Yes, good plan!

Amata wrote:I'm always in favor of folks visiting Pilsen but I need to point out that there's no longer a branch of the Blue Line train that goes there. You'd have to transfer in the Loop to the Pink Line to get to those great carnitas and birria specialists (try the 18th Street stop, head east).

Another great place for lunch (and dinner) just east of the 18th Street stop on the Pink Line is Mundial Cocina Mestiza.

taiyou wrote:.... If really delayed, a hot dog at the airport. (Oh, I hope not.)...

Depending on what terminal you're in, if you're stuck in the airport I'd recommend the newest Bayless venture, Tortas Frontera. It's located in the B Concourse of Terminal 1 (I believe that's United's wing). I haven't been but I'm willing to bet it's going to better than most anything else at O'Hare.

Hey...just wanted to report back.

The only newsstand I saw on the way to CTA said they don't sell day passes, and that they're not available anywhere at the airport. Maybe I missed another stand? Anyway, no big deal.

Flight was right on time, and from Clark/Lake, just a 15-minute walk to Purple Pig, as promised. Sat at the chef's counter and, well, pigged out. Had to have one salad (arugula with sunchokes) to enjoy/justify the other dishes:
Pig's ear with crispy kale, pickled cherry peppers and fried egg
Pork neck bone gravy with calabro ricotta
Milk-braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes

And seeing how much I was enjoying everything, the chef gave me pig's tails braised in balsamic.

Great stuff. Pig's ear was my least favorite. Loved the crispness, but the porky flavor was a little lost in the process. The pork shoulder was tender and delicious, and the tail might have been my favorite dish!

I was actually headed to Roosevelt University afterward, and it wasn't a bad walk at all. Actually, I needed to burn some calories! And enjoyed the photo exhibit at the Cultural Center on the way.

After work, I popped into Epic Burger and managed to squeeze in a burger before bolting back to the airport. Pretty good, but I was admittedly still too full to fully appreciate it.

Thanks, all, again for the great advice. I am inspired to return to Chicago with more time to explore many more restaurants!

taiyou wrote:Hey...just wanted to report back.

The only newsstand I saw on the way to CTA said they don't sell day passes, and that they're not available anywhere at the airport. Maybe I missed another stand? Anyway, no big deal.

Flight was right on time, and from Clark/Lake, just a 15-minute walk to Purple Pig, as promised. Sat at the chef's counter and, well, pigged out. Had to have one salad (arugula with sunchokes) to enjoy/justify the other dishes:
Pig's ear with crispy kale, pickled cherry peppers and fried egg
Pork neck bone gravy with calabro ricotta
Milk-braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes

And seeing how much I was enjoying everything, the chef gave me pig's tails braised in balsamic.

Great stuff. Pig's ear was my least favorite. Loved the crispness, but the porky flavor was a little lost in the process. The pork shoulder was tender and delicious, and the tail might have been my favorite dish!

I was actually headed to Roosevelt University afterward, and it wasn't a bad walk at all. Actually, I needed to burn some calories! And enjoyed the photo exhibit at the Cultural Center on the way.

After work, I popped into Epic Burger and managed to squeeze in a burger before bolting back to the airport. Pretty good, but I was admittedly still too full to fully appreciate it.

Thanks, all, again for the great advice. I am inspired to return to Chicago with more time to explore many more restaurants!

Wow, sounds like you really made the most of your time! Thanks for taking the time to post back here about your experience.

danimalarkey wrote:

taiyou wrote:.... If really delayed, a hot dog at the airport. (Oh, I hope not.)...

Depending on what terminal you're in, if you're stuck in the airport I'd recommend the newest Bayless venture, Tortas Frontera. It's located in the B Concourse of Terminal 1 (I believe that's United's wing). I haven't been but I'm willing to bet it's going to better than most anything else at O'Hare.

I tried an egg and chorizo torta last week. I enjoyed it and would happily order it again. The chorizo was flavorful and just greasy enough. Hot sauces were solid, with the habanero actually packing a lot of heat.

The only problem was service. There were 4-5 folks working there, and few customers. I waited nearly 20 minutes for my sandwich, and only two customers were served before me. Most of the staff appeared to be standing around and chatting. Customers were circling the counter, glaring. They provided buzzers that rang when the food was ready - - Perhaps that was meant to be a message that we should go get comfortable and they'd call us when eventually the food was ready? In any event, it's set up as fast food and I can imagine they've already had to deal with some irate customers. My recommendation is to go, but only if you have ample time.

Ronna

danimalarkey wrote:

taiyou wrote:.... If really delayed, a hot dog at the airport. (Oh, I hope not.)...

Depending on what terminal you're in, if you're stuck in the airport I'd recommend the newest Bayless venture, Tortas Frontera. It's located in the B Concourse of Terminal 1 (I believe that's United's wing). I haven't been but I'm willing to bet it's going to better than most anything else at O'Hare.

I'd also highly recommend the Skybridge Grill located in Terminal 2 near gate F8.

taiyou wrote:Hey...just wanted to report back.

Wow--how inspiring! I love the swooping into a city-eat, eat, eat tactic. I live here, but I may in the coming week pretend to be a visitor and do what you did just for kicks. Seems like a great way to justify yet another visit to the Purple Pig and the Vivian Maier exhibit.

Glad to hear you had a great time. Good news is if you make it back you have plenty of other options!

Where are you from?