Now lets EAT......
BREAKFAST:
TWEET
5020 N. Sheridan Rd
http://www.tweet.biz/
The door on the left is Tweet & the door on the right is Big Chicks
Tweet is a small, quirky breakfast/lunch American style restaurant in the Uptown Neighborhood. The menu focuses on serving local organic products which does cause for a little bit of a costly breakfast compared to a Diner. The interior walls are covered in funky contemporary art mixed with that home town atmosphere. If there is a wait.... which there always is on the weekends (2 hours in warmer weather) there is a large selection of board games and books to keep busy while sipping on a "from scratch, to die for" Bloody Mary. But all is worth the wait. From the amazing breakfast burrito (the size of your head) to the Country Veggie Benedict and the buckwheat pancakes your in for it! Big Chicks is next door and owned by the same owner. Big Chicks is open for dinner and has amazing weeknight specials and because they share the same kitchen the food is just as good. O and not to mention this is BYOB on top of having a full bar
JANE'S
1655 W. Cortland St
www.janesrestaurant.com
Jane's Restaurant is just the cutest most charming little restaurant tucked away on a cozy street in Bucktown. Now even though I have this categorized as "breakfast" it does serve Lunch and Dinner as well. All the meals are prepared with a homey yet gourmet flavor. My go to at brunch is the breakfast burrito and for lunch the garden burger. Jane's is one of those places that its just the right amount of food combined with the perfect amount of flavor equaling an empty plate. Not to mention there are fresh french rolls on the table at all times with the most amazing sugar butter to make sure that every last bit of your plate is wiped of any remaining egg, syrup or even garnish. They also have another side to the restaurant that is opened up for the over flow of traffic when they are not hosting a shower or birthday. But just let me tell you..... Whomever is the event planner for Jane's is just amazing. Every time I am there I make a point to peek over to look at all the decorations for the incoming party or event and it blows me away every time. Just go to their website and see for yourself.
LUNCH:
Bari
1120 W. Grand Ave
www.bariitaliansubs.com
You would never know from the outside. It looks like a little grocery store in the middle of Chicago's "Little Italy" and "Meat Packing District". But once you open the front door, you are immediately taken back because you are now standing in the line. So my best recommendation to anyone having a craving for this true New York Italian Deli, is to avoid LUNCH! Go around 11am or 2pm. I have learned the hard way.
Once you make it to the front of the line, you become frantic on what to order because its all just so good! First you choose from 15 sub options including an amazing Italian Mix, or you can build your own. Then you choose the size 9" 12" or 3 footer. Thats it!! Easy and Amazing. You cant eat in the deli, so this is where my patience is tested every time. I have to actually get in the car and drive to my place to begin demolishing the sub.
So Perfect!!!
Hot Dougs
3324 N California Ave
www.hotdougs.com
Now, I would like to first note: I am not a hot dog lover, and living in Chicago home of the Vienna Beef Dogs is not always in my favor. There are hot dog stands on every street corner, and none seem to have a line the way Hot Dougs ALWAYS does. As you can see from the picture people start lining up at the doors between 9:30-10 to get there hands on one of these dogs. Every time I drive past Hot Dougs the line is 2-3 blocks down the street. It blows my mind. But its all worth it. The menu consists of 10-11 different types of dogs. From The Paul Kelly (Bratwurst: soaked in beer)dog, to the Sal Tessio (Italian Sausage)dog served with the Duck Fat Fries, you have now found yourself in heaven. And for the veggie lover like myself they even have a meatless yet delicious dog called the Joe Strummer. O and before you run out the door and grab your place in line, you are going to want to call ahead. Why..... because even on their website it says " meaning we are open when we want to be :)
Kumas Corner
2900 W Belmont
www.kumascorner.com
Be prepared to wait, but it is all worth it. You walk in and to what it feels like is a biker bar at heart
that blasts heavy-metal music which will soon learn that there burgers are inspired by. People watching is a must, while sipping on a beer from their large selection. Kuma's Corner will exceed your expectations and will give you a new understanding of what a burger should taste like. By far this place has the best Burgers in Chicago. Just ask Lady GaGa, she was found indulging in one herself this year. Just to give you a taste: YOB Burger: Smoked Gouda, Bacon, Roasted Red Peppers and Garlic Mayo
Kaijo Burger
Even though they are so famous for their burgers their menu has a lot from appetizers and sandwiches as well. Kumas Corner is one of those places you will leave and think about until you go back.
