LTH Home

Best Thing You've Eaten [Lately]

Best Thing You've Eaten [Lately]
  • Forum HomePost Reply BackTop
    Page 82 of 89
  • Post #2431 - May 14th, 2018, 4:40 pm
    Post #2431 - May 14th, 2018, 4:40 pm Post #2431 - May 14th, 2018, 4:40 pm
    Fried oyster taco at Mi Tocaya.
  • Post #2432 - May 14th, 2018, 9:06 pm
    Post #2432 - May 14th, 2018, 9:06 pm Post #2432 - May 14th, 2018, 9:06 pm
    ronnie_suburban wrote:Without question it's the Beefy Boy Sandwich and Lumpia that are being turned out by chef Nick Jirasek and sous chef Eric Valdivia at Old Habits, which is the kitchen component inside of Ludlow Liquors on California in Avondale. The aptly-named sandwich is frigging awesome. It's an unctuous umami bomb, featuring impossibly tender brisket and beef cheeks on texas toast. It's insanely delicious. I've had it a couple of times now and I cannot stop thinking about it.

    The lumpia are every bit as wonderful -- perfectly light and crispy cigars that are just chock full o' goodness, and which leave pretty much every other rendition I've ever had in the dust. The bar opens at 5 and food service starts at 6.

    =R=

    2959 N California
    Chicago, IL 60618
    (773) 754-7492


    The food here across the board has been killer for me. Particularly the aforementioned sandwich and those fries.
  • Post #2433 - May 14th, 2018, 9:22 pm
    Post #2433 - May 14th, 2018, 9:22 pm Post #2433 - May 14th, 2018, 9:22 pm
    Stephen wrote:
    ronnie_suburban wrote:Without question it's the Beefy Boy Sandwich and Lumpia that are being turned out by chef Nick Jirasek and sous chef Eric Valdivia at Old Habits, which is the kitchen component inside of Ludlow Liquors on California in Avondale. The aptly-named sandwich is frigging awesome. It's an unctuous umami bomb, featuring impossibly tender brisket and beef cheeks on texas toast. It's insanely delicious. I've had it a couple of times now and I cannot stop thinking about it.

    The lumpia are every bit as wonderful -- perfectly light and crispy cigars that are just chock full o' goodness, and which leave pretty much every other rendition I've ever had in the dust. The bar opens at 5 and food service starts at 6.

    =R=

    2959 N California
    Chicago, IL 60618
    (773) 754-7492


    The food here across the board has been killer for me. Particularly the aforementioned sandwich and those fries.

    Oh yeah . . . I shouln't have neglected to mention those excellent 'frensch' fries.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #2434 - May 30th, 2018, 4:57 pm
    Post #2434 - May 30th, 2018, 4:57 pm Post #2434 - May 30th, 2018, 4:57 pm
    A couple of weeks ago I trashed Xoco's huevos rancheros ("Worst Thing You've Eaten lately"). I don't know if they've improved, but the other day I tried the "scramble," a scramble of moist eggs and potatoes, some queso and a bit of crema with a hint of cilantro. Chorizo and other add-ons are available but I had it plain, and it was quite good. Neither especially hearty nor too light: a solid alternative while I wait to see if they ever figure out their more traditional "huevos."
    "The fork with two prongs is in use in northern Europe. In England, they’re armed with a steel trident, a fork with three prongs. In France we have a fork with four prongs; it’s the height of civilization." Eugene Briffault (1846)
  • Post #2435 - May 30th, 2018, 5:12 pm
    Post #2435 - May 30th, 2018, 5:12 pm Post #2435 - May 30th, 2018, 5:12 pm
    Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich at Fry the Coop in Oak Lawn. Had the "Crazy" level hot, and, holy shit, if you're a chili head, this is the one for you. They did not tone it down at all, and I've had the extra hots from Prince's and Bolton's in Nashville. At least as hot as theirs. (And more. Apparently, this has Carolina Reaper pepper in the mix, so be warned. It's the spiciest chicken sandwich I've ever had anywhere.)

