Eat Out Chicago: From the Good, the Bad, and the Absolutely Awful

Moving Out, and Moving Forward

2011-08-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks,

Thank you for following my food blog. In attempts to diversify my writing, I am moving away from reviewing only restaurants in the city. Out in Chicago will feature reviews of various happenings around the city. Of course I'll continue to review restaurants in addition to other events. Thanks again and happy eating!

Stanley's Kitchen and Tap (Lincoln Park)

2011-08-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

Stanley's Kitchen and Tap
1970 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312)642-0008
www.stanleyskitchenandtap.com

Hello Stanleys. Located at the intersection of Lincoln Ave and Armitage, this place is sure to fill your watering hole and pub grub desires. Try the Drive-In burger, a heart stopping mess of your standard burger fare along with "Stan's Special Sauce."

I was lucky enough to unlock the frat bar badge on four square with a check-in at this joint. While it's a great family place during the lunch and early dinner hours, it has the potential to become absolutely fratastic after 7pm. Located within walking distance of the Lincoln Park Zoo, this place is a great alternative to RJ Grunts, which can often times be busy during the lunch hour rush.

Look for their daily specials. Meltdown Thursdays include a special grilled cheese menu which is sure to please.

Stanley's features a full bar and a good variety of seasonal brews on tap. Go for the Bell's Oberon -- it's light and refreshing. The perfect summer beer.

Northalsted Market Days (Boystown)

2011-08-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

Get ready, get set, and go! The weekend of August 13 -14 brings Northalsted Market Days which is claimed to be the largest 2-day festival in the Midwest. Set in the heart of the Boystown neighborhood, attendees are sure to have their share of spectacular people watching, access to vendors (anything from knick-knacks to information booklets from local non-profits), and live music. This years musical acts include Gloria Gaynor and the always entertaining 16 Candles, a local cover band.

Northalsted Market Days can be crowded. Expect large gatherings especially at the music stages. If you want a shot at a decent spot, make sure to get there early. It can get hot, it can get sticky. For more information, visit their official website.

If you need to take a break from the 6 city block party (on Halsted St. between Addison and Belmont), there are plenty of dining estabilishments that are sure to please. There's the well established Chicago Diner, known for their vegetarian and vegan fare. The Center on Halsted, located on the corner of Halsted and Waveland serves as the neighborhood's main LGBTQ resource center.

Big Jones - Part II (Andersonville)

2011-07-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

The June 2010 issue of Bon Appetite magazine named Big Jones one of the top ten places in the United States to eat fried chicken. I know I've reviewed this place before, but how could I resist another trip after reading this!

First of all, I recommend making reservations if you plan to go on a Tuesday night. Try to book earlier in the evening as the hostess informed me while making my reservation that the fried chicken "often sells out."

4 cuts of the chicken are battered, fried and served: breast, thigh, wing, and leg. My dining partner has "skin and bone issues" but Big Jones was able to deliver half a chicken that had her overcoming that problem. Served with greens and mashed potatoes, this dish has the essence of soul food with an upscale twist. The greens were well cooked and seasoned and had a kick of spice, which was nice.

Big Jones did a nice job creating a standard soul food experience, but nothing can beat the real thing. Although I would recommend Tuesday nights at Big Jones, if you want fancy your palette with some superb soul food, head to the South Side.

Klopa Grill (Lincoln Square)

2011-07-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

Klopa Grill4835 N. Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(774) 745-5672
www.klopagrill.com

Don't be fooled by their fancy schmancy website. You won't get head bopping music or elegance. What you do get is downhome Serbian cuisine. It seems like one fella runs the place, quickly running from one end of the place to the other. He takes your order, cooks it up, and serves it to you, all with a sense of Eastern European hospitality.

If you've never had Serbian cuisine before, allow yourself to be adventurous. I asked the nice fella what I should order and he brought me out a traditional sausage and onion plate. This critic was delightfully surprised.

Girl and the Goat (West Loop)

2010-07-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

Girl and the Goat
809 W Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312)492-6262

Hello Stephanie Izard, winner of Top Chef: Chicago. It's about time. After the snag of wanting to call her West Loop joint The Drunken Goat, Girl and the Goat has finally opened. The menu rotates, so what is reviewed here may or may not be available on any given night.

