Month: June 2013

New to the Site?

If you’ve never been here before, you might be wondering what to look for and where to start. First of all, LTHForum.com is a rich and deep resource for all who love food, whether they’ve lived in Chicago for decades or have just moved here. With thousands of members, hundreds of thousands of posts, and years of history encompassed within this site, it can seem intimidating to get involved. But it isn’t. Our members have a vast collective knowledge of what Chicago has to offer, and they’re pretty friendly and willing to share.

LTHForum.com can help you find the best places to eat, or locate sources for food and equipment to prepare your own meals. But it excels at spotlighting neighborhood, specialty, ethnic, authentic and inexpensive cuisine. So think of the site as a starting point for finding smaller, local restaurants that will really give you a sense of Chicago culture.

To begin, you can jump right into our forums and see what people are talking about within a number of categories. Or you can utilize the search engine, if you want to find informal reviews for a particular restaurant or find a specific type of cuisine. Or, if you’re open to new and stellar eating experiences, examine the Great Neighborhood Restaurants, a diverse set of restaurants in the area that our members love. Visit our Complete List of Great Neighborhood Restaurants to get started. There’s a Google map of them as well.

If you are inspired to post, please start with our FAQ and familiarize yourself with our Posting Guidelines. To make an inquiry, be as specific as possible about what you are looking for. We encourage everyone to join up and become a member – participate, and enjoy.

But basically, be topical and be courteous. This is a community, and like the city of Chicago, LTHForum.com’s strength comes from each member’s differences – but this can only work if we respect each other and draw from one another’s experiences in a constructive and affirming way.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Welcome to LTHForum.com!

In Search of the Jim Shoe

By Peter Engler (Rene G)

intro-shoosign

People eat differently on the South Side. If you don’t believe that, try to find a Mother in Law, Big Baby, or Freddy north of Madison Street.

Another sandwich, also likely unfamiliar to most Northsiders, is currently spreading around the South Side and beyond.

Ten or fifteen years ago I found a menu from a South Side sub shop slipped into my front gate. It listed all the familiar local treats: subs stuffed with beef (either “roast” or “corn”); gyros (usually pronounced GUY-ro); and super tacos (ground beef, lettuce, and tomatoes, all folded into a pita). But there was also a sandwich I’d never heard of then: the Jim Shoe.

In the next few years I would notice that name on menus or window signs of other sub shops. Clearly the Jim Shoe wasn’t found at only one or two places. After I had completed an initial investigation into the Mother-in-Law (a tamale with chili, usually served on a hot dog bun), I decided to take on the Jim Shoe. Where did it originate? How did it get that peculiar name? Little did I know that after nearly a decade and dozens of Shoes, I’d still be asking those same questions.

Read More…