111138 Mon Jul 29 18:56:06 -0700 2002 44 7 Chicago Area 0 600898 Greetings - Folks asked for my eating plan for Chicago over a 2-3 Day visit. Here it is, though not final. Once you look at it - 4 questions: What should I eliminate What should I add What are the best road food dinner choices Where should I stay to minimize traffic and travel time Breakfast: Lou Mitchell's, Jackson and Jefferson Looking for a second Lunch (Tastings over 2-3 days) - Hot Dogs Wiener's Circle, Clark near Diversey Superdawg, Milwaukee and Devon Fluky's Gene and Jude's Gold Coast Dogs - Italian Beef Portillo's Al's, Taylor Street Johnny's North Ave, West of Harlem, Elmwood Phil's North Ave, Melrose Park - Chili Ramova, 3507 S. Halstead Dinner (2 of these) Lem's BBQ, 311 75th Street Stanley's, Armitage and Sedgwick - Chicken Fried Steak Fish Keg, 2233 W. Howard - Fried Chicken The Orbit - Polish Phil Schmidt's, Hammond IN - Boned and Buttered Pork All input gratefully welcomed. Holly Moore HollyEats.Com Link: http://www.hollyeats.com Mon Jul 29 18:56:06 -0700 2002 0 Holly Moore 1 600899 No Polish from Maxwell Street at 4:00 AM? What do you think folks? Mon Jul 29 19:18:25 -0700 2002 600898 0 Nazerac 1 600901 Well, what you have is your basic white person's Chicago menu, except for Lem's. Are you writing an article or something? Ditch Lou Mitchell's and go to Edna's for breakfast. Stanley's is pseudo shtick--the food isn't bad but it isn't good and it just take's Ed Debevic's concept into the neighborhood. No ethnic? Where are you coming from? Someplace that has so much glorious ethnic food that you can spend three days in our fair city and not sample any? I suppose Orbit qualifies as "white ethnic" (just like many of Chicago's voters), but why don't you ask for some other Polish recommendations, or Bosnian, Serbian, or even some of the more interesting things that have shown up on the board lately like Georgian (in Skokie). But, if for some reason you are hell bent on Chicago's "specialties" (I personally won't spend money on hot dogs or Italian beef) then why no pizza places? Not that Chicago pizza deserves any more of your itinerary. Confess....it's another stupid story about Chicagoans eating habits that have nothing to do with the way the vast majority of us eat. Mon Jul 29 20:54:44 -0700 2002 600898 0 tom 2 600902 Yup, you've got me pegged. Basic white person here. Make that semi-pegged. I'm not writing an article. I do a website on what some call road food and it has come to pass that I'm paying more attention to hot dogs than anything else. Got a bunch of dog houses, but none from Chicago yet. My trip next week is intended to rectify that. Plus get some Italian Beef and hit some other Chicago institutions. I also crave chicken fried steak which is why I included Stanleys. I'm open to other suggestions. In fact one main reason for the initial post is to have genuine Chicagoans look it over and steer me towards or away from any of the spots listed. As to pizza - one of these days, maybe. But have never really gotten into that for the site. Holly Moore HollyEats.Com Link: http://www.hollyeats.com Mon Jul 29 21:38:48 -0700 2002 600901 0 Holly Moore 3 600904 I am curious on all your opinions, your web site is a hoot. I wish I saw that picture of that chili dog before I went to Springfield. I am also curious on what you thimk of Lou Mitchells. At one time it may have been the world's greatest coffee shop. Today, it is known to be wildly inconsistent. I mean the Sterns actually did a negative review on the place, something they rarely (ever?) do. I like Stanley's a lot even if I have not had dinner there in ages. I always liked the food at Stanley's, but I'll tell you what convinced me most. We had one of my daughters birthday partys in their nice rec room/basement. I got a chance to pay a lot of attention to the cooks who also toil away in the basement. They made everything (or at least all I saw) from scratch. Nothing pre-fab there. Excellent fried chicken too. I am not sure about all your hot dog choices. I recently posted about a bad Gold Cost meal. I do not know if they really hold up any standard anymore. How about Poochies in Skokie that Gary Wiv has raved about? There is the relocated Jimmy's on Canal I think for polish with grilled onions. For beef, ice cream and just the experience, think about Freddies in Cicero. Also, Boston BBQ on Chicago/Grand