Annual Black Friday Food Crawl - 2017 Edition

Is it Black Friday again already?!

Once again, we loaded up the family truckster and headed out in search of deliciousness, after OD'ing on turkey the day before. It was a good run this year but some unexpected closures and a supremely annoying construction project thwarted us just a bit. Still, we did ok . . .

Stop 1
Big Ange's Eatery
640 W Northwest Hwy
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 248-8644






Smoked Brisket
This was excellent. I cannot remember having better commercial bbq outside of Texas. I'm not saying it was at Hill Country level but it was very tasty.


Tri-Tip Sandwich
Really nice stuff.


Porchetta Sandwich
Good flavor but I really didn't think the preparation was quite right, with that super shredded meat.

The hand-cut fries were stellar, as well. I'm really glad I finally checked this place out.

Stop 2
Mr. Broast
7947 W Golf Rd
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 965-2422




Zinger Burger
Billed as their signature item, this breaded and fried chicken patty sandwich was really tasty - much more so than the other varieties of grilled chicken breast sandwiches we tried, which were a bit on the dry side. Stupidly, we did not try the fried chicken.

Stop 3
Boba Burger
8530 Waukegan Rd
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 410-7779


It's in the Classic Bowl and as was posted here, I agree that this is the finest food I've ever had in a bowling alley but it's much better than that, IMO . . .


Seoul Burger


Tokyo Dog

This place is very close to my office and I will definitely be back very soon. The food was excellent and really felt homemade in a number of ways. Fwiw, the fries were excellent, so perhaps the problem described in the thread linked above was a one-off situation.

Stop 4
Savory Crust Empanadas
7180 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 423-2273




Picadillo Empanada, hoisin sauce

I can't say this or the other 2 varieties we tried really wowed me, especially compared to empanadas found elsewhere in town, like Cafe Tola and D'Candela. Glad we stopped in, though.

Stop 5
Redhot Ranch
3057 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 661-9377




Atlantic Cod Sandwich w/Pickles
Thwarted at a nearby gyros stand that was frustratingly closed, we called an audible so that we could try this new offering, which was very tasty.


Double Ranch Cheeseburger w/Pickles
The beloved. 'Nuf said.

Stop 6
New China Station
2411 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 252-1023





Dry Chili Fish

I guess I just don't get the love for this place. The potstickers (not pictured) are dense and gummy and this fish, while certainly flavorful, also had textural issues - and this with us eating it in the shop just moments after it had been prepared. The gratis egg rolls tasted off and lousy. We left them mostly uneaten.

So, another year in the books. It was a warm, beautiful day and we had a great time cruising around, listening to Christmas tunes and just being together. I'm no longer surprised that my son still wants to do this every year but I'll never take that for granted, either.

Happy holidays, everyone!

=R=

Awesome stuff!! You've reminded me of a couple places I need to try.

Out of curiosity, whats the gyros stand you tried to hit up?

WhyBeeSea wrote:Out of curiosity, whats the gyros stand you tried to hit up?

Recommended by a friend: Big Boy Gyros on Western, just south of Addison. Never been and my streak is still intact!

=R=