Jesster's Profile
What Happened to Cafe Suron on Pratt?
We loved Cafe Suron - and so did everyone else we know. I gather it closed a few months ago. Does anyone know if it will reopen - under the same OR new management?
I know things got a little different/difficult when they "upgraded" (went a little more unscale and got a little pricier - the quality of the food a little less "special".
Does anyone know what happened - and/or - what's happening? We really miss this place!
Also seeking good Banh on Northside
I know that Banh can mean anything from a sandwich to a pancake to a rice cake/dumpling. We're interested in any version. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Seeking good versions of Goi Ga on North Side
Last night we had our first taste of the this delicious, crunchy (fresh julienned cabbage and carrots - topped with choped peanuts) and refreshing (addictive sweet and spicy lime based dressing with lots of fresh herbs) Vietnamese Chicken Salad at Hoanh Long - It was SO good - will definitely be our summertime substitute for Pho. At S7.95 for a large portion - it makes a great appetizer to split or a full meal for one.
Anyway - we would love to know about other places that serve this delectable salad. We know they have it at Tank Noodle (albeit for $12.95!) Does anyone know of other places serving good versions of Goi Ga?
Lulu's in Evanston - how is the all-you-can-eat?
Thanks nsxtasy, for the tasty feedback. We love good curry and who can resist good Thai iced tea! I must admit that I have never had good Lahb Chicken - but based on your recommendation I might give it another try at Thai Sookdee - since now I MUST try the Tom Kha Gai.... Thanks again!
Lulu's in Evanston - how is the all-you-can-eat?
Thanks for the feedback - all good points made. We've never actually eaten at Lulu's - just sometimes get carry out to take to the beach for picnics... Like Leek - I can't eat all that much at one time - so "all you can eat" is usually no bargain - and at least at other restaurants you can take home a doggy bag for tomorrow's lunch.... I just like the idea of being able to sample so many different items without the full meal commitment!
I feel remiss (as an Evanstonian) that we have not yet made it to Thai Sookdee! Is it really that good? Other than the Tom Kha Gai soup - what else would you recommend?
Thai Binh on Argyle - how is the PHO?
And how is any/everything else? Do you recommend it? I've heard that the service is slow - is it worth the wait?
Lulu's in Evanston - how is the all-you-can-eat?
We've been meaning to try this (weekend brunch and Mon/Tues dinner "special" Has anyone tried it? Is it good and a worthy value?
Seeking best Spring Rolls on Far Northside
We love good Spring Rolls - and have had some recently on Argyle. But would like to expand our horizens. We live in Evanston - so hopefully not TOO far away from there. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Good cheapish Mexican in far northside area
We love good Mexican and want to try some new finds not TOO far from Evanston. BYOB is OK too... Thanks!
Good Cheap eats in Evanston?
We like Siam Pasta (on Dempster) - especially in summer when you can sit on the "roof" outdoors. And while it's always mobbed, Joy Yee Noodle on Davis St. serves HUGE portion of usually pretty good food at very moderate prices. We also second the votes for Lucky Platter and Noyes Street Cafe.
Also, while technically NOT in Evanston but just across the Howard Street border (where Asbury becomes Western) you should check out the vast and varied buffet at New China Buffet (in the shopping center) and a couple of blocks south on the west side is Candlelite Chicago - go for the specials: Sunday night $1 burgers that actaully come with lettuce, tomatoes and FRIES - and are even quite good! On Tuesdays they feature 2 for the price of 1 Pizzas - and they are pretty good pizzas! Potbelly's serves decent sandwiches - and the Trattoria a few doors to the south - serves up good Italian cheap and has outdoor dining in summer...
Seeking the best place for PHO in Argyle
We are craving PHO - reallly really good PHO. The only place we've tried is Tank Noodle which was pretty OK. Friends are recommending Pho Xe Lua - but we've read mixed reviews. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Budget-minded dining near Fenway Park
Hey thanks for all the thoughtful advice - we already feel welcome to Boston. By tight-budget - I didn't mean to sound like we were looking for cheap cheap (although cheap CAN be good - and I hate to admit that we do like fried fish (fish & chips) - actually all good fresh fish/seafood prepared in virtually any kind of thoughtful manner.
