114740 Mon Jan 19 16:12:20 -0800 2004 15 7 Chicago Area 0 624839 The homemade biscuit, as a food icon, does not seem to resonate strongly in Chicago. I guess it's just one of those things that you should look for at the source. Can't expect one city to do EVERYTHING for me. At any rate, I did find a very good homemade biscuit (large, flaky yet fluffy) the other morning at: L.T.'s Grill 1800 W. Grand Ave But the gravy wasn't quite thick enough. Everything I saw people eating looked great at this place, and everyone seemed to be very happy with their food. Super-nice servers, Intelligencia coffee, and the clean, comfortable space were bonuses. I had also pinned slight hopes on the Breakfast Club, at 1381 W. Hubbard, but after spying the biscuits being delivered in a box from a bakery, I decided to order something else. The French toast was perfect. Portions were massive -- and so were many of the patrons. Again, a nice clean pleasant space with a very efficient and friendly staff. Extremely crowded, though. Finally, based on advice gleaned here, I did try the biscuits at the hipster hangout, Flying Saucer (1123 N. California) and found them to be quite good, but the gravy had no oomph (too little grease, perhaps) and was served with scallions (not a bonus, for me). Negatives include a hung-over staff and relatively high prices, but the coffee was excellent. Lill Mon Jan 19 16:12:20 -0800 2004 0 Lill 1 624847 Thanks for posting, Lill. My husband is a big fan of the Dixie's Benedict at Nookies. It's basically Biscuits and Gravy with Canadian Bacon. Yikes. But, at heart, he is a B&G purist. Thanks for the "leads." If you make it at home, the key ingredient (other than perfect biscuits and lovely sausage gravy, natch) is bacon grease, IMHO. Mon Jan 19 17:58:31 -0800 2004 624839 0 Murrmaid 2 624849 I have always enjoyed the B&G at Two-Way Diner at Elston and Montrose, though I admit I usually enjoy them in the early morning hours as an absorbant and just about anything with the correct ratio of grease and absorbancy would due. My grandmother made some of the best and I remember way back when Cracker Barrell was only a regional chain and they did a pretty tastey rendition, sad to say I haven't had the same at any of their branches since. pd Mon Jan 19 18:21:16 -0800 2004 624847 0 pdaane 3 624853 I may be one of the very few who have eaten there sober. Mon Jan 19 20:52:46 -0800 2004 624849 0 YourPalWill 3 624888 Now that you mention the Two Way Diner, I think I might have eaten there once ... it's a shadowy memory ... possibly I was using the fare as an absorber also. Not sure. Anyway, my grandmother also made good biscuits -- I sure miss them, and her. Thanks for the tip! Tue Jan 20 11:52:58 -0800 2004 624849 0 Lill 1 624856 I like biscuits but don’t often order biscuits and gravy, so this might address only half of the problem. I’m sure all these places serve biscuits and gravy though. I can vouch for the biscuits at Edna’s, even though her humble claim of "Best Biscuits in the World" might be a tad exaggerated. Many swear by those at Sweet Maple but I’m ashamed to admit I still haven’t visited. I’m also looking forward to the biscuits at H&A, a very good and very old soul food restaurant. If they’re on a level with their dinner rolls they’ll be special indeed. Also on the list is Jackie’s, another old soul food restaurant. They have a huge sign advertising "Hot Pies and Biscuits" but were out of both when we stopped in near closing time while on the BBQ tour. Edna's Restaurant 3175 W Madison St Chicago 773-638-7079, Sweet Maple Café 1339 W Taylor St Chicago 312-243-8908 H&A Restaurant 432 E 63rd St Chicago 773-684-8214 Jackie's Place 425 E 71st St Chicago 773-483-4095 Mon Jan 19 21:27:53 -0800 2004 624839 0 Rene G 2 624881 Thank you! I am printing the list right now. I will be heading to at least one of these locations this weekend. Also thanks to the other posters for new ideas. Lill Tue Jan 20 10:30:02 -0800 2004 624856 0 Lill 1 624864 Have you tried Wishbone? One of my southern friends loves their grits with cheese, and if I'm recalling correctly, also spoke highly of their biscuits w/ gravy (of course, I could be remembering this totally wrong). It's worth a try - if