Roast Beef
Hot and Bloody, Cold and Bloody and Tough and Tough
We eat a lot of roast beef in the USA. I aint gonna do no research, but I would guess we Americans eat more roast beef than anywhere. In fact, absent all those Italian beefs, beef-on-wecks, cheesesteaks, french dips, Manhattans, etc., what does the rest of the world do with their hunks of beef. [ed. what about those fine joints served in the UK?] I've sampled three roast beefs this week.
Hot and Bloody - Manny's
I took the chowhounditas and Ms. VI to Manny's this week, for a lunch organized by the author of the well blogged and critical favorite play, The Mayor's Mouth, SethZ. I did not diddle-dawdle like others over the corned beef and pastrami. I held up the line as I waited for one of the Manny's hand sliced and expertly trimmed roast beef sandwiches. It is worth holding up everyone behind you. Give the slicer a dollar for his efforts.
(Go here for some Manny's pictures and videos.)
Cold and Bloody - Fox and Obel
Equally gorgeous is the house roasted beef at Fox and Obel. While your eyes might zero in on the broad swath of crimson centered within the meat, my favorite part is the salty crusty surface. Belying F&O's snazzy image, this roast beef costs no more than other grocery stores and is actually less than Whole Foods.
Tough and Really Tough - Berghoff
The other night we found ourselves near the loop at the magic moment, just 6 PM. For about 240 seconds, a bunch of parking spots exist in the loop. Snap one up and you can enjoy a pleasant dinner and one of my favorite places, the Berghoff. Just avoid the German pot roast. Did I say tough? Incredible, bathed in butter, mashed potatoes well made up for it, and a cameo visit by the Mayor of Berghoff, El Panzone, made for an even more fun night.
Friday, April 16, 2004
Catch the Mayor's Mouth Segment on The News Show @ the Neo Futurarium
This is your big chance to see Chicagoland’s fastest growing live theatrical cooking segment. On April 28th at 8:00 PM, one night only, the Neo-Futurists will be reprising their “The News Show: Chicago” featuring 7-9 minutes of the most riproaring hilarious politico-culinary beef stew prep you ever saw, embedded in the middle of 80 minutes of hilearnious news-style coverage of the ins and outs of our fair city.
It’ll be a lot of fun, and some lucky audience member will get to sample the Mayor’s favorite beef stew! It could be you!
!!!!
Here are the details:
The News Show: Chicago
Wed April 28th at 8PM.
The Neo Futurarium
5153 N Ashland (@ Foster)
http://www.neofuturists.org/news/newsshow.htm
$8 Students/$12 Everybody Else
This is your big chance to see Chicagoland’s fastest growing live theatrical cooking segment. On April 28th at 8:00 PM, one night only, the Neo-Futurists will be reprising their “The News Show: Chicago” featuring 7-9 minutes of the most riproaring hilarious politico-culinary beef stew prep you ever saw, embedded in the middle of 80 minutes of hilearnious news-style coverage of the ins and outs of our fair city.
It’ll be a lot of fun, and some lucky audience member will get to sample the Mayor’s favorite beef stew! It could be you!
!!!!
Here are the details:
The News Show: Chicago
Wed April 28th at 8PM.
The Neo Futurarium
5153 N Ashland (@ Foster)
http://www.neofuturists.org/news/newsshow.htm
$8 Students/$12 Everybody Else
Paging Harry V - Poisonous Review Needed
Spizzico, Elmwood Park, IL
Back in the day, one "Harry V" could rip a restaurant with the best of 'em. Like an aspiring critic for the Village Voice, Harry knew that if there was something bad to be said, that could be said well, with style and panache, well go ahead and say it. Harry's vitriol got him the distinction of getting kicked off of Chowhound not just once but twice. His opinions, always, have been sadly missed (well by me at least). And God damn, I need Harry.
I need Harry to destroy Spizzico. Make you understand how truly bad this place has become, to prevent you from falling into the trap I fell into, "we have a coupon honey...." Spizzico might yet convince me that Chicago DOESN'T have good pizza. Because the pizza that showed up at our home the other night was so bad, so wretched, that I have become nearly delusional with fear that good pizza could even really exist (in Chicago). Please Harry, take me out of my misery. Order from Spizzico. Report back.
