Sweet Tamarind
1034 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-5300
First things first. The lunch special. For a simple $5.95-$6.95, you get an entree, salad, and soup. Try the basil beef (chicken or tofu). It's sweet, yet spicy and well balanced.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Simon's Tavern (Andersonville)
Simon's Tavern
5210 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-0984
First thing's first, Simon's is a CASH ONLY bar. So don't expect to run a tab. There is a First American Bank ATM located right next to the entrance, so at least, you don't have to walk far.
Remember the days when you could smoke in the bars of Chicago? Well, Simon's does. It's hard to distinguish weather the yellowed walls are from the days where smoke flooded this cozy place, or if it is truly age. Regardless, Simon's has character. Check out the mural on the north wall. There is a huge portion of it that has been cut out. Rumor has it, that this cut out used to be a prominent gangster in Chicago who crossed someone and lost their privileges (...and possibly their life).
In the winter months, Simon's serves glogg, the swedish version of mulled wine. They even serve it with a cookie.
Simon's has recently made some decor changes, which I'm not a fan of. They used to have cute little tables that have now been replaced by high tables glued on tightly to the wall. In terms of using space efficiently, it was a good move, but the tiny cute tables gave it even more character. Most of the time, they even had flowers on the table.
Above the bar cash register are what looks to be high school photos. I assume that they are the kids of the people who own the bar. It seems a bit out of place, but again, Simon's has character.
The bar staff is friendly, the drinks are reasonably priced. I don't drink micro-brews, but I do know they have "a good selection."
Oh, and if you ever wondered if hipsters exist in Andersonville, they do. You can find most of them at Simons.
REVIEW COMING SOON
5210 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-0984
First thing's first, Simon's is a CASH ONLY bar. So don't expect to run a tab. There is a First American Bank ATM located right next to the entrance, so at least, you don't have to walk far.
Remember the days when you could smoke in the bars of Chicago? Well, Simon's does. It's hard to distinguish weather the yellowed walls are from the days where smoke flooded this cozy place, or if it is truly age. Regardless, Simon's has character. Check out the mural on the north wall. There is a huge portion of it that has been cut out. Rumor has it, that this cut out used to be a prominent gangster in Chicago who crossed someone and lost their privileges (...and possibly their life).
In the winter months, Simon's serves glogg, the swedish version of mulled wine. They even serve it with a cookie.
Simon's has recently made some decor changes, which I'm not a fan of. They used to have cute little tables that have now been replaced by high tables glued on tightly to the wall. In terms of using space efficiently, it was a good move, but the tiny cute tables gave it even more character. Most of the time, they even had flowers on the table.
Above the bar cash register are what looks to be high school photos. I assume that they are the kids of the people who own the bar. It seems a bit out of place, but again, Simon's has character.
The bar staff is friendly, the drinks are reasonably priced. I don't drink micro-brews, but I do know they have "a good selection."
Oh, and if you ever wondered if hipsters exist in Andersonville, they do. You can find most of them at Simons.
REVIEW COMING SOON
Cafe Bong (Edgewater)
Cafe Bong
5706 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 275-0430
If you can handle dirty, as in germ dirty, then make Cafe Bong a stop on your Andersonville/Edgewater tour. Owned by a sweet Korean woman named Jenny, it's the only bar I know of in town that serves OB (Oriental Brewery) beer. Oh, and Jenny may drink as much as the customers around her do.
Cafe Bong has karaoke, but beware. It's located behind the bar which means you have to sit at the bar and lean over to sing into your mic since the cord barely reaches far enough. But sing your heart away as the images of majestic lions and flower gardens in slow motion entertain you as your read your lines.
And when I say dirty, I do mean it. The bathrooms are in sad shape, but you're always guaranteed toilet paper, soap, and paper towels.
Cafe Bong is the perfect stop at the end of your night. By the time you get there, you can't help but sing and ignore the dirt around you.
5706 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 275-0430
If you can handle dirty, as in germ dirty, then make Cafe Bong a stop on your Andersonville/Edgewater tour. Owned by a sweet Korean woman named Jenny, it's the only bar I know of in town that serves OB (Oriental Brewery) beer. Oh, and Jenny may drink as much as the customers around her do.
Cafe Bong has karaoke, but beware. It's located behind the bar which means you have to sit at the bar and lean over to sing into your mic since the cord barely reaches far enough. But sing your heart away as the images of majestic lions and flower gardens in slow motion entertain you as your read your lines.
And when I say dirty, I do mean it. The bathrooms are in sad shape, but you're always guaranteed toilet paper, soap, and paper towels.
