Had forgotten that I signed up for the birthday club as La Tasca Tapas a few years back -- before COVID and while mom was still alive and going out to eat with me. But the email came a couple of weeks ago offering one free tapa up to $10, and it didn't take more encouragement than that.

I do think the tapas at Tapas Gitana in Northfield may be a bit better -- though the last visit there was pre-COVID, as well, so hard to know. But the Pincho de Solomillo was a yummy re-introduction to tapas after a few years away. It's beef tenderloin and mushrooms on a skewer, atop a pile of house-made shoestring potatoes, all drizzled with sour cream. Also had Champiñones Barcelona -- large mushroom caps stuffed with spinach, pine nuts, and manchego cheese in a saffron lemon butter. Tasty, but not quite as good as as the beef. But this definitely made for a delightful evening.

Cynthia wrote:Had forgotten that I signed up for the birthday club as La Tasca Tapas a few years back -- before COVID and while mom was still alive and going out to eat with me. But the email came a couple of weeks ago offering one free tapa up to $10, and it didn't take more encouragement than that.

Thanks for the reminder: we haven't been there in ages.
But after a (relatively) recent trip to Spain, there's something lacking in tapas that I've had here in the US, and I can't put my finger on it -- not as bright? Too safe? Pricing? Not crowded enough?

JoelF wrote:

Cynthia wrote:Had forgotten that I signed up for the birthday club as La Tasca Tapas a few years back -- before COVID and while mom was still alive and going out to eat with me. But the email came a couple of weeks ago offering one free tapa up to $10, and it didn't take more encouragement than that.

Thanks for the reminder: we haven't been there in ages.
But after a (relatively) recent trip to Spain, there's something lacking in tapas that I've had here in the US, and I can't put my finger on it -- not as bright? Too safe? Pricing? Not crowded enough?

Probably all of the above for most places. That said, a friend of mine who lived in Spain really loved Tapas Gitana in Northfield. But because tapas is not a way of life here, it will probably never have the energy of Spain. Plus these are sit-down restaurants, not the crowd up to the bar places. But still fun.

What a day.
Beer historian Ron Pattinson was in Chicago, and presenting history of a only-recently-deceased British beer style, at the Red Lion Pub on N. Lincoln Ave.
This was presented by the Chicago Brewseum. It attracted people who, even forgetting about the COVID-19 pandemic, I had not seen in years. (Ray Daniels - the creator of the Cicerone beer education program(me) )
It was an informative presentation. When it ended, I went back into the regular portion of the pub and noticed its Sunday special foodstuff offering was a roast beef dinner. I ordered it.
It was very good. It most certainly fit this thread's title.
The Red Lion's draft beer selections cover a wide range. I can gladly recommend it to you.

Crispy Fish with Jungle Salad @ In-On-Thai tonight.

Was our maiden voyage and I had seen some recommendations for it in the main thread. So glad I ordered it. Truly a perfect dish of food. Bonus that I have enough left for a light lunch tomorrow. On the downside, It will be extremely difficult for me to order anything else on subsequent visits!

LynnB wrote:Crispy Fish with Jungle Salad @ In-On-Thai tonight.

Was our maiden voyage and I had seen some recommendations for it in the main thread. So glad I ordered it. Truly a perfect dish of food. Bonus that I have enough left for a light lunch tomorrow. On the downside, It will be extremely difficult for me to order anything else on subsequent visits!

GREAT dish.

The italian beef sandwich from Mr. D's Shish-kabob. The sandwich, wet, with hot peppers included {Is it a genuine italian beef sandwich without peppers? Then why do most italian beef shacks charge extra for it? Can you envision a Chicago hot dog for which pickle relish costs extra?}, fresh-cut french fries, and a 12-oz. can of soda. The price = $10.20 (cash only). There may be a better italian beef sandwich itself; but if there is a better meal deal for price and quality than this in metropolitan Chicago, you inform us what it is.
Also remember, Mr. D's closes at 5:00 pm.

Revisited by popular demand: The Will Special Diavolo sub sandwich from Riviera Foods on N. Harlem Ave. in Chicago.

Dry Chile Fish Filet @ Peppercorn's Kitchen made w/cod (not tilapia as most are) which really upgrades it. Excellent. Can't vouch for the rest of their food since it's been awhile since I was there and remember liking it but the dismal dan dan makes me think twice.

The wings at Toons.

Soft shell crab in squid ink batter taco @ Taqueria Chingon. Perfect balance of saline funk and sweet crispy crab. Had it Friday pm and can't stop thinking about it.

Jazzfood wrote:Soft shell crab in squid ink batter taco @ Taqueria Chingon. Perfect balance of saline funk and sweet crispy crab. Had it Friday pm and can't stop thinking about it.

not a softshell fan, but damn that's beautiful.

It doesn't get any better than this. Spectacular food at a friend's pig roast . . .


The Greatest Job In The World


Lookout, kid!

=R=

A lovely cameron ceviche tostada at El Pulpo Loco on Clark just north of Devon. Bright and fresh, just right on a summer afternoon!

Dropping by to say that delicious pig in Ron’s post is from Bennett Farms in Edwardsburg MI. It was either a Mulefoot or Berkshire (will check) and spectacular. Keep an eye out for Tom Bennett and his pork and fowl at local Chicago farmers’ markets. Veteran-owned family farm doing things the right way.

JeffB

https://www.bennettfarmsmichigan.com/

Poke Stack at Big Hill last night.

POKE STACK
diced ahi tuna, crispy wontons, scallions, jalapeno, wasabi aioli, sesame seeds

Second time having it as a shared appetizer. I may have to order it as my entree on our next visit. Their back patio is a true hidden gem.

