Brandy's

Hot Dogs

I am not a foodie, but I am a connoisseur of the Chicago favorite, Hot Dogs.  I have eaten them all over the world.  Numerous joints and stands all over Chicago land, so one feature of my blog will be devoted to the Chicago great, the Hot Dog.

My first review will be for Brandy's on Harlem.  I was with my 80 something year old aunt, who actually started my love for hot dogs when I was a kid.  She tells when I asked her if she wants to stop for a dog, "boy, do I".

Brandy's is on the way to where we were going.  It's at Avondale on Harlen on the NW side.  Their dogs are pretty standard, Vienna.  Not bad, not great.  The frank, has a good snap, but the buns need to be steamed and they don't use the traditional poppy seed buns.  They sort of skimped on the sport peppers, which was disappointing.  To end, no celery salt!

But they make up for it with the fries, frozen, but cut potato.  Crisp and flavorful as well as plentiful.  Aside from the dog, their other treats are awesome.  My aunt's grilled chicken sandwich was huge and the chicken was really good.  She totally enjoyed it and at 80 something, that is a tough thing to do.

So a grilled chicken combo and a 2 Vienna dog combo, $16 (tax included), a little on the high end, but the Chicken was good, tender and well worth the price.   This place used to be a regular stop when I worked at O'Hare, so I will always go back again!

El Barco Mariscos

I went out this weekend with a good friend of mine to this hidden gem.  We had a late dinner, so we were able to get right in!  I was so happy because normally there is a bit of a wait.  It was a beautiful night and drinks were a definitely a must.  My friend got the ENORMOUS margarita and it was great!  You can definitely tell that there is tequila in their drinks!  No skimping there and for $7.95, it is well worth it!

I of course went for my usual, a Michelada con clamato.  So, my only disappointment of the evening is with the Michelada.  You basically get a mug with a little bit of clamato and a beer on the side.  No ice, nada!  You do have limes on the table, salt and chile, so I made my own, but without ice it is just not was refreshing!

Like I mentioned in another article, the salsa is the tell at a good Mexican place and El Barco does not disappoint, but be prepared!

They dont put out a typical salsa, you get two really tasty blends of chile and oil.  The first is made with jalapeno and olive oil, which is HOT and super tasty!  The second is warm and delicious, made with pasilla chile, garlic and olive oil.  WOW!  I love both of them.  You also don't get chips, but a dish of freshly made tostada shells.  A great combination!

To share, we went with the shrimp ceviche, which is quality for sure!  It was so good that I forgot to take a pic of the full "chingon" of ceviche!  What I like about it is that it isn't drowned in juice and you get a a lot of shrimp chunks.  Topped with avocado, it is a not to miss starter!  Other options are fish, octopus or a combo of all three!

 For dinner we shared some grilled octopus and some grilled bacon wrapped, cheese stuffed jumbo shrimp.  I cant begin to tell you how awesome the shrimp was!  The grilled octopus was perfectly grilled and not drowning in sauce or spice, so you really taste the meat.  Love it!  Mixed with the shrimp are grilled (perfectly) veggies, guacamole and rice.

Basically, you needed a wheelbarrow to wheel us out of there, we were so full and the FOOD BILL, less than $80 tax and tip included!!  Service was attentive and the overall experience keeps me coming back every chance I get!

Goose Island Agrees to 10-Year Lease in Lincoln Park - Lincoln Park - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Goose Island Agrees to 10-Year Lease in Lincoln Park - Lincoln Park - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Im so glad!  This has been a favorite of mine for decades.  I love the beers, the fact that they have a hand cask ale on tap most of the time and the food is great!  I was there a few weeks ago and  enjoyed a great salad and of course a proper pint of ale!

You just cant go wrong here and the food bill is pretty reasonable!

NEWS - Maddiebird Bakery to Expand to Devon Avenue Storefront - Edgewater - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Killer Cupcakes!!!

____________________________

"McAtee said she chose to open the bakery in Edgewater, her home since 2005, because she owes it to the neighborhood."

See the full DNAinfo.com article here:  

Maddiebird Bakery to Expand to Devon Avenue Storefront - Edgewater - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Bad Apple

On a whim, I thought it would be interesting to try a place I have seen for months and have always wanted to try.  Bad Apple in Lincoln Square. 

To begin with, the interior is way cool, with some interesting wall sculptures that you have to see for yourselves.  They do a Team style service, meaning that everyone in the place can wait on you, you don't have a single person assigned to your table, so that makes it pretty convenient if you need something quickly. 

For starters, I ordered a Bloody Mary, which was phenomenal.  They use a house made horseradish infused vodka base and their own blend topped with some great relishes.  I was floored, as this was truly one of the best Bloodies I have had in quite a while. 

Since I was there with one of my favorite peeps in the world, we shared a goat cheese fondue, which was really good.  She is a professional foodie and had to agree with my evaluation of ...... mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

For Dinner, there were a couple of good sandwiches, a house made sausage with giardinara and one with grilled jerk capon.  The sandwiches were both good sized and very well plated to add to the experience.  For sides, we got an heirloom tomato salad and truffle fries.  Both were good, not great, but good.  I enjoyed everything, no complaints.

Overall, service was good, food was good, drinks were great and the food bill .... not good, not bad.  2 drinks, an app and 2 entrees, tax and tip, about $60.00.  I think the sandwiches were a little high but since they are not typical fare, it was worth the extra cost.  So I'm not complaining, but just putting it out there so you are aware.

Great Place, I would go again!

NEWS - MorseL Chef Mary Ann Culleton Joins Renee Labrana at R Public House - Rogers Park - DNAinfo.com Chicago

ROGERS PARK — The chef of the nearly 1-year-old Morse Avenue restaurant MorseLhas left the venture and taken a job in the kitchen at R Public House, an even newer eatery run by Renee Labrana in Jarvis Square.

