Like pizza and doughnuts, fried chicken is one of those universally loved dishes. There are two new options in Chicago making two very different styles of fried chicken – both of them delicious. Landbirds 2532 N. California Ave (773) 697-7107 Luella’s Gospel Bird 2009 N. Damen Ave. 773-904-7704
Whereas retail boasts sales aplenty after the holidays, restaurants typically suffer low attendance – not to mention worn-out staff whose vacation (if such a respite exists) lasts a few short days in January. Restaurant Week, running from Friday, January 22 through Thursday, February 4, aims to ameliorate a typically quiet two weeks with prix-fixe feasts across … Continued
Mexican Independence Day is coming up next week, and while some restaurants will offer special menus, there’s a new restaurant in Albany Park that’s simply happy to be open. It’s run by a chef who worked at Frontera Grill and Topolobampo for 14 years, and despite that experience, he still has his mom work with … Continued
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and much of what makes the city so special, is the ability of immigrant populations to coalesce and form enclaves. One of the delicious results of that herd mentality is the profusion of mom-and-pop restaurants. One of the greatest parts of my job is highlighting these independent businesses, often … Continued
Ever since I tweeted from Smalls about their brisket bibimbop, I’ve been having dreams about it (I know, I’m sick). It’s so obvious and yet, no one in Chicago has dared combine the rich, earthy, smokiness of slow-cooked brisket with the bold, assertive Korean chili paste (gojujang) and crisp, blanched vegetables and rice that are … Continued
For the past several Decembers, we’ve made a tradition out of attending the annual julbord, or Christmas buffet, at Tre Kronor, on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The Swedish restaurant turns itself into a Christmas jewel box, offering two seatings every night at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (except Sundays) and lays out the largest spread of … Continued
The dudes over at Sultan’s Market may have the bus stop bench advertising market cornered, and as much as they boast about their falafel, it is quite good. But regulars at Albany Park’s Semiramis also know that their favorite Lebanese haunt also churns out some of the best in the city. I particularly love their … Continued
I’ve really had a thing for Swedish food lately (yesterday’s post made that pretty obvious), and it can’t be because I’m working my way through the Stieg Larsson trilogy (just saw the preview for the English language version of “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” the other night, starring Daniel Craig – if you haven’t … Continued