Chicago Food Events for the Weekend and Beyond
Check out the upcoming food-friendly events in Chicago. More
Check out the upcoming food-friendly events in Chicago. More
I didn't stop by Owen & Engine with steak on my mind. But I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a steak as completely as the dry-aged ribeye steak here. More
I was obviously saddened to hear that all of Grub Street's city sites except New York closed to today. Mostly, I'm just upset that I won't be able to read what current editor, Mike Gebert, has to say about the dining scene. More
I'm pleased to announce a new addition to the team! Molly has written for a number of other publications in Chicago and started writing for us a few weeks ago. Currently, she's covering the downtown sandwich scene, but that's only the beginning of her food obsessions. More
When it comes to convenient pantry staples to have on hand for a quick meal, a can of good Thai curry paste ranks up there with bacon and kimchi. Grab a can of coconut milk and whatever happens to be in the fridge, and twenty minutes later you have a stunningly spicy dinner waiting for you. More
It's insane that we haven't yet written about the Wild Boar Sloppy Joe at Longman & Eagle. How could we have skipped its most popular and well known offering? More
It was clear from the moment I moved here that Chicago cared about its hot dogs more than any other place I'd ever been. And after five years of searching, here are my ten favorite Chicago-style hot dogs. More
If you're in the mood for some gut-busting adventure, this is your sandwich. Just make sure to load it up with some spicy giardiniera, which nobly tries to cut through the grease. More
Owner Jeni Britton Bauer chats about what to expect Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream's upcoming location in Chicago. More
What do you need to know about Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed in Lakeview? As the only Kosher barbecue restaurant in the city, it is perpetually packed, even if you decide to go at 5:30 p.m. on a weekday. But does the barbecue actually hold up? More
Remember the rumor about the potential Shake Shack location in the old Harley-Davidson store in Chicago's River North? Looks like it's official now. More
Though located just off the most chaotic and touristy stretch of the Magnificent Mile, Deca Restaurant + Bar feels like a world away. Of course, one must pay for all this pleasantry. More
The cucumber and carrot salad provides a crisp and acidic counterpoint to the kimchi and bacon, and it's all housed in a steamy and super soft bun, which is "airy" in a way few foodstuffs can ever hope to be. More
While Chicago is associated with one particular style of hot dog, in practice we're more of an equal opportunity hot dog admirer. Honestly, we'll try pretty much anything on top of a sausage—just so long as it's good. That's especially true now, as chefs around town have decided to experiment with the hot dog, topping it with ingredients we'd never even consider as possibilities. More
Between the housemade charcuterie and other fried delights, you can't blame me for never sticking around for dessert at Old Town Social. But after trying the warm doughnuts, I'll have to remember to always save a little room. More
This complex vegetarian curry has a multilayered profile and a genuine kick from the cumin seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, fresh garlic, ginger, onion, paprika and cayenne pepper. More
If you haven't been introduced, meet the meatball sub at Freddy's Pizza. It's a monster of a sandwich. Each meatball is the size of a fist and served on a roll as long as a forearm (hey, I didn't have a tape measurer, and my arm was close). More
The Hanger Steak Sandwich at Atlas Brewing Company is topped with a fried egg. When you bite in, the yolk bursts, coating the pieces of meat, which means the dish is basically steak and eggs in sandwich form. More
In a city where most stands serve the exact same brands in exactly the same way, Parse's deserves a visit. The northwestern stand serves an incredible Polish sausage from nearby Harczak's Sausage shop. More
After five years in Chicago, I've tired more than my fair share of Mexican restaurants (probably in the hundreds right now). So with Cinco de Mayo coming up on Sunday, I decided to pick out the essential Mexican dishes in Chicago. More
It all began after devouring a crisp and tart Brussels sprout and apple salad at Sylvain in New Orleans. While great on its own (as was everything at the charming restaurant), I couldn't help but wonder how the salad would work as a refreshing counterpoint to a hunk of meat, particularly a thick, bone-in pork chop. More
You don't have to be a White Sox fan to appreciate Schaller's Pump in Bridgeport, but it sure helps. More
Gene & Jude's has been closed since mid-April due to flooding, but there was finally some good news over the weekend, when it announced that it was renovating the space. More
There are tourist sites that Chicagoans love to hate (looking at you, Navy Pier), and then there are those we simply love. Millennium Park is definitely in the latter camp. More
The Cheesy Italian ($9.50) is Ground Control's play on an Italian beef—that meaty, messy, Chicago original, which I have a serious weakness for. But since this Logan Square establishment is meat-free, the beef is replaced with strips of seitan. More
@jim-bob: I thought the exact same thing!
