CA and NM chile pepper help!

Thank you all for the info, especially the history of ortega. It makes it a little overwhelming when you go to the store and there's 50 packages of all different kinds of dried peppers.

For those on the southwest side of chicago, I went to Pete's Market, thinking I would have luck there. I am not an expert, but I couldn't find anything that looked like "New Mexico" or California dried peppers. My OCD was kicking in and I started to get overwhelmed with all the packages to choose from.

So, this-morning, we went to Food 4 Less in Alsip, and surprisingly, they had the dried peppers. There's the New Mexico and California peppers. The California looks a tad bit redder, but that's really about it. Like you said, it's probably doubtful that you can taste a difference.

Thank you again for all the info. The whole pepper thing is interesting because there are so many kinds, so many names, and all so colorful. One of these days, I will become a pepper expert. ;)

wiz561 in General Chowhounding Topics

CA and NM chile pepper help!

Hi!

I'm attempting to make JR's Rough and Ready Chili today but keep hitting a brick wall. There's a few different chiles that are needed, and i'm so confused about them. I live in a big Mexican neighborhood, so finding them (hopefully) won't be a problem. But when I go to the stores, they aren't labeled New Mexico or California. Here's the chile's I need...

1 green Ortega pepper, remove seeds and dice fine
1/2 ounce California chili powder
1/2 ounce New Mexico powder

Now from what I read, the Ortega pepper is actually the guys name, which is now a company. The Ortega green peppers are in a can.

Now the California and New Mexico powder...don't they both come from Anaheim peppers? If this is the case, why are they listed separately and not just together as "Anaheim"?

Thanks in advanced for any clarification on this!

wiz561 in General Chowhounding Topics

Honky Tonk BBQ

Tonight, my girlfriend and I decided to go to Honky Tonk BBQ. I had the pulled pork sandwich and she had the pulled pork and beef brisket sandwich combo. I also ordered beans and mashed potatoes.

I have to admit that I was not all that impressed with it. The absolute biggest turn off was the fact that the pulled pork had chunks of fat on/in it. My second bite into the sandwich, and I got a big chunk of it. My girlfriend noticed it as well and wasn't pleased. I opened the sandwich and picked it all the fat off and there was more than normal. Yuck. The beef brisket was good, the beans tasted like they had way too much hot sauce in them. I had no problems with the potatoes.

Atmosphere wise, it was alright, but I kind of got the wrong impression. From reading reviews on here and looking at the web site, I imagined a dark, quaint restaurant with a number of tables in front of a stage where there's a band playing. While this is nit-picking at everything, I know, but I guess I was just expecting something different. One thing I loved was the impressionist picture of the three cowboys.

I don't think that we will be going back, and it's kind of sad because I've really been wanting to find a good BBQ place. Maybe someday, I'll find a spectacular bbq restaurant in chicago!

wiz561 in Chicago Area

South Suburban Hidden Gems

I don't know if there's anything on southwest highway in 127th... Near Chicago Ridge though, there is The Pit...which I wouldn't recommend. They use to be awesome, but the past few times I was there, it wasn't that great.

There is also Smokey Bones, which closed down. That was on Ridgeland in about 96th street.

If there is a bbq place on 127th in Southwest Highway, let me know! I'd be interested in checking it out.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Replacement for Phil Smidt's Perch?

I've had Teibel's before, and it was good....but I think the Schereville Lounge is a LOT better than Teibel's and Schmidt's.

Schererville Lounge
48 E Joliet St
Schererville, IN 46375
(219) 322-5660

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Rueben in south suburbs

There's also Gaelic Park in Oak Forest. They have a little 'pub' in one section that has some pretty good Rueben's.

http://www.chicagogaelicpark.org/carraig_pub/Carraig_Pub.htm

I've also never had the sandwich from Fox's, but everything else they serve there is good. It's on about 99th in Western.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Restaurants in Beverly/Mt Greenwood?

Here are some recomendations...

Franconello's is pretty good Italian. It's on about 103rd in Western. There's a nice pub called...I forget the name of it, but it's on 111th street just east of Kedzie. It's on the south side of the street, right across from the bank. Right west of there is also another restaurant called Richie's. I haven't been there, but it is always busy.

Right down the street, in Evergreen Park, there is Chi Tung that is good for Chinese/Japanese. There's also a great italian restaurant in Oak Lawn on 95th in Cicero called Polarmo's. High recommend it.

