110989 Thu Jul 04 02:28:10 -0700 2002 1 7 Chicago Area 0 600013 I'm new to town and slowly learning my way around. Just discovered this site. Where can I find good fried chicken livers and gizzards? Or decent fried chicken? I tried the Harold's near Chinatown and they were overcooked almost beyond recognition. Went to Manny's today. I was Jonesin' for their pastrami. Good thing I had that triple bypass last year. Why is it so hard to fing a decent lo mein in this area? The places I've tried in Chinatown don't seem to get it. Any recommendations? Had some good brains empanadas at Maxwell St. flea mkt. a few Sundays ago. Last but not least, good BBQ spareribs (not baby backs)that are not cooked days ahead, and then reheated when ordered? Thu Jul 04 02:28:10 -0700 2002 0 RonR 1 600016 Not long ago someone mentioned their wish for a thread on Barbeque and Bakery joints in Chinatown and beyond. I started writing that Tolstoyesque (a reference to quantity, not quality) diatribe about Phoenix so late at night, that I forgot to write about my stops for buns and barbeque. Well, Ron, speaking of chicken livers, the best I've had so far were at B.B.Q. King at 2148 S. Archer this past weekend. (other branches on Wentworth and Canal) They were big, great tasting, and cooked perfectly with a touch of pink on the inside. The kicker? The service at this place was fantastic. I ordered 1/2 lb. of livers and the woman who waited on me thought it may have been too much meat.........so she actually brought the box over and asked whether it was ok! This is no slam on the other places, this woman's english just allows her to have a higher comfort level with non-native speakers. ANYWAY........their tongue was great, as were their barbeque chicken wings, which where huge and meaty! I will return to this place at my earliest convenience. Lastly, the buns I picked up at Chiu Quon Bakery at 2242 S. Wentworth were great, as usual. My only complaint(s) are if they are out of an item I am craving at the time, like the chinese sausage buns. They seem to always have the freshest buns with the greatest amount of delicious high quality filling. Truth be told, I am eager for comments and suggestions from the natives. Happy hunting, Jack Thu Jul 04 17:02:05 -0700 2002 600013 0 Jackal