Enter the scene: dark wood stained tables and decor in a warehouse feeling which perfectly matches the surrounding environment of the west loop. Izard did a very nice job integrating the physical space and creating a warm, yet clean atmosphere. A wood burning stove viewable from the house works away as Izard watches over her minions carrying out her orders of the night.

The word "goat" isn't just in the name...goat is served. Not just our traditional thought of goat cheese, but the actual animal. Goat is starting to show up on more menus of Chicago restaurants these days. The menu is divided up into vegetable, fish, and meat dishes all meant to order and be shared. Think tapas, but a bit larger portions. (My dining partner and I split 3 full dishes, 1 "appetizer" and a loaf of bread and that was plenty!)Izard features many handcrafted Midwestern beers (anyone who features Metropolitan Brewery beers on draft is respected in my book)

I started the evening with Corny Goat, a crispy loaf of bread served with corn relish and goat cheese butter. The bread was hearty, none of the 99 cent crap one buys in a grocery store. The corn relish provided some tang to balance out the creamy richness of the goat cheese butter.

Step two involved the veal sausage served with sungold tomatoes. I was a bit apprehensive to take on this dish only because it's a bit early in the growing season for good sungolds, but to my surprise, the tomatoes were perfect! The veal sausage had really good flavour and was seasoned nicely, but the sausage itself was a bit dry.

And then came the Ham Frites. Wow. Served with a pepper aioli and swiss cheese dip, these cut fries were sprinked in flake salt and ham. Amazing.

Two words: GREEN BEANS. By far the best dish I experienced of the night. If anyone can perfectly cook a green bean, it's the line staff at Girl and the Goat. My wonderful host, Lindsay described this dish as "If you want to see Stephanie and what she is all about, this is the dish." Served with a mouth puckering fish sauce vinegarette and topped with crushed cashews, if you go to Girl and the Goat, this is the must have!

Unfortunately, I was not a fan of the goat pizza. If picked off the pizza, the actual goat meat was fantastic, but there was just something wrong with the dish as a whole. The clumps of ricotta cheese sprinkled atop were washed out by the bold sweet flavours of the sauce. I found it to be too sweet and clashed with the savory aspects of the dish.

Being a newborn on the Chicago restaurant scene, Girl and the Goat has done well. They seemed to have avoided some of the glitches new restaurants often have. The only one operational criticism I have is that they needed to slow down. I felt things were brought out way too fast. It's a personal preference, so if you don't mind having the house bring out one dish at a time, one after another, their system will probably work well for you.

Girl and the Goat has lived up to the chatter. Book now cause you're gonna be waiting for a while, but it will be well worth it.

Taste of Chicago 2010

2010-06-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Taste of Chicago
web

June 25th through July 4th brings the annual Taste of Chicago. Though sardines are not served, you certainly will feel this way as you play a bit of Frogger while pushing your way past sweaty bodies to the next food stand.

Last year's highlight brought the highlight of the disappointing frozen popcorn ball offered by Garrett's.

Bucks (Boystown)

2010-06-24T04:30:00.000-07:00

Bucks
3439 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657-2414
(773) 525-1125
www.buckssaloonchicago.com

Tired of the gay boys wearing man-pris and toting their Prada bags around the streets of Boystown? Well, Buck's may be the place for you. Located on the corner of Newport and Halsted, this little bar entertains the less-pretentious clientele of Boystown.

Enter the scene, a long wooden bar with a friendly bartender and scattered gay men hovering waiting for drinks. On the far end, a pool table and dart board tickle the fancies of the more bar-sports inclined. (Although, the location of the dart board is a bit tragic. One must walk in the line of fire to get to the back patio)

Outside, a small make-shift bar sits at the south end of the patio. Here, closeted sports fans huddle watching the latest game while sipping (or downing) longnecks and cocktails. I'm not sure how they have been able to pull this one off with the smoking ban, but for all you nicotine addicts, char those lungs out on Buck's patio.

