gordeaux's Profile
small green things, what thai ingredient is this?
Bird's Eye chile peppers. Just a guess. Web em up.
Looking for interesting cheeses to try
I'm not a huge cheese person, but I swear, Cowgirl Creamery's Mt Tam is like crack.
A Trader Joe's Care Package
Vaccuum fried pineapple and vacuum fried banana. Two bags each. Maybe four each.
Why should I buy tilapia?
I think you answered your own question when you used this phrase, "I then started thinking about it"
Milwaukee -ish / Green Bay -ish Area Take Out Food For Road Trips
Thanks.
Joe's would be right up my alley, but it seems a little too far off of 43 for me. I'll check to see.
Mickey-Lu has been on my shortlist for a while.
Back to MKE -
Best thing for eating while driving in a car, closest to 43 / 94. Is it El Cabrito?
Milwaukee -ish / Green Bay -ish Area Take Out Food For Road Trips
Howdy. Here's what I seek:
I drive from Chicago to the Upper Penninsula several times a year (and back.) Maybe 10-15 trips each year. I'm looking for good road eats on 43N, then I take the Greeen Bay route 141/41. We normally stopped at various garbage fast food joints for road food until we found Bates City BBQ just outside Green Bay (Lineville,) but then they moved. I was ecstatic when I found that place, and it was destined to be "our place" for a long time, but they moved off of our route, and I'm back at square one. Last trip, I stopped at Ashley's bbq in Milwaukee around Center and 15th? It was decent, tho it lacked a good smoke punch, and the sauce was food service garbage. I'd stop there again if I can't find anything better. I have no real problem bringin my own sauce for the occaision.
So, what I need is VERY quick on/off xpwy 94, 43, 41/141.
I'll be doing take out only.
Easy to eat while driving.
GOOD.
I'm not seeking bbq specifically at ALL. Just mentioned those two places as examples. Both were easy off/on, offer take out, and easy driving food. I eat EVERYTHING, and I mean everything. Indian, Thai, super spicy, Sushi, I seriously eat EVERYTHING.
I have yet to try Kopps, I think there is one very close to 43. I like the idea of finding something more interesting than good burgers tho.
Why do you continue shopping at CostCo? I am underwhelmed. What do you appreciate about the warehouse store?
Cameras, gas, booze.
Uncle John's BBQ, South Side
Well, then, it depends on what you want more, if it's applicable. If you want a better hot link, definitely go to Uncle John's. If you've never had a "Chicago" hot link, it's a spicy sausage with a strong hit of sage - the flavor most people associate with breakfast sausage. If you are relying on public trans, I might lean towards Honey 1 because of the time involved in getting to Uncle John's. Honey 1's hot links just do not compare to Uncle John's, but Honey One's tips are usually a fine choice. Aquarium smoker bbq is cooked at a higher temp for shorter time than long, slow, texas cue, so don't be surprised if you encounter more fat on the ribs and the tips than with Texas cue. I love both styles, but I'm not averse to eating fat. You can eat around it, and pick it off or whatever, but just be forewarned. Ppl who are not familiar with the style can sometimes be "put off" by the fat. However, as most ppl familiar with meat will tell you, the flavor is in the fat. Aquarium smoker cue just usually doesn't have as much fat rendered off.
Uncle John's BBQ, South Side
Are you looking specifically for Chicago Aquarium Style Smoker bbq?
If so, Uncle John's is hard to beat for tips and spares. His links are easily best in city, in my opinion, and by a wide, wide, margin. There are a few other places that can compare for tips (Lem's, Honey one, Barbara Ann's, Exsenators) but Uncle John's links are sensational, and his tips are usually spot on. The other places have some consistency issues, imo. Tho Honey One is the most steady for great tips of those four.
If you are looking TEXAS bbq, however, you might be disappointed, because that is not what Uncle John's sells. For Texas style bbq, head to Smoque. The ribs and brisket will be a different beast. Cooked differently altogether.
If you do want Chicago Aquarium Style Smoker bbq, Uncle John's is a fine, fine, choice during the day. It's essentially take out only. If you are closer to a different spot, it might make sense to go there instead. What is your starting point?
please join my I HATE MAYO CLUB..LOL.. anyone welcome..even if you like it rop
I grew up subjected to MW only, and I probably used to like it. The thought of it makes me gag now. Sugary glop. I will never understand it. Especially when it's added to something like tuna salad. I don't get the love of fish slathered with sugar.
I LOVE mayo. And I despise any place that calls that sugary glop that some people refer to salad dressing as mayo when I order a sandwich. Calling sugary glop mayo on a menu should be punishable by law.
Philly foodie in Chicago for 4 nights. 2 or 3 dinners and maybe some lunches or breakfasts open...
