They’re known for their pies, obviously, but Bang Bang Pie Shop in Logan Square is also rightly beloved for its biscuits. Unlike the pie crusts (which have lard in them) they stick to butter for the biscuits. But oh, how their heft and density boggle the mind. I could eat these everyday for breakfast, with a … Continued
I doubt The Twisted Baker in Old Town is going to be sending any holiday cards to La Fournette. The latter opened up two doors away from the former, and the (relatively) new kid on the block is doing hardcore French pastry, baguette, croissant and one of my favorite macaron (not macaroons) in the city. … Continued
If you hate lines, best to avoid The Swedish Bakery on weekends, when “take a number” is the sad, but inevitable reality. A lot of Swedes make the trip in the from ‘burbs to get their rye bread or pick up a Princess Torte, but I’m guessing most of the regulars are there to also … Continued
Normally, I approach new restaurants on an empty stomach. But last Thursday night, after devouring a few bowls of ramen at the excellent Misoya in Mount Prospect (thanks, Mike Sula for that tip), I convinced our friends to try this new place I had heard about, Gogi. I figured we’d stop in for a quick … Continued
There are only a handful of gelato producers in Chicago, and most of the time, they have brick-and-mortar stores set up from which they can sell their product. Sometimes, they start out just doing wholesale work, as Jesse Oloroso did with Black Dog Gelato after she left Stephanie Izard’s employ at Scylla. Other times, they … Continued
I’m definitely in a southern state of mind this week. In Chicago, finding some of those familiar flavors, such as pimento cheese, fried chicken livers or shrimp & grits, isn’t as easy as, say, a great som tum. I’m a fan of the Carriage House, where Mark Steuer recreates the familiar flavors from his native … Continued
No matter what “Food Wars” says on the Travel Channel, this Chicagoan still says the best beef is at Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park. Paired with their signature lemon ice (“Italian lemonade”) it ranks among the all-time greatest combos of Mantle & Maris, Batman & Robin, even Ben & Jerry. I say this after having eaten beefs at … Continued
This resurrected concept from Team Melman and Lettuce Entertain You used to sit on Weed Street, in Lincoln Park in the late 80s (I fondly recall eating a mess of crawdads on a ream of newspaper after an Oingo Boingo concert at Metro in ’88). But the trend of slow-smoking pork and brisket was too … Continued
I know, I know. We’ve been covering tacos, burgers and fried chicken WAY too much lately. It seems like every other opening in Chicago features these standards, albeit with a twist, in some form or another. But wait, there’s more. L’Patron (pronounced “El Patron”) is the latest taqueria to open in Logan Square, and the … Continued
Since I just returned from Korea yesterday, and saw dukbokki at every night market and street corner, I couldn’t resist re-running this favorite from last year. It’s one of those images you’ve seen countless times driving down the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago. No, not the Wrigley’s digital sign or that building on Ashland that’s … Continued
By Camille Izlar Hapless Intern Chicago’s coffee scene has become a little obsessive. Not only are the big boys like Intelligentsia and Metropolis roasting en masse, selling it from their own stores and shipping their beans elsewhere, a tight-knit ensemble of smaller guys –