    But, aside of the heat, the flavoring was great: a mix of chili peppers, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, and I assume some black pepper. Chicken was breast meat, served as a sandwich in brioche bun with coleslaw and pickle, but managed to work. Not my first pick, but after taking two or three bites of that sandwich, I was glad that coleslaw was there to help temper the heat (though at the crazy level, relief was only very temporary.) Breast meat managed to be flavorful and moist without the texture of overbrined chicken. Crust was well-spiced, craggy, crispy, a little bit on the firmer rather than flaky side, but I liked it that way.

    Just loved it, through and through, and can't wait to try it again, maybe going down a level to the regular spicy.

    Fry the Coop
    5128 W. 95th St
    Oak Lawn, IL 60453
  • Post #2436 - May 31st, 2018, 8:44 am
    Post #2436 - May 31st, 2018, 8:44 am Post #2436 - May 31st, 2018, 8:44 am
    Just like to add that I had the Hot level sandwich at Fry the Coop about three weeks ago. This is the next level down from the Crazy. It was great, lots of heat at this level too. Lots of flavor with the heat and still juicy. Crust was crunchy in the best way. By far the best Nashville hot I've had in Chicago.
  • Post #2437 - May 31st, 2018, 2:41 pm
    Post #2437 - May 31st, 2018, 2:41 pm Post #2437 - May 31st, 2018, 2:41 pm
    I may get booted from this forum for this, but today I walked out in the hot sun in the loop and wasn't sure what to get and just really wanted to walk AND eat and not take much time and so I bought two McDonald's Cheeseburgers and it was great.

    A McDonald's cheeseburger, freshly made, is warm, salty, and easy to hold in your hand while you walk and eat. It is cheap and fast to get, and as you walk it all stays in the bun. The whole thing is a touch sweet but also very salty of course. I wouldn't call it a cheesburger - it is more like a kind of warm pastry with a small amount of meat and cheese filling, with a little bit of condiment mixture (it ruins it if they put too much ketchup on it).

    If we never had it here, and instead it was something you picked up on the streets in Paris, I feel it would be revered as a wonderful culinary item, something to seek out.

    This is not to say I love all of McDonald's menu or am advocating it as great culinary fare, but sometimes I do love walking down the street eating a cheeseburger on a warm, or even a cold day.
  • Post #2438 - May 31st, 2018, 4:02 pm
    Post #2438 - May 31st, 2018, 4:02 pm Post #2438 - May 31st, 2018, 4:02 pm
    DKoblesky wrote:I may get booted from this forum for this, but today I walked out in the hot sun in the loop and wasn't sure what to get and just really wanted to walk AND eat and not take much time and so I bought two McDonald's Cheeseburgers and it was great.

    A McDonald's cheeseburger, freshly made, is warm, salty, and easy to hold in your hand while you walk and eat. It is cheap and fast to get, and as you walk it all stays in the bun. The whole thing is a touch sweet but also very salty of course. I wouldn't call it a cheesburger - it is more like a kind of warm pastry with a small amount of meat and cheese filling, with a little bit of condiment mixture (it ruins it if they put too much ketchup on it).

    If we never had it here, and instead it was something you picked up on the streets in Paris, I feel it would be revered as a wonderful culinary item, something to seek out.

    This is not to say I love all of McDonald's menu or am advocating it as great culinary fare, but sometimes I do love walking down the street eating a cheeseburger on a warm, or even a cold day.


    I had one of their fresh beef burgers a few weeks ago while driving downstate. Totally not bad. Not a 1st choice when there are other options nearby, but I've had worse meals on the road (wife and I stopped at a Bob's Big Boy in Michigan during a road trip a few years ago - the worst).
  • Post #2439 - May 31st, 2018, 4:34 pm
    Post #2439 - May 31st, 2018, 4:34 pm Post #2439 - May 31st, 2018, 4:34 pm
    DKoblesky wrote:If we never had it here, and instead it was something you picked up on the streets in Paris, I feel it would be revered as a wonderful culinary item, something to seek out.


