Suppose since we're on the topic of somewhat/extremely hipsterish gourmet reimaginings of fast food staples, guess I'll talk about Big Star.
Had three tacos: pork belly ($3), pork shoulder($2), and poblano pepper($3). All distinct, all delicious. The one that came closest to the traditional idea of a taco was the pork belly, but the meat had a unique slight crisp and was quite flavorful. The pork shoulder had a smokiness that paired with the sweetness of diced pineapple that took me aback. I'm kind of a lightweight when it comes to spice, so I was wary of the pepper taco, which seemed to be a very chunky green salsa with a strip of roasted cheese in it. And it was spicy, for about a second, until it mellowed out leaving all sorts of flavor.
There wasn't much on the $7 cocktail list that interested me. Mostly beer or soda cocktails, it appeared, though the old-fashion was good. Would have liked a signature manhattan, but alas.
If you think Kuma's is obnoxious, don't even dream of this place if the patio isn't open. Even then I barely got a seat at 5 in the afternoon on a Wednesday. Service was pleasant and boy do I like alt-country.
Full Version: Kuma's Corner
Yeah, that place is real crowded always.
Guess I'll stick to Chipotle for my alt-country fix.
Guess I'll stick to Chipotle for my alt-country fix.
Yeah, Big Star is pretty great. I get stuff to go from the window when I don't want to deal with the crowd.
Speaking of popular Latin food for white people, I had a heavenly elote shrimp torta at Xoco today. It's their current special. You get a really thick succulent lime to spritz it with. I sure hope shrimp don't fart methane
Speaking of popular Latin food for white people, I had a heavenly elote shrimp torta at Xoco today. It's their current special. You get a really thick succulent lime to spritz it with. I sure hope shrimp don't fart methane
It really shouldn't be this hard to talk someone into going to Xoco with me. Maybe if they served a few scores of different bourbons.
It's a good spot for a weekday lunch. Show up 11ish when they start serving and you will beat the rush, in and out in 30 minutes.
QUOTE (Duff. @ Sep 14 2010, 12:26 PM) 
It really shouldn't be this hard to talk someone into going to Xoco with me. Maybe if they served a few scores of different bourbons.
they do have a handful of local craft bottled beers on hand. can't tell by the post if you've been there or not.
but yeah, xoco. fan.
QUOTE (Raj (Noble Con) @ Sep 13 2010, 04:30 PM)
Franks 'n' Dawgs
Pretty good place, for sure. Raj, did you by chance have their truffle fries? I found them to be largely better than the 'duck fat' fries at Hot Doug's (then again, I'm a sucker for truffle).
Also, Big Star is great. We went there a few weeks ago on a Sunday at around 2 in the afternoon and somehow grabbed a seat right away. I have no clue how, but it was a cakewalk. And their tacos are absolutely delicious. Especially the pork belly.
QUOTE (without_opinion @ Sep 14 2010, 06:16 PM)
QUOTE (Duff. @ Sep 14 2010, 12:26 PM)
It really shouldn't be this hard to talk someone into going to Xoco with me. Maybe if they served a few scores of different bourbons.
they do have a handful of local craft bottled beers on hand. can't tell by the post if you've been there or not.
I've not but have been meaning to for months.
Here's my Franks N Dawgs yelp review. I also think I posted a FnD review in the Hot Dougs thread...but I don't think it's accurate anymore. Basically, I like it, but every time I go I like it a little less; and I think Hot Dougs is far superior.
Side note: And as for FnD's truffle fries, they're ok; but my favorite (parmesian) truffle fries are at Sola (although not very practical for a quick meal) and DMK Burger (much easier to do quick takeout there...although their burgers are way over priced).
QUOTE
Quick review: good to very good, but not as good as Hot Dougs.*
More in depth review:
I've eaten at FnD about 6 or 7 times now, so I think I've gotten a pretty good idea what this place is about, So, I'll break it down for you like this:
Buns: this is the one category where FnD beats every other dog place in town. These are lightly griddled brioche buns, almost like unsweetened French toast. Really unbelievable, and the best part of these dogs. I'd make a visit here just for a plain dog on these wonderful buns.
The Sausages: FnD has made a big deal of distinguishing itself from Hot Dougs because its sausages are made in-house. However, I don't care where they're made, so long as they taste good, and I've found the sausages to be a mixed bag. Some have been excellent: especially the Veal Percik. Others have been flat out gross. I sampled the mystery corn dog, and the sausage casing was so thick that it wouldn't break off. As a result, every bite ended with a flaccid piece of dead skin hanging over the edge of the dog. Not appealing at all.
