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Hi- I live by Chicago ave between Ashland and Paulina and noticed this new sign for "Fan Si Pan-- fresh spring rolls" among the taquerias and clothing shops. I asked the proprietor of the Viva Plaza next door (who I think might be Korean) if he knew anything about the place. He thought it may be Philipeno. I'm thinking Vietnamese. I will keep my eyes open for any activity and report back. It will be a welcome but unusual addition to the retail strip. Anyone else have any clues?

The owner has a fine dining background (Four Seasons NYC), and has decided to open up a "healthy" fast food concept. The organizing theme is loosely based on Vietnamese-style spring rolls. Several varieties/variations of spring rolls will be offered. A roster of interesting sides and drinks is also in the works.

The shop will be set up to accomodate 20 diners. They will have regular lunch and dinner hours.

Regards,
Erik M.

This is very exciting news for those of us who live in that neck of the woods.

I wonder if they'll do delivery, because I can't wait to say "I'm getting some Fan Si Pan's delivered". The name alone makes me love it already. If the spring rolls are good, too, that's just icing on the cake!

Erik do you have an ETA?

Oh, yes, I live in the neighbourhood, too. At this point, there isn't a whole lot that I haven't tried. And, I am always on the lookout for new stuff.

Have you checked out Rudy's Taste and Mi Cultura--both just up the block, on Ashland?

When I am inclined to stay in the neighbourhood, I have a short list of places that can provide specific creature comforts:

Fiore's Deli, on Erie -- subs, lasagne trays, etc.
Mr. Taco, on Marshfield -- gorditas
Andrzej Grill, on Western -- soups, potato pancakes
Mitch's & Janina Delicatessen, on Western
El Taco Veloz, on Chicago -- carne en su jugo, cecina
Greek Corner Cafe, on Damen -- roasted chicken, souvlaki (pork or chicken)
La Condesa, on Ashland -- handmade tortillas, grilled steaks
Mon Lung, on Ashland -- chicken curry, noodle soups, egg rolls, fried rice
Taqueria Traspasada, on Ashland -- birria, torta ahogada


At any rate, I will have more Fan Si Pan information for you, very, very soon.

Regards,
Erik M.

Thank you for all the info on neighborhood spots - I'm looking forward to working my way through the list.

I stopped in Mi Cultura last week for a quick snack, and only tried the chicken tinga taco, which was delicious, with plenty of cilantro and onion and a welcome level of spice. I returned late Tuesday afternoon, but it was closed and they didn't have hours posted, so I'll report more later.

Also, as a first time poster, I wanted to thank everyone on the list for all the great writing.

Mmmm, a list of good eats within walking distance! I feel like it's my own list, just for me--but I'll be generous and let others eat at these restaurants, too. I'm nice that way.

Seriously, though, Erik, thanks for all the info. I've tried some of the places, but the rest are now on my "to eat" list.

Mon Lung is a place that I feel I shouldn't like, being a dingy (sp?) little chop suey type place, but it can really hit the spot. I agreethat the chicken curry is good--simple sauce, tender chicken...mmm...I grew up on chinese food so I'm pretty picky, but Mon Lung works, somehow, especially on those rare days when I don't crave spicy food.

Taco Veloz is hit or miss for me--sometimes it's great, sometimes not so great, and I'm not as fond of the carne en su jugo as I used to be, now that I've tried the excellent version at Taqueria Tayahua. But you can't go wrong with the cecina, that's for sure.

I would add Cleo's as a place to get consistently good bar food. Nothing too adventurous, but they have good burgers both regular and veggie, and some other good sandwiches and munchies. Plus they serve until 1am. Just avoid Mondays and Thursdays before 10pm, and Fridays after 9pm if you don't enjoy eating with other people's elbows in your face or waiting 20 minutes for the server to get your drink order. Full disclosure: I worked there for 4 years. (And I still like the food!)