is very traditional--I just ran into an old ReneG post on chi.eats this morning that mentioned this classic. I am sure you meant it, but Phil Schmidt is for boned and buttered pearch, not pork. For polish, maybe a buffet sums up the experience best, like Bobaks And for fried chicken, why also not Harolds? There is one just off the loop on S. Wabash. Rob Mon Jul 29 22:24:05 -0700 2002 600902 0 Vital Information 4 600907 Well, I know it's a little dangerous to tread on a lot of these sacred names, but I'm counting on the generally high level of tolerance exhibited by most Chicago posters. To be blunt-- Skip Fluky's (never had anything right there), try instead Demon Dogs right around the corner from the Wiener Circle. It's been recently slammed a little by some respectable hot dog cognoscenti on this board, but the place works for me, and is convenient when I'm at the post office next door. I recently went to the Fish Keg up in Evanston, specifically because it had been recommended here. Perhaps it was a mistake to go there for lunch, on a Saturday, but they were not happy to see me, and made me pay by over-frying both chicken and fries. I might be willing to try it again if I were convinced that I'd truly missed it, but this place struck me as not really caring anymore. Many downhill reports have been written about Lou Mitchell's, which I agree with. I also admit to enjoying the breakfasts at Wishbone, even if it is no longer a true soul food establishment. joel Mon Jul 29 23:42:46 -0700 2002 600904 0 joel 3 600906 I have to admit I can't see what the big deal is about Fluky's hot dogs. T'ain't no Superdawg. But maybe that's just me. I mean, I'll go there when I'm in that silly North Bridge mall, I'm not saying it sucks, but I hear people rave about it and I can only think that's mostly nostalgia. If you're still looking for a breakfast place, try Wishbone. It's gotten a bit yuppified (it moved near me, that says it all) if it ever wasn't in the first place, but the breakfast is damn good-- the corn pancakes are wonderful. Or, for that matter, you could have a chicken fried steak there, although I think looking for that in Chicago is like looking for pierogi in Memphis. I've never had one, or biscuits and gravy for that matter, in this town that comes close to the 20 best I had in Kansas. Mon Jul 29 23:08:01 -0700 2002 600902 0 Mike G 3 600920 Used your BBQ page when I went hiking in the mountains of western North Carolina. If hot dogs are your passion you might want to try Hot Dougs. While it is not a Chicago institution Doug makes a tasty dog and pretty good fries to boot. Do a "Hot Dougs" search using your browser's find option on the Chicago board to read more about this place. Below are the particulars and some links with more details. Ciao, Ezio Hot Doug's 2314 W. Roscoe 773-348-0326 Chicago IL 60618 Metromix info (Chicago Tribune site) http://www.metromix.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Home-!PlaceDetail-22897,00.html Link: http://www.hotdougs.com/ Tue Jul 30 10:53:54 -0700 2002 600902 0 Ezio Magarotto 2 600903 tom, It might behoove you to pay a visit to Holly's site. I think that you'll get a better picture of his orientation. The Stanley's crack notwithstanding, I found yr post rather condescending. Regards, Erik M. Mon Jul 29 21:44:43 -0700 2002 600901 0 Erik M. 3 600908 Holly, Sorry you took a nasty post right off the bat. Here are some gut reactions. Edna's is okay, but more for the history than the food. We went there during our 24-hour chowathon and it was a real nice place, but the breakfast food was just okay. However, if you want brains scambled into your eggs, it is definitely the place to go. For Italian Beef, I'd go with Johnnies, though there are vastly differing views on that topic (Al's being the other primary contender). I'm tickled that you're going to Ramova. That joint was also on our 24-hour eating odyssey, and it was one of my favorite stops (though, again, opinions radically differ: my good buddy Patoriq thought the chili was probably Hormel with a little extra cinnamon added -- I'm interested in your take). Though it's not a primary stop of mine, Gene and Jude's is a chowhound mecca, and I think it would be good to go there. I am not 100% certain, but I thought Orbit had closed. I might be wrong about this, so I'm hoping other chi hounds can confirm or deny. For lodging, I'd