Chicago Joe's

Chicago Joe's has been mentioned twice here (that I can tell), once with disapproval for their raw clams, and once with approval for their cheeseburgers and their chili. Never had the clams there (and don't think I would), but I like the place.

I pretty much get the same thing every time: Blue Moon draft to drink, ribs/fried-shrimp combo to eat, baked potato on the side. I like the meat-jello, slathered-in-sauce ribs here. What can I say? The meat tastes good, and so does the not-overly-sweet, not-spicy sauce. (I like spicy hotness, just don't always require it.) Re the ample serving of three large fried shrimp that accompany, you can tell those are shrimp in there, which is 99% of the battle. (As with Woody Allen's quote that 99% of success in life is just showing up.) I enjoy the roadhouse feel of the place, and much prefer to sit at a booth in the bar to get this. (You don't get it so much in the adjoining dining room.) The waitresses are friendly and welcoming (and uber-competent), the bartenders are attractive, the beer is good, the lighting is low, the music on the "jukebox" belongs, the TVs behind the bar are tuned to some sporting event I don't care about but feels right, and we always feel comforted and cosseted being there. Doesn't hurt that there's usually some kind of coupon or deal. (The kind you get when you go there, to use the next time.) When we want to go someplace but can't think of where to go, we go to Joe's.

Chicago Joe's
2256 W. Irving Park
773 478 7000

I remember working in that area 5 years ago and the Chili from what I recall was great. I assume its there signature item on the menu as well.

I was in the area of Joe's today-my mechanic is around the corner and I needed some brake work-so with 90 minutes to kill I decided to go to Joe's. We used to go there sometimes when we lived in the neighborhood, and remember it as being decent.

I walked in the door on the dot of 2:00 p.m. It wasn't empty but it wasn't that busy. First strike:it took ten minutes for a waitress to appear. The busboy brought water and chips (what happened to the bread basket?) with a watery, tasteless tomato based "salsa". Second strike. Saving money? The waitress came by at 2:10, I ordered baked clams, buffalo wings and a beer. At 2:20 a different waitress brought the beer. The original waitress didn't reappear; she twice brought the wrong order to a table behind me. Finally at 2:35 she brought the clams and wings. Clams were good, big, tasty, not over-breaded. The wings however were overdone and dry. About 3:10 she brought the check without once having checked to see how things were, if I wanted anything else, etc. Three strikes, you're out. I remember it as being a better place than my experience today, but I don't think I'll try it again.

On the whole I prefer O'Donovan's, though both places exist in that sort of Benniganesque all-American sports bar realm that, even when they serve a purpose, just doesn't seem interesting enough to write a whole lot about.

O'Donovan's, at least, has a framed picture of Kaiser Wilhelm behind the bar.

O'Donovan's
2100 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, IL 60618-3924
773-478-2100

Mike G wrote:On the whole I prefer O'Donovan's, though both places exist in that sort of Benniganesque all-American sports bar realm that, even when they serve a purpose, just doesn't seem interesting enough to write a whole lot about.

I can agree with every word of this, and yet still entertain a contrary (and paradoxical, and perverse) notion in my head that because a place never causes anyone to give a thought to writing about it is why someone eventually should.

I'm now looking forward to O'Donovans.

You forgot the shining reason my father-in-law loves Chicago Joe's: the parking lot. He's spent fifteen minutes on many different occasions discussing the fact that this restaurant has its own parking lot. I now feel that no mention of Chicago Joe's is complete without this fact being stated.

grits wrote:You forgot the shining reason my father-in-law loves Chicago Joe's: the parking lot. He's spent fifteen minutes on many different occasions discussing the fact that this restaurant has its own parking lot. I now feel that no mention of Chicago Joe's is complete without this fact being stated.

You know, all kidding aside (and I appreciate the humor in giving a parking lot such primacy), it probably is a tie-breaker for me that I never even thought about. That is, while I never give a thought to the parking lot, it might well be why Chicago Joe's = "easy" in my mind to the extent it does.

There could be a whole thread on rare places in the city that have their own free parking. Itto Sushi is another.

I think I saw a sign in front of Chicago Joe's advertising 50 cent oysters. Has anyone tried these?

I ate the Sunday brunch here about 10 years ago and decided I'd never go back. Hopefully things have changed there since. I would imagine that it has to have improved, considering its still running a brisk business.