See if your pizza comes half-smooshed, like the delivery man got rear ended on his way to the bungalow. See if your crust is so light and grainy that it reminds your of a movie at the Museum of Science and Industry on paper making. See if your pepperoni resembles in taste, texture and odor, almost exactly, of what was in the special treat lunchables we purchased for the chowhounditas a few weeks ago (daughter to dad that evening, "I did not like the pepperoni in my lunchable, it tasted like sausage"). Please make literature of this swill.
Sadly, Spizzico did not always deliver such coupon inducing slop. They used to be exactly the kinda place you wanted nearby. Even though Spizzico is across the street from one of the premier Italian beef shops, and undisputed best smelling restaurant in Cook County, Johnnies, I had plenty of reason to eat at Spizzico. Really, not just tables, heat and a bathroom. I liked a lot of stuff at Spizzico. Breaded steak sammy's, fried shrimps, even cheese drenched parmesans tasted fine. Liked, however, is the operative word. I like nothing anymore at Spizzico, and I'd like only to be a better hatchet man.
Spizzico, Elmwood Park, IL
Back in the day, one "Harry V" could rip a restaurant with the best of 'em. Like an aspiring critic for the Village Voice, Harry knew that if there was something bad to be said, that could be said well, with style and panache, well go ahead and say it. Harry's vitriol got him the distinction of getting kicked off of Chowhound not just once but twice. His opinions, always, have been sadly missed (well by me at least). And God damn, I need Harry.
I need Harry to destroy Spizzico. Make you understand how truly bad this place has become, to prevent you from falling into the trap I fell into, "we have a coupon honey...." Spizzico might yet convince me that Chicago DOESN'T have good pizza. Because the pizza that showed up at our home the other night was so bad, so wretched, that I have become nearly delusional with fear that good pizza could even really exist (in Chicago). Please Harry, take me out of my misery. Order from Spizzico. Report back.
See if your pizza comes half-smooshed, like the delivery man got rear ended on his way to the bungalow. See if your crust is so light and grainy that it reminds your of a movie at the Museum of Science and Industry on paper making. See if your pepperoni resembles in taste, texture and odor, almost exactly, of what was in the special treat lunchables we purchased for the chowhounditas a few weeks ago (daughter to dad that evening, "I did not like the pepperoni in my lunchable, it tasted like sausage"). Please make literature of this swill.
Sadly, Spizzico did not always deliver such coupon inducing slop. They used to be exactly the kinda place you wanted nearby. Even though Spizzico is across the street from one of the premier Italian beef shops, and undisputed best smelling restaurant in Cook County, Johnnies, I had plenty of reason to eat at Spizzico. Really, not just tables, heat and a bathroom. I liked a lot of stuff at Spizzico. Breaded steak sammy's, fried shrimps, even cheese drenched parmesans tasted fine. Liked, however, is the operative word. I like nothing anymore at Spizzico, and I'd like only to be a better hatchet man.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Everybody Watching
The 16th Annual Bailiwick Directors Festival: Adaptations and Translations
My friend Kirsten D'Aurelio is one of the featured actors in this play based on the high school drama career of James Dean.
From the short story "Everybody Watching and the Time Passing Like That" by Michael Martone. Directed and adapted by Doug Long.
Dates: May 3 & May 4 ONLY 8 PM - Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago www.bailiwick.org
Tickets: $10 To reserve tickets call Bailiwick at 773.883.1090
The 16th Annual Bailiwick Directors Festival: Adaptations and Translations
My friend Kirsten D'Aurelio is one of the featured actors in this play based on the high school drama career of James Dean.
From the short story "Everybody Watching and the Time Passing Like That" by Michael Martone. Directed and adapted by Doug Long.
Dates: May 3 & May 4 ONLY 8 PM - Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago www.bailiwick.org
Tickets: $10 To reserve tickets call Bailiwick at 773.883.1090
Monday, April 12, 2004
Executive Salad - Club Lago
Kudos to JeffB for alerting the world to the executive salad at Club Lago. Lunch there the other day with Jeff, Steve Z and the Condiment Queen has me convinced this is the coolest place in Chicago. One of these days I gotta try the yankee pot roast.