Avoid the "prime" seating on the deck area. Unfortunately, one section of it spoons the dumpsters.

XOCO

2010-06-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

XOCO
449 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654-4500
(312) 334-3688
http://www.rickbayless.com/menu/layout?id=15

Oh Rick Bayliss, you've done something really good here. With his third Chicago installment, Chef Bayliss brings you street food like it's supposed to be. Forget those unrecognizable "meat on a stick" treats that you can pick up at any local Chicago street festival. Indulge yourself in finely crafted soups and sandwiches. While the above link takes you to their menu, it only gives you an idea of what is served. It seems as though what my dining partner and I had are not listed.

To give you fair warning, get there and be prepared to wait. XOCO does not take reservations. We arrived at around 5:30 and by 6:15 the line was out the door. If you have patience, it's worth the wait. For you summer patio-going folks, there is limited seating outdoors.

Imagine short ribs, artisan jack cheese, pickled jalapenos, green salsa all on a crispy bread. Bring a bib.

Hours:
Tuesday–Thursday: 7am–9pm
Friday: 7am–10pm
Saturday: 8am–10pm
Sunday–Monday: Closed

Big Jones (Andersonville)

2010-03-19T04:20:00.000-07:00

Big Jones
5347 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-5725
www.bigjoneschicago.com

Recently named one of the top ten places in the United States to eat fried chicken by Bon Appetit magazine, this southern belle is better known for their brunch. In traditional New Orleans style, Big Jones delivers an upscale dining experience.

Because I often wait til the last minute to do things, I arrived at Big Jones to find a LONG wait. The host, who I later discovered was the operator and owner, deeply appologized and told me he would seat me as soon as possible. Ok sir, it's my fault I walked into your establishment during peak hours. He volunteered to take my mobile number and call when my table was ready. I decided to take a stroll down the streets of Andersonville when not more than 10 minutes later, the friendly host's voice told me a table was ready.

Try the frog legs, which will leave you wanting to lick the effin' plate.

Cosina Grill (Andersonville)

2009-12-05T15:11:00.000-08:00

Cosina Grill
1706 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-7103
www.cosinagrill.com (redirects to the restaurants facebook page)

Recently opened in Fall 2009, Cosina Grill brings Mexican to the outskirts of Andersonville. Located on Foster, west of Ashland, this little Mexican joint brings home cooking to sylish ambience of exposed brick and soft lighting.

Start out with the "House Chips and Salsa" which features a traditional red salsa, a green salsa, which are both quite good. Entrees are served with salad or soup. The salad is nothing special; it pretty much looks like it comes right out of a bag, BUT the tortilla soup is worth a try.

Entrees range from 10-25 respectively. If you are into seafood, this may be your next stopping point. The menu features several fish/shrimp dishes. (Please comment if you have tried a fish dish, as I don't eat fish, so I can't make a good recommendation!!)

I tried the chicken tacos, which were served traditional style: corn tortilla, chicken, onion and cilantro. If the dish featured wedges of lime to squeeze over my tacos, it would have been perfect.

Cosina Grill is a BYOB with a $2 per person corkage fee.

Sayat Nova (Loop)

2009-11-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

Sayat Nova
157 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611-3107
(312) 644-9159
www.sayatnovachicago.com

review coming soon

Huetten Bar (Lincoln Square)

2009-11-18T04:22:00.000-08:00

Huetten Bar
4721 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 561-2507

Located in the heart of Lincoln Square, this German bar has a great selection of draft beers in addition to a wide variety of bottled imports. Within the dark wood ambience of the bar itself, a neon lit jukebox hangs on the far wall. Hello 2009. This juke box is one of those internet ones, so be prepared on hearing anything from classic Bob Dylan to the overly poppy Metro Station.

With a wonderful selection of beers, and the mass quantities of consumption, one might think that the owners could have done a better job at bathroom planning. For a bar that is packed wall to wall on Friday and Saturday nights, two bathrooms just isn't enough. Not to mention, its about as big as a shoe box.

The crowd on the weekend nights is a 20-something scene, so if you're looking for something more tame, it's best to try somewhere else.