still vote for Oak Park. Mon Jul 29 23:49:42 -0700 2002 600903 0 David Hammond 4 600959 David Hammond wrote: {snip} "I'm tickled that you're going to Ramova. That joint was also on our 24-hour eating odyssey, and it was one of my favorite stops (though, again, opinions radically differ: my good buddy Patoriq thought the chili was probably Hormel with a little extra cinnamon added -- I'm interested in your take)." David, Funny you should say that, I have had Ramova chili a few times and each time I eat it there is a little glimmer of 'where did I have this before' memory. I think that Patoriq hit it right on the head, Hormel. As soon as I read Hormel, it was like my taste memory kicked in and went, right, exactly, yep, I agree. Now I have no idea if Ramova actually uses industrial strength cans of Hormel, actually, I would doubt that is the case, but there are definitely texture and flavor similarities between Ramova and Hormel all meat chili. Yes, I know Rene, you really like Ramova’s chili, I didn’t say it was bad, just that I agree it tasted a little like Hormel. Speaking of Rene, I tried one of his recommendations the other day, Kevin’s Hamburger Heaven on Pershing Rd, fantastic! 24-hour 20-stool diner with crisp on the outside (I asked for them crisp) and steaming hot on the inside fries, or as steaming as the skinny type fries can be, with griddle toasted bun and delicious burger. The burger was a work of art, the shape was similar to Steak and Shake, but the burger was 50% larger with a larger grind to the meat, oh, and it tasted a whole lot better, but then again, I am not much of a Steak and Shake fan. The other thing I liked about Kevin’s Hamburger Heaven was the waitress, she had that perfect diner waitress attitude, seemingly distracted, slightly gruff, but perfect recall on my order, right down to the fried and raw onions and crisp fries. Kevin’s Hamburger Heaven has their own line of steak sauce, which tasted pretty darn good, next time there I am getting steak and eggs with grits. Enjoy, Gary Kevin's Hamburger Heaven 554 W. Pershing Rd. (Pershing is the same as 39th St.) Chicago IL 773-268-5748 Ramova Grill 3510 S. Halsted St. Chicago, Il 773-847-9058 Wed Jul 31 11:49:12 -0700 2002 600908 0 G Wiv 5 601005 I really do like Ramova but I’m always worried about hyping it too much because many people are disappointed with it. I like their chili but would never call it spectacular. This is another great place, like Gino’s North, that I love but not exclusively for the food. That’s funny you just posted on Kevin’s, I was getting ready to mention it myself. I think Rob was even more enthusiastic about Kevin’s Hamburger Heaven (at least the name and concept, not sure if he’s been there yet). I recently went to Kevin’s and was also pretty impressed. There are "Two Great Locations!" and I went to the other one, on 35th around the corner from Filbert’s Root Beer. One thing that impressed me was how carefully the grillman cooked my burger. He was continuously poking, prodding, seasoning, covering and uncovering it, tending the onions and scraping the griddle. He was really working that burger. I had to laugh because shortly after he finished with mine he got a phone order for 11 more. He then went into high gear. Next visit I’ll have to try the hash browns (only $1.05). I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy would do these right. Then there’s that 4 egg chili-cheese omelette with hash browns and toast ($3.80)..... "The One and Only" was a very good hamburger, handformed and irregular, juicy without being too greasy, and very tasty. The weak link was the bun. Even though it had been toasted on the griddle it disintegrated into unpleasant mush almost immediately. A real shame, with a better bun I might call it a great burger. Still for $2.60 it’s a very good deal and a burger I’ll come back for. Kevin’s Hamburger Heaven "Burgers You’ll Come Back For" 1546 W 35th St Chicago 773-890-1042 Open 24 hours Thu Aug 01 14:35:54 -0700 2002 600959 0 Rene G 6 601008 Strike another victory for the yellow-page method of finding chow! I got to say, that while I was the most enthusiastic about Kevin's, only Gary was enthusiastic about going to Kevin's AFTER Triple Crown. Although as I have shown, with a few hours break, I can eat burgers and chinese in the same night. I still feel bad for letting Gary down. Rob Thu Aug 01 14:54:09 -0700 2002 601005 0 Vital Information 7 601051 Rob, You are the Chowhound’s Chowhound, the ne plus ultra of Chowhounds, your chow stamina was never in question. Looking forward to the next time we get together. Regards, Gary Fri Aug 02 08:44:23 -0700 2002 601008 0 G Wiv 6 601050 Rene, It’s not that I don’t enjoy the chili at Ramova’s, I do, it’s just that, as you say, Ramova’s is one of those places where the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts. It’s quite enjoyable sitting at the counter eating a burger and a bowl of chili, not only for the food but also for the Ramova’s experience. Now don’t get me wrong, if the chili, or burgers for that matter, were not up to snuff I would have gone once, said ‘what was Rene thinking’, and never gone back, but I have been there 4 or 5 times, and it is not exactly in my neighborhood. Next on my must try list, Gino’s North. Re Kevin’s, I had a slice of lettuce on my burger, as well as grilled and raw onion, the lettuce serves as a barrier for burger and fried onion grease and helps prevent the bun from disintegrating. By the way, great Top Ten sandwich list. Enjoy, Gary Fri Aug 02 08:38:06 -0700 2002 601005 0 G Wiv 4 600965 The Orbit has definitely closed, at least as of the last time I walked by, about 3 weeks ago. The real Chicago experience in the neighborhood is the Red Apple, just a couple of blocks up Milwaukee. If you can't walk that far, I recommend Paul Zakopane, which is right across the street from the late Orbit. The Polish Combo almost did me in-- excellent potato pancakes, golabki, etc. Wed Jul 31 15:06:45 -0700 2002 600908 0 Jen 1 600910 For a truly decadent breakfast, you might try either Toast or the Bongo Room -- preferably on a weekday morning. Toast serves French toast stuffed with mascarpone cheese which is so delicious I haven't been able to explore the rest of the menu. The Bongo Room gets very creative with pancakes -- last week I had Banana Cream Pie pancakes with fresh bananas, creme Anglais and whipped cream. Tue Jul 30 00:32:48 -0700 2002 600898 0 Jamie E. 2 600945 and agree not to tell any more visitors about the Bongo Room. The weekend wait is already too long as it is. Tue Jul 30 18:23:27 -0700 2002 600910 0 YourPalWill 2 600953 The Bongo Room and Toast are not worth the wait. Instead, head over to Division and eat at Leo's Lunchroom at 1809 Division (Wood and Division). Blackboard weekend brunch menu changes everyday (almost) ... it's a good crowd, great food, and super cheap. Just don't tell anyone else about THIS ONE ... let them keep waiting at the Bongo room. Tue Jul 30 22:46:04 -0700 2002 600910 0 Nazerac 1 600915 I'm only an honorary chicagoan, premised upon the flimsy foundation that I visit at least a dozen times a year on business, and that Chicago is my flat out favorite eating city in America, bar none (I'm a native ny-er and longtime Atlanta resident who in a past life has owned several restaurants). So try Tempo for breakfast if you're downtown. Chestnut and State, a few blocks walk west from the John Hancock bldg. oj squeezed to order, great home fries, homemade marmelade, ham, pancakes, oatmeal, cash only. Far better than Lou Mitchell's in any event. Owned by the same family as Santorini's in Greektown--my favorite Greek place for their soups, grilled chicken and lamb chops, slow cooked stringbeans with tomatoes, but hey, you didn't ask about Greek... Tue Jul 30 09:36:25 -0700 2002 600898 0 steve drucker 1 600922 Holly, For dogs, I also agree to drop Gold Coast dogs and Flukys and add Hot Dougs. I know it is sacreligious, but I like Doug's option of carmelized onions over raw onions and giardinara over hot sports. Another option, although it is just like Gene and Jude's, is Jimmy's at Grand and Pulaski. Al Tue Jul 30 11:12:33 -0700 2002 600898 0 Al 1 600923 I'd skip Portillo's (just slightly more authentic than Ed Debevic's), and Fluky's which ain't what it was. For Polish, I agree with other posters that you want the buffet. Bobak's is a hike and a little upscale for all you can eat Polish. Red Apple on Milwaukee is the real deal and a just blocks from Orbit (which isn't so great anyway). So cheap it's almost free. It will be you and a bunch of construction workers just off the Lott, which is good. Check your Lem's address. Also, consider the strange institution of late-night french fried shrimp stands, like the Goose Island