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Gilmart's gone. It closed down last year, then reopened for a spell under new ownership, and then closed down again a couple months ago. There is a sign on the front saying that they are reopening in Glenview, but I know nothing beyond that.

Also down the street on Archer is Dunajec Bakery and Deli (this is where my family usually got their sausages) as well as Joe and Franks if "down the street" means all the way down to Harlem. There's also a smattering of other small Polish delis along Archer, but I don't know which ones are still open. The Shop & Save on Archer and Central also has a large selection of homemade sausages, and definitely qualifies as being "near Midway" and reasonably down the street from Bobak's. This is where I go these days when I want a large selection of Eastern European sausages at a reasonable price. Plus they also carry some of Bobak's products, if you want them.

Bobak's was mentioned by the staff...

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"Make Lunch, Not War" ~ Anon

Just responding to the other speculation in the thread, of what it would be if not Bobak's in the area. (Plus it was important to note Gilmart is closed.) I suppose I could have just kept all that to myself, but that wouldn't really add to the discussion....

Savored a massive and beautifully griddled burger today on nice brioche with good toppings; this is a serious thing. Not unlike a Goldyburger, it's fairly densely packed and semispherical, so it may not be everyone's style, but we were impressed.

Fries are now served in small brown paper bags, an improvement. Sausage appearing Tuesday: house-ground turducken.

That is hilarious.

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

Ate the turducken today and it is good.

Comes with a "breadless" stuffing, cranberries and gravy.

Breadless stuffing you ask? Me too!

But it was exactly as advertised. A sage gravy with carrots, celery, mushrooms...basically the veggies you would
find in stuffing with the bun providing the bread part. The cranberries though, that was the key. Providing some tartness and some sweetness. Perfect.

The sausage was really tasty. I would love to know what the mix was of the turkey, duck and chicken.

It's a messy eat but quite delicious.

The fries? Blah. They should serve mashed potatoes with it instead.

Daily Specials just posted on Facebook.

Just had the Prime Rib with doubled meat (for the price of a hot dog). Tender, tasty with Tiger Sauce and frazzled onions on Garlic Bread. Doubled fries too.

Awesome.

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"Make Lunch, Not War" ~ Anon

Paulina Market makes turducken sausage. David, I have to ask you what you find so funny about this sausage? Just curious. To me it's kinda goofy but it doesn't make me laugh or anything.

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"Playing the trumpet with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the most fun that you can have with your clothes on." Adolph "Bud" Herseth

I actually made my maiden voyage to Big Guys yesterday. I tried the turduckin, which is actually not made in house but is Paulina's version. In terms of in-house made sausage, it's still only the chicken sausages and now the crawfish that they make there, but it doesn't matter, because the Paulina turduckin sausage is so good, I didn't care.

Big Guys Turduckin


As described above (and by the guy behind the counter), it's really Thanksgiving on a bun. The toppings work very well and the eggy bun, which is substantial enough to stand up to the big sausage and sloppy toppings, combines with the breadless stuffing to really evoke the taste of the holidays. The turduckn comes with gravy fries. Even though I knew the turkey gravy would eliminate any semblance of crispness from the fries, I ordered them well done and cispy anyway, and I'm glad I did.

Big Guys Gravy Fries


The fries were well cooked and tasty, but I'm really looking forward to returning and trying the BG fries, which I think would be more to my liking.

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

Had the venison-blueberry with carmelized onions and goat cheese special today.

Carmelized onions should be dark brown. These onions were sweated, at best, and were not at all what I wanted.

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pdp

I haven't been there yet, but you've hit upon one of my pet peeves. I hate it when fried or barely browned onions are referred to as "caramelized" on the menu.

Picked up the daily special from yesterday for lunch at work. Brisket. Meat way too firm as it should be fork tender. Good flavor with some smoke.

Improvement on the fries (regular)! Flavorful and getting some crispness. Getting better...

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"Make Lunch, Not War" ~ Anon

I find it really hard to keep up with all the specials and other surprise offerings here, but I saw them post this picture and caption a while back:

Actually they do have a schedule for their specials...



from...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =3&theater

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"Make Lunch, Not War" ~ Anon

Darnit -
This thread popped up at a bad time, since I want to rant about BG's. Don't get me wrong at ALL, I like this place, and I'm glad it's there. The guys rrunning the joint are a riot, and it's very clear that they are eager to please, and are very nice, and have been very nice each time I've gone.
BUT.
I finally got there on a Sunday to try the hyped burger. I was a tad excited. When asked how I wanted it cooked, I said "Medium is fine."

WELL done. And I mean WELL. Like not much less tender than a hockey puck. No pink, no red, no nothin except gray.

I ate it all, and it would have been about 200% better if it was medium, but damn if that didn't cheese me off a little. Not because it was horrible, or anything, but just because it was a total waste of an excellent product. It took longer to ruin it than it would have to do it correctly. Cheeses me off. I'll ask for it rare next time, OR, just know that I can't go wrong with the hot link and bg fries extra well done.

Won't keep me from going back in the slightest. I know the deal with joints - inconsistency is pretty consistent. No biggie, but it just irked me that it could have been so much better.

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

Good to have that specials list handy. Though there's also keeping track of the weekly specials, plus other things they circulate in and out, like soups and chili and stuff. Looks like their catering menu offers Whiskey Glazed Ham; is that usually on the menu? Anyway, it's cool. Keeps me on my toes.

I'm killing a hot link with extra well done fries right now, and Big Guys is back in my good graces.
They have a homemade cookie display on the counter now as well. 1.75 each, but I couldn't resist.

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

The burger made the regular menu, and is available all times they're open. My most recent order of fries was the best yet - I think they have it down.

They were featured on channel 9 morning news last week. Anna V did a great segment on this tasty place.

For lunch today, I had a Big Guy's brat with coarse mustard, grilled onion and fries. Less than 5.00.It was served on a fresh, steamed roll. Delicious. This was my first visit. I'll be back.