109842 Wed Aug 15 16:45:14 -0700 2001 5 7 Chicago Area 0 592362 I was just reading a piece on slate.com about the "slow food movement", and it reminded me of an old thought. The classic chicago coffee shop (i.e., local greek) is really the chicago answer to slow food. Even the lousiest places cook some food. The best places cook all there own food. So which place serves the best breaded veal cutlet. Whose brown gravy reigns supreme. At one time, the answer would be simple. Lou Mitchell ran the ultimate coffee shop. The double yolk eggs, the greasy potatoes, fresh donut holes in line, stewed prunes, homemade marmalade, "greek" toast and for desert--why more people do not serve desert after breakfast--frozen yoghurt, it all added up to a superior experience. But as Lou Mitchells slipped further and further down the extended family tree, the overall experience lessened. Lou Mitchells, like all of its lesser breathern, declined. Even uber-food mavens, the Sterns, felt obligated to write an obiturary for Lou's. The only negative review I believe they have ever written. So if not Lou Mitchell, who? Wed Aug 15 16:45:14 -0700 2001 0 Vital Information 1 592365 Gee, hate to be the Hyde Park apologist here, since there isn't much good eatin' available, but thought I should chime in and cast my vote for Valois. Since I've been going all my life, I'm certainly biased and willing to overlook short-comings that will soon, I'm sure, be pointed out. The See Your Food formula has to be close to the slow food mold as possible, throw in the ornery Greeks, and the patois of neighborhood folk, old timers, coppers, Hyde Park eccentrics (UofC students, Throckmorton, etc..) and you have a nice little joint in which to enjoy a meal. They are open early, don't know how early and since my memory is flagging I'll hazard a guess (6 am) that could be off by a bit. Although the seeing your food portion of experience isn't fully realized at the breakfast hour, since most of it isn't formed yet, you do get to smell and hear the crackle of the fat on rows of links, patties, bacon, and canadian bacon waiting to be ordered. Eggs are to order, so are pancakes, and there is a meager omelette selection for soft touches. Juice, I'm pretty certain, is canned, the way it should be, and toast is white, rye, or dark (not whole wheat). Simple diner fare done well. The later meals of the day are what I prefer, however, for the variety and the sides. I'm not sure there is a difference between the lunch and dinner menu, although I think there are more "entree" sized specials at dinner. At lunch I'm usually prone to order the patty melt, which is a competent specimen. Dinner is the meal I've had the most, yes, my sister and I would beg my mother to take us when we were slated to "go out". Anyway, favorites include indredibly fatty short ribs, the Chicken Pot Pie, and roast beef. All of these come with a starch and an overcooked vegetable of your choice, not to mention incredible, sweet, biscuits--possibly the best part of the meal (the crust of the pot pie is made with the same stuff). There are no deserts to speak of, which is fine by me, and you won't need one either. The Pepsi (RC?) comes in the big glass bottles. There are no waiters, and you tip the bus boys, who bring water, a quarter a tray. The most I've ever seen someone spend is in the neighborhood of $7, and that was completely egregious. Valois 53rd St., bet. Lake Park and Harper. Wed Aug 15 19:39:09 -0700 2001 592362 0 Andy O'Neill 2 592366 I will definitely throw in a second for Valois. I have always loved the ruebens there (of course I grew up a hyde parker as well). BTW Valois was the diner that the book "slim's table" - which won lot's of sociology awards was based on. It's an interesting book, but I have reservations at the way both valois and hyde park are represented in it. I had heard rumours some time ago that Spike Lee had bought the film rights to the book and was goona film at Valois - anyone else here anything about this? Thu Aug 16 09:58:54 -0700 2001 592365 0 zim 3 592367 Although I've never been to Valois, can I resit passing judgement on the place... Well, only this: Is not Valois a cafeteria not a coffee shop? Thu Aug 16 10:23:03 -0700 2001 592366 0 Vital Information 4 592382 'Tis indeed a cafeteria and not a coffee shop in the strictest sense of the word. It certainly has the coffee shop esthetic, however, and the food isn't much different from your standard coffee shop. I remember when Spike Lee bought the rights to 'Slim's Table' and the ensuing excitement/panic about how he would represent HP and Valois'. I haven't been around for a while, but I think this project was ditched a long time ago, undoubtably for more worthwhile projects like 'Girl 6'. I think I might visit this weekend since I'll be in town--can they make me a Reuben for breakfast? Thu Aug 16 18:41:04 -0700 2001 592367 0 Andy O[Neill 5 592388 I know I've had ruebens for more late breakfasts there than I should have Fri Aug 17 13:35:37 -0700 2001 592382 0 zim