    After a TGV trip which got stuck in the countryside for several hours, I rolled into Paris around 10pm. After deboarding and avoiding the critical mass-esque mob of rollerbladers cruising through Paris, I was able to flag a cab and made it to check into my hotel. I was starving and just wanted something quick. And there it was. The comforting golden arches which shone like a beacon against an indifferent city. Sure, I had one of the best meals of my life at a random bistro near the Agen station earlier that day, but the double cheeseburger from the McDonald's fed my soul in a way one did not expect.
  • Post #2440 - May 31st, 2018, 6:54 pm
    Post #2440 - May 31st, 2018, 6:54 pm Post #2440 - May 31st, 2018, 6:54 pm
    DKoblesky wrote:I may get booted from this forum for this, but today I walked out in the hot sun in the loop and wasn't sure what to get and just really wanted to walk AND eat and not take much time and so I bought two McDonald's Cheeseburgers and it was great.


    I've always felt that you don't go to McDonald's for a good cheese burger, you go to McDonald's when you're in the mood for McDonald's (and when you're in that mood there's very little that can top it). It's a very unique/very common experience.

    And I agree that aside from their breakfast menu, a simple cheeseburger is probably their best offering.
  • Post #2441 - May 31st, 2018, 7:21 pm
    Post #2441 - May 31st, 2018, 7:21 pm Post #2441 - May 31st, 2018, 7:21 pm
    DKoblesky wrote:I may get booted from this forum for this, but today I walked out in the hot sun in the loop and wasn't sure what to get and just really wanted to walk AND eat and not take much time and so I bought two McDonald's Cheeseburgers and it was great.

    Funny - I had 2 today for lunch and it was great - didn't need fries, 2 cheeseburgers is perfect for me. At just over a buck apiece including tax I was very happy.

    Disclosure - I'm a consultant for McD
  • Post #2442 - May 31st, 2018, 7:56 pm
    Post #2442 - May 31st, 2018, 7:56 pm Post #2442 - May 31st, 2018, 7:56 pm
    On their 1-2-3 menu, I really like the Sausage McGriddle. Who does not like pancake and sausage?

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #2443 - June 1st, 2018, 7:41 am
    Post #2443 - June 1st, 2018, 7:41 am Post #2443 - June 1st, 2018, 7:41 am
    I agree, DK. I think McDonald's greatest great inventions are its cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, quarter pounder with cheese, and egg mcmuffin. Oh, and filet o'fish sandwich.
    "Your swimming suit matches your eyes, you hold your nose before diving, loving you has made me bananas!"
  • Post #2444 - June 1st, 2018, 7:52 am
    Post #2444 - June 1st, 2018, 7:52 am Post #2444 - June 1st, 2018, 7:52 am
    When I was a kid, the McD cheeseburger was my go-to.
    A Bacon McDouble on the $2 menu scratches that itch.
  • Post #2445 - June 1st, 2018, 8:09 am
    Post #2445 - June 1st, 2018, 8:09 am Post #2445 - June 1st, 2018, 8:09 am
    Cathy2 wrote:On their 1-2-3 menu, I really like the Sausage McGriddle. Who does not like pancake and sausage?

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    Together? Me 8)
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #2446 - June 1st, 2018, 8:37 am
    Post #2446 - June 1st, 2018, 8:37 am Post #2446 - June 1st, 2018, 8:37 am
    Cathy2 wrote:On their 1-2-3 menu, I really like the Sausage McGriddle. Who does not like pancake and sausage?

    While I admit to the occasional Egg McMuffin one of the worst bites in memory was a McD's sausage mcgriddle.