Club Lago
331 W. Superior St., Chicago
(312) 951-2849
Kudos to JeffB for alerting the world to the executive salad at Club Lago. Lunch there the other day with Jeff, Steve Z and the Condiment Queen has me convinced this is the coolest place in Chicago. One of these days I gotta try the yankee pot roast.
Club Lago
331 W. Superior St., Chicago
(312) 951-2849
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Odd comment by Chowhound Mod's on Decor
This thread on Chicago Chowhound dealt with restaurant suggestions based on decor. Soon, the "Chowhound Team" came along and said that, while discussion of restaurant architecture or decor was fine, the posts HAD to also include mention of the food. Otherwise, splat, a victim to laser-focus. What the heck?
One of the criticisms typically thrown at hounds is that the grungier the place, the happier they become. That they take immense pleasure in dining in hovels. Now, perhaps there ARE people like that, but I do not know them. People simple mis-understand the desire for great (or at least interesting or unique) food and the willingness to get it regardless of the circumstances as a desire for masochistic eating. Decor, atmosphere, service, noise level, these factors all effect the dining experience, and they seem quite worthwhile for discussion. I mean under the logic of the moderator's call here, one could not discuss the quality of service if one did not throw in a mention or two of the food too. That's absurb. Restaurant discussion should include all the factors.
And that makes for help in finding places to eat?
This thread on Chicago Chowhound dealt with restaurant suggestions based on decor. Soon, the "Chowhound Team" came along and said that, while discussion of restaurant architecture or decor was fine, the posts HAD to also include mention of the food. Otherwise, splat, a victim to laser-focus. What the heck?
One of the criticisms typically thrown at hounds is that the grungier the place, the happier they become. That they take immense pleasure in dining in hovels. Now, perhaps there ARE people like that, but I do not know them. People simple mis-understand the desire for great (or at least interesting or unique) food and the willingness to get it regardless of the circumstances as a desire for masochistic eating. Decor, atmosphere, service, noise level, these factors all effect the dining experience, and they seem quite worthwhile for discussion. I mean under the logic of the moderator's call here, one could not discuss the quality of service if one did not throw in a mention or two of the food too. That's absurb. Restaurant discussion should include all the factors.
And that makes for help in finding places to eat?
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Drooling Over Seoul
The Condiment Queen's good friend, who has found herself expatriated to Seoul has pointed me to this great web site. Fantastic pictures.
The Condiment Queen's good friend, who has found herself expatriated to Seoul has pointed me to this great web site. Fantastic pictures.
Oy Vay!
"And, much to his chagrin, they replaced fresh pasta with the frozen kind...In his 38-page counterclaim and response filed yesterday, Mr. DiSpirito, 37, told his side of the story. He said he was being unlawfully squeezed out of his 50 percent interest in Rocco's on 22nd Street, that his partners were abusing his name while benefiting from his notoriety, and that they have impaired morale at Rocco's. In addition, Mr. DiSpirito said his business partners failed to provide financial expertise and damaged the restaurant with "repeated and manifold breaches of contractual and fiduciary obligations."
The rest is here.
"And, much to his chagrin, they replaced fresh pasta with the frozen kind...In his 38-page counterclaim and response filed yesterday, Mr. DiSpirito, 37, told his side of the story. He said he was being unlawfully squeezed out of his 50 percent interest in Rocco's on 22nd Street, that his partners were abusing his name while benefiting from his notoriety, and that they have impaired morale at Rocco's. In addition, Mr. DiSpirito said his business partners failed to provide financial expertise and damaged the restaurant with "repeated and manifold breaches of contractual and fiduciary obligations."
The rest is here.
Monday, April 05, 2004
Mil-Walk-ee Update
For April 17, 2004
It's only a few weeks until the next 'athon, a mass of chowhounds trekking by foot on the angle, across Chicago on Milwaukee Ave. Milwaukee is not the most international street in Chicago, it's no Devon (Da'bomb) by a long shot, but it's dense and diverse, ranging from hip to square, old Polonia to off the plane Polonia. Wicker Park, Logan Square, Avondale, Jefferson Park, and Gladstone Park, if Chicago is still a city of neighborhoods, we'll find out.
