Mother In Law Tamale - Should I Believe The Hype?

[mochapj]

My boyfriend and I are returning to Chicago for a week long vacation this August and since we were first there in 2008, he's become mesmerized with this tamale on a hot dog bun covered in chili thing he saw on Bourdain's Chicago episode called the mother-in-law.

He's convinced that we must have one while we're there, and asked me to find out a) where's the best place to get one and b) is it really that good?

So Chicagoans, I ask you... is the mother-in-law worth a trip?

We're also going to be hitting Alinea, one of Paul K's places, Fat Willy's, More Cupcakes and Xoco, as well as returning to Mercat ala Planxa while we're here. We're thinking about Hot Doug's too, but I don't know if I want to wait an hour for a hot dog, even if it is the best hot dog in the universe.

Any suggestions/recommendations/comments are greatly appreciated.

PS and kind of off topic - do you have St Germain elderflower liqueur in Illinois?

Thanks!

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Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

Hot Doug's
3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

More Cupcakes
1 E Delaware Pl, Chicago, IL 60611

[gordeaux]

Well, first of all, the Mother-In Law is generally a tamale in a hotdog bun with chili on top, and then it's dressed however you want, or however the vendor does it. Possibly some cheese, onions. Are they worth the hype? Tell you what - if you are expecting a real tamale, then no. They are nowhere even remotely close to any hype given. The tamale that will be used will be a "Tom-Tom" brand or (I think) "Supreme" brand which are processed goo, and really do not resemble a real tamale. Think cornmeal mush in tube shape instead of "tamale," and adjust your expectations accordingly. A lot of the hot dog stands sell these tamales, and I think they are vile (just my opinion.) I actually bought one last year because I hadn't had one in like 10 years. I got it just to remember what they tasted like, and to see if they had changed any. NO. I took one bit, and handed it off to a co-worker. (The co-worker loved it, by the way.) Those things are cornmeal mush with a brown puree filling. If you are expecting a real tamale, you'll be extremely disappointed, but you still might like a mother in law. If any friends of mine wanted a mother in law, I'd strongly try to talk them out of it, or at least tell them that I wouldn't be offended (or surprised) in any way, if they took one bite and decided to pitch it. There are prolly plenty of folks who love these things, and I have no issue with that. I think they are simply disgusting. And it's not because I'm a snob. I eat PLENTY of garbage. TRUST me.

P.s. If you plan on going to Hot Doug's for a hot dog, you'll be missing the boat. Hot Doug's is known for selling very unique sausages (not just hot dogs) on buns. You can get decent hot dogs for a better price generally anywhere. I would not go to Hot Dougs just for hot dogs.

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Hot Doug's
3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

[mochapj]

Thanks Gordeaux - sorry I should have clarified :)

I wasn't expecting it to be like a real tamale, I just wanted to know if this weird combo of stuff is actually tasty or vile. Based on what you're saying, I will probably find it vile but my other half will love it, so I guess we will go.

As for Hot Doug's, I'm not getting just a hot dog, I just kind of generically used it as a term for all tube formed meat. I'm going to get a unique sausage myself and if I'm lucky on the day we go, duck fat fries. Mmm!

Thanks for the help!

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Hot Doug's
3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

[ferret]

"PS and kind of off topic - do you have St Germain elderflower liqueur in Illinois? "

Binny's (our local chain liquor store) carries it:

http://www.binnys.com/spirits/search/...

[mochapj]

Awesome, thanks ferret! You can't get it here in Canada, so I intend to stock up.

[cajundave]

I don't know when the mushy tamale started appearing on a bun and morphed into the Mother in Law. We used to eat the mushy tamales with chili on top when I was a kid. The hot dog stand would steam them in their individual PLASTIC BAG and serve it to you in a paper bowl and slop some chilli on top.

These tamales are available in the grocery store too. I liked them as a kid but that was 40 plus years ago when you could buy corn tortillas in a CAN. I don't like them now but like Gordeaux said, many people do. It's really just kids junk food. Sorry, I don't mean to be nasty, just my opinion.

[phunk]

Gotta, gotta try the mother-in-law (MIL) at Johnny O's corner of 35th & morgan - southside Chicago. They were just featured on "Best Food Ever", a new show on TLC. They use Tom Tom Tamales (really this is the only tamale that should ever be on a MIL). Awesome old school dog stand.

[ferret]

At summer camp in the 70's we had hamburger night which also featured mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. They were served separately but our ritual was to mix everything together into an improvised shepherd's pie (not that we knew what that was back then). We took 3 poorly prepared flavorless components and turned them into a large flavorless mass. We enjoyed it, but we didn't know any better. That's the mother-in-law. Not food, not good, but traditional.

[MikeB3542]

My guess is that Bourdain became smitten with the Tom-Tom Tamale, which is sort of a Southwest Side Chicago thing. Gordeaux's description is pretty close, but I think most of his issue is that it isn't a "real" tamale (whatever that is!) I don't think it was ever trying to pass itself off as an authentic Mexican (or Columbian, Guatamalan, Deep South/New Orleans or Puerto Rican) tamale. The beauty of a city like Chicago is you can probably get those, too. Yum!