Toppings/Combos: again, a mixed bag. Some I loved. The veil percik is the best I've had at FnD, and on par with some of Hot Doug's best. Unfortunately it's not a permanent member of the menu. Others, just meh. It seems like a lot of the varieties rely upon some form of pickled vegetable. I'm not against pickling per se, but it does tend to overwhelm the flavors in some of the dogs. Hot Dougs may seem like a hodge podge, but there's really a method to the madness that is pure genius. I've probably been to HD's about a 100 times. You could amputate a couple of my fingers on one hand, and I could still count the number of times I had something that was less than great at HD's.
Fries: Pretty good, but every time I've gone they've had a different variety so it's tough to gauge. Nothing to blow you out of the park though. Best fries in the city are still at Suzies.
Service: Has been excellent until my last visit. I got there Saturday afternoon, and the line was short (only two small groups in front of me). However, it took nearly a half an hour to get my order in and get the sausage to my table. I'll chalk this up to an anomaly though. Shit happens at every restaurant, and the service has otherwise been stellar. Also, I've never had to deal with any Hot Doug-esque lines...so that's a huge plus. The fact that you can consistently get one of these gourmet sausages, within about 10 minutes, is truly great.
So that's it. I definitly would recommend making a trip for any sausage connoisseur
More in depth review:
I've eaten at FnD about 6 or 7 times now, so I think I've gotten a pretty good idea what this place is about, So, I'll break it down for you like this:
Buns: this is the one category where FnD beats every other dog place in town. These are lightly griddled brioche buns, almost like unsweetened French toast. Really unbelievable, and the best part of these dogs. I'd make a visit here just for a plain dog on these wonderful buns.
The Sausages: FnD has made a big deal of distinguishing itself from Hot Dougs because its sausages are made in-house. However, I don't care where they're made, so long as they taste good, and I've found the sausages to be a mixed bag. Some have been excellent: especially the Veal Percik. Others have been flat out gross. I sampled the mystery corn dog, and the sausage casing was so thick that it wouldn't break off. As a result, every bite ended with a flaccid piece of dead skin hanging over the edge of the dog. Not appealing at all.
Toppings/Combos: again, a mixed bag. Some I loved. The veil percik is the best I've had at FnD, and on par with some of Hot Doug's best. Unfortunately it's not a permanent member of the menu. Others, just meh. It seems like a lot of the varieties rely upon some form of pickled vegetable. I'm not against pickling per se, but it does tend to overwhelm the flavors in some of the dogs. Hot Dougs may seem like a hodge podge, but there's really a method to the madness that is pure genius. I've probably been to HD's about a 100 times. You could amputate a couple of my fingers on one hand, and I could still count the number of times I had something that was less than great at HD's.
Fries: Pretty good, but every time I've gone they've had a different variety so it's tough to gauge. Nothing to blow you out of the park though. Best fries in the city are still at Suzies.
Service: Has been excellent until my last visit. I got there Saturday afternoon, and the line was short (only two small groups in front of me). However, it took nearly a half an hour to get my order in and get the sausage to my table. I'll chalk this up to an anomaly though. Shit happens at every restaurant, and the service has otherwise been stellar. Also, I've never had to deal with any Hot Doug-esque lines...so that's a huge plus. The fact that you can consistently get one of these gourmet sausages, within about 10 minutes, is truly great.
So that's it. I definitly would recommend making a trip for any sausage connoisseur
Side note: And as for FnD's truffle fries, they're ok; but my favorite (parmesian) truffle fries are at Sola (although not very practical for a quick meal) and DMK Burger (much easier to do quick takeout there...although their burgers are way over priced).
DMK has some fucking amazing cheese fries.
Good review. I'll have to go a few more times and see if my experience ends up more in line with yours, as you have a bigger sample size.
I looked for this, but didn't find it.
QUOTE (nobodies @ Sep 15 2010, 10:21 AM)
the Hot Dougs thread...
I looked for this, but didn't find it.
Did you search "unemployed"?
Haha. Sadly the modern-day funemployed of our country have not continued the Hero/Frogo tradition of impoverished gourmet sausage consumption.
QUOTE (Raj (Noble Con) @ Sep 15 2010, 12:08 PM)
Good review. I'll have to go a few more times and see if my experience ends up more in line with yours, as you have a bigger sample size.
I looked for this, but didn't find it.
QUOTE (nobodies @ Sep 15 2010, 10:21 AM)
the Hot Dougs thread...
I looked for this, but didn't find it.
Here's the Hot Doug's thread. I think the board search engine kind of sucks, because I didn't get a hit when I typed "Doug" in the title search. Anyway, I'd just stick with the Kuma's thread. As someone else has noted, I think it's sort of become the de facto food thread (I think there also used to be a thread call the "Gilded Spoon" or something like that, but it must have died out.
Carry on.
Yeah, I had to search "duck fat."
Dark times indeed.