For Mexican, there is La Fiesta, which is alright. It's on 111th street just west of Kedzie.

Hope that helps...

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Phil Smidt's Closing

I was just there about a week or two ago. I agree, the food there has been a little iffy. It seems like whenever I would get the perch "boned", I would still find a number of bones in the fish.

However, I have to say that this last time I was there, the fish was the best I have ever had in my life. There was not a single bone in there and it was just awesome.

Yes, it will be sad, but I'm hoping that they relocate or open up shop somewhere in Chicago. From the rumors I hear, the owners are thinking about doing that. I mean, I think a lot of it had to do with the location.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Coffeeshop suggestions

I'd recommend Intelligentsia. They are located throughout the city (loop, grant park/millenium park, north near belmont in hollywood...). To me, the coffee from Metropolis is good...but Intelligentsia is better, and fresher.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Phil Smidt's Closing

For those who have not yet heard, Phil Schmidt's is going to be closing it's doors tomorrow (Saturday) night. They were famous for their frog legs, lake perch, and fried chicken.

I have gone to the restaurant numerous times and will miss it. I thought those on here would be interested to know.

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/10/18/business/business/doc9d1cad860898e2a086257377007225df.txt
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/phil.smidts.closing.2.409500.html

wiz561 in Chicago Area

What's OC Famous For?

Hi! I live in Chicago but going to Orange County (Disneyland) area next week for work. There are certain parts of the country that are famous for things. In Chicago, we are known for our pizza, sausages, and beef. Kansas City is known for Ribs. Colorado is known for steak.

Just wondering, what is LA / OC famous for? I have a feeling that it is chicken and Asian food, but I thought I would ask here.

Thanks!

wiz561 in Los Angeles Area

Fish Fry's

Thanks for the response. I did the same, but I suppose I should have been more descriptive. I'm looking for the old school, vfw hall style fish fry. I did a search on here and saw that Summit had one, but couldn't find any information if they were still doing it.

Thanks!

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Fish Fry's

Hello!

Being that it's Friday and all, I was wondering if there were any good fish fry's on the southwest side of the city. The search function works great on chowhound, but unfortunately, you can't sort the results by date. :-( Makes it a little hard to find posts that are up-to-date.

Thanks!

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Best burger in the south suburbs?

Another couple of good ones are Wonderburger, in Mt. Greenwood. There's Duke's in Bridgeview, which I have never been to but have heard all about it. And then, finally, Top Notch burgers in Oak Lawn on 95th in Cicero.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Still mourning Chinatown's Hong Min

If you're craving Hong Min, there is still one open in Palos, on 111th Street in Roberts Road. I was surprised to hear that it burned down though in chinatown!

I forget the name of the one restaurant that I've been to, but it's right on the main strip of chinatown, on the east side of the street. In order to get there, you have to walk up this really long staircase to the second floor.

The only other place I've been to is on cermak, and right where that main strip is. There's a restaurant on the north-west corner of the intersection. I forget the name of it, but it was on the second floor. I would NOT recommend going there.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Live Poultry?

I just stumbled upon this and had the same questions as the first poster.

As far as price and quality goes, can anybody comment on the Chicago Live Poultry House on 26th street?

Thanks!

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Great little Mexican joint in Pilsen

Another awesome place with great tamales is El Milagro. The address is...

3050 W 26th St
Chicago, IL 60623

wiz561 in Chicago Area

fresh poblanos on the north shore?

This isn't really on the north shore, but there's this Mexican market on Pulaski right south of i-55 called Pete's. They had a ton of them not too long ago. If you're desperate, you might want to try there.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Thanksgiving Pie....any suggestions?

Just out of curiousity, how long do these pies last for? I wouldn't mind picking up a pumpkin pie for thanksgiving, but wouldn't want to run all the way up to metropolis during the weekdays.

wiz561 in Chicago Area

Beverly Bakery

I haven't seen anybody post about this place yet, but it's an awesome place for breakfast food and donuts. They have awesome chocolate donuts, along with great pancakes, eggs, coffee, bread, etc.

It's a smaller store, but there is a sit-down area where you can chow down. I was really surprised at how awesome everything was. So, if you're an the area, swing on by!

Beverly Bakery
10528 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL
(773) 238-5580

wiz561 in Chicago Area