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Message
re: Chicago! Where to eat??
Posted on 2/1/18 at 5:18 pm to Kingpenm3
Posted on 2/1/18 at 5:18 pm to Kingpenm3
quote:
Thanks for the heads up on the deep dish taking a while. I'd love the full experience, but don't think we'll have the time. Are there any places that have deep dish ready to eat that are worth giving a try?
In my humble opinion Art of Pizza (which was on Hoops' list) is the best deep dish in the city. It's two blocks from my condo so it's my go to for slices to go, and they're cheap and fantastic. Problem for you is, Art is in Lakeview, so unless you're in the neighborhood, it's not a convenient stop. I personally also like Giordano's, but can't remember if they have slices to go.
This post was edited on 2/1/18 at 5:19 pm
1
Posted on 2/1/18 at 6:02 pm to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
This better be a joke.
No joke...everything is cooked over charcoal.
This post was edited on 2/1/18 at 6:02 pm
Posted on 2/1/18 at 6:04 pm to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
Chitown_Badger
But since you live there...I would listen to you over me.
But...then again...if I listened to some of the posters in Louisiana I'd be eating shitty arse Johnny's Pizza.
Posted on 2/1/18 at 6:41 pm to Kingpenm3
If you’re looking for Italian Volare is hard to beat
Posted on 2/1/18 at 6:47 pm to Kingpenm3
Chicago's name often gets bandied around when talking about the great food cities in America. I'm here to say that phenomenon is a result only of a large population and a media that caters to large populations. While there are some great restaurants in Chicago, the overall food culture is beneath that of even Houston. People in Chicago do not really care about food. They say they do, but life and food in Chicago are as bland as the culture.
Breaking it down into categories, Chicago does shine when it comes to its top end restaurants: Girl and Goat, Spiaggia, Alinea, and so forth. These are some of the best restaurants in America. But that does not say anything about the general state of food in Chicago. Rich people get the best ingredients and the best chefs, so it's natural to have some of the best restaurants. It's a sharp decline from the top in Chicago.
Ethnic cuisine (what does that term even mean?), one would expect, should be phenomenal. It is not. Again, with the sheer preponderance of ethnic restaurants one would expect excellence, but the end product is a reflection of the general apathy about good food within the populace who live in Chicago. Pilsen is an exception, with a number of world-class Mexican restaurants. But even there, I can find just as many excellent Hispanic restaurants on the Williams Blvd. corridor in Kenner, La. It is no where close to Houston in terms of Hispanic cuisine.
What about working class, predominantly white food? Hot dogs, Italian beef, and deep dish pizza is my next subject. First, let's be clear: A "Chicago dog" is no different from a hot dog anywhere else except they take pride in not putting ketchup on it and putting lots of condiments on it. You take pride in this? OK. Hot dogs, like much of Chicago food, suck. Italian beef is another animal. Italian beef, in my view, is the only significant, worthwhile contribution Chicago makes to America's culinary scene. I might even choose a good Italian beef sandwich over a good roast beef poorboy. Deep dish pizza? Again, another lackluster "contribution" from a city that cares more about catching up to New York's financial prowess than enjoying life. I will make a claim that at face value appears to be a preposterous, but in reality is true, and say New Orleans has better pizza than Chicago. It's true. The fact that a place like Connie's has been popular in the city for over 50 years is proof enough.
I'm not sure Americans quite understand how wonderful the people of New Orleans have it, at least in terms of cuisine. If you ever see a ranking that has Chicago ahead of New Orleans, please disregard that list ASAP. As far as I can tell, the only cities I would ever travel to for the purpose of eating are New York, DC, and New Orleans. Houston, Los Angeles, maybe Seattle or San Fran would be next in line. But never, ever would I put Chicago there.
Breaking it down into categories, Chicago does shine when it comes to its top end restaurants: Girl and Goat, Spiaggia, Alinea, and so forth. These are some of the best restaurants in America. But that does not say anything about the general state of food in Chicago. Rich people get the best ingredients and the best chefs, so it's natural to have some of the best restaurants. It's a sharp decline from the top in Chicago.
Ethnic cuisine (what does that term even mean?), one would expect, should be phenomenal. It is not. Again, with the sheer preponderance of ethnic restaurants one would expect excellence, but the end product is a reflection of the general apathy about good food within the populace who live in Chicago. Pilsen is an exception, with a number of world-class Mexican restaurants. But even there, I can find just as many excellent Hispanic restaurants on the Williams Blvd. corridor in Kenner, La. It is no where close to Houston in terms of Hispanic cuisine.
