Southside Vinnie's Profile
Food in Wauconda
There's a number of spots that have been overlooked on these posts! If you're interested in a good dining experience, try Docks on 176 right on Bangs Lake. The owners Jeff and Don create a good customer experience with good food, particularly good ribs and steaks and they also have a good sandwich menu and daily specials. Rauls Burrito Express, also on 176 makes a burrito as big as your head and is very good and reasonable. And, also on 176, Lukes has good Chicago-Style hotdogs and that's coming from a South Sider!
Sunday Brunch in Algonquin Area
The Barn of Barrington no longer has brunch; they're closed except for Sunday banquets anymore. Port Edward has a solid brunch, particularly if you have a group who enjoys seafood. But nevertheless, a good pick.
St. Louis Seeks the Best Polish in Chicago
This one's easy! Szalas (pronounced 'Shavaz") on 5200 W. Archer Avenue on the city's southwest side. Authentic food, authentic decor, everything inside of the restaurant was imported from Poland, including the extensive wood and iron work. Polish 'country' fare, it's a cant-miss!
What is Chicago style pizza?
I've been a Chicagoan all my life, and although I do enjoy both deep dish and stuffed pizza, it's a misnomer to identify Chicago to these types of pizza. On the contrary, in every Chicago neighborhood there is a pizza place on every corner which offers very, very good thin crust pizza, which came long before deep dish or stuffed specialties. Compared to other pizza across the country, the secret is the sausage (we are the hogbutcher to the world don't forget). Chicago thin crust pizza is also much different than New York style pizza, so if you have a chance, try both!
Al's italian beef
The Taylor Street location is not only best for the food, but also for the ambience, if you want to call it that. You stand and eat at the tables or rails along the walls, and back in the day there used to be an armed guard at the end of the counter making sure you saw his piece so there was no funny business. Don't know if that little touch still exists today. Al's is the best beef in the city hands down and the Taylor Street location is second to none. It used to be our dinner spot when we had Blackhawk season tickets for years.