I really need this post. Just had a conversation over the weekend with a friend about how hopelessly confused we were about what was the best water temperature. As always, we were just over thinking it.
I'll admit that the pastrami ramen initially sounded like a forced concept, but it really works. I think you're right that, while using untraditional ingredients, it is actually restrained.
I haven't been in a few years, but Victory's Banner in Roscoe Village has a really good one.
So sad to see you go! But best of luck on the new adventure.
I did find them at Joong Boo. So cheap. I bought three bags, so I can always make a quick snack.
@jordanu: Actually, Matt is no stranger to the masses. Last week he actually went to a place called The Peasantry!
Making a great corn dog is much harder than it sounds like would be, so any place that does it right deserves respect. I can definitely agree about the inclusion of Old Town Social. Just had that one last night!
That crust makes me feel so... :(
@inebriates: It is very cool to like Hot Doug's, because it is awesome. But it serves a lot of different kinds of sausage, so you can love it and visit often and yet never order a hot dog. I can't speak for all the writers, but I personally like the Italian sausage and bratwurst at Hot Doug's more than the hot dog, which is why it wasn't my favorite. That said, it is a great hot dog, and it'd probably be in my top 10.
Ah! That's an even better joke. Why didn't I think of that?
I'm raising a glass to you from Chicago! Best of luck, Carey.
I think we can all agree that London is stupidly expensive, right? Compared to New York and Chicago, at least.
That's totally my fault! I originally was going to have the pork chops grilled instead of sauteed, but changed my mind at the last minute. But I forgot to update the title. It is now fixed. Thanks for pointing that out!
Ah, I have the exact same memories of Pret from living in London. I swore by the egg and cress sandwiches, though probably only because they were the cheapest option available.
@pseudolus: Sorry I wasn't clearer about that. After you are done toasting the almonds, you toss them in a large bowl. That's the same bowl you add the sliced Brussels sprouts and apples to.
@happyscrappy: Yeah, I was disappointed that I had to leave Epic Burger out, but it was more than a half mile away. The same is true for M Burger and the Billy Goat.
@cpd007: I'm going to have to check out Mangia Fresca. If you have any other Bridgeport recommendations, please let me know!
Oh, man. I've always wanted to check this place out. Love places that look like this, but have been burnt by a few in the area, so I never visited. Glad to know it might be worth it.
Meat skyline! How wonderful.
Impressive job, Liz. Obviously, I'm a huge fan of Publican Quality Meats, so I'm glad you had an awesome time there. But I love all of these places. Next time you'll have to eat some tacos!
It can definitely be done. How you get it done totally depends on whether you have a car or not. The Doughnut Vault is in River North and very easy to get to. Hot Doug's requires you to take a train and then a bus, or it will be a $15 taxi ride from downtown. Just make sure to check Hot Doug's website before you go. The restaurant closes occasionally, but the dates are always clearly marked on the website.
I love that I sent this Slate link to you, pointing out that the author obviously missed the point, and instead of writing a short rebuttal, you came up with this epic manifesto on making pizza at home. Incredible.
I've only attempted your recipes that can be made in a conventional oven, and they've all been phenomenal. I used to be one of those people who blamed the lack of high heat for not making pizza at home. But what you showed me is that making great dough is just as important. That's what sets these pizzas apart. And what's so thrilling is that the dough recipe is easy. Sure, it needs time to rest in the fridge, but it only takes a few minutes to toss everything together in a bowl. You've completely changed the way I approach pizza at home, and it's made all the difference. Thanks!
Ha. Can you tell I dashed off this comment while drinking? Basically, I just wanted to know if there were many other restaurants or bars serving baked potatoes with a variety of different toppings. Not just a baked potato as a side dish, but as a meal. It's kind of a thing in England, but I haven't seen it much here, beyond Wendy's. Makes sense for a bar, because you just have a bunch of baked potatoes in the back ready to be topped. I hope this is clearer now.