What about working class, predominantly white food? Hot dogs, Italian beef, and deep dish pizza is my next subject. First, let's be clear: A "Chicago dog" is no different from a hot dog anywhere else except they take pride in not putting ketchup on it and putting lots of condiments on it. You take pride in this? OK. Hot dogs, like much of Chicago food, suck. Italian beef is another animal. Italian beef, in my view, is the only significant, worthwhile contribution Chicago makes to America's culinary scene. I might even choose a good Italian beef sandwich over a good roast beef poorboy. Deep dish pizza? Again, another lackluster "contribution" from a city that cares more about catching up to New York's financial prowess than enjoying life. I will make a claim that at face value appears to be a preposterous, but in reality is true, and say New Orleans has better pizza than Chicago. It's true. The fact that a place like Connie's has been popular in the city for over 50 years is proof enough.
I'm not sure Americans quite understand how wonderful the people of New Orleans have it, at least in terms of cuisine. If you ever see a ranking that has Chicago ahead of New Orleans, please disregard that list ASAP. As far as I can tell, the only cities I would ever travel to for the purpose of eating are New York, DC, and New Orleans. Houston, Los Angeles, maybe Seattle or San Fran would be next in line. But never, ever would I put Chicago there.
Posted on 2/1/18 at 8:15 pm to JodyPlauche
quote:
No joke...everything is cooked over charcoal.
I'm aware of that. It's a block from my office and we won't even go there for lunch because the food is the definition of average. And it's a chain.
As someone else above said, Volare is a good recommendation for traditional italian.
I'll also disagree with Cosmo on his hot take about dining in Chicago. I'll go by my personal experiences and the rankings and opinions of people who cover food for a living.
Posted on 2/1/18 at 8:22 pm to Chucktown_Badger
Doubtful that you've lived in both cities.
Posted on 2/1/18 at 8:32 pm to KosmoCramer
You would be correct. But I would also say that living in both cities also does not qualify one to state as fact which is a better "world class food city". I'd defer to the people who cover food for a living on that one.
Posted on 2/1/18 at 8:34 pm to KosmoCramer
Chicago Pizza and oven grinder
Ditkas.
Ditkas.
Posted on 2/1/18 at 8:36 pm to Chucktown_Badger
Chinatown has some terrible Chinese food. Way overpriced and tasteless. Chinatown is okay for a visit, but the restaurants are tourist traps now. I'll admit Portillo's makes a good Italian beef sandwich. Chicago's hotdogs are terrible and no better than any other terrible hotdog found from any street vendor in America. Steaks and chops? Steaks in Chicago are no better than anywhere else. Ruth's Chris has better than any steakhouse in Chicago I've been to.
Posted on 2/1/18 at 8:48 pm to Kingpenm3
If you like German fare, check out The Berghoff
Some of the best German food outside of Germany.
Some of the best German food outside of Germany.
Posted on 2/2/18 at 9:02 am to Got Blaze
quote:
Have you ever eaten at Sabatino's on W. Irving Park ?
I'm normally not that far north, but I've heard nothing but fantastic things about Sabatino's. Thank you for reminding me as it is one that I've been meaning to try.
Posted on 2/2/18 at 9:10 am to KosmoCramer
quote:
Ethnic cuisine (what does that term even mean?), one would expect, should be phenomenal. It is not.
Instead of focusing, primarily, on Pilsen, I would recommend looking further north to Devon with many of the Indian/Middle Eastern restaurants. I am assuming you've never been, otherwise this would have been mentioned in your post. My girlfriend is part Indian and one side of her family immigrated to the U.S. from there. They love going to Devon when in Chicago and I've never been disappointed with what's offered in that neighborhood.
Anyway, WTF is the point of your post, anyway? OP asked for recommendations since he will be in Chicago. He didn't ask for your condescending opinion.
This post was edited on 2/2/18 at 9:11 am
Posted on 2/2/18 at 9:11 am to Got Blaze
quote:
Have you ever eaten at Sabatino's on W. Irving Park ? My 92 yr old great aunt loves that place as it's our usual "go to" spot for Italian.