Perhaps:
Vermillion
http://www.thevermilionrestaurant.com/
Mundial Cocina Mestiza
http://www.mundialcocinamestiza.com/
You have any Korean BBQ spots in Philly?
Tripe
Uh oh.
Pticek's is totally on my way to shop and save. I'll have to investigate that coffee cake.
Another notable on Archer:
Los Gallos #2 for supposedly one of the best renditions of Carne En Su Jugo in Chicago.
Tripe
Just a touch west of there, a hair East of Central is Shop And Save. I used to dig Bobak's a lot. I was an every weekend shopper. If you have a chance, check out that Shop And Save. Just look at that deli and sausage selection. And, the sausages are damn good, too. I prefer them, more distinct flavors than Bobak's, imo. Shop and Save is like if Bobak's and Jimenez had a baby.
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
P.S. - Sweet Georgia Brown's is amazing.
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
I have a few really good friends who live in la. One of them is a chicago ex-pat. Their must haves when visiting are:
Italian beefs
Pizza - xtra thin or stuffed
Taqueria style food (BIG DIFFERENCE, many think it's all just Mexican food. WRONG)
Chicago dogs
Chicago aquarium style bbq and hot links
Do you plan on being in the city at all wen you come?
best cut of steak? (from former non-meat eater)
If you want rare to med rare - full flavor, less fatty, I think a choice grade top sirloin is a great starting point and also usually a decent value cut.
You'll also want to learn about beef grades.
Where to buy mussels to make at home?
There are several places to get fresh ones around town. Good luck on your quest, Dirk's is a fine choice. What I want to add is that you can buy them frozen at a bunch of places. You may be tempted to buy them frozen. Those boxes of New Zealand Green Lipped mussels on the half shell are big and meaty and pretty. Frozen mussels, however, are the Devil's appetizer. They are just gross, lifeless, chunks of yuck. I really cannot stand frozen mussels at all. They have no resemblance to their fresh counterparts. If you do get tempted to buy frozen ones, just remember this thread.
best cut of steak? (from former non-meat eater)
There are several threads you should search for. One very big variable will be: How do you want it done, as in, what temp? "Flavorfull and not too fatty" screams top sirloin to me, but if you want it cooked past medium, it tends to get leathery (since it's lean.) Are you a rare or well done person??
Chicago/Oakbrook Terrace Trip - Summer - Need Ideas!
Smoque is pretty awesome.
Honky Tonk is too. If you are interested in Texas Que, smoque is a do not miss.
Coming from San Francisco and want unusual and unique ethnic eats.
Just getting the ball rolling. A start.
Demera - ethiopian
http://www.bolatchicago.com - african
http://RestaurantSarajevo.com -bosnian
sandys-restaurant.com -serbian
Yassa African Caribbean Restaurant
Garifuna Flava - belizean
Sheeba - yemeni
Jibek Jolu - Kyrgyz cuisine
http://www.sayatnovachicago.com/ armenian -pretty close to middle eastern
Icosium Kafe - algerian/tunisian / crepes
Chicago/Oakbrook Terrace Trip - Summer - Need Ideas!
The Superdawg / Weiner's Circle thing is gonna be totally up to you.
http://www.giordanos.com/
http://www.lasasadasrestaurant.com/
Beef place in downtown area:
Mr Beef on Orleans st. famous / landmarky
Portillos on Ontario st. very respectable chain. VERY respectable. Fries are very ho-hum, but the onion rings are good. http://www.portillos.com/portillos/
You can get a Chicago dog at both joints.
Monday Dinner. BBQ. I would have suggested Honky Tonk for you, but they are closed on Mondays. Smoque also. Closed on Mondays. Barn And Company also closed. I think I see a pattern here - lol.
Smoke Daddy on Division is open - I've never been.
http://www.thesmokedaddy.com/
Fat Willy's rib shack is open - I've never been.
http://www.fatwillys.com/
Both bbq joints are very easy access from 90/94.
Garrett's popcorn has several locations that I would assume would be convenient for you in the downtowny area. Their website is kinda wonky right now, but look them up. Try the Chicago Mix if it looks good to you.
http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/
For Ice cream, I'm sorry. I just don't have much intel. Not a big ice cream eater. For novelty's sake, there is I Cream- a place that makes your ice cream for you right on the spot - no idea if it's good or just a novelty.
http://www.icreamcafe.com/
Where to buy mascarpone?
What grocery stores have you checked?
I'd definitely check the local decent sized fruit markets. Without knowing where you are, if I were loking for mascarpone, I'd check a Tony's, Caputo's, Garden Fresh, or a Shop And Save in my area.
