This week, we’re off to Bridgeport, just south of downtown Chicago, home to countless mayors and one of the city’s legendary bakeries. At the Bridgeport Bakery (no website, how quaint), they’re gearing up for Paczki Day right about now, but one thing you can always count on are the doughnuts. Both yeast and cake versions … Continued
Unlike the dark ages of the early ’00s, you can now find decent fish tacos around Chicago. One of the best Baja-style versions is at La Lagartija on the Near West Side, but for the real deal, you still have to drive out to Glen Ellyn to try Chicks ‘n Salsa. If you’d like … Continued
In honor of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon, in case you were wondering), we’re celebrating with TWO Something(s) You Should Eat this week, from one of my favorite little dim sum houses in Chinatown. At Shui Wah, there are no carts rumbling through the compact dining room, there simply isn’t room … Continued
Some word combinations just have that magic touch for me, conjuring images, smells and textures in an instant: “Italian Beef,” “daikon kimchi” and “fried chicken” are a few of my favorites. Obviously, there are varying degrees of quality within each category. For instance, while many local rave about Harold’s (meh) and Evanston’s Chicken Shack (much … Continued
I’ve been a fan of Glenn’s Diner ever since the kids were little. The magical cereal “wall” drew us in, but the fresh seafood, brought in almost everyday, has kept me coming back during all seasons. If you’re a fan of Alaskan King crabs, you really owe it to yourself to stop in on … Continued
Theo Gilbert has certainly paid his dues in the eyes of Italian nonnas and sous chefs everywhere. He’s logged time at nearly every station inside Spiaggia, launched (then buried) two Terragustos, and even helped out über-Italian (via Milwaukee) chef Paul Bartolotta with his Ristorante di Mare in Vegas. But for his latest effort – the … Continued
Last night, Jews around the world lit candles, spun dreidels and ate a boatload of potato pancakes, commemorating the miracle of oil that lasted eight days, after the destruction of their temple. Latkes, as they’re called, are one of my favorite memories as a child, because it was a time when my mom could … Continued
While The Twisted Spoke probably gets more attention for their Smut & Eggs promotions (porn after midnight!) and in-your-face ads, the food has always been several notches above the usual bar food crap that most places offer only to soak up the beer and booze. The Fatboys (burgers) and bloody marys are almost legendary, but the shrimp … Continued
If you’ve been a semi-regular reader of this blog, you probably know by now that I’m a sucker for a good sandwich. You know how important it is to get that starch-to-ingredient ratio correct, right? While having a business lunch recently at La Madia, I realized not only was the sandwich good – served … Continued
Eggplant is the Rodney Dangerfield of vegetables. Honestly, beyond the occasional baba ganoush, how often do you see this purplish, bulbous ingredient – looking like something from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” – star on a menu? Thankfully, the Turks know how to exploit the aubergine, and at Cafe Orchid, in Lake View/Ravenswood, it … Continued
There are Trotter alums everywhere it seems, especially in Chicago. But the two guys running the show at the new 2 Sparrows in Lake View aren’t going for the three-star accolades anymore. They’re firmly fixated on serving “American” dishes with more than a few upscale touches. Pop Tarts with foie? Homemade tater tots? There … Continued