Shrimp House, for example. Finally, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't hit a good taco stand (the Las Pasaditas on Ashland are the easy call) or at least buy some elotes (corn on the cobb)and a mango on a stick with salt, lime and hot pepper from a Mexican street vendor. Cheap road food that is as good as anything, especially strong in Chicago, and not available(in my somewhat limited experience)in Philly. (I'm a Tony Luke's pork with broccoli rabe man myself.) Tue Jul 30 11:18:38 -0700 2002 600898 0 JeffB 2 600932 Yeah baby, Goose Island Shrimp for a late night snack. That's perfect. Because they have no seating, it's pretty much a totally to-go place. It seems that food like this may be off the Holly's trajectory, but I think a bag of the big ones at Goose Island would definitely be worth the trip. Tue Jul 30 12:10:18 -0700 2002 600923 0 David Hammond 3 600949 Where is Goose Island located and what is the story about it...I am assuming (right? wrong?) that it is a place to buy jumbo "French" fried shrimp... What do they have and is it a "classic"?Is Al's Fishery still around and if so where is it? Just moved back to Chicago after 23 years in the desert (AZ) Tue Jul 30 19:38:29 -0700 2002 600932 0 susan l. 4 600954 Susie, Goose Island Shrimp is at 1013 W. Division. "French" would probably not define the fare or the experience. It's described at a biker site as "Another tough hood but dyno breaded jumbo fried shrimp." This site (which deserves some investigation by Chicago hounds) suggests that Goose Island Shrimp is where you want to go when "It's 4:00 am. on Saturday morning. You've just slammed your last shot of Jack & a Bud chaser when they've kicked ya out of your favorite saloon for the night. Now you're look'in for that special late-night diner." French? Non, mais formidable. Check out this excellent site for a listing of promising biker food; link attached. Link: http://www.chicagomotorcycleguide.com/SALOONS.HTM Tue Jul 30 22:50:52 -0700 2002 600949 0 David Hammond 3 601975 Just stopped at Goose Island today, for the first time. I'd passed it many times and wanted to try it out. Long ago I was a very frequent visiter to Al's Fishery, on E. Grand, I believe. My pronouncement.... If Al's is a "10" then Gooses Island is a "-4000". To be fair, the shrimp inside the thick, unseasoned coating, was excellent. BUT.. Al's much thinner breading was seasoned to perfection. It was all about the total flavor. I've been thinking about it for a lifetime. If you never tasted Al's, then you just can't know! It was fried shrimp perfection, because of the unique seasoning in the breading. Can't believe that no one has that recipe. Mon Aug 26 21:18:41 -0700 2002 600932 0 David Cohn 4 601977 After a Lake Michigan cruise last Friday night during which I talked too much to find time to eat, The Wife and I were compelled to stop by Goose Island for a pound of jumbos. The breading was definitely seasoned, but what's the point of arguing 10 points this way, 4,000 that, or 43.5% in either direction? I admit, me and a bunch of bikers could be wrong -- but I like it. To each his own. Mon Aug 26 23:19:59 -0700 2002 601975 0 David Hammond 4 603182 Thanks for the comments on Al's Fishery. I agree, since I am one of the three children left from the owner of Al's. I ran the company for several years and have the recipe. I can tell you that there are many seasonings, spices and quality items added to the mix. I am familar with Goose Island, Joe's (now closed) and the Keg. It is my (subjective of course) opinion that I have never tasted anything close to Al's fried shrimp. I did a google search for old times' sake and appreciate the comments. Link: http://www.TechDocUSA.com Thu May 12 12:19:00 -0700 2005 601975 0 Les Multack 5 603183 Les: Don't tell me........does this mean that I'm going to die without ever tasting again the finest fried shrimp that were ever placed on this earth? In the 50's, until you were gone,I used to pick up a few pounds, in sacks, with sauce, and take them home to my wife and kids after the usual Saturday morning's work at our plant that was located in the middle of the soon to be constructed Dan Ryan Expressway, just opposite Comisky Park. Almost every Saturday! Heaven in a greasy sack. I'm not in the restaurant business, just an old retired automobile battery manufacturer. Please tell me there's a way for me