Audrey is in love with their Chicken Katsu bowl.

Big Hill
Tues-Sat 4pm-9pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
3307 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659

Off the menu nightly special at El Buren Caribbean Cuisine, Highwood: Ceviche appetizer. Whitefish and shrimp served in a martini glass. Amazing. Whole meal fantastico.

Steak frites at Aboyer. It comes either with chimichurri or au poivre -- and I went with au poivre. Perfect meal.

And even though I'm actually not much of a dessert person, since I celebrated a birthday this week, I decided to order something -- and I must say that the chocolate hazelnut mousse gateau was pretty amazing.

But of the two items, it's the steak frites I want to go back for -- maybe try the chimichurri next time. Really perfect.

Cynthia wrote:Steak frites at Aboyer. It comes either with chimichurri or au poivre -- and I went with au poivre. Perfect meal.

And even though I'm actually not much of a dessert person, since I celebrated a birthday this week, I decided to order something -- and I must say that the chocolate hazelnut mousse gateau was pretty amazing.

But of the two items, it's the steak frites I want to go back for -- maybe try the chimichurri next time. Really perfect.

Agreed: We had the steak frites au poivre there in June, and it was great!

Seared scallops at the improbably named Son of Skaligwags in Algoma, Wisconsin. Beautiful, meaty scallops perfectly seared at the stove in front of our eyes. Stop there on your way up to Door County. You won't be disappointed.

A friend served me an appetizer on Sunday and asked me to guess what it was. The very thin slice of pale cream color meat on the cracker had a very dark ruby black edge. It was delicious and I guessed I was eating smoked turkey. It wasn’t.
She told me they had been to Bende that weekend to buy special bacon for our Szalonna sutes and they bought some Gypsy Bacon as well. What she had just served me was the Gypsy Bacon, VERY thinly sliced double smoked choice lean pork loin with the rind still on.
Looking online I see this is also called Gypsy Canadian Bacon.
So good!

Bende, Inc. Vernon Hills, IL
925 Corporate Woods Pkwy.
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847.913.0306

B2B wrote:VERY thinly sliced double smoked choice lean pork loin with the rind still on.

Reminds me of the double-smoked pork loin at Gene's Sausage Shop in Lincoln Square. Not sure if it's exactly the same thing but I always love it and just grabbed some yesterday.

I had a lengua huarache with half green and half red sauce for lunch today at La Chaparrita along with two beautifully grilled jalapeño peppers. I had a few excellent tacos as well, but the huarache blew me away. Perfect masa and melt in your mouth lengua.

Really happy to see that it is as good as ever.

This might be my favorite thread on this forum and I need to post more here.

Can't say enough good things about loaf lounge, and you should go if you haven't. Of all the things on their menu, I think their hash brown is one of the best things I've eaten this year. It's similar to the McDonald's one, and for whatever reason, I love it so much. It's a perfect bite of food!

Stopped into Cafe Tola on California/Roscoe for a breakfast empanada. They have quite an offering of various empanadas even in the morning. The birria caught my eye (even at such an early hour). Boy was I happy I got that. It was packed with deliciously spiced goat, some cheese, cilantro and onions. Their spicy salsa was perfect with it.

The only downside to my breakfast was the juicy goat did a number on the empanda shell after my first bite. So, be aware this one isn't exactly one to eat without a plate.

i'd like to give a shout out to the pastry chef at Same Day Café in logan square. Her name is anna, according to the menu, and the other day I had her spiced pear torte. It was an individual cake, with slightly crunchy edges and just bursting with flavor and spices. The last thing I had there, and it was equally good, was a handpie filled with strawberries and rhubarb. For such a small place, it's a wonder they can afford her. But I'm guessing she also bakes their amazing delicious rosemarybread which they use for most of their sandwiches. The bread is good enough to transform a basic egg salad, or chicken salad sandwich into a real treat.
SAME DAY CAFE. 2651 n. kedzie.

Goat "lumprice" with a side of roti at Cinnamon Grill in New London, Connecticut.

This place is maybe the only reason to stop for food that isn't New Haven pizza or fresh seafood in this stretch of seaside Americana between the NY metro and Providence. The Indian/Javanese mashup that is Sri Lankan was new to me and both dishes blew me away. The best roti I have had in any restaurant. The quality of the kitchen might exceed the excellence of the cuisine. Also a very comfortable place, particularly for this blue collar town, with a full bar. Worth the short drive from I-95. I have to guess this your best bet for fine Sri Lankan food in the US outside of Staten Island.

https://cinnamongrillnl.com/

The chicken giardiniera at Angeli's in Naperville a few nights ago.
I don't remember where I first had this (possible Maggiano's, who have since dropped it from their menu). Nicely done breaded chicken, on a bed of pasta, with mild giardiniera and shaved cheese (assuming it was parmesan).
We aren't really lacking Italian restaurant options, but this one is on my list to visit more often. It was expanded/remodeled a few years ago, still in the same strip mall on Chicago Ave. (which is Maple Ave. or 55th St. as you go east).

https://www.angeliscatering.com/

Birria queca taco at Taqueria Los Paisanos #2.: griddle fried Corn tortillas, succulent Birria, melty cheese, consommé, cilantro, onion, and a scoop of guacamole to top it off. Texture and flavor bomb. A steal at $4.50 each.

Solid joint with 2 Joliet locations. #2 more seating,& on the east side.

Taqueria los Paisanos # 2
1600 Maple Road
Joliet, IL

A frequent appearance in this thread: The Italian beef sandwich from Mr. Beef on Orleans: (hot, juicy = $9.00 [cash only]).