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Starship, Forest Park

Starship on Madison in Forest Park is an odd place, and I mean that in the best way: quirky, eccentric, not boring. The main dining room pulls through a Star Trek theme with pictures of William Shatner (“Bill” to all you Trekkies out there) and other characters from the short-lived but apparently eternally re-running television series. In the display case are phasers and other Star Trek gear, action figures from the television show, as well as characters and products from Star Wars and other related outer space adventures.



As I ordered my lunch, I heard on the restaurant’s sound system “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” Jefferson Starship (get it?!).



With all this Trek-related folderol, you might expect the food to be an after-thought, but I had a punnily named DeForest Pork (word play on DeForest “Bones” Kelly and the city in which this restaurant is located). This sandwich was composed of pretty good pork and mozzarella with onion and mayo, warmed, which is a requirement for any sandwich I order in a restaurant.

While I was eating the sandwich, it occurred to me, “Wow, this pork actually tastes like pork.” It’s a sad commentary when it merits note that a meat tastes like what it is. The portion-controlled industrial meat products used by many fast food sandwich shops have a flat generic taste, rendering pork and chicken practically indistinguishable. This meat was most definitely swine.



The pork is house-cut and the potato chips (Starchips) are made in-house. They even house cure their own carrot pickles. I appreciate that attention to detail, and that simple urge to do a little better results in a better lunch and a good value: my lunch came in under $6 for a “half-sandwich” – you don’t want a whole one.

In addition to a lot of homemade lunch items, there’s an extensive line of Starship sauces and soups, which is impressive. The owners of this place are clearly nothing if not enterprising (get it?!).

Starship
7618 W. Madison
Forest Park, IL
708.771.3016

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“We all have to stand before the kitchen gods.” Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni

I agree with David on Starship. I live a few blocks away, so I get there regularly. The sandwiches are always good. But I am a bigger fan of their soups. There are multiple selections every day. They are all homemade. The flavors vary from soups to stews, gumbos or an unusual soup like a chicken marsala or chicken hangover (heavy peppers). Good place, nice people, prices right and they have been there for something like 20 years.

They still rock the "Cream Of BLT" soup? That was a big one when they first opened. And yes, there was lettuce in it.

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We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.

Is this owned by the same people that owned Star Voyager restaurant in North Chicago?

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

The name and location are the same, but not the same owners from 25 years ago. The sandwiches were fantastic then and the BLT soup was a winner. I salute a place that has survived!!!

Must try BLT soup.

I like that the "Paprika Sauce" in the soup cooler is strenuously labeled "NOT SOUP!!"

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“We all have to stand before the kitchen gods.” Chef Jacob Sahaya Kumar Aruni

If you are talking about Starship in Forest Park it is the same owners from 25 years ago.

Paul McKenna opened the original concept and has kept it going. He had hired some of my high school friends since the 70's and one of them did some of the pencil artwork adorning the walls.

They will often have 5 or more homemade soups daily with many others available in the freezer.

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"Make Lunch, Not War" ~ Anon

I have always enjoyed the soups...their Reuben (The Jefferson Starship) and Deforest Pork sub are my favorites.

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When they kick out your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun

I agree, their Reuben is usually pretty good. The resurrection chicken, cream of jalapeno, and cream of artichoke soups are favorites.

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