Cafe Bong is the perfect stop at the end of your night. By the time you get there, you can't help but sing and ignore the dirt around you.
The Coffee Studio (Andersonville/Edgewater)
The Coffee Studio
5628 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 271-7881
Edgewater? Andersonville? Edgewater? Andersonville? Who really knows. Depends on who you ask. Regardless of it's debated location, The Coffee Studio offers good coffee at standard prices. Both brews and special espresso drinks are made with intelligentsia coffee, some of the best on the current market. If you don't like coffee, but wanna wet your whistle, try GUS (Grown Up Soda). Personally, I suggest the cranberry lime.
For those who want wi-fi access and don't want to park it at Starbucks, The Coffee Studio is your other alternative for the northern neigbourhoods of Andersonville and Edgewater. While you do have to pay for their wireless service, they do offer a 1 hour free access coupon with purchase.
While sipping on lattes and enjoying the exposed brick ambience, keep this in mind: get there early. This little coffee shop does get packed full. The weekend crowd tends to be students or other hard-studying folk who appear to sit for hours.
I was confused by the concept of their "studio pass." When I got it, it was my impression that it was a frequent buyers card. The staff there had me spinning my wheels. Apparently I needed a dollar to activate the card, but I could put the balance on my card. Confused? Yes, exactly. Maybe I was in too much of a hurry to actually follow the conversation, but regardless, I still didn't get it.
5628 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 271-7881
Edgewater? Andersonville? Edgewater? Andersonville? Who really knows. Depends on who you ask. Regardless of it's debated location, The Coffee Studio offers good coffee at standard prices. Both brews and special espresso drinks are made with intelligentsia coffee, some of the best on the current market. If you don't like coffee, but wanna wet your whistle, try GUS (Grown Up Soda). Personally, I suggest the cranberry lime.
For those who want wi-fi access and don't want to park it at Starbucks, The Coffee Studio is your other alternative for the northern neigbourhoods of Andersonville and Edgewater. While you do have to pay for their wireless service, they do offer a 1 hour free access coupon with purchase.
While sipping on lattes and enjoying the exposed brick ambience, keep this in mind: get there early. This little coffee shop does get packed full. The weekend crowd tends to be students or other hard-studying folk who appear to sit for hours.
I was confused by the concept of their "studio pass." When I got it, it was my impression that it was a frequent buyers card. The staff there had me spinning my wheels. Apparently I needed a dollar to activate the card, but I could put the balance on my card. Confused? Yes, exactly. Maybe I was in too much of a hurry to actually follow the conversation, but regardless, I still didn't get it.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Chicago Food Corp
Chicago Food Corp
3333 N. Kimball Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-5566
You need good ingredients to make good food. The Chicago Food Corp is a Korean grocery located close to the Kimball brown line CTA stop. The produce is amazing, the prices are reasonable. If you plan to make an Asian dish, let the Chicago Food Corp be your first stop.
The parking lot can be a bit of a mad house. Little Asian men attempt to direct traffic when you pull in, sometimes to no avail. The atmosphere of the grocery itself is similar to the parking lot. Dodging and weaving through the aisles can be a bit of a challenge, but if you've got it in you, go for it. Stephanie Izzard, winner of Top Chef, gives accolades to this place.
The jewel of the Chicago Food Corp is the little eat in counter located in the back corner of the store. Run by a bunch of Korean ladies, the food is possibly some of the best Korean I have had in the city. Inexpensive and tasty, you may have to wait for a table, as there are only a handful and clearly not enough to make the demand.
3333 N. Kimball Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-5566
You need good ingredients to make good food. The Chicago Food Corp is a Korean grocery located close to the Kimball brown line CTA stop. The produce is amazing, the prices are reasonable. If you plan to make an Asian dish, let the Chicago Food Corp be your first stop.
The parking lot can be a bit of a mad house. Little Asian men attempt to direct traffic when you pull in, sometimes to no avail. The atmosphere of the grocery itself is similar to the parking lot. Dodging and weaving through the aisles can be a bit of a challenge, but if you've got it in you, go for it. Stephanie Izzard, winner of Top Chef, gives accolades to this place.
The jewel of the Chicago Food Corp is the little eat in counter located in the back corner of the store. Run by a bunch of Korean ladies, the food is possibly some of the best Korean I have had in the city. Inexpensive and tasty, you may have to wait for a table, as there are only a handful and clearly not enough to make the demand.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Smoque BBQ
Smoque BBQ
3800 N. Pulaski
Chicago, IL
(773) 545-RIBS (7427)
http://www.smoquebbq.com/
After spending time in Texas and experiencing the "texas barbeque" such as Stubb's and The Salt Lick, nothing could compare to the Texas BBQ of Smoque.