RJ Grunts (Lincoln Park)

2009-10-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

RJ Grunts
2056 N Lincoln Park W
Chicago, IL 60614-4708
(773) 929-5363

"Lettuce Entertain You" with their flagship restaurant. Located in Lincoln Park on the corner of Dickens and Lincoln Park West, this has become one of Chicago's main food stops. The walls are lined with photographs of women spanning what looks like the the 70s through the 90s. (Think senior photos). While I haven't quite figured out why every available area is covered with lovely ladies, it does add to the uniqueness of the place.

RJ Grunts has got your typical American fare menu. Burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, etc. What they take pride on is this: They claim to be the inventor of the salad bar. It's nothing impressive except for being able to say, "I ate at the first salad bar ever." But of course that comes with having to believe that it is in fact the first salad bar created. If you're a bit a bit skeptical, try the buffalo chicken nachos. Gut bomb, heart attack on a plate, but fantastic.

Beware, RJ Grunts has attempted to maximize their space. The tables are close together and there is little room for stretching out.

On a bonus point, the Lincoln Park Zoo is across the street. Take a stroll through the beautifully landscaped park to walk off those extra calories.

Crew Bar and Grill (Uptown)

2009-08-10T04:53:00.000-07:00

Crew Bar and Grill
4804 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 784-2739

If you're prepared to trek into the heart of Uptown and brave the seas of uncertainty, you won't be disappointed. Home of the Tater Tot Caserole, this heart attack on a plate is one of the Crew specials. (Only available on the weekends). Also, try their homemade mac and cheese. Heavy and should be served with a side of tums, this is the ultimate comfort food that mom would make.

Crew has multiple televisions scattered throughout the bar and they have subscriptions to programs such as the MLB network. So, if the Cubs aren't playing, you're bound to be able to catch a game of your liking. During football season, Crew features key games for both NFL and NCAA games.

Monday night is Pub Trivia night. Test your knowledge with fill in the blank, multiple choice, and music questions while chowing down on 1/2 price wings ($4.50 for 12) and pint specials (choice varies, so ask your server). There are plenty of prizes to win throughout the process which include free shots and free drink tokens to sister pub and next door neighbor, The Wild Pug. Prizes for winning teams (Best Two Man Team, Overall Winner, and well...the worst team) vary. The ultimate prize is usually a $50 dollar gift card to Crew. Not bad for a pub quiz that has no buy-in!

The space of Crew involves a lot of stainless steel and dim lighting, so if you're looking for sunshine, you may want to reconsider. And if you go to pub quiz, say hello to Teacher's Pet, he's a doll.

Mary's Attic (Andersonville)

2009-05-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

Mary's Attic
5400 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 784-6969

Part of the Hamburger Mary's chain, this little 3 part conglomerate has something for everyone. With the opening of the "Rec Room" in August 2009, sports fans can catch games while sipping on mojitos in the ambiance of the trendy exposed brick. The Rec Room has advertised "try our home brew." It appears Mary's is trying to be their own micro-brewery. I have to admit, that I haven't tried any of their suds yet, so comments are welcomed.

Personally, I'm a fan of the attic. Bump and grind with the gay boys of Andersonville on a Saturday night or attend Maryoke on Sunday evening where you'll either get theater guru's belting it out or the next shit-show on American Idol. Either way, entertaining. But beware, the mega-sized Jenga set is bound to send you leaping out of your chair and heading to the floor if you happen to sit by it when it falls.

During the summer days, you can sip your drinks outside while people watching those who travel up and down clark street. But for a place that is called Hamburger Mary's the burgers aren't that great. No need to lose hope yet, the chicken wings are pretty good.

Sweet Tamarind (Lake View)

2009-03-18T15:48:00.001-07:00

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.

Simon's Tavern (Andersonville)

2009-03-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

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

Cafe Bong (Edgewater)

2009-03-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

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.

The Coffee Studio (Andersonville/Edgewater)

2009-03-18T09:58:00.001-07:00

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.

Chicago Food Corp

2009-03-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

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.

Smoque BBQ

2009-03-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles (Bronzeville)

2009-03-16T12:05:00.001-07:00

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.

Welcome

2009-03-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

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!