When’s the last time you saw quiche on a menu? The classic French dish – which is really a custard at its core – is the star of a new grab-and-go café that just opened this week in Lincoln Park. I got an early taste, and there’s actually a lot more than just eggs, heavy cream … Continued
While everyone was going crazy last year for Popeye’s fried chicken sandwiches, a couple of local chefs were planning on creating their own versions of this Southern staple. The result is a pair of new options – for takeout or delivery – offering crispy chicken sandwiches several notches above traditional fast food offerings. GG’s Chicken … Continued
While it’s relatively easy to find Chinese, Thai or Indian restaurants in Chicago, the food of Malaysia is more elusive. But one young couple is cooking some cherished recipes from the Southeast Asian country, but like a lot of start-ups these days, they’re doing it in a ghost kitchen, with pickup or delivery. Kedai Tapao … Continued
You’ve probably heard of tacos al pastor, and maybe fish tacos. But how about a quesabirria? The trend started in L.A., winding its way to Chicago, with several places now making these cheesy, beefy Mexican street snacks. I found a food truck on the Southwest Side specializing in quesabirria at two different locations. Taco Boom 4753 … Continued
If you’ve ever had Jamaican food, you know how important Jerk is. It’s both a marinade and a method for cooking – but as I discovered at a brand new spot in Southwest suburban Burbank, there are two key ingredients for a proper jerk chicken – Scotch Bonnet peppers and allspice. Jerk was started by a … Continued
The Promontory in Hyde Park has a temporary restaurant, El Oso, with a focus on Mexican cooking. Chef Jonathan Zaragoza, a family member of the Southwest Side Birrieria Zaragoza Mexican joint, has given new purpose to a music venue and restaurant that has been prospering since spring. El Oso (at the Promontory) 5311 S. Lake Park … Continued
There’s quite a bit more to Indian food than just tikka masala or tandoori chicken. The tradition of chaat – or street snacks – is integral to every region of India. A new cookbook highlights the subject, and so I went in search of some local versions, while also discovering they can easily be made at … Continued
Despite the fact that significant numbers of Norwegian immigrants could be found on the Northwest Side 100 years ago, Norwegian food is not too common in Chicago. Humboldt Park’s first micro-brewery, Ørkenoy, has opened in the Kimball Arts Center where the menu is influenced mainly by Norway. Orkenoy 1757 N. Kimball Ave. 312-929-4024 https://www.orkenoy.com
There are dozens, if not hundreds of taquerias in our region, but what makes one stand out from the other? Homemade tortillas for one; but also a kitchen that takes the time to prepare its fillings from scratch, in some cases, slow-cooking to achieve perfection. At the Blue Star Taqueria & Margarita Bar in southwest suburban … Continued
Chicagoans have been eating mainly three styles of pizza over the past century: tavern-style, deep-dish and stuffed. But it seems the pandemic has unleashed a new wave of pizzerias in the city, with many finding inspiration from the East Coast and giving pizza lovers a chance to try some new slices. Pizza Friendly Pizza (Sicilian) 1039 … Continued
There are few restaurants in Chicago dedicated exclusively to vegans. The problem, up until recently, has been a lack of imagination on menus. You can only eat so many salads and black bean burgers. But a restaurant on the North Shore – open only since January – has put together a creative menu with several … Continued