There's plenty of people signed up already, too many really. We have about 30 yes to the event. The sidewalks of Milwaukee will be hard pressed to fit us all together. And those tiny shops, we'd over-run them with mass. Still, people will walk at different paces, and people will have different interests of where to stop. Thus, we have 3 choices. First, we all start together, then let nature drive the event, with the knowledge that we end up vastly strung out. Essentially, the initial 30 will break into smaller groups based on apparent interests. Likely, but not positively, the smaller groups will be able to merge with each other as the day proceeds. Second, we can do the Union Pacific method. We split in two (or 3, 4, etc) and start at each end of Milwaukee (or within parts of Milwaukee) and move to meet somewhere. Third, we use a staggered start, with groups starting in intervals--maybe the smaller groups could be organized by specific interests, a deli group, a bakery group, a bar group. Of course, most of the 'hounds I know will not want to be limited to one aspect of Milwaukee. They wanna see it all. Related, we need to decided on stopping. How much walking, how much parking. Should we schedule meet-ups at a few places along the way for meals/drinks (makes sense). I need suggestions and further comments on how to do this.
I've done a bit of scouting. See below. I welcome and encourage more suggestions. If what you want to say is too big for the comments (i.e., over 1000 words) "e-mail me and I will get it in the blog:
Superdawg - Super (but slow) possible starting point. It does not open until 11 AM. Waited a looooong time for carhop service the other day, but was rewarded with a beefalicious Whoopercheesie that became an ordeal to eat as the relish dissolved the bread. 6363 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Produce Center - Groceries for various groups in Chicago. Nice selection of jellies and jams for morning toast. I had a soupy, sour cherry preserves from Turkey for today's (the last toast for the week). 5820 N. Milwaukee
Il Sogno Cafe - It said open, but was closed mid-day Saturday. If open, this tile floor cafe may be able to fortify us with a bit of espresso. Looks Euro at least. 5820 N. Milwaukee
Cafe Stoa - They say, "destined to become a great sanctuary for today's lifestyle." I say, odd but worth trying, extremely RST like place that specializes in this Greek Nescafe, frappe type of thing. Typically, opens at 1 PM, but they said they'd open early for us. 5760 N. Milwaukee
Gladstone Park Bakery - Great neon sign. See here. Other than that, the ware looked mostly tired. 5744 N Milwaukee Ave
Prohibition Club - Polish gangster hangout? See link above for a photo of their sign. 5600 N. Milwaukee
Great neon, in disrepair - 4950 N. Milwaukee
Krakus Homemade Sausage - Small but complete selection. Great facade. UPDATE: Herring in cream sauce was this/close to being too salty. 4722 N. Milwaukee
Ideal Pastry - Another great sign, but more special stuff inside. More well rounded than the name suggests with a large selection of cooked good like pierogi, blintzes, cutlets, etc. 4765 N. Milwaukee
Nice Terra Cotta Building - 4800 N. Milwaukee
Chris's Billiards - One of the last "real" pool rooms left, not just in Chicago, but anywhere. Best described on the Internet, "Chris' is nice, good tables (gold crowns). The bangers play in the back. The good players there are "clicky" and some are not s friendly, and some are seedy. Be careful." 4637 N. Milwaukee
Modern Tuxedo - Another great neon sign. Scroll down here to see. 4360 N. Milwaukee
La Pena - Ecuadorian. Mike G sez, "carbon-y, accompanied by a very odd thing calling itself a potato pancake in peanut sauce-- the reality was more like mashed sweet potatoes with a thin Thai peanut sauce on it, minus the coconut milk." 4212 N. Milwaukee
Tobacco Room - Smoke break? 4020 N. Milwaukee
Peacock Lounge - Wide variety of Polish liquor. Beer served mit juice. 3394 N. Milwaukee
Various stuff around Logan Square - See here and here.
For April 17, 2004
It's only a few weeks until the next 'athon, a mass of chowhounds trekking by foot on the angle, across Chicago on Milwaukee Ave. Milwaukee is not the most international street in Chicago, it's no Devon (Da'bomb) by a long shot, but it's dense and diverse, ranging from hip to square, old Polonia to off the plane Polonia. Wicker Park, Logan Square, Avondale, Jefferson Park, and Gladstone Park, if Chicago is still a city of neighborhoods, we'll find out.
