gargantua's Profile
Top 3 Hot Dogs
As a student of all things Chicago and especially tubular meat products, I schlepped out to Gene's and Jude's beacuse my wife showed me the Rachel Ray piece naming them the "best hot dog in the nation". Despite the highly dubious source, after thirty years in Chicago I had to check it out. What a ghastly disappointment, Ordinary dirty water dogs, clearly no casing at all, natural or otherwise, soggy bun, cold greasy fries (hand cut is nice but clearly not a guarantee of palatability). I will give them some points for ambience although "unchanged" since the 1960's is not the same benefit as "unwashed" since the 1960's.
Although I am a big fan of Hot Doug's I sympathize with the purists who say it is not a "real" Chicago dog stand. But the ugly truth is that "real" Chicago dog stands all sell the same Vienna Beef (or other standardized) product which you can buy in any grocery store. The distinctions, if any, have to be in attention to detail, ambience, buns, etc. and too often these are just awful.
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Hot Doug's
3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Vienna Beef
2501 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL
Any Clever Offbeat Advice for My Kitchen Redesign?
Two things I like very much about my most recent kitchen.
1. Had the counter guy cut two openings in the counter top above trash and recycling bins in cabinet below. Thus you can toss/sweep/push kitchen trash directly without using a hand to open a cabinet or carry drippy stuff across the floor. Got the idea from restaurant design.
2. Had counter guy actually rout out drainboard pattern in countertop next to sink. Clean pots pans etc drain naturally into sink, no separate drainboard necessary, also acts as countertop when required.
One more thing, love my very powerful Broan exterior vent fan with warming loghts and SS backsplash with fold down shelves! It will suck the cat off the floor at full speed!
anyone else worried about cadnium in vintage le creuset?
I am sure it is very bad for you. If you send the piece to me I will make sure that it is properly disposed of.
Do you have a deep fryer?
I just bought a Waring DF250 for about $60 on Ebay. I have had various "home" models before but this is MUCH better. 1800 watts, large capacity and virtually all of it can go into the dishwasher. It is bulky and needs a nice shelf in the garage to live in while not in use. The problem with stove top solutions (le Creuset etc) is recovery time and capacity. I have made the best fried chicken and french fries ever! I even bought a gallon of duck fat from Hudson Valley for special Thanksgiving fries. Yum!
PS This is where your kitchen vent fan earns its money!
10 minute cab ride from the Fairmont?
Visiting ominivorous expense account hounds from Chicago seek a street car (trolley? whatever...) ride for our taste buds.
Perhaps killer asian, maybe Viet or Thai? No steaks please...Hit us with your best shot!
Who has bought a new dishwasher lately?
After too many years of Kitchenaid blues we bought an LG from a high end shop about three years ago. No troubles so far, Very well designed and quiet, has probably the same drying technology as Bosch (and the five beeps) but cost about half as much. Large capacity, has a very useful 1 hour "quick wash".
Falafel
I second the motion for Moshe's cart on Sixth Avenue. I moved away from New York ten years ago and crave it still.
Indianapolis - "The Journey" (...to where?)
Let's face it, buffets and cafeterias are essentially serving leftovers, regardless of the ethnicity or location. Some foods are less vulnerable to the trials of a steam table (mac and cheese anyone?), but anyone who chooses say fried fish from a buffet is likely to be disappointed.
I have lived in the midwest most of my life and the growth in discriminating eaters and the restaurants that serve them is truly remarkable.
I do think that the nidwest carries two cultural traditions that do not lend themseolves well to good eating.
The first is a tendency to value large portions, the logical extension of which is the all you can eat buffet. The simple economic effect of this model is going to drive down quality of ingredients and preparation (to say nothing of the health effect).
The second is a tendency to price resistance. Like anything else, cheap can be good but it seldom is.
Of course in the Midwest, some of the most popular restaurants are cheap buffets (whether ethnic or Golden Corral), a perfect storm of really bad food.
Where to Go for the Best Hot Dog
What a great board. The fun is in trying all of the places...
I was in Hot Dougs two weeks ago and sat next to Anthony Bourdain and his gorgeous date. WIth 2,000 reaturants in Chicago he picks the King of Encased Meats.
And I'm totally down with the duckfat fries.
Pistachios
I have found that pistachios and sherry are one of the most magical food/wine pairings. Serve the nuts gently warmed and buy the best dry sherry (spanish only) you can afford.
My favorite aperitif.
Indianapolis - Shapiros and Cafe Patachou
Yes,, Shapiros is a strange spot. The food is actually pretty good but it is not a deli in the NY sense of the word. The cafeteria format is a midwestern thing. ALthough expensive by Indy standards, a corned beef sandwich is cheap compared to any Manhattan deli. The quality isn't bad and as a New Yorker transplanted to Indianapolis I have found the soup and sandwiches comforting from time to time.
There is another cafeteria on 86th street called MCL ( a former Shapiro location) that actually imports corned beef and pastrami from the Carnegie Deli in NYC. Again, the cafeteria format and the rest of the menu has nothing to do with NYC but if you need a sandwich fix you won't be disappointed.
What chow is "NOT TO BE MISSED" in DC area?
Thanks everyone, what a lot of great reading...
Here is what I am thinking...