You will watch this animated short featuring a floppy blob of a dog making an omelette for its exhausted, depressed owner, and you will enjoy it. Thank you, Madeline Sharafian (a BFA2 character animator at CalArts) for these two-and-a-half minutes of heartswelling cuteness. More
Broiling salmon in this Rick Bayless recipe results in a great crust, while leaving the fillets juicy inside. The asparagus ended up in that great spot between crisp and tender, and the pungent dried red chile salsa helped tie both parts together. More
while Macau may be known now as a mecca for gamblers, Fat Rice is not playing games of chance when it comes to pairing and building flavors. And therein lies the fun of eating this food: there are so many unfamiliar tastes to discovery anew, and the chefs have done the hard work of refining their dishes, that diners can freely submit to the strongest pull of their curiosities. More
Don't let En Hakkore's simply titled panini ($7.50) fool you; the name is hilariously insufficient for a creation containing kimchi, onion, mushroom, green onion, mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar on pressed bread. More
Is it wrong to compare something favorably to cheesy puffs? That's the position I'm in trying to describe the awesomeness of the white cheddar chicharrones ($5) at Trenchermen. More
Tasting sort of like mini-burritos, two of these make for a solid meal. The skirt steak is cooked in the broiler to get a great char on the beef, while nailing the desired medium-rare. More
In this month's version of "We Drink All the Hot Chocolate at..." we go on a little soul-warming vacation south of the border with the five hot chocolates at Xoco (just kidding: this is not actually a new column we're starting...or is it?). More
Rice cakes are odd little things. Straight from the package they look sort of like plastic cylinders; raw, they sort of taste like them, too. But sauté rice cakes and they develop a crackly crust, while the insides become tender and almost creamy. Best part? The transformation takes about a minute, making this a great base for a quick meal. More
Still sparkling from its makeover, Lula is pulling off the impressive: it's the neighborhood veteran that also feels brand new. More
Here's a tasty meat-light chili that will fill you up and taste like it took far longer than an hour to make. More
If pickled ginger works so well with sushi, there's no reason it can't help out all kinds of other dishes, too. As I found, it manages to add some serious perk to a bowl of fried rice. More
Though it stuns me to say so, L' Patron's carne asada tops the very good offerings of nearby Las Asadas by a wide margin. More
Whiskey and Pecans seems like a logical enough combination, but you don't realize just how perfectly these two flavors pair until that first buttery spoonful of Whiskey & Pecans by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. More
It's Friday afternoon, and if you're lucky you've got about 60 hours before you have to think or speak for anybody else again. Time for the Whiskey Sour--the comfortable T-shirt of drinks. More
Oh, the Shamrock Shake. Invented right here in the 1970s, and symbolically dumped into the Chicago River for the past few years, the Shamrock Shake and Chicago have a long history together. But relationships change. Luckily, you don't have to go this whole week without trying one from McDonald's. Here are a few restaurants that are make their own versions. More
Salty and sweet is the best of both worlds, right? That's just what you get with "Chicago Mix," a cheese and caramel corn-filled bucket of joy. Championed by Chicago fave Garrett Popcorn, it's actually pretty easy to make at home. More
The result is an honest-to-goodness taco salad that has all the flavors of a classic one, minus the seasoning packet. That isn't to say it's a particularly healthy salad—sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese still make an appearance—but now there is a lot more lettuce, and grilled steak has been substituted for the ground beef. More
The adobado tacos ($1.75) at this Logan Square taqueria feature juicy hunks of caramelized pork that have an intense and deep chile flavor. Just don't call them al pastor. More
Birria tatemada, which at Zaragoza translates roughly to "roasted goat," reflects the family's inspired adaptation of Jalisco's native birria, one that followsa devoted cooking process More
I've spent more than forty years looking for the best eats in Chicago, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that our first city site (besides our hometown of New York) is the food-blessed Windy City. More
I've probably watched the Egypt episode of Anthony Boudain's No Reservations at least four times at this point, but this is the first time that watched him eat koshary and decided I had to have it. To be sure, the dish sounds slightly off. You might have read about it here on SE last month. It's a combination of rice, lentils, and pasta (!), which is then topped with a vinegary tomato and garlic sauce, and caramelized onions. It looks slightly ridiculous, but apparently the carb fest is one of the most popular dishes in Cairo. More
Like the infamous Fatty Melt (that's a burger made with two grilled cheese sandwiches as a bun, the brainchild of our own Adam Kuban), the Grilled Cheese Eggsplosion is a hybrid sandwich, combining elements from two or more sources into a single glorious dish. In this case, it's a simple grilled cheese sandwich between two eggs-in-a-hole (or bullseye eggs, eggs-in-a-basket, whatever you want to call it) replacing the plain old bread. More
Though it's not nearly as famous, there is a non-New-England kind of clam chowder out there. Instead of the heavy cream or milk, this one is laced with tomatoes and a healthy abundance of other vegetables. It's a lighter option, but still very comforting. More
One of the best burgers in Chicago, easily. That's-A-Burger 2134 E. 71st Street, Chicago IL 60649 (map); 773-878-9898 The Short Order: Perfectly proportioned burgers griddled to order. Want Fries with That? These delicious, highly seasoned fries come with every order.... More
I agree. I've never seen fava leaves before. Now I want to find them.