There's plenty of people signed up already, too many really. We have about 30 yes to the event. The sidewalks of Milwaukee will be hard pressed to fit us all together. And those tiny shops, we'd over-run them with mass. Still, people will walk at different paces, and people will have different interests of where to stop. Thus, we have 3 choices. First, we all start together, then let nature drive the event, with the knowledge that we end up vastly strung out. Essentially, the initial 30 will break into smaller groups based on apparent interests. Likely, but not positively, the smaller groups will be able to merge with each other as the day proceeds. Second, we can do the Union Pacific method. We split in two (or 3, 4, etc) and start at each end of Milwaukee (or within parts of Milwaukee) and move to meet somewhere. Third, we use a staggered start, with groups starting in intervals--maybe the smaller groups could be organized by specific interests, a deli group, a bakery group, a bar group. Of course, most of the 'hounds I know will not want to be limited to one aspect of Milwaukee. They wanna see it all. Related, we need to decided on stopping. How much walking, how much parking. Should we schedule meet-ups at a few places along the way for meals/drinks (makes sense). I need suggestions and further comments on how to do this.
I've done a bit of scouting. See below. I welcome and encourage more suggestions. If what you want to say is too big for the comments (i.e., over 1000 words) "e-mail me and I will get it in the blog:
Superdawg - Super (but slow) possible starting point. It does not open until 11 AM. Waited a looooong time for carhop service the other day, but was rewarded with a beefalicious Whoopercheesie that became an ordeal to eat as the relish dissolved the bread. 6363 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Produce Center - Groceries for various groups in Chicago. Nice selection of jellies and jams for morning toast. I had a soupy, sour cherry preserves from Turkey for today's (the last toast for the week). 5820 N. Milwaukee
Il Sogno Cafe - It said open, but was closed mid-day Saturday. If open, this tile floor cafe may be able to fortify us with a bit of espresso. Looks Euro at least. 5820 N. Milwaukee
Cafe Stoa - They say, "destined to become a great sanctuary for today's lifestyle." I say, odd but worth trying, extremely RST like place that specializes in this Greek Nescafe, frappe type of thing. Typically, opens at 1 PM, but they said they'd open early for us. 5760 N. Milwaukee
Gladstone Park Bakery - Great neon sign. See here. Other than that, the ware looked mostly tired. 5744 N Milwaukee Ave
Prohibition Club - Polish gangster hangout? See link above for a photo of their sign. 5600 N. Milwaukee
Great neon, in disrepair - 4950 N. Milwaukee
Krakus Homemade Sausage - Small but complete selection. Great facade. UPDATE: Herring in cream sauce was this/close to being too salty. 4722 N. Milwaukee
Ideal Pastry - Another great sign, but more special stuff inside. More well rounded than the name suggests with a large selection of cooked good like pierogi, blintzes, cutlets, etc. 4765 N. Milwaukee
Nice Terra Cotta Building - 4800 N. Milwaukee
Chris's Billiards - One of the last "real" pool rooms left, not just in Chicago, but anywhere. Best described on the Internet, "Chris' is nice, good tables (gold crowns). The bangers play in the back. The good players there are "clicky" and some are not s friendly, and some are seedy. Be careful." 4637 N. Milwaukee
Modern Tuxedo - Another great neon sign. Scroll down here to see. 4360 N. Milwaukee
La Pena - Ecuadorian. Mike G sez, "carbon-y, accompanied by a very odd thing calling itself a potato pancake in peanut sauce-- the reality was more like mashed sweet potatoes with a thin Thai peanut sauce on it, minus the coconut milk." 4212 N. Milwaukee
Tobacco Room - Smoke break? 4020 N. Milwaukee
Peacock Lounge - Wide variety of Polish liquor. Beer served mit juice. 3394 N. Milwaukee
Various stuff around Logan Square - See here and here.
Galleygirl's Website
Galleygirl, a Boston 'hound of high fame, has recently launced a website to showcase her great commercial art. Check it out!