We were hoping to spend less than $100 (including wine) for dinners. That has become increasingly difficult here in Chicago!
Also can anyone recommend the best way to get from the airport to the Radisson Hotel Boston? We' hope not have to take a taxi - as we'd prefer spending the money on food and fun... Thanks again.
Budget-minded dining near Fenway Park
Help! we are Chicago area Chowhounds headed for a weekend in Boston in July (We won a trip that includes staying at the Radisson Hotel and tickets to a Red Sox /White Sox game. We will be on a very tight budget but will be on our own for all meals. We are eager for suggestions about restaurants in the general area. We love fish/seafood and most ethnic cusine, but are game for any recommendations (that we be easy to get to!) for both dinners and breakfasts. Thanks for your input!
Recipes for Lechon Asada (Cuban Roast Pork)
We want to be able to make good Cubana Sandwiches at home. So we need a good recipe for both the original roasted pork and assembling an authentic (or delicious variation) of the Cubana. Thanks!
Lamb Butcher on Devon?
No, but YES! I would really like to know a good answer to this question as well! And I'd be willing to settle for any location on the north side - if that would help.
Loop Middle Eastern
I'm sorry to have to agree with Querencia - we've been to both Reza location in the past few months - and both experiences disappointed - which is saying a lot since over the years we have gradually lowered our expectations to begin with.
It's a shame because we used really look forward to eating at Reza's. It's still "not bad" - but it's almost as if someone in charge kind of stopped "caring."
What’s your favourite combination for a grilled sandwich?
What I really want to know is how to roast the pork (Lechon Asado?)in order to make the Cubana sandwich at home. I know I should make my own rolls/bread too - but hey, you got to draw the line somewhere!
Does anyone have a good roast pork recipe that would play well in this delectable sandwich?
Argyle Street eats?
Re: TANK - We LOVE Tank - I merely meant that it's nothing fancy and not strong in the atmospheric/circus department. Though when crowd it can FEEL like a circus. Hey - out of dozens of competitors - I was RECOMMENDING the place!
Just heard - but HAVEN'T confirmed that Sun Wah is temporarily closed - courtesy of the Chicago Health Department.
Wrigleyville dinner
We've actually had some decent food at Goose Island (though you go for the beer experience.) We've had a good salad, respectable, burger, (pulled pork sandwich was good, Frnech Dip was NOT.) A crab cake appetizer was pretty okay. - Though actually, I'm not sure if they have tables that can accommodate more than six.
Just made a reservation for the Ritz Thanksgiving day
The fact that your mom would never have chosen such a "Ritzy" place makes it all the more delish and worth the mega-bucks.
Argyle Street eats?
Opps - (where's the edit button when I need it?)
SUN WAH is just WEST of the "L" tracks (and east of/right at Broadway)
From a Big City standpoint, Chicago is so different than NYC, that it's virtually impossible to compare them.
Just made a reservation for the Ritz Thanksgiving day
Assuming you've done your homework and understand that it's not going to have that "good old fashioned Thanksgiving" feel... Yes, you'll probably enjoy it.
And while 11:30am sounds REALLY EARLY to me too - you probably got "lucky" on this one: the earlier the seating (and I'm assuming that 11:30a.m. is the earliest seating?) the fresher the food will be, the less time on the steam table for the hot stuff and under hot lights for the dishes that should be kept cold and as an added bonus, they won't have run out of the best goodies.
So look on the bright side: I've got a feeling you won't regret your choice (made mostly to please your mom, right?) even if you are not a Ritz Carlton kind of girl... Relax, enjoy and remember to give thanks that you've got you mom and probably many other reasons to be thankful.
Argyle Street eats?
Hi Luca -
My top choices for Vietnamese/Chinese would be (NOTE: both are closed on Wednesdays - as are most on the block.)
1. Hai Yen - 1055 W. Argyle, 733/561-4077, www.haiyenrestaurant.com - my personal favorite for good inexpensive food with at least a little atmosphere. Wonderful Sea Bass, Lemon-Grass Chicken and beef (filet?) dishes to (they have a 7 course beef menu - best shared by more than two). Good bubble tea and fruit drinks too.