I'm glad to know that the Greek Corner is worth checking out, especially as their outdoor dining area looks very nice. Come back, spring!!



Thanks again for the list--maybe you should organize a Ukrainian Village-a-thon!?!


Cleo's
1935 W. Chicago
312-243-5600

eta: answered my own question about Rudy's

geli -- I'm glad to hear that you like the carne en su jugo at Tayahuatoo!

edeben -- welcome to LTH! The chicken tinga at Mi Cultura sounds great -- do they also have pork tinga?

(I just made some tinga de puerco the other day, as a way of using up some leftover carnitas from Carnitas Don Pedro. The chorizo I used in it was also from Don Pedro (purchased uncooked).)

Those are some of the things that get me by. Don't go running, on my account. Anyway, here are a few more:

The chicken burrito at Privata. [NB It is the only thing that I will eat there, but I haven't done so in ages.]

The sausage sticks at Sak's Ukranian Village, which are kept in the old cooler behind the bar. Along with an ice-cold draught, they make for the perfect pit stop on a hot summer day. [NB I used to enjoy some of the food at Sak's, but it has really taken a slide over the past couple of years. The elderly bartendress still makes a bizarro Bloody Mary, though. ]

When softshells are in season, I can make a meal of the appetizer portion at El Barco, but otherwise I should know better than to eat there. [Stupidly, I just went back last week, and was disappointed for the umpteenth time. Raw Oysters, Fried Smelt, and Grilled Langostinos. The oysters were fine, but flavourless. The remainder, though, was just mushy, low-grade seafood, piss-poorly-prepared.]

Odge's junky hot dogs are sometimes just what I need.

I used to like the panzerotti (baked) at Bacci, but it is an airy, flavourless dough bomb, these days. [NB I have always found Bacci's pizza to be poor. Not quite as poor as I have found Bella's pizza to be, mind you. ]

I would tell you about the wonders of Caesar's, but I am afraid that they might be done with.

When tomatoes are in season, the grilled beef salad at Thai Village often makes a meal. Otherwise, I take my Thai jones elsewhere. Like, Thai Castle, for instance, where the owner is willing to accomodate a number of my special requests.



I love the looks of that place--the lanterns, the booths, the counter, the fish tank. And, hey, they'll make you a dish of chow fun, or even a steamed fish.



I have not tried the version at Taqueria Tayahua, but the version at Taco Veloz was the first that I tried, and it is the one that I fell in love with. If that of Taqueria Tayahua is anything like that of Taqueria Traspasada--with its incorporation of tomato in the broth--I don't imagine that I can be swayed. I am very much enamoured with the salty simplicity of the Taco Veloz broth.


carne en su jugo at El Taco Veloz



I should get back to Cleo's for the food. At the bartender's (Mark?) suggestion, I gave the fish and chips a couple of tries, and regretted doing so. If I want bar food, I often go to The Black Beetle. The "New & Improved" Tuman's has repeatedly disappointed me. I have found that their affiliate enterprise, Mac's, on Wood Street, capably delivers on the food front, though. If I need food with my big screen sports, Mac's is my local spot.

And, as long as Jim Leff is encouraging us to share our secrets, I will say that when I really want a burger, and the one at Bite just won't do, I leave the immediate area and head for Jane's, on Cortland. Several times a year, I can be found at Jane's bar, chasing a gin martini with a glass of red wine, a bowl of the daily soup, and their excellent bacon-topped burger. "Rare, please."

Oh, and lastly, maybe I will propose a Ukie crawl at some point. Right now, I was thinking of arranging a singles food&drink mixer in the area. Perhaps at Enoteca Roma, Moonshine, etc. Would you be interested?

Regards,
Erik M.

Cleo's would definitely fall into the category of "haunt" for my friends and I, they do a rather good job in simple bar food and the staff is great. (When they aren't swamped.)

I've tried Tuman's a few times and it's almost like they've set the bar at some unattainable goal, and the food is not only mediocre but overpriced as well. (Come on, duck tenders as a pub grub? They'd be good if they weren't overcooked every time.)