Galleygirl, a Boston 'hound of high fame, has recently launced a website to showcase her great commercial art. Check it out!
Sunday, April 04, 2004
The Blues
I used to consider myself quite the blues aficionado. I feel justly proud in bragging about seeing plenty of the immortals, with a few good friends in small clubs or with 1,000's of others at venues like Chicagofest. Included in my blues CV is a few shows by Zeus himself, Muddy Waters. When I had records, I had quite the set of blues records. I still have a fair amount of blues CDs, although I do not listen to them all that much. What has mostly disconnected me from the Blues is that triangle of married, with kids, and a job. Even when we have a baby sitter, I am hard-pressed to be catching a late starting set at one of the remaining Blues clubs. And...
Well, a long intro to a series I will be following this week in the Sun Times on the state of Chicago Blues.
I used to consider myself quite the blues aficionado. I feel justly proud in bragging about seeing plenty of the immortals, with a few good friends in small clubs or with 1,000's of others at venues like Chicagofest. Included in my blues CV is a few shows by Zeus himself, Muddy Waters. When I had records, I had quite the set of blues records. I still have a fair amount of blues CDs, although I do not listen to them all that much. What has mostly disconnected me from the Blues is that triangle of married, with kids, and a job. Even when we have a baby sitter, I am hard-pressed to be catching a late starting set at one of the remaining Blues clubs. And...
Well, a long intro to a series I will be following this week in the Sun Times on the state of Chicago Blues.
Friday, April 02, 2004
Chowhound is Not Free
There is an incredible and highly inane thread on Chowhound's site talk board on paying for Chowhound. Ironically, the person most insistent on NOT paying acknowledges what others do not, that Chowhound does not consider itself free. As Chowhound "Big-Dog", Jim Leff, sez, " We are not a free site. We charge...on the honor system. And because a certain number of users don't shirk this system, the site is open today. Tomorrow I can't promise." While only a fraction of its users pay, Chowhound feels every user should pay. Frankly, people should understand and acknowledge this fact. [ed. you should make clear that this is VI's opinion not Chowhound's]
I do not post or read Chowhound nearly as much as I once did, but I still read it at least a few times a day. As a user, I am expected to pay. Thus, I sent in a Goodwill payment today. If you use Chowhound at all, to read or to post, you should pay too. At least that's what I think.
There is an incredible and highly inane thread on Chowhound's site talk board on paying for Chowhound. Ironically, the person most insistent on NOT paying acknowledges what others do not, that Chowhound does not consider itself free. As Chowhound "Big-Dog", Jim Leff, sez, " We are not a free site. We charge...on the honor system. And because a certain number of users don't shirk this system, the site is open today. Tomorrow I can't promise." While only a fraction of its users pay, Chowhound feels every user should pay. Frankly, people should understand and acknowledge this fact. [ed. you should make clear that this is VI's opinion not Chowhound's]
I do not post or read Chowhound nearly as much as I once did, but I still read it at least a few times a day. As a user, I am expected to pay. Thus, I sent in a Goodwill payment today. If you use Chowhound at all, to read or to post, you should pay too. At least that's what I think.
And another great blog - Loufood
Louisa Chu is a Chicagoan living in Paris. Bringing our sensibilities to them! Another well done blog.
Louisa Chu is a Chicagoan living in Paris. Bringing our sensibilities to them! Another well done blog.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
'Nother Blogger in Town
Eatchicago.net is a snazzy, well designed blog providing more insight into our favorite topic: food in Chicago. Check it out.
Eatchicago.net is a snazzy, well designed blog providing more insight into our favorite topic: food in Chicago. Check it out.
The Tlacoyo
Los Cazos Restaurant
The full extent of Mexican food in Chicago never ceases to amaze me. There is always something new to find. Yesterday, I found the tlacoyo. At Los Cazos, a small restaurant on Fullerton near Austin I have been meaning to try for ages. I noticed a few things that made me want to try it, not so much the tlacoyos, but pambasos and homemade tortillas. But when I saw the sign, upon entering, for tlacoyo's, I was immediately drawn to that.