Like the Chicago-style hot dog, they started out as Depression-era street food. Like the CS dog, they are prepared by steaming until warmed through. The way we used to eat them was to tear the paper back and chow down. Inexpensive and filling.

Haven't had one in a bit, but remember they were pretty yummy. They are sold frozen, wrapped in parchment paper, and tied with sting at each end. (These aren't the nasty things that are wrapped in plastic and sold in jars with chili sauce).

Putting one of those on a bun and slathering with chili sounds like a way to use up stale hot dog buns, and a bit starchy for my liking.

[gordeaux]

No, no, no -

My issue isn't that it is not a real tamale. I was warning the op that it is not a real tamale, and to not expect a real tamale. They vendors of the Mother In Law call these things tamales. I doubt anyone who makes tamales at home would ever dare have the nerve to call those tom-tom things tamales and serve them with pride - no matter what country.

My issue is that I think they are totally gross. Just my opinion. And trust me, I prolly love to eat some things that you'd find totally gross too, so I'm not casting a "first stone" here. To each his or her own.

I'd simply suggest tempering expectations.
You might absolutely LOVE the MIL. You might, however, find it a revolting pile of slop.

[gomexico]

I grew-up on Tom Tom Tamales, and CS hotdogs ... purchased from the neighborhood "hot dog guy" who pushed his cart down the street each evening during Summer months ... at 69th & Justine St. on the SW side. Once I was introduced to Mexican-style tamales I never went back to the Tom Tom. Different strokes for different folks. I've never liked the MIL, preferring instead to have my chili in a bowl ... for years at Bishop's (before they closed).

[MikeB3542]

69th and Justine? That's serious SW side!

Never had the chili at Bishops -- I understand Bishop's has a place out in Westmont on Cass Ave.

[geg5150]

I don't live far from Hot Doug's, so I'm there about once a month. You're going to be here a week...go. The best rec is to go on Tues., Wed., or Thurs. and get there at 10:30/11 for an early lunch or 1/2:30 for a late lunch. Yes, it's true, the duck fat fries are only on Friday and Saturday, but honestly, they're not worth the wait. The tater tots are great! You may wait 15-20 minutes and you'll get to know your neighbors in the process. Take the brown or red line to Addison and then the Addison bus west to California. Walk south on California for about 3 blocks and you're there.

As for Paul Kahan, my favorite is The Publican. I know that some don't care for the communal seating, but I'm fine with it. The beer list is great and so is the food. My favorite is the mussels -- the best I've had in the city. Skip dessert though, they don't do a great job in that area.

St. Germaine is pretty much everywhere! Oh it's, delightful as you've no doubt figured out. Add a splash to a G&T...divine!

Have a great trip!

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Hot Doug's
3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

[nsxtasy]

>> As for Paul Kahan, my favorite is The Publican. I know that some don't care for the communal seating, but I'm fine with it.

If you prefer to have your own table rather than be seated in the communal seating (or vice versa), you can express a preference while making your reservation and they will try to honor it (no guarantees though).

If I had to choose one of Kahan's places, I'd take Blackbird over Publican or Avec.

I would also choose Frontera Grill or Topolobampo over XOCO, unless you've already been to both the others.

And I wouldn't waste my time on cupcakes.

[delk]

Bourdain went to Fat Johnny's an iconic shack on 72nd and Western. I went to High School on 77th and Western way back in the '70's.

Fat Johnny's became sort of a trendy thing via the internet and food blogs. A lot of the charm is the place itself. Sadly, countless of these types of places which once dotted the streets of Chicago are no longer around.

MIL's are mostly a south side thing. Most of the places I ate them at didn't use a bun, but just served them in a paper bowl like fries are served in.

Unless you have a very compelling reason to go to that part of the city, like going to Top Notch burgers on 95th, I'd say take a pass.

[ferret]

Let's not lose perspective here, he went there for a "Bizarre Foods" moment which made for good TV but I have zero doubt that he was just doing some TV shtick. After all, every food show visiting Chicago does deep dish (No Reservations included), Italian beef and hot dogs. He just found the oddball variation. Turning it into a destination meal is a bit freakish in itself. I recall the Stockholm episode when he went to the korv (hot dog) stand and got the "works" hot dog with mashed potatoes and shrimp salad. Most of the locals that I know there would never contemplate it as a treat but it's there for people who want to try it. Again, it's more of a summer camp dare.

Although if people want to do freakish comfort food I might open a Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee canned ravioli stand with mix-ins like crushed Oreos and Apple Jacks.

[cajundave]

Maybe it is a southside thing. I grew up at 73rd and Jeffrey which is SE side and thats where I remember eating them as a kid. I certainly would not go back to that neighborhood for a MIL, maybe some ribs and hot links though.

There are probably people all over the country trying to source the mushy tamale to make at home because Bourdain ate one!

[gomexico]

One of the best hamburger spots in Chicago is over on 71st St., East of Jeffrey - That's A Burger ... reason enough to visit the neighborhood! No MIL, though ... but a great turkey chili.

http://chicagoburgerproject.blogspot....

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That's A Burger
2134 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60649