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
www.bigstarchicago.com
Big Star!!! So Yummy. Mexican is my most favorite cuisine ever!!! I could eat it for every meal. Big Star is a low-cost, high value good time. They have amazing creations for cocktails as well as $1 Schlitz. A nice sized portion of Guacamole with chips is only $5 compared to some of those chains that try and charge $8 for pre-made stuff. The portions are almost tapas style so you can order as you go. They have very high-quality pork belly, lamb, and al pastor tacos that come with house-made mini tortillas with a lot of flavor.
The restaurant attracts a lot of hipsters due to its location and is such a great people watching spot in the summer due to their over sized front patio which was once a parking lot when the location was a gas station. Its a great place to catch up with friends on a warm summer afternoon over a couple cocktails and some amazing food thats not going to have you leaving stuffed.
The Patio at Big Star. They are open for lunch and dinner as well as late night due to the bar
DINNER:
Twin Anchors
1655 N Sedgwick St
www.twinanchorsribs.com
Between this and Chicago Oven Pizza Grinder (which is next) I can never decide. Its just so amazingly delicious in every way. There isnt too much of a story on why I order what I do, the story lies in the history of this place. Located in the historic Old Town, Twin Anchors is one of the oldest restaurants in the city of Chicago since 1932. At some point in the early 1950's Frank Sinatra made his first trip to the restaurant. Over the decades it became a frequent stop and one of his favorite restaurants. The restaurant has received huge amounts of publicity over the decades as well as motion pictures such as "Return to Me" and Batmans "The Dark Night". The list goes on and on..... But this should give you a good idea on how good their food is. The menu is not that extensive. Its ribs, chicken or pulled pork. you pick your sides and your sauce and thats it.
Tip: get the onion rings and a side of the Prohibition sauce to dip them in. Yuuummmy!
Tip: Plan on a 1-2 hour wait on the weekends, and they do not take reservations
Chicago Pizza Oven Grinder
2121 N. Clark St
www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com
Like Twin Anchors I could just go on and on about this place. It is just that delicious. This is another one of those place that tends to carry a 2 hour wait on the weekend. And the crazy part is the guy who stands at the door and seats people does not write down names and give you a buzzer. Hes old school and remembers faces and the order in which they came in as long as how many people are in your party. It amazes me every time!!! So heres the story about CPOG.... On the morning of Valentines Day in 1929, the brownstone where CPOG resides was used as the lockout for the St. Valentines Day Massacre occurring at the garage across the street. The restaurant has a very ski lodge meets mobster feel and has you feeling your miles from any type of city.
Now the main attraction: This is by no means your "typical Chicago deep dish pizza" its a pot pie pizza. Its made from scratch with homemade sauce, fresh herbs, veggies, cheeses and sausages. Large portions come in a half pounder or a pounder. The menu does offer salads and grinders, and whether your between the pizza and the grinder go with the salad to start and the pizza to finish. You wont be disappointed. So heres how its done:
They bake the pizza with a bowl holding all the ingredients together. Making it look like a mushroom. When its ready they scoop out the bowl and flip
Now you have a pot pie pizza
Tango Sur
3763 N Southport Ave
www.tangosur.net
If you are ever looking for Argentinian food within the city, this is the place to be. Tango Sur is a combination of traditional Latin style that is combined with the enthusiasm within their interior walls, making for a very comforting yet contemporary environment.The menu consists of a variety of Argentinean dishes such as: Empanadas, Tortilla de Papas, Provoleta & Asado de Tira all served in Tapas style portions. Tango Sur has a sister restaurant called Folklore Argentine Grill in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Folklore is equally as good but a little on the pricey side. Other then the food being fantastic the fact that the restaurant is BYOB makes it a thumbs up in my book.
Red Rooster Wine Bar & Cafe
2100 N. Halsted St
www.cafebernard.com/redrooster/
The Red Rooster Wine Bar & Cafe is 100% a hidden gem. It is a French Bistro tucked on a side street amongst brownstones in the heart of Lincoln Park. One could easily be mislead by the entrance. It is a simple sign and that's it. I wasn't even sure where the door was. But what happens inside is what makes this restaurant so wonderful. The Chefs selections are listed on a blackboard in the barn wood filled room covered in mural like framed art. It really makes you feel like you are on a country side in France. The menu is exactly what you would see in Paris. However as beautiful as Paris is, I did get a little overwhelmed by the food so I like to keep it simple. I usually start with the French Onion Soup, that is just dynamite, then move on to the House Greens with Vinaigrette, and for my main course BEEF BOURGUIGNON!!!! The Beef Bourguignon is the best I have ever had. Better than what I have experienced in France. I know hard to believe, but believe it!
Red Rooster sits right around the corner from Cafe Bernard
This is a picture I took of the Red Rooster during the blizzard we had last winter
I hope you enjoy!!!
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