    About ten years ago I was early for an appointment in the wilds of the western burbs, hungry as a coyote during a drought the only thing for miles was McD's. Subliminal suggestion from recent tv commercials led me to the sausage mcgriddle, one bite done and done. I can still taste pasty mealy pancake drenched/scented with a witches brew of chemical analog maple syrup, butter and vanilla.

    This is no way meant to impugn C2's excellent palate, she and I agree on much. Maybe it was a one-off. As always YMMV
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #2447 - June 1st, 2018, 8:43 am
    Post #2447 - June 1st, 2018, 8:43 am Post #2447 - June 1st, 2018, 8:43 am
    G Wiv wrote:
    Cathy2 wrote:On their 1-2-3 menu, I really like the Sausage McGriddle. Who does not like pancake and sausage?

    While I admit to the occasional Egg McMuffin one of the worst bites in memory was a McD's sausage mcgriddle.

    I also hate these but my son loves them. I think the pre-sweetened pancake-ity bun is the polarizing component. I prefer to not even have one of these in the bag with the rest of my order. I do happen to be a big fan of the Sausage McMuffin with Egg, though.

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #2448 - June 1st, 2018, 12:13 pm
    Post #2448 - June 1st, 2018, 12:13 pm Post #2448 - June 1st, 2018, 12:13 pm
    Dry aged ribeye from PQM, cooked with the reverse sear, it was like no dry aged beef I have ever had.
  • Post #2449 - June 3rd, 2018, 11:37 pm
    Post #2449 - June 3rd, 2018, 11:37 pm Post #2449 - June 3rd, 2018, 11:37 pm
    The tender and delicious Oxtail Stew from TropiCuba at Lyndale and Sacramento . . .

    Image
    Oxtail Stew from TropiCuba

    Not inexpensive at $17.95 but still, a great dish.

    =R=

    TropiCuba
    3000 W Lyndale St
    Chicago, IL 60647
    (773) 252-0230
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #2450 - June 5th, 2018, 8:08 pm
    Post #2450 - June 5th, 2018, 8:08 pm Post #2450 - June 5th, 2018, 8:08 pm
    Been going to IndoPak grocery on Lawrence for my Indian spice needs for a while. Just tried the Indo Pak grill this weekend. Sadly, it's lit like a dentist office or something, but the food totally made up for it. The Chicken 65 and the Nihari were both really nice. Totally reasonable prices too. Did not photograph the meal.
    IndoPak Grill
    3920 West Lawrence.
  • Post #2451 - June 20th, 2018, 3:56 pm
    Post #2451 - June 20th, 2018, 3:56 pm Post #2451 - June 20th, 2018, 3:56 pm
    It’s been a week and I’m still thinking about the slice of zucchini ricotta and lemon pizza I had at Bonci. Just a bit of olive oil and black pepper and it sang.
  • Post #2452 - June 23rd, 2018, 11:10 am
    Post #2452 - June 23rd, 2018, 11:10 am Post #2452 - June 23rd, 2018, 11:10 am
    It's gotta be the Rajas Empanada from the Cafe Tola Loncheria on California. Tender, crispy exterior and hot, gooey cheese, potatoes and peppers inside. I don't think they have this flavor everyday but they might. It's unclear from their online listings if they have a set schedule of empanada fillings. In any case, their empanadas are always good but this one transcended.