2. Tank Noodle (aka Pho Te Tang) - 4963 N. Broadway (at Argyle) 773/878-2253, www.tanknoodle.com - is very popular and usually crowded. It is very much a dive with no charm, But what it lacks in atmosphere it makes up for in price and selection (the menu is VAST!) It's bound to be a mostly worthwhile experience.
For BBQ - we go to Sun Wah Bar-B-Que - 1134 W Argyle, 773-749-1254 (closed I think on Thursdays.) You can't miss it, it's the one (east of the tracks) with all the ducks, chicken (and pigs) hanging in the front window. A total hole in wall, the BBQ is good and cheap (but avoid the super cheap BBQ dishes listed on the back page of menu (a pile of rice with piece of bone/bbq meat.) Splurge a little, spend like $8 and get the better stuff (a WHOLE DUCK cost $12 take out. I'm told that both the (ahem) Dover Sole and the Shrimp are good there too.)
As for Thai - there are SO MANY good and fair to-mmiddling places in the city - but closer in to this neighberhood (about 1/2 mile south at 4654 N. Sheridan Rd)my choice would probably be Siam Noodle and Rice. This place is distinguished by it's authenticity (compared to the more westernized fare at other spots.) The food is very good (I'm told that "authentic" Thai's eat here...) It too is a dive when it comes to atmosphere.
Anyway, hope that helps. I'm sure my fellow Chow-Dogs will have additional recommendations for you to ponder.
BTW - I went to NYU and lived in NYC for 8 years and it's still very dear to my heart. Enjoy your visit here!
Argyle Street eats?
There are SO many options over there - it's hard to know where to start. Maybe you could be more specific about what you're looking for. How many of you will there be? How important are ambience and service?
Tango Sur? Yay or ney?
Hmmm - that's a tough call and a very subjective one, too. Some people still adore this place while others (us included) tend to feel that the bloom is off the rose and it's time to move on to other offerings.
The BYOB cost advantage is nothing nothing to scoff at in a a potentially romantic spot that serves impressive steaks at very fair prices. Portions are more than generous, but most of us can't resist the empanadas or cheese appetizers. The garlicky spinach-mashed potatoes are terrific. And steaks are served with a more than competent chimichurri sauce.
That said, if you go on the weekends you can expect long waits, slow service and a high decibel noise level - leading many to wonder, is this worth it?
You probably will enjoy the food and be thrilled with the bill. I'm just not sure there aren't better choices. Hope our fellow Chowhounds will weigh in. I feel like a real fence sitter on this one.
Chicago, next weekend, Bistro or Pizza???
I like Kiki's Bistro too. We always have a good meal and good experience there. Food is up to date without being burdened by trendiness in a calm and charming setting. Now I want to go back too. Lunch is good too - but service can be hit or miss at noon.
Brazilieros are coming (sp?) Help!
Have never been to either Carnivale or Del Toro - but our neighbors swear by the BRUNCH at Del Toro (especially after a live-it-up Saturday night.
Whatever you decide - please do give us your feedback on the experience. I think we all have (or SHOULD have) a crazy Carlos type personality coming to visit from time to time.
If you don't let the mostly imaginary pressure get to you (Chicago has SO MANY good choices) - half the fun is figuring out where to go.
Wrigleyville dinner
I'm with amoncada on this one. While I have many happy memories of great times and even pretty d good food (at many of their different locations) - just don't think Leona's is in the same catagory as Tuscany, Mia Francesca, etc. when it come to memorable Italian dining and all around atmosphere/ambience.
By the same token - I would not delegate Leona's to Olive Garden status. Leona's has many many redeeming qualities - just not a place where I'd take an out of town guest (unless they were a "partyin' undergrad" type)for a memorable DINING EXPERIENCE in the city.
Please don't take offense - there's still/always a place for Leona's in our hearts (and I DO appreciate that it still has a fun, familiar, downhome familty feel to it) like a jolly get together/causual celebration location for getting together with old friends (the more the merrier...)
chili crab
By all means, do try the chili crab at Bob Chinn's (it and many other items are quite good.) But enjoy it in it's own right and don't get your hopes up - it will not be comparable to what you fell in love with in Singapore. Good luck.
bread bread bread
Unfortunately, they deliver it fresh six days a weeks to the Wild Oats/People's Market THREE blocks away from us... Unfortunately because as loving as it is to the taste buds - it's less kind to the waist and the wallet...