I've written about Moonshine before, and I'm pleased to report that it's still much the same as ever. They actually have a full-time music director on staff now, so it really seems like they're taking the role of having music in the evenings rather seriously. The aforementioned bi-weekly Wednesdays are back in force, with an entire menu of half price offerings this time. (And drunken clubgoers dancing on sofas, as applicable.) I think Moonshine could work nicely for your plans, Erik.

Erik M. wrote:

I'd be up for a mixer--sounds very 1950's--and Enoteca Roma is on the top of my "must try soon" list, so that's an added bonus. I've still never gone to Moonshine, dunno why exactly. I walk by it all the time on my way to work, I've just never made it inside.

also Erik M.: Yes! And like you, I've been "repeatedly" disappointed--as if I didn't trust my own judgement the first two or three times!

Pete wrote:

That's it exactly! Their food is so rich, and yet, mysteriously, so boring.

edited to add: re. Taco Veloz vs. Tayahua:I think it was the lovely smokey bacon in Tayahua's carne en su jugo that made it so wonderful to me. It was delicious before adding all the folderols that came on the side, and then once they were in: heaven! Can't...resist...bacon and lime juice...must...eat...

Thanks for solving the Fan-Si-Pan mystery, Erik M.. it will be nice to have some healthy alternatives to taquerias in the 'hood. Currently, the only other "healthy" things around are the pastries at Atomix. I am so happy they have zuchinni bread, carrot ginger muffins, vegan bran muffins, etc..

Speaking of the area, has anyone been to Blue cactus? (across from Cleos...) Worth the bother?

Blue Cactus on Chicago Avenue , across from Cleo's, just before you hit Damen Ave. has a really good Burrito.

Has there been any progress with renovation and the opening date?

I drove by this evening and while the interior looks basically done, there is writing on the window reading "Opening Soon, Thanks for your patience." It's absurd how much I'm looking forward to this opening!

After reading the write up on Fan Si Pan in this week's Time Out Chicago, I rushed there after work thinking "At last, it's open!" But alas, it wasn't open...there was a hand written sign on the door simply reading "closed", and upon peering inside it was obvious that it wasn't going to open in the next day or two.

However, this morning I ran into someone who will be working there, and she says they are opening next Monday, June 27th. So, yay! I'll be there with bells on.

FWIW: On my way to grab a quick bite at Taqueria Traspasada, I happened to walk past the window at Fan Si Pan. Whether or not they were open today I cannot say, but a sign in the window indicated that--until they can manage "to figure out what the Fan Si Pan they are doing"--they will only be open between the hours of 11am and 3pm.

E.M.

Stopped by twice this week, this is the first week with regular hours.

I'm sure it would be more fair to report on them after they have been up and running a bit, but my experience was very nice and thought I'd share...

Had both the chicken and the beef rolls different times I stopped by, and a few sides and drinks. The "aromatic chicken" roll also includes cucumber, papaya, pea shoots, red pepper, cilantro, mint, and basil (I believe). The chicken is flavored with keffir lime and lemongrass from what I remember, but it was very subtle, too subtle for my taste. But the rest of the ingredients in the roll were very fresh and tasty, really liked the pea shoots and basil and mint inclusion. The dipping sauce was more pungent than I have had with other rolls other places... this being a good thing. A little goes a long way.

The beef variety comes with peanuts, green onion, cilantro, bean sprouts, mango, and shredded carrots, I believe. I can't find a website to reference the menu, but there is a listing online on another site that gives a brief review and mentions the ingredients. I favored the beef solely for the contrast between the well-flavored beef and the mango. Very nice.

I got green papaya salad and steamed green beans as sides-- the papaya salad was nice and fresh, the steamed (they also have deep-fried) beans were also nice and fresh. The beans were missing the wasabi dipping sauce, but maybe I misunderstood and the sauce only comes with the fried version. Anyhow, I used the rest of the sauce from the roll and it was great.