    =R=

    Cafe Tola Loncheria
    3324 N California Ave
    Chicago, IL 60618
    (773) 293-6346
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #2453 - June 23rd, 2018, 11:22 am
    Post #2453 - June 23rd, 2018, 11:22 am Post #2453 - June 23rd, 2018, 11:22 am
    I 2nd the rajas empanada. New to the area, it's been in my heavy rotation since I started exploring (more in depth) the food options of my new hood. Also, they've had it ea time I've been but could be coincidence.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
  • Post #2454 - June 25th, 2018, 10:09 am
    Post #2454 - June 25th, 2018, 10:09 am Post #2454 - June 25th, 2018, 10:09 am
    Oh wow that's pretty close to me. I'll have to give them a try!
  • Post #2455 - June 25th, 2018, 10:37 am
    Post #2455 - June 25th, 2018, 10:37 am Post #2455 - June 25th, 2018, 10:37 am
    A friend brought Tola empanadas to a rooftop deck party on Saturday. Only got to try a couple halves but wow were they good. Even cooled down the pastry was still great.
    The salsa on the side was also really good, flavorful but not overpowering.
  • Post #2456 - July 17th, 2018, 1:30 pm
    Post #2456 - July 17th, 2018, 1:30 pm Post #2456 - July 17th, 2018, 1:30 pm
    Horchata ice cream bar from La Michoacan Premium in Mundelein. Eating it now.

    Creamy, a little chewiness of rice and maybe a tapioca ball or two. Not too sweet. Yum.

    Incredible variety of frozen sweets here, a real gold mine.

    La Michoacan Premium
    839 S. Lake St.
    Mundelein, IL 60060
    (224) 360-6918
  • Post #2457 - July 17th, 2018, 8:05 pm
    Post #2457 - July 17th, 2018, 8:05 pm Post #2457 - July 17th, 2018, 8:05 pm
    Never managed to save room for dessert at Temple Club in Oakland because we always over-order, but I was finally able to try the fabled durian cheesecake. Boy oh boy, was this a delight — super light and fluffy and with that unmistakeable durian essence in every bite. Gonna be hard not to end with this every time.
  • Post #2458 - July 22nd, 2018, 2:15 am
    Post #2458 - July 22nd, 2018, 2:15 am Post #2458 - July 22nd, 2018, 2:15 am
    Here is the forthcoming edit. :)
    I'm currently out-&-about @ Underbar on N. Western Ave. The photo is on my camera, but I have not yet scrubbed its metadata.
    The Wild Mushroom Flatbread at Peckish Pig (623 Howard St., Evanston, IL. 60202) was more than just something to line my stomach while I drank its craftbeers. It was really good.
    Image
    However, Peckish Pig does not have wi-fi, or, at least, its waitstaff was not willing to let me know any wi-fi passwords.
    So, the next time I intend to visit here, because the beers were also really, really good, and not all of them were india pale ales, I may have to blaspheme by first having a sleazy beer across the street in Chicago at Tally Ho (which I am certain has wi-fi, and from which I would then get the network ID and password when I cross the street), or {jaw-dropping :!:} maybe even the Popeye's Fried Chicken just to its west - because I know its other Chicago shops have wi-fi.

    Hey - all you fancy restaurant people; if you will not let me connect to wi-fi from your venue, for the most part, you're losing a customer.
    Last edited by pudgym29 on July 23rd, 2018, 8:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
    Valuable links for survival, without the monetization attempt: https://pqrs-ltd.xyz/bookmark4.html
  • Post #2459 - July 22nd, 2018, 9:45 am
    Post #2459 - July 22nd, 2018, 9:45 am Post #2459 - July 22nd, 2018, 9:45 am
    Easy -the Japanese vegetable pancake with sunny side up egg, soy bbq sauce, nori and bonito at Interurban Boathouse Restaurant, 1438 W. Cortland. This was their take on the okonomiyaki and it was one of the best breakfast items I've ever had.

    Image



    They make fantastic biscuits too:

    Image
  • Post #2460 - July 22nd, 2018, 9:25 pm
    Post #2460 - July 22nd, 2018, 9:25 pm Post #2460 - July 22nd, 2018, 9:25 pm
    The best thing lately -- as in this evening -- would be a tie between Mongolian hot-pot and lamb noodle soup at Mazalae Mongolian in Morton Grove. Whole meal was great, but those were real standouts.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com

Contact

About

Team

Advertize

Close

Chat

Articles

Guide

Events

more