Our waitress did not have a huge command of English, so she just brought out an uncooked tlacoyo to explain. The best way to describe it as a cross between a huarache and a pupusa, but smaller. It is a small masa paddle with a filling of requeson, Mexican ricotta cheese, between the dough. It came topped with a choice of beans or cactus. I asked for beans but got cactus. Was it the best tlacoyo I ever had? Well, it was a bit dry, but like all these antojitos, still intrinsically great.
Actually, even greater, little sopes they gave us as an amuse. What is it about the sope that I find so enticing. I know the brilliant one will probably disagree, but I think maybe the sope is the greatest of the antojitos, all the Mexican snackish type things made from corn flour (i.e., tacos, gorditas, picaditas, huaraches, etc.). Keeping the masa thicker produces an array of textures from Wiv-crisp to toothsome. Moreover, this no fat added product tastes almost as buttery-flaky (or lardy) as a biscuit. I liked the amuse sope.
I was in a trying mood. I went with a taco al pastor--it seemed very D.F., they told me they were from Mexico City--and a pambaso, also very D.F. Good choices both. The pambaso, the bloody red sammy (bread dipped in a chile sauce) got griddled a while, and that really infused the sauce into the bread, anodized it. The sausage potato filling was fine, but it was really about the bread. The taco came out in a small commercial tortilla, not the home made tortillas. Luckily, we had a big stack of the homemade tortillas on the table, and I just tossed my filling into a real tortilla, a very good, large tortilla, almost as good as La Quebrada. The pastor was crunchy and good too. The Condiment Queen enjoyed her arroz con mariscos, which included, acording the menu, shark. It was a very passable paella really.
We were a slight oddity at Los Cazos, firstly for our intense interrogations of the staff (the Dona had to come out from the kitchen to check us out) and secondly, as I later found out, the place is also a hangout for Mexican heavy metal heads. Go for the food.
Los Cazos Restaurant
5945 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60639
773-637-9456
Los Cazos Restaurant
The full extent of Mexican food in Chicago never ceases to amaze me. There is always something new to find. Yesterday, I found the tlacoyo. At Los Cazos, a small restaurant on Fullerton near Austin I have been meaning to try for ages. I noticed a few things that made me want to try it, not so much the tlacoyos, but pambasos and homemade tortillas. But when I saw the sign, upon entering, for tlacoyo's, I was immediately drawn to that.
Our waitress did not have a huge command of English, so she just brought out an uncooked tlacoyo to explain. The best way to describe it as a cross between a huarache and a pupusa, but smaller. It is a small masa paddle with a filling of requeson, Mexican ricotta cheese, between the dough. It came topped with a choice of beans or cactus. I asked for beans but got cactus. Was it the best tlacoyo I ever had? Well, it was a bit dry, but like all these antojitos, still intrinsically great.
Actually, even greater, little sopes they gave us as an amuse. What is it about the sope that I find so enticing. I know the brilliant one will probably disagree, but I think maybe the sope is the greatest of the antojitos, all the Mexican snackish type things made from corn flour (i.e., tacos, gorditas, picaditas, huaraches, etc.). Keeping the masa thicker produces an array of textures from Wiv-crisp to toothsome. Moreover, this no fat added product tastes almost as buttery-flaky (or lardy) as a biscuit. I liked the amuse sope.
I was in a trying mood. I went with a taco al pastor--it seemed very D.F., they told me they were from Mexico City--and a pambaso, also very D.F. Good choices both. The pambaso, the bloody red sammy (bread dipped in a chile sauce) got griddled a while, and that really infused the sauce into the bread, anodized it. The sausage potato filling was fine, but it was really about the bread. The taco came out in a small commercial tortilla, not the home made tortillas. Luckily, we had a big stack of the homemade tortillas on the table, and I just tossed my filling into a real tortilla, a very good, large tortilla, almost as good as La Quebrada. The pastor was crunchy and good too. The Condiment Queen enjoyed her arroz con mariscos, which included, acording the menu, shark. It was a very passable paella really.
We were a slight oddity at Los Cazos, firstly for our intense interrogations of the staff (the Dona had to come out from the kitchen to check us out) and secondly, as I later found out, the place is also a hangout for Mexican heavy metal heads. Go for the food.
Los Cazos Restaurant
5945 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60639
773-637-9456
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