QUOTE (Raj (Noble Con) @ Sep 15 2010, 12:36 PM)
Haha. Sadly the modern-day funemployed of our country have not continued the Hero/Frogo tradition of impoverished gourmet sausage consumption.
Dark times indeed.
Indeed. Back then we thought nothing of skipping gaily down to the encased meats emporium for alligator sausage; today we're reduced to a sort of hobo moonshine made from the grease runoff in the alley behind Weiner Circle.
You could always edit the title. The "dougs" typo was what kept me from finding it.
QUOTE (nobodies @ Sep 15 2010, 02:29 PM)
You could always edit the title. The "dougs" typo was what kept me from finding it.
QUOTE (Duff. @ Sep 15 2010, 10:24 AM)
DMK has some fucking amazing cheese fries.
I have to try those. I'm always tempted, but I can't break away from their parmesian truffle fries. I just wish their burgers were cheaper.
How are the burgers? I was there for drinks that night.
I'd say I'll try the truffle fries next time I'm there but the cheese fries are really the only thing beckoning me back.
I'd say I'll try the truffle fries next time I'm there but the cheese fries are really the only thing beckoning me back.
I think the burgers are pretty good, and the toppings do a nice job of complimenting the burgers. However, the patties are fast food size (around the size of a Five Guys burger). At 8 bucks, with no fries, that's pretty freaking expensive. A burger and fries is going to run you 10 to 12 bucks. Make it a double, and then it's $13 to $15 for a burger and fries.
On a somewhat related note, I tried M Burger two days ago. This place really gets it right, for its price range. Burger prices range from $2.49 to $4.49. Fries are a little pricey at $2, and sort of lackluster. Very funny that this place is run under Tru. MB does the secret menu thing, which I'm not a big fan of. I guess it works for In And Out, but it always seems a little shticky to me. That said, it didn't stop me from ordering off the secret menu: hurt burger, second degree (bbq, mayo, jalapenos). And those prices are a bit deceiving since a burger, fries and coke will still run you around $8, but I think that's a good deal for the location and quality.
On a somewhat related note, I tried M Burger two days ago. This place really gets it right, for its price range. Burger prices range from $2.49 to $4.49. Fries are a little pricey at $2, and sort of lackluster. Very funny that this place is run under Tru. MB does the secret menu thing, which I'm not a big fan of. I guess it works for In And Out, but it always seems a little shticky to me. That said, it didn't stop me from ordering off the secret menu: hurt burger, second degree (bbq, mayo, jalapenos). And those prices are a bit deceiving since a burger, fries and coke will still run you around $8, but I think that's a good deal for the location and quality.
Spur of the moment trip with my buds to Kuma's happening tonight. At some point The Slayer needs to be attempted and I think this is the night I do this.
The Slayer and the High on Fire are my hands down two favorite burgers at Kumas. I know I should deviate some times, but they're just too delicious to pass up, especially since trips to Kumas have become far and few between.
QUOTE (nobodies @ Jan 26 2011, 05:22 PM)
The Slayer and the High on Fire are my hands down two favorite burgers at Kumas. I know I should deviate some times, but they're just too delicious to pass up, especially since trips to Kumas have become far and few between.
Did you conquer the Slayer, or just attempt it?
QUOTE (maztrax @ Jan 26 2011, 05:25 PM)
QUOTE (nobodies @ Jan 26 2011, 05:22 PM)
The Slayer and the High on Fire are my hands down two favorite burgers at Kumas. I know I should deviate some times, but they're just too delicious to pass up, especially since trips to Kumas have become far and few between.
Did you conquer the Slayer, or just attempt it?
I've probably had it a dozen times over the last 4 years. I might be wrong, but I think it's gotten bigger, because I used to polish it off no problem when I first had it. Now it depends on how much I've eaten that day. If I skip a meal and prepare for it, I can still eat the whole thing no problem; but otherwise I'm going 1/2 to 2/3.
QUOTE (Duff. @ Sep 15 2010, 02:40 PM)
Yeah, I had to search "duck fat."
Dark times indeed.
QUOTE (Raj (Noble Con) @ Sep 15 2010, 12:36 PM)
Haha. Sadly the modern-day funemployed of our country have not continued the Hero/Frogo tradition of impoverished gourmet sausage consumption.
Dark times indeed.
i miss the days of not waiting in line at hot dougs. but i dont miss the small unemployment checks.
great times
Kuma's - love the Iron Maiden burger. comes with an avocado slice.
Will probably hit up the Slayer next time I'm in.
I went into Kuma's tonight starving but failed to conquer The Slayer. Finished only about half of it. And I'm normally a pretty big eater.
everytime i've gone to kuma's i pregame at the burger king next door and still finish
didn't your guys' parents tell you to always finish your food????
didn't your guys' parents tell you to always finish your food????
anyone have a good restaurant recommendation in Lakeview?
