chgoeditor wrote:Unless someone comes to LTH this week while this thread is at the top of the list, it's highly unlikely that this is the first thread someone will see about Hot Doug's--particularly if they're actively seeking out info about the restaurant.

Any first-timer will look at this and wonder what an LTH-favorite is anyway, and go directly to the GNR list in the post. If their opinion is, "Oh hey, Hot Dougs* has 3000 good reviews. This post says it's overrated. I shouldn't go now" then this post isn't the problem.

I like this post because, occasionally, sometimes, people can get a little gushy about beloved places.** This post is like when you tease a family member about a foible...that person may be your favorite family member, you may get along like gangbusters, but he's a little too overzealous about his mad turkey-carving skillz. It's refreshing to hear that beloved restaurants aren't untouchable, and people can represent a minority without tarnishing that restaurant's reputation. People can bash songs and laugh about it and still have great respect for the bands that made them. That's why bands like The Eagles are still selling out arenas.


*or whatever
**Just sayin'! sometimes!

FoodSnob77 wrote:Uncle John's BBQ- And as for the links, I also think the ones at smoque (imported from texas) are tastier, if not smaller. Smoque is more expensive but I also like their sides which although small, pack a punch. Basically Uncle Johns besides the tips, has nothing that motivates me to make the drive down there.

On a related note I find the veal bratwurst at Resi's Bierstube to be much better than the hot dogs at Gene & Jude's. The brats are large and full of flavor - plus they serve beer there and there's seating and table service.

I had posted earlier that the Tony's chili chicken wasn't as deserving as the accolades, IMHO, as it had received (from Lao Sze Chuan). Two nights ago a friend ordered delivery from LSC, including the chicken. It was wonderful! So good! In fact, it was so good, I ordered it the next night for delivery, and it was too sweet--cloyingly sweet. I realized that if its prepared just short of so sweet, its ethereal and deserving of its status as a board favorite. But put too much sugar in there, and it crosses the line into off-putting. A realization to me of how it can be regarded so well at times, and at others, not worthy.

DutchMuse wrote:I had posted earlier that the Tony's chili chicken wasn't as deserving as the accolades, IMHO, as it had received (from Lao Sze Chuan). Two nights ago a friend ordered delivery from LSC, including the chicken. It was wonderful! So good! In fact, it was so good, I ordered it the next night for delivery, and it was too sweet--cloyingly sweet. I realized that if its prepared just short of so sweet, its ethereal and deserving of its status as a board favorite. But put too much sugar in there, and it crosses the line into off-putting. A realization to me of how it can be regarded so well at times, and at others, not worthy.

Maybe the secret is to order it "not too sweet". Sometimes a simple request like that is all it takes to have the dish prepared the way you like it. I've found, particularly in Chinese restaurants where the way dishes are prepared can vary based on who's in the kitchen or the phase of the moon, that the more specific you are about what you are ordering, the better. Of course, sometimes it makes no difference at all.