[Photograph: Michael Nagrant] Rabid culinary celebrity worshippers probably know by now that Top Chef Masters winner and Mexican food savant Rick Bayless just unveiled another jewel in his tasty empire, Xoco, a contemporary expression of Mexican street food here in Chicago. The two times I tried to visit, the hour or so long line on opening week was spilling out on to Clark street in front of his other sister restaurants, Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Though there's no doubt that Bayless' chili spiced hot chocolate, fresh churros, tortas, and caldos made from responsibly raised ingredients from local farms will be a welcome addition to the other goodies he's brought this town, I didn't really want to wait an hour for...
Continue reading »