1. Eden Center sounds amazing (hope I don't get lost)
2. I think I need to try a half smoke (where is the best?)
3.Palena sounds pretty good
4. Maybe LaLoma?
What I really want is some killer soft shelled crabs...where to go for these?
You guys are the best!
What chow is "NOT TO BE MISSED" in DC area?
I am working in the area the last three days of this week. Staying in Georgetown but I will have a car and have been known to drive long distances for serious chow.
I am omnivorous.
Labor Day Weekend Grillstravaganza
You are all making me think twice. I have two Labor Day Parties to cok for...tonight and tomorrow. FOr some reason I hav been leaning away from the grill. I was thinking spaghetti alla carbonara tonight and crabcakes tomorrow night..
I was also thinking about doing a rib throwdown by getting a selection of items from two very good nearby spots, Squealers and Famous Dave's.
All that talk about marinated beef and bratwurst though...hmmm
Alinea -- know b4 u go or caveat emptor
I think Alinea is to restaurants as Joyce is to literature, Schoenberg to opera or Richard Serra to sculpture. Maybe not the most accessible players on the field but curiosity, some understanding of the idioms of the art form and an open mind will usually be amply rewarded.
In search of the best AND cheapest...
INDIANA
The Tamale Place at Rockville and Lynnhurst is very cheap and very good. Carry out only and right off I 465.Breakfast tacos to die for.
The Workingman's Friend just west of downtown Indianapolis has the MOST extraordinary hamburgers. Very inexpensive and excellent.
King's Number One Gourmet at the intersection of Michigan Road and 71st Street is a very cheap very good panasian spot with the smallest sushi bar in the world (one seat).
Barcelona is a tapas bar downtown where in a bizarre blend of Hoosier and hispanic the portions are enormous. e.g probably a pound of calamari for $6.
Cincinnati Chow?
Has anyone been to Trio or Embers in Cincy area? Good for a business dinner?
What's up with Costco?
I was prepared to hate Costco but I have to say that their beef and salmon are consistently top notch and very reasonably priced.The salmon sides have already been skinned (my dog hates that) and are perfectly fileted. I bought some porterhouses the other day that were as good as I have ever seen in a store, rolled choice but very heavily marbled.
Who knew?
Solo dining near the Indianapolis Hilton?
I just tried Barcelona at 201 North Delaware, just a few blocks from the Hilton. The portions may be a bit large for real tapas fans but their heart is in the right place and everything I had was quite good. Nothing better than hot fried squid and cold sherry.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room [moved from Boston board]
One of my favorite restaurants here in Indianapolis, exceptionally good oysters
Admit it... There's Some Dishes at Chain Restaurants You Like
fresh Krispy Kreme
White Castle (the Ur fast food?)
A&W root beer float
Red Robin burgers with crispy fried onions
Denny's Moon over My Hammy (actually not so good but I love the name)
Steak & SHake (almost anything except the fries which are awful)
gems at Trader Joe's
diced pancetta
cheap reggiano
haricots verts
garlic naan
chinese mustard flavored fried wontons
It is BLT time in Indianapolis!
Hmmm...looks like nothing is coming up. Myplateoryours is a kindred spirit. I have enjoyed Niman Ranch and Nueskes which are excellent and readily available. I have also tried some mail order...Benton's from Madison Tennessee is superior.
Burrata sounds like a nice addition, or maybe just a great tomato salad accompaniment.
thanks everyone
It is BLT time in Indianapolis!
I am looking for artisanal bacon made nearby (or not?) to go with the amazing tomatoes in my garden. Ideas? This is supposed to be pork country~!
I am also looking for a source for Usinger's braunschweiger.
Eating with Non-CH's
This is an interesting thread on a number of levels. I am intrigued by a couple of Hounds who found things they liked at Cracker Barrel. What are they? I will return and try them if a reliable hound leads the way. Surely given the monkey and a typewriter concept the chains must do a few things right.
Perhaps we should have a thread on "Is there Chow at the Chains?" I know I have had excellent meals, judiciously selected at some chains, burgers at Red Robin, Mexican at Adobo, ribs at Famous Dave's, steaks at any number of places. I know CH tends to focus on finding the jewel in the rough or the needle in the haystack but isn't it all about geting some good food?
I'm hungry!
Omaha - Gorat's or Johnny's Cafe or...
I was also in Omaha during the College World Series. I had an excellent meal (although expensive, almost $150 for one person including a $50 split of wine) including a memorable ribeye (they call it a Delmonico) at Paxton's Chop House.
I also had a great meal at M's, lamb spare ribs, these are all the rage in Manhattan these days and quite uncommon elsewhere..
Great service and related items at both.
Indianapolis Steakhouses
Looks like this thread has been around for awhile. Everyone is entitled to an opinion of course. I have lived in Indy for 47 years and remain a big fan of St; Elmos.They are on the R&I top 100 list and gross about $14 million a year so I'm not the only one that likes them.
Haven't been to Mo's
Where does one find a good muddle online?
Go to your local hardware store and buy a piece of 3/4 inch wooden dowel rod, cut it to the length you like and you will have a lifetime supply of muddles.
Is there good barbecue in Omaha?
Working in Omaha this week...I know the steaks are supposed to be tip top. IS htere anything else that I should not miss?
I am omniverous.
Sopranos Finale at a restaurant in Indy?
Great opportunity for an Italian restaurant? Does anyone know of a restaurant with HBO?