nothing else, they make damn good pancakes. Service is pretty lousy, and the wait is long, but when has that ever deterred a devoted food fan? Wishbone 1001 W. Washington (312) 850-2663. Mon Jan 19 23:22:00 -0800 2004 624839 0 anne 1 624931 I had an interesting B&G experience at Leo's Lunchroom on Sunday, my first ever visit there. They had run out of sausage gravy, but asked if I would like mushroom gravy. Sure, why not? And it was darned good gravy, lots of fresh mushrooms in a thick milk gravy base. The biscuits were sort of non-entities that dissolved into the mix a little too rapidly for my taste, but they weren't mealy or gooey, two problems I've had with many biscuits in this town. Of course, everybody has their own ideal biscuit (mine is very small and yeasty and, naturally, the kind my Kentucky grandmother used to make). So I'd grade Leo's a solid "B", and a "B+" for creativity in suggesting the alternative gravy. Tue Jan 20 20:48:36 -0800 2004 624839 0 JimInLoganSquare 1 624990 Howdy Lill, With Sparky's gone, Cozy Cafe (Belmont) & Reva's long gone, it's been tough finding proper B's & G in Chicago. I tried Flying saucer as well and came up with the same conclusion, decent biscuits but, weird, watery, "hipster" gravy with (egads!!) CILANTRO????? Also tried LT's, gettin' closer but, not there yet. Jerry's had character but little else.... I used to go to a greasy spoon on 25th and Manheim in Stone Park (Melrose Pk?) that made some good one's, may try it out again when I return. Just want ya' to know I eatin' at least a biscuit a day her in the Lone Star state....ya' can even get biscuits at all the airports. I went to the hotel gym this evening and swear I was sweatin' gravy!!!! Have also enjoyed many tamales and cabrito (San Antonio) much BBQ (Austin and Lockhart), Chicken fried steaks (everywhere) and may even do a little fine dinin' in Houston.. Cheers STP Wed Jan 21 21:58:26 -0800 2004 624839 0 stirs-the-pot 2 625004 Lord have mercy, people, make your own. It's extremely simple, including the biscuits. That way you can settle on your own preference for bulk sausage (and tweak the seasonings, if you wish) and your own favorite biscuit recipe. I wouldn't dream of going out to a restaurant for Biscuits and Gravy. There's no way they are going to get it really right, if only because they have to make it in quantity and hold it. Thu Jan 22 07:50:38 -0800 2004 624990 0 Sandy 3 625018 Sandy, Perhaps on the general subject board with a link to Chicago, could you please give your time-worn recipe for both the biscuits and the gravy. I like biscuits and gravy since I had some at a Grandy's in Champaign,IL. Maybe a weak standard but so far they are best I've had. Some places biscuits are flat and uninspired. The sausage gravy can be weak in the sausage and often it is underseasoned. Grandy's the biscuits were flaky and buttery with a generous sausage milk gravy with lots of pepper. When you haven't many choices or gold standard examples to work with, then something you may find unacceptable looks good to me. If it is a family recipe and you don't care to have it so widely broadcasted, then e-mail me! (Hope springs eternal!) Regards, CAthy2 Thu Jan 22 11:22:38 -0800 2004 625004 0 Cathy2 4 628939 I either would like the biscuit and gravy receipt or I would like to purchase both or which ever one is available for purchase - please give me that information. Thank You, Lara Fri Mar 05 15:42:13 -0800 2004 625018 0 Lara 3 625156 FYI - I know how to make them (biscuits AND gravy), I choose NOT to make them. Last thing I want to do hung over on a Sunday morning is cook ("I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt, and the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad, so I had one more for dessert...."). So far, best B's & G of the year.... Zingo's in Bakersfield, CA. STP Fri Jan 23 18:34:45 -0800 2004 625004 0 stirs-the-pot 1 625903 i also try his low carb wrap its great jambalaya and ribs at this place is outstanding lastly black angus burger top it off w/ havarti cheese Tue Feb 03 16:04:59 -0800 2004 624839 0 jr 2 626069 Try Sam and Georges (S&G on the sign) at 3000 N Lincoln. The gravy is especially flavorful. Wed Feb 04 23:38:27 -0800 2004 625903 0 Joe