Smoque is a BYOB, but not your wine sort of BYOB. First time I went, a bottle of wine was brought along, and it never left the purse it arrived in. If you BYOB, bring a 6 pack - it better suits the environment. If you can grab yourself a 6 pack of Lone Star, it's like being in Texas.
Smoque has counter service, but don't be too frustrated. The very helpful staff will help you find a seat and make sure that your food isn't waiting on the counter, while you wait for a seat. If you're looking for a sit down, waited table service, Smoque may not be the place for you. It does have the cafeteria feel...lots of tables, metal serving plates, and not the best acoustics. But if you can look past it, you will surely not be disappointed.
I recommend the 1/2 slab baby back ribs with 2 sides. (Go for the full slab, if you're feeling adventurous...just bring the tums for desert.) The mac & cheese side comes in a little tinfoil cup. Looks small, but this lil' one packs a flavourful punch. You won't need more than you get. The baked beans are fantastic too. Slightly sweet, but packed with seasonings and brisket...yes brisket, no bacon in these!
Josh C suggests the St. Louis ribs if that's more your style. For $3, you can get a "taste" of the Texas sausage, which is worth a try.
3800 N. Pulaski
Chicago, IL
(773) 545-RIBS (7427)
http://www.smoquebbq.com/
After spending time in Texas and experiencing the "texas barbeque" such as Stubb's and The Salt Lick, nothing could compare to the Texas BBQ of Smoque.
Smoque is a BYOB, but not your wine sort of BYOB. First time I went, a bottle of wine was brought along, and it never left the purse it arrived in. If you BYOB, bring a 6 pack - it better suits the environment. If you can grab yourself a 6 pack of Lone Star, it's like being in Texas.
Smoque has counter service, but don't be too frustrated. The very helpful staff will help you find a seat and make sure that your food isn't waiting on the counter, while you wait for a seat. If you're looking for a sit down, waited table service, Smoque may not be the place for you. It does have the cafeteria feel...lots of tables, metal serving plates, and not the best acoustics. But if you can look past it, you will surely not be disappointed.
I recommend the 1/2 slab baby back ribs with 2 sides. (Go for the full slab, if you're feeling adventurous...just bring the tums for desert.) The mac & cheese side comes in a little tinfoil cup. Looks small, but this lil' one packs a flavourful punch. You won't need more than you get. The baked beans are fantastic too. Slightly sweet, but packed with seasonings and brisket...yes brisket, no bacon in these!
Josh C suggests the St. Louis ribs if that's more your style. For $3, you can get a "taste" of the Texas sausage, which is worth a try.
Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles (Bronzeville)
Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles
3947 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 536-3300
Located in Bronzeville, Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles is one of the best soul food places I've been to in Chicago. With a great ambience, which seems a bit out of place in the recovering neighbourhood of Bronzeville, this place is bound to impress. Beware, it's popular. If you go on a weekend, expect to wait a while.
The service and staff are friendly and attentive, but not too attentive. It's a delicate balance to make sure the customer is happy, and this place has mastered it.
Try out the chicken dinner (runs from $10-$11 a plate depending on white or dark meat). The dinner comes with a choice of 3 sides to choose: red beans & rice, mac & cheese, yams, collard greens or potato salad. I suggest the greens and the mac & cheese, both a good representation of soul food, the way it should be.
3947 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 536-3300
Located in Bronzeville, Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles is one of the best soul food places I've been to in Chicago. With a great ambience, which seems a bit out of place in the recovering neighbourhood of Bronzeville, this place is bound to impress. Beware, it's popular. If you go on a weekend, expect to wait a while.
The service and staff are friendly and attentive, but not too attentive. It's a delicate balance to make sure the customer is happy, and this place has mastered it.
Try out the chicken dinner (runs from $10-$11 a plate depending on white or dark meat). The dinner comes with a choice of 3 sides to choose: red beans & rice, mac & cheese, yams, collard greens or potato salad. I suggest the greens and the mac & cheese, both a good representation of soul food, the way it should be.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Welcome
my goal here is to review local chicagoland area restaurants, pubs, and clubs. i've become interested in the culture of the food and drink scene and being inspired by the food channel and top chef, i have decided to take my little hobby to the world wide web. hope you enjoy. bon appetite!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