MorseL Chef Mary Ann Culleton Joins Renee Labrana at R Public House - Rogers Park - DNAinfo.com Chicago:

R Public House web site:  http://rpublichouse.com/

'via Blog this'

San Soo Gab San Korean BBQ

Good Korean BBQ, rough service

Let's start right off by saying, if you are looking for great service, this isn't the place.  They start off very blunt and sort of uncaring and it doesn't really improve much.  That said ... the place is still fun and the BBQ is the center of attention.  

This is one of those cook at your table places, so the service is forgotten, because you and your friends are having fun!  You start off with a table of assorted salads and kimchi, add on some spicy Korean miso soup and your starters are already chosen for you!  Of course you can order some other specialties like the Mandoo.  

Next, get your big OB beer and the order your meats!  There are beef ribs, pork ribs, chicken and seafoods.  Each choice gets you a platter of marinated meats ready for the grill.  Now, a word of caution, you will smell like a BBQ grill when you leave, it is smokey and the smells are yummy!  Lots of grilling meat!  Top it off with a bowl of rice, lettuce for wraps and some spicy bean paste and you are ready to go!  Fire up the grill!  

The grills are charcoal, so that makes it even better.  I have been to some of those with electric grills and they are not the same.  

The place can get loud and there is sometimes a wait to get in, which is a bit unorganized, so you have to stay on top of staff and make sure you know who is in front of you and who is not, very important.  

Over all, the food bill was decent.  Two meats and a 500ml OB beer with all the fixings, about $52.

Buca di Beppo - wheeling

My empty plate, I ate it all and it was good!

Buca's a a small chain, with a couple of locations in the area.  I think it iw worth writing about because your food bill wont break the bank and you can feed a lot of people. You can feed 15 for the same bill as it would be for 4 in most other fancy joints.  The first reason for loving the joint!

  

We had 2 salads, 2 apps and 6 entrees, all family style.  No alcohol sine it was a family lunch ... yeah...  I know. But it didn't break the bank!  Service was great too, very attentive and friendly.  

I love the sauce! Their marinara is light, tangy and hits the spot is you are looking for something to bring back memories of those old school ma and pa joints that used to be all over Chicago.  The place is fun too, lots of old pictures lining the walls and of course, the Pope room is still an attraction!  Overall you can't go wrong at this place, good food, fun atmosphere and you can bring all your friends! 

Big mac dilemma...

Yes....I know... I said I would not blog about big chains but I had a curious experience today.  

I went to the McDonald's at O'Hare terminal 1 and they tell me that they are out of special sauce ...  What?!?!

How does a McD's run out of sauce?  Well, I don't need no stinking sauce.... I'm hard, gimme a dry big mac! 

Ok.... so I have to say.... I actually liked it better than a gooey bic mac.  Easier to eat too! 

I may do that again!

The Tasting Room

The other night I found a hidden gem that I never knew about, but was shocked to learn it has been there for 13 years.

The Tasting Room at 1415 W. Randolph.  This place is hands down, the best wine bar I have yet to visit in Chicago, for price, ambiance, food and service.

They have a nice wine list and the prices are good, about $10 for a full pour and $5 for a taste.  But that isn't all, the food menu was eye catching and the choices I had, didn't disappoint.  Bacon wrapped dates and baked brie.  The brie was good, not the best, but a tasty value.  However, the Bacon Wrapped Dates were outstanding!  Bacon wrapped and stuffed with cheese and in a light red pepper sauce....oh man!  Needless to day these disappeared fast and I was tempted to lick the plate.  

The ambiance is excellent as it is a sort of loft with large windows, wood and brick, low lighting and loaded with couches and love seats.  A definite hot date spot!!!  The place has a low volume, eye catching art works line the walls and the service is prompt and friendly.

I am adding this to my list of favorite places to go.  Webster was a fav, but now they come in at number two.

3 glasses of wine, 2 sizeable apps, tax and tip around $70.  Plenty of street parking in the area, I found a spot right away.  Cant beat that!

http://thetastingroomchicago.com/main.html

Cafe El Tapatio

I grew up in Southern Arizona, so I know a little something about Mexican food.  I know I love it and where to find good places. I can be pretty picky about my Mexican food, so I know the places I go are pretty authentic. 

Salsa is the tell...and El Tapatio starts you off with some really good salsa and chips.  It has a good kick to it and really primes your lips to cool off with one of their killer micheladas!  

They make theirs without the Clamato, but they are tasty if you are into that style.  I find it very refreshing on a hot summer day.  If you aren't into micheladas,  I suggest a margarita....those are super good as well.  Regular size is pretty big and they don't skimp on the tequila.  

The food at El Tapatio is top notch as well.  This afternoon, was the Shrimp Fajitas, lots of big shrimp, beans, rice, etc.  You can never go wrong here, lunch for 2 with drinks and tip ... about $55.00.  About a year ago they changed their plating, tried to go a little more up scale and I have to say, it didn't sit well with me and still doesn't, but overall the experience is still a favorite of mine.  

So, not a bad place if you are looking for a decent date location.  Nice outside seating, Indoors is a bit loud and cramped, Service is always attentive and good.  Wait times at peak can be long, but it is worth it!  I recommend it.  - Cafe El Tapatio  3400 N. Ashland.  

Plenty of street parking, close to Paulina Brown line.  Try It.  

http://www.cafeeltapatio.com/

My New Blog - Chicago Eating

This blog is all about eating out in Chicago, generally not at the trendy places, the hoi polloi fancy spots or the big chains.  I'm not a foodie, just a hard working guy that likes good food and I'm going to share my Dining experiences with you.  Mostly in Chicago, but maybe on some of my travels too!  Enjoy!