I've been craving the Half Shell lately, so I'll throw that out. King Crab legs and fried oysters would hit the spot right about now.
Any particular kind of food, atmosphere that you're looking for?
Any particular kind of food, atmosphere that you're looking for?
I'll also throw in DMK burger. Burgers are ok, if a little bit overpriced, but the truffle parmesian fries are great.
And last time I was there two really hot lesbians were having a very sweet and tender makeout session at the bar...not the girls gone wild/penthouse kind. I was trying to do the math on what I could do with that and not piss off my wife, but that's an unsolveable equation.
And last time I was there two really hot lesbians were having a very sweet and tender makeout session at the bar...not the girls gone wild/penthouse kind. I was trying to do the math on what I could do with that and not piss off my wife, but that's an unsolveable equation.
QUOTE (tweed @ Feb 9 2011, 02:55 PM)
anyone have a good restaurant recommendation in Lakeview?
http://www.crisponline.com/crisp.aspx
the end.
QUOTE (nobodies @ Feb 9 2011, 03:01 PM)
Any particular kind of food, atmosphere that you're looking for?
For a date night with the wife prior to a show at the Vic. We love tapas but I can't find anything in the area.
Cafe 28 looks like pretty good based on the web site but open to anything really. Lesbian makeouts are a plus.
Crisp looks interesting Anthony, thanks.
Crisp is awesome, but I probably wouldn't go there for a date night. It's very cramped on the inside, and at the end of the day it's basically fast food. Although it might have my favorite wings in the city.
Cafe 28 is pretty good. Excellent drinks and a fun atmosphere. It can get a little crowded, so you may want to check and see if they do reservations.
We did Blokes & Birds a few weeks back, another entry in the ampersand gastro pub craze, but it was actually pretty good. Very cozy and good beer selection. Also around there is Socca, I haven't been there yet, but my wife was just there and really liked it.
Cafe 28 is pretty good. Excellent drinks and a fun atmosphere. It can get a little crowded, so you may want to check and see if they do reservations.
We did Blokes & Birds a few weeks back, another entry in the ampersand gastro pub craze, but it was actually pretty good. Very cozy and good beer selection. Also around there is Socca, I haven't been there yet, but my wife was just there and really liked it.
Oh yeah, and if you want tapas, Twist is two blocks away from the Vic (http://www.twistinchicago.com/). I haven't eaten there in over five years, and can't tell you if it's good or not though.
QUOTE (nobodies @ Feb 9 2011, 03:05 PM)
I'll also throw in DMK burger. Burgers are ok, if a little bit overpriced, but the truffle parmesian fries are great.
And last time I was there two really hot lesbians were having a very sweet and tender makeout session at the bar...not the girls gone wild/penthouse kind. I was trying to do the math on what I could do with that and not piss off my wife, but that's an unsolveable equation.
And last time I was there two really hot lesbians were having a very sweet and tender makeout session at the bar...not the girls gone wild/penthouse kind. I was trying to do the math on what I could do with that and not piss off my wife, but that's an unsolveable equation.
Two attractive ladies making out? Eww, that's so gross!
QUOTE (tweed @ Feb 9 2011, 03:55 PM)
anyone have a good restaurant recommendation in Lakeview?
whadda ya in the mood for?
Pizza: Art of Pizza on Ashland
Chinese: Youngs on Ashland
Breakfast: Ann Sathers
bunch of decent places on Southport
Has anyone tried the Chick-fil-A that just opened here in Chicago? I really don't like the idea of supporting the it because of all the anti-gay fundraising done in the name of restaurant, but is the food worth putting aside moral differences?
QUOTE (nobodies @ Jun 22 2011, 09:29 AM)
Has anyone tried the Chick-fil-A that just opened here in Chicago? I really don't like the idea of supporting the it because of all the anti-gay fundraising done in the name of restaurant, but is the food worth putting aside moral differences?
Had Chick-fil-A in Aurora before
I looked into their politics.
I doubt that I can eat there again.
That said, the food is pretty decent
and the service is great.
But really nothing I'll miss...
Yeah CFA is pretty bad. I mean I'm not so naive as to think that the boards that run McDonalds, BK, White Castle, etc. are filled with a bunch of rainbow wearing hippies, but from what I just read CFA appears to be very proactive about its bigotry. So I guess I'll be steering clear for the time being.
kinda late but mi tierra right down the street from the vic has the best chicken nachos in the city. i mean, if you're into that kind of thing.
QUOTE (Duff. @ Sep 1 2009, 10:19 AM)
And you look at a place like Hamburger Mary's and you see a place with a great design concept that's fun to spend time at, and service goes into that, sure. But I'm not gonna put up with lousy food for it.
Yeah, this place still blows. Also had lousy service with my lousy burger.
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