The rolls are also available "decronstructed".. if I were dining in, I may had tried that variety. Don't know if that includes the wrapper part.

The drinks were also great- they have tea that comes with fruit, and this really wonderful limeade or lemonade with all kinds of things in it-- I am totally forgetting what exactly it is, but it has bits of honeydew and mint, and very nice subtle taste, not too sweet at all. Very refreshing. I loathe oversweetened beverages. This was a wonderful drink that I will be back for often.

Other sides included the decadent sounding roasted sweet potatoes with coconut milk gravy. Will try it soon. Other rolls included Shrimp and vegetarian. They also have some desserts- fruit salad, mochi ice cream, and some other drinks. I will be back to try everything.

One thing I especially liked was the to-go packaging. I really have a problem ordering food that comes in styrofoam or plastic packaging, and with overpackageing in general. My own consumer guilt issues. The packaging here is for the most part paper containers, and the wraps are in colored paper and a thin plastic sheet. Nice and elegant.

I've been to Fan-Si-Pan twice and found the food very fresh and delicately flavored.

Not much sauce is used in the filling, as in a stir-fry, so you are given a sauce for dipping on the side. I would like to see more sauces for dipping.

The portion size was quite generous. You get more than you would in a single taco but not quite as much as in a burrito.

I recommend the place very highly.

I tried Fan Si Pan last night, and had 2 rolls (1 chicken, 1 beef) and the sweet potatoes with coconut milk.

The rolls were ok. I had to pull the sprouts out, because as it was mentioned before, it was hard to bite through. Portions were large, I agree. I did not read the ingredient list and was surprised by the chunks of papaya (in the chicken).

The sweet potatoes were mashed with coconut milk and had additional thicken coconut cream on top. It was sprinkled with deep fried onions. It was very rich, and good. I also had the lychee drink in the pouch. Not a fan of semi solid drinks, and wasn't sure about the taste. The honey dew drink that they have though was pretty good, and they were nice enough to give me a taste.

Overall, a nice meal... I will definitely try again since it is on my way home...

I went to fan-si-pan last week and really enjoyed it. the prices were so reasonable that my friend and i got a variety of items to share.

We had the beef roll, and it was great. the meat seemed like good quality - tender and very flavorful. and excellent paired with the mango in the roll. on the menu it's listed as available 'deconstructed' which the staff explained to me that means served in the style of a salad. we also had the curried mashed sweet potatoes with coconut milk gravy - which was surprisingly more savory than sweet. it seemed an odd menu item compared with the others on the 'summer' menu. but tasty nonetheless! papaya salad, french fried green beans both were very fresh and delicious. the aromatic chicken ban mi was good as well, but it was a simple sandwich, served on a crunchy roll.

for beverages we had the honeydew limeaide, infused with galanga ginger, mint leaves and finely chopped honeydew melon - quite a refreshing drink, and for fun we had the pineapple jelly 'day baby' drink, which we poured into the disposable condiment cups and did as 'jello shots'. it was a pretty sweet drink, but definatly a fun item.

As for dipping sauces, there is a selection of 4 on the table, accompanied by the disposable cups. there is a chile/garlic oil, the seracha chile sauce, traditional sweet and sour, and the wasabi dipping sauce, which has been made by the family of fan-si-pan's owner (they're in the condiment biz) for many years and is available at whole foods. I loved this sauce, especially with the fried green beans.

I too would highly recommend this place for fast, fresh and inexpensive food, and it's very friendly staff!

ciao
leesh

I was passing by here last night and stopped for a bite to eat. It was pretty good, with some dishes being noticably better then others.