taste that perfection again. There must be a way. Thanks, David Cohn (winter in Tucson - summer on my boat in Burnham Harbor. :) ) Thu May 12 17:11:51 -0700 2005 603182 0 David Cohn 2 600934 JeffB, the address he has for Lem's is correct. There is another location at 5914 S State, but either is good, and (imho) the lem's on 75th is more enjoyable on the whole -- there is a parking lot for you to stand in and eat of the hood of your car, and the grease hazed bullet proof glass between you and the ribs adds a certain authentic/impressionistic je ne sais quoi that the state st spot can't match. Tue Jul 30 12:41:17 -0700 2002 600923 0 Seth Zurer 3 600935 Thanks Seth. I never knew about the 75th St. location, as my Lem's experience was defined by its proximity to Hyde Park. The 75th St. setup sounds better. Tue Jul 30 13:17:57 -0700 2002 600934 0 JeffB 3 600985 Seth, While, admittedly, ordering ribs through bullet proof glass does lend a certain something to the overall experience. Sitting at one of the two rickety counter stools at Lem's on State and having a conversation with the pit man, a lady of the evening and a couple of locals about BBQ sauce is an experience second to none. Also, when you are sitting at the counter of the 59th and State Street Lem’s you not only get to taste the smoke in the ribs, but breath the smoke from the BBQ pit. See Lem’s on State picture, which I hope is attached to this post. Enjoy, Gary Lem's Bar Bq House 5914 S State St Chicago, IL 60621 773-684-5007 Image: http://www.bigtimebbq.com/Lems23.jpg Wed Jul 31 21:13:15 -0700 2002 600934 0 G Wiv 4 600995 Gary, I see what you mean. Whichever spot Holly ends up at, though, i would urge him (and whoever eats lem's ribs) to eat them as quickly as possible after they leave the grill ... the quality of the experience/meat degrades pretty quickly once you let them cool. While they're still edible (and pretty good) in a park or in Hutch Commons, they're never as good as they would be off the hood of your car, or off the stainless steel counter on state. Eat em fast! Thu Aug 01 10:44:04 -0700 2002 600985 0 Seth Zurer 1 600925 Holly Looks like you'v picked some winners,after seeing your website I think you can eliminate Portillos.The food is fine but they strike me as the local dog guy gone corporate,big new stores,one in every suburb. Same with Flukeys,been around a long time but I just dont get it. Try Manny's Dog House, These guys have been in biz since 1961 and would be right at home on your site. Another good Choice for beef would be Max's Italian beef.Max seasons his beef a little differently (loads of garlic)and packs em in every day at lunch time. Dont waste any time at the Fish Keg,the chicken is consistently over done,and tastes like fish.Instead go ten minutes north to the Chicken Shack in Evanston. As far as chicken fried steak goes I've not seen it on a Chicago menu in my thirty five plus years of eating here. A decent place to stay. Try the Chicago Lodge. Its within striking distance of most places you want to go,has ample parking, and you can walk to the beach. Chicago Lodge 920 W Foster Chicago 773 334 5600 Manny's Dog House 2925 W Irving Chicago 773 478 9243 Max's Italian Beef 5754 N Western Av Chicago 773 989 8200 Chicken Shack 1925 Ridge Av Evanston Il 847 328 9360 Enjoy John Mickey Tue Jul 30 11:24:50 -0700 2002 600898 0 John Mickey 2 600928 This post reminded me that I did have something approaching chicken fried steak not that long ago. At Chuck's BBQ, the chicken fried chicken breast was the best thing on the menu. Ultra-savory cream gravy, stellar mashed potatoes, I stole most of it from my daughter. The link below is to my Chuck's report. If you follow the various posts and links, you can find a lot of other Chuck's reports. It is possible, if one is a glutton, to combine a trip to Chucks with a trip to Bobaks! Rob Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/110995#600041 Tue Jul 30 11:31:47 -0700 2002 600925 0 Vital Information 3 600929 Re chicken fried steak, Heaven on Seven has it. I can't vouch for it, but know a couple with roots in Nebraska (where I suppose it's popular) who swear by it. Tue Jul 30 11:38:06 -0700 2002 600928 0 JeffB 4 600933 I like the chicken fried steak at Dixie Kitchen in Hyde Park. Haven't had that dish at too many other places. Tue Jul 30 12:37:44 -0700 2002 600929 0 Seth Zurer 4 600936 I grew up in