up with.
Granted, I'll give serious kudos to the micro and small breweries around here though. They work hard to craft some really awsome suds!
But would it be too hard to find some decent (non-chain, non-fast food) mexican food? Really? Come on...I crave carnitas and tacos on steamed corn tortillas.
Top 3 Hot Dogs
1) HAPPY HUT hot dogs, West Roosevelt Road, West Chicago (honest, good, traditional...not fancy or pricy...and it's a TINY little place easily overlooked)
2) Superdawg: Nice and totally NEON Green Relish!
3) long closed: Red Rooster in Geneva, IL. Used to be on State Street (aka Roosevelt Road for those from the city) It was a greasy spoon place but always served those amazing natural casing dogs that snapped when you bit into them.
WOW I miss them!
Where to Go for the Best Hot Dog
Happy Hut on Roosevelt in West Chicago...hands down, best little known hot dog joint around! It's tiny in size but HUGE on taste and tradition! They don't screw around with fancy game meats or wild topings...just honest Vienna Beef dogs with the traditional topings!
Chicago Hot Dog question??
Nothing really, it's just a food coloring added to make it stand out more. But I'll tell you the REAL secret to a proper Chicago Style hot dog: It's the Vienna (all) Beef Wieners...and the Rosen's PoppySeed buns...and the celery salt!
NEVER Put Ketchup on a Chicago style dog unless you're under the age of 12.