I had the five-star beef spring roll. The fillings were good but the roll itself was a bit flimsy - in fact it started to full apart halfway through my meal. I get the impression that whoever made it is still mastering the art of making a spring roll - but this is a new spot, so it didn't bother me. As mentioned above, it was larger then your average spring roll, more like a burrito. I personally would rather have just 2 smaller rolls, as this was too big to dip into the sauce (esp. as the dipping bowl was a lot smaller then the roll itself) - I ended up just pouring the sauce into the roll. However, it tasted pretty good.

Also had the french fried green beans, which were good. They were listed on the menu as coming with a wasabi dipping sauce, which (to be pedantic) they didn't. However, there were squeeze bottles of wasabi dipping sauce at each table - maybe this is a recent thing. They didn't taste freshly fried, but they were very addictive.

My girlfriend had the Bahn Mi, which she thought was pretty unexciting. She was also a bit annoyed that they didn't have any hoisin (which was odd, seeing as they had a lot of other condiments), as this is normally one of her favorite elements about Bahn Mi. Maybe they'll pick some up soon?

The Honeydew Limade with ginger, kaffir and lemongrass was really good - probably the hit of the meal.

It was a pretty good price - $18 for all of the above plus an iced tea - and it's a cute space. If I still lived in the area, I'd probably stop by there quite a lot, as there is nowhere like it nearby. If I'm near there again and need a bite, I'll certainly give it another go (I got the impression that they were still ironing out some kinks). Don't think I'll go out of my way to eat there (esp. as it's just as easy for me to hit to Argyle these days) but I don't think thats really the point of this place. It certainly seemed to be doing brisk business with locals who seemed to picking food up to take home on their way back from work.

Ah... I think I met your girlfriend briefly last night. The guys behind the counter did not know what hoisin sauce was, and thought it was a brand...

I think the lady said that the bread for the Bahn Mi is from Ba Le. I agree that this place mainly caters to the locals in the neighbourhood. I certainly would not go out of my way to come here, but it is the only Vietnamese place in the neighbourhood.

Fan Si Pan reviewed @ Chicagoist

E.M.

who's never going to eat here, 'yummy' Chicagoist review or not, raise your hand....

me +1

Pfft. I'll probably never eat there, either, but I'm not going to be snarky about it

Besides, the reviews here have been pretty positive, too. And she mentioned LTH in the post, so I'm happy.

We stopped by Fan Si Pan a few nights back. The space is cute, but the food lacking. The rolls were flimsy, both the aromatic chicken and the 5-star beef. It reminded me of late-night college eating, though not as tasty. Spring rolls should be tight, and the filling shouldn't fall out upon the first bite. To compliment the spring rolls, I didn't find the sauces that good, either. We had the french fried green beans--good, but not outstanding. They needed seasoning. Salt, even. I added soy sauce to mine. I like the idea of this place, but it didn't do anything for me.

Recent review of Sak's on Road Food. I'm surprised, if merely because of its location and niche, that Sak's doesn't have more posts on this board. Anyone been there lately?

Sak's Ukranian Village
2301 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 278-4445


Kristen

I went there in about 1989!

Or was it Galans? I can't remember.

The fall/gentrification of Tuman's is one of the sadder things I have seen in the area. Back when it was Tuman's Alcohol Abuse Center, I would have said that it was one of the greatest (i.e. worst and best all in one) bars on earth. You have to love a dingy bike messanger bar with 1 buck PBR and 1.50 knock your ass out liquor drinks. Oh and the seating was mostly empty kegs. The yuppificaton of that place is a crime against alcoholisim. Cleo's has erased some of my bitterness but, clearly, not all



Seeing as how I can practically spit on this place from my apartment, I guess I should at least give it a try.

If by "lately," you mean within the past three or four months, then, yes, I have; I was asked to join some friends visiting from out of town. I stand by the remarks that I made above; I don't consider it to be a worthy dining destination any longer. If you can do without the booze, you are much better off eating at Andrzej Grill, Mitch's & Janina, or Podhalanka.

Sak's is still a great place to grab a drink and perhaps some of the sausage that I mentioned. But, I would encourage you to quit there, while you are still ahead.

E.M.