Is there a better fried chicken in Chicago? Probably not. Although there are certainly different styles (I love the Carolina-style at Roost, as well as the vaguely Asian-flecked version at Smalls). But Crisp has always been my go-to. It’s twice-fried, then tossed with a choice of either a gojujang-laced barbecue sauce or a sesame-soy-garlic Korean … Continued
Say what you will about Montreal smoked meat, but Schwartz’s – that legendary icon – is nothing more than a tourist trap. On my most recent visit, a few years ago, I got a tour of the kitchen and noticed they don’t smoke the cured briskets anymore; haven’t since the 60s. What they serve at … Continued
An upscale take on the American diner with great cocktails, matzo ball soup and yes, those cheeseburgers. During brunch (and after midnight) check out the chilaquiles, but be sure your friends are joining you, because the mound is enough to feed six. It seems like Brendan Sodikoff and the Hogsalt team thought of everything here … Continued
What’s not to like about biscuits, jams, pie and candied bacon? These are no ordinary biscuits of course, and the fact that goose lard is used in the pie crust makes those extra special too. I say get a little candied bacon, or maybe opt for one of the breakfast sandwiches now available. Grab a … Continued
Jimmy Bannos, Jr. has restaurants in his blood. His father launched Heaven on Seven, where the young Bannos grew up, then he trained in New York with Mario Batali’s team for a series of stages. But it’s his father’s Greek heritage and his mother’s Italian heritage the really creeps into dishes like the grilled chicken … Continued
In a city awash in cocktail bars focusing on bitters, tinctures, rare spirits and low lighting, Billy Sunday stands out for its, well, Midwestern hospitality. Rarely have I sat at a bar and been made to feel so comfortable, no matter who was working. Named for the early 20th Century prohibitionist, this Logan Square bar … Continued
Due to the nature of my job, I’m invariably asked about my “favorite” places in town. Lula Cafe, Bang Bang Pie, The Publican, Gogi BBQ and Smoque usually come up in conversation, but so does avec. Since it opened next door to Blackbird, it’s been not only the go-to for food industry vets, but also … Continued
Chicago’s Begyle Brewing company has been doing things a little bit differently ever since they opened, and this week’s pick is certainly part of that approach. The company is a CSB – Community Supported Brewery – much like the CSAs you find from local farms during the summer. You get a new beer every month … 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
I thought I’d seen (and tasted) most of the key dishes from the Caribbean over the years. In Jamaica, I’ve devoured jerk chicken, festival and breadfruit, not to mention plantains and beef patties. But I had no idea the food from Trinidad was equally as impressive. Maybe not as spicy (unless you douse your food … Continued
Parachute’s snacks: house pickles, seaweed gougere, potato-bacon-scallion bread. Remember how you felt when you were one of the only people who knew how to get to Soul Kitchen on west Chicago Avenue? Or what it was like tasting Bill Kim’s lamb dumplings for the first time at Urban Belly, next to a laundromat in a … Continued