Nebraska, and I wouldn't necessarily trust a chicken fried steak recommendation from a Nebraskan. After living in Texas for a while (and marrying a gal from Oklahoma), I realized that growing up I never really knew the meaning of chicken fried steak. While I enjoy Dixie Kitchen's version quite a bit, it should not be confused with the Southern original (even by their own admission--they try to put a healthy spin on it). Tue Jul 30 13:38:08 -0700 2002 600929 0 Aaron D 5 600957 I do like Dixie Kitchen's version of CFS (although their waiter insisted on calling it "country fried steak") but the fine breadcrumb coating, same as the one they use on their fried green tomatos and catfish, I believe, isn't quite "right". But it's still good. The best CFS I've had in Illinois is at the Apple Dumpling in Urbana, served only on Thursdays. Grace Wed Jul 31 10:13:30 -0700 2002 600936 0 grace 2 601100 Holly, I'll chime in here maybe too late and agree that you should skip fish keg and do chicken schack instead or better yet hit one of the numerous harold's around town - as I have mentioned before the smell of harold's fired chicken with the hot sauce on it is the smell i most associate with chicago However fried shrimp is something you should preobably taste while you are here -for that do a little search and you'll find many posting on goose island shrimp house (much much better offerings than the fish keg) If you are in the evanston/skokie neighborhood you are also close to a number of well-regarded hot dog joints on dempster in skokie you have poochies (known for their grilled with grilled onions) and herm's hot dog palace on western just as it crosses howard into evanston (where it is renamed asbury) is bill's drive-in very old-time dog place Fri Aug 02 13:47:12 -0700 2002 600925 0 zim 1 600940 I just read thru Holly's Eats, now I have an idea of your vision and mission. DO NOT MISS Bobak's Polish Buffet. Archer Ave & 52 st, 5 minutes south, 3-4 blocks west from I-55 Pulaski Rd exit. Ignore at your own peril--Repeat--DO NOT MISS. Tue Jul 30 15:53:50 -0700 2002 600898 0 steve drucker 1 600943 As a recent transplant to Chicago, I have been fortunate to be introduced to Puerto Rican Cuisine over the past few months by a couple of co-workers. My restaurant of choice for that Cuisine is Borinquen which is located on N. California between North Avenue and Armitage. The place makes this incredible beef sandwich with fried plaintains. It's incredible to the point that it has me salivating at my desk. It costs only around 4 bucks. In addition to traditional latino fare such as beans and rice, you'll find unusual and tasty 95 cent options such as Alcapurria (a banana dumpling); Pastelillos (small meat puffs);Mofongo (plaintain balls)and carne frita (deep fried pork pieces). The great thing about Borinquen is that most of the menu items cost $6 or less including many of the frituras and antojitos which cost a dollar or less. Think of it as Puerto Rican dim sum. The most expensive thing on the menu is lobster with plaintains at $14. I couldn't tell you if itsgood because I always focus on the cheaper menu items. The neighborhood is a little on the tough side, so you may want to visit during the day. Tue Jul 30 18:08:35 -0700 2002 600898 0 YourPalWill 2 600944 It does a much better job describing the jibaritos than I did. http://metromix.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Dining-Borinquen!ArticleDetail-8551,00.html Link: http://metromix.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Dining-Borinquen!ArticleDetail-8551,00.html Tue Jul 30 18:14:33 -0700 2002 600943 0 YourPalWill 1 600977 Greetings All... . and thanks. Tomorrow I print all of this out. Compare it to my initial list, weed and add. Maybe even add a day or two in Chicago. Once I get settled I'll post my revised eating plan, though that will change a few times on the way west and a few more times once I start eating. Thanks again for all the great info. Holly Moore HollyEats.Com Link: http://www.hollyeats.com Wed Jul 31 18:18:53 -0700 2002 600898 0 Holly Moore 2 600988 Hey Holly, Hope you caught the confirmation that Orbit is, indeed, closed. When your quest in Chicago is complete, please post to this local board (and, of course, link to your site). If you stay in Oak Park, there are a few local site I can point you to. Wed Jul 31 22:44:27 -0700 2002 600977 0 David Hammond