Chicago/Oakbrook Terrace Trip - Summer - Need Ideas!
OK -
Picky 18 yr old
Landmarky
Love Mexican food.
No Asian Food (tho I still think Korean BBQ might surprise the hell out of you, but whatevs)
10 - 15 per person.
Before the Cubs game, I'd still hit Las Asadas for lunch. Please get some steak tacos. It's basically a taqueria. You can still get some overpriced bad snacks at Wrigley at the game.
Beef Sandwich and a Chicago hot dog are going to be fast food joints that you can only get in Chicago. Mr Beef on Orleans is kind of a "landmark." Al's on Taylor st. is also a landmark, with an added bonus of being able to get an italian ice at Marios.
How does Greektown strike you? It's completely on the way between the places you'll be and pretty landmarky for Chicago. Flaming cheese, gyros, roasted chicken? There are several Greek restaurants in the area, I don't think I can comment on which is best.
Superdawg is kind of a hike, you'll have to decide. I'm not a big hot dog lover, so I wouldn't even consider going unless the kid had his heart set on it.
You might want to check on Ed Debevic's or Dick's Last Resort as Chicago landmarks more for the novelty than the food.
So, I'd lean towards pizza, italian beef, chicago hot dogs on the Oakbrook side, then Mexican, novelty-ish, and Greektown on the Chicago side? Although, Mr Beef, and Al's on taylor would be great choices for a beef as well. And to be even more wishy washy - the "original" pizza joints on the city are fine choices as well for Chicago landmarky choices. Uno, Due, Lou Malnatis. I still think I'd get Pizza out of the way at Giordanos in Oakbrook for dinner the first night. Ok -
Dinner in Oak Brook on Saturday: Pizza. There is a Giordano's on Cermak (22nd) if nothing else. I'd get a small stuffed, but also a small thin or ultra thin crust to try as well.
Sunday: Lunch at Las Asadas on Western Ave on the way to the game. Get steak tacos. The barbacoa is good as well, but the fire grilled steak is why I go. When at Wrigley, get a dog or something. (If you wanna get sneaky, seek out a sub place to stop at and bring it in the park. Sunday though, options might be limited. Bari on Grand ave is an idea for a sub.)
Sunday dinner - Superdawg?
Monday - Lunch I don't know too much around the pier. I was thinking if you were going to the pier from Oakbrook, stopping en route at Mr Beef on Orleans or Al's on Taylor would work for you.
Monday Dinner - Greektown for flaming cheese, gyros, and whatnot. Perhaps Dick's Last Resort or Debevic's? I'd choose Greektown on the possibility of better food, but Debevic's and Dick's are definitely "scenes."
If you can hit a garrett's popcorn location, do it.
For ice cream, I'm clueless.
Just some quick thoughts for you. Hopefully others have some better ideas too.
Chicago/Oakbrook Terrace Trip - Summer - Need Ideas!
Get more specific on what kinds of foods you like or want to try. Maybe things that are not readily available in your current area? Also, what do you consider cheap/inexpensive?
For dinner in Oak Brook on Saturday, without knowing what you like, or want to try:
Giordanos for a small stuffed pizza, BUT ALSO, get a small thin or extra thin crust pizza.
Reza's for Persian food. I'd suggest the grilled mushrooms, vegetarian shami, the standard dippy apps (baba G/ hummus) and the grilled dark meat chicken kababs.
If you have a car, and you wanna get down and dirty with some hole in the wall Indian / Pakistani food out that way, there is a joint named Desi Grill in Lombard that can sling out some really great food if you catch them on the right day. It is a DIVE.
You can also get your Chicago Dog / Italian Beef fix at a Portillo's out that way.
Those would be my cheap/ inexpensive must do's out in Oakbrook, however, if you get specific as to what kind of food you want to get, I think you'll get better answers.
For 18 yr old cheap boy food, if you have a car, I'd try to stop at Las Asadas on Western before the Cubs game for steak tacos, if you both like steak. You also might want to get a beef at Mr Beef on Orleans (Mr Beef is a touristy Must Do type of joint, I'd say.)
Snack Places- Garret's Popcorn, joints up on devon for bhel puri, maybe a sub sandwich, Chinatown, a jibarito, bahn mi, sweets??? What are you looking for?
One thing I'd try to put on your list is Korean BBQ if you have never had it before -but again, without knowing what you like, or want to try, who knows?
If you can, do everything in your power to NOT eat a meal at Navy Pier. Get offsite.
So, what kinds of foods do you want?
tacos de Mollejas
JUST got back from La C. I'm not a fan of mollejas, but I know plenty of folks who say La Chaparrita's are really good. Man, that place is the shizz for tripas and their longaniza is outstanding.
