I made my inaugural visit to the Brown Sack recently and I was definitely impressed. In fact, my expectations, which were pretty high -- due to this thread and the recent
GNR nomination of the Brown Sack -- were easily exceeded . . .
The Brown Sack - 3706 W Armitage
Spicy Pozole with Smoked PorkThis was a complexly-flavored soup, which included pork ribs that had been smoked on Galewood Cookshack's smoker, which is (or at least was, on this day) located just outside the restaurant.
Vegetable SoupI'm guessing this wasn't vegetarian but it was sensational, with lots of greens and beans that were perfect -- tender but not mushy -- in texture. The broth was fantastic, with a deep, rich flavor.
Meatball SubGreat rendition. The meatballs, which had a nice definition, were tasty, as was the sauce. The bread was also excellent, with just enough tug to be substantial without making the sandwich difficult to eat.
BLT with Shrimp & AvocadoI absolutely loved this BLT. It was dressed with just the right amount of condiments and the combination of bacon, shrimp and avocado was even better than it sounds.
Cajun Po'BoyAnother fantastic sandwich. This included ham, turkey and some spicy mayonnaise, along with lettuce and tomato. It was actually hard for me to decide whether I liked this or the BLT more. They were both among the best non-deli restaurant sandwiches I've had in Chicago in a long time.
Apple Ginger Cole SlawSides are hardly throw-aways at the Brown Sack. In fact, this delicious cole slaw, which delivered a gentle nudge of heat, was as good a slaw as I can remember. Needless to say, many sides are made in-house. You don't get something this good out of a plastic container.
Potato SaladAnother winning side. Perfectly cooked potatoes, a wonderful dressing and fresh herbs. Better than textbook.
Mac & CheeseA serious rendition, which included some very flavorful, pungent cheeses. It was restrained in that it was not a saucy version. Yet the cheese was gooey-melty and the noodles were comfortingly tender.
Not pictured is an Oreo milkshake that was simply fantastic. I thought that the portions were generous and the prices were very reasonable, especially given the quality and care that so obviously went into the food. Sandwiches were $6.25 each. They came with chips but the excellent sides we enjoyed only cost $1.00. Mac & Cheese was $2.50. I loved the vibe, too. I was worried that the Brown Sack would be too 'crunchy-granola' for me but that was hardly the case. This is a fun place that doesn't take itself too seriously nor put philosophy ahead of taste. But this isn't merely great food for the price, it's simply great food. The Brown Sack is a gem; a place you feel lucky to have experienced. Frankly, I did not know that a place like this existed in Chicago. It's seems so simple and yet, if it were, wouldn't a bunch of people run places like it?
As if the food weren't enough, during our meal, the sound system played a stream of a Johnny and June Carter Cash concert that was recorded in 1994. I am a huge JC fan and for this 'Country-G' wannabe, it was a total treat, a fantastic show, and one I'd never heard before. It was like a greatest hits album of perfect renditions -- and Johnny and June sounded as good as I'd ever heard them. They were almost a match for the food.
Fwiw, our visit was at about 1:15 pm, which seemed like a great time to be there. Whatever lunch rush there might have been had faded and there was only one other 2-top in the restaurant at the time. It still took a few minutes -- maybe 15 -- for our sandwiches to be made but if it had taken twice as long, it still would have easily been worth the wait.
=R=
_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider
Twitter: ronniesuburban
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