My 80yr old grandpa is what I would describe as "old school chicago", ran with the mob, lived here his entire life, knows the streets backwards and forwards... Sabatino's is his favorite italian in the city. It is good but some of the newer places are better.
Posted on 2/2/18 at 9:16 am to Chucktown_Badger
Dryhop is legit.
Posted on 2/2/18 at 9:33 am to KosmoCramer
quote:
KosmoCramer
Chicago is a sports city. Everything here revolves around it including the food. Hot dogs, pizza, italian beef, bar food reigns supreme.
It does high end restaurants extremely well and steaks and Italian very well. I do think the explosion of areas like Wicker Park and Logan Square are really helping the overall food scene. It does lack in ethnic food across the board but that is mainly due to the demographic of the city. Not a lot of foreign people here where compared to the other major cities. Not many Asians.
Posted on 2/2/18 at 11:17 am to hiltacular
Are hamburgers considered ethnic cuisine? French fries? Ice cream? I understand that all food has an ethnic history. What I don't understand is why "ethnic food" is a label now used to describe only a few types of ethnic foods (Asian, African, sometimes Greek, sometimes Latino).
I have never once heard someone in Louisiana say they were eating at an "ethnic restaurant" when they went to a Cajun or Creole restaurant. It seems people here and the rest of America reserve the term ethnic for non-European origin foods, which is a stupid practice.
I have never once heard someone in Louisiana say they were eating at an "ethnic restaurant" when they went to a Cajun or Creole restaurant. It seems people here and the rest of America reserve the term ethnic for non-European origin foods, which is a stupid practice.
Posted on 2/2/18 at 11:25 am to hoopsgalore
quote:
Anyway, WTF is the point of your post, anyway? OP asked for recommendations since he will be in Chicago. He didn't ask for your condescending opinion
I live in Gold Coast
I eat out appx 500 meals a year
I know more about Chicago restaurants presently
than anyone on this board
Posted on 2/2/18 at 11:55 am to KosmoCramer
I'm not sure where you guys are getting that there isn't a range of different food types in Chicago (ethnic, if you will). I can't tell you how many different restaurants I've eaten at that feature non-American food that have been fantastic. Throw a rock and you'll hit a great restaurant.
And I'm not just talking about a broad category like "Latin American". I'm talking specifically about restaurants featuring Cuban, Peruvian, Colombian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, you name it. And a lot of them aren't the fancy talked about places. They're spread around the city in different neighborhoods. And of course great steak/seafood places are a dime a dozen here.
ETA: and I'll just leave this link here that shows that Chicago is top ten in world in terms of Michelin-starred restaurants.
LINK
Not listed: Houston
Though I did find this, so things are looking up
Chicago also has 22 James Beard Award winners, and I'd be willing to bet a paycheck that Houston isn't close.
And I'm not just talking about a broad category like "Latin American". I'm talking specifically about restaurants featuring Cuban, Peruvian, Colombian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, you name it. And a lot of them aren't the fancy talked about places. They're spread around the city in different neighborhoods. And of course great steak/seafood places are a dime a dozen here.
ETA: and I'll just leave this link here that shows that Chicago is top ten in world in terms of Michelin-starred restaurants.
LINK
Not listed: Houston
Though I did find this, so things are looking up
quote:
Why Isn’t There Already a Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Houston? THOMAS NGUYEN | APRIL 18, 2017 | 6:00AM Facebook 225 Twitter 14 email Print Article AA On Wednesday, March 29, the wait was finally over for many a food lover in Houston. The first restaurant in Houston with a Michelin-star pedigree opened its doors to great acclaim and fanfare. From the Hakkasan Group, which owns and operates several high-end restaurant and nightclub brands worldwide, Yauatcha is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Chinese teahouse, featuring both contemporary Cantonese dim sum and patisserie using Asian ingredients and European culinary techniques
Chicago also has 22 James Beard Award winners, and I'd be willing to bet a paycheck that Houston isn't close.
This post was edited on 2/2/18 at 12:06 pm
Posted on 2/2/18 at 12:07 pm to KosmoCramer
quote:
I eat out appx 500 meals a year
I know more about Chicago restaurants presently
than anyone on this board
You eat out more than one meal a day, every day? Damn.
And your claim about your restaurant knowledge is a lofty one considering your opinion on Chicago vs. Houston culinary scene. Perhaps you've been going to the wrong places around town.
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