Bourbon - Alligator Bites

I noticed a new bar / restaurant at the former Tombo Sushi restaurant. At first glance it looked like just another hip place that probably had some small plate concept going on. But once I glanced at the menu posted by the door, I saw several interesting items such as alligator (an appetizer and sandwich) fried green tomatoes, rice pudding cake, and several other Southern inspired offerings. I've only had alligator once before, so I'll definitely be checking this place out soon. Has any LTH'er found any good gator offerings in Chicago?

RMTRAUT

Bourbon
3244 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago

Has any LTH'er found any good gator offerings in Chicago?

Ooh, man. I can tell you what gator not to get. I was at Ribfest in Naperville one year and didn't have the cash for a huge amount of rib--so I found the "Gator on a Stick" cart.

Six dollars and fifteen minutes later, I found out that perhaps stick-based food was not the best introduction to gator meat. Yikes.

It's strictly a novelty, even where it lives.

I had the only good gator I've ever had at May St. Cafe. I cop to buying into the "novelty" of the thing, and I have had it before in Florida and elsewhere, but this was really the very best rendition I've had of this reptile. Chef Santiago did a kind of nutty sage coating that I thought complemented the very mild meat very well.

May St Café
1146 W Cermak
312-421-4442

I had passable 'gator nuggets in Cass county, MI - at a bait shop/hunting store/cafe called Lunker's http://www.lunkers.com/location.htm, eating there is a novelty in and of itself - it serves game fish and some game, as well as ostrich ('cause ya know Ostrich huntin is good in Michigan...)

Yes, I too eat things because of the novelty. Sometimes, it pays off. Sometimes, it's too horrible to relate. Sometimes, as in this case, it's just another food - though I wonder what it would be like if it wasn't battered and deep fried?

Yes, I've had alligator bites in Chicago, in the North Central neighborhood, on Lincoln at Grizzly's Lodge. You could say good or bad things about this place ...

Good: The alligator appetizer. A bit strange, actually - it just comes out as cajun-marinated cuts of grilled (or sauteed) alligator. Nothing fancy, just meat on a plate. Pretty tasty, though. Also good: the Vension Burger, and the Ostrich Burgers we sampled. I preferred the Ostrich burger I ordered. The prices are also pretty good here.

Bad: The atmosphere. This place looks dumpy on the outside and inside. It's weird, too, because half of the place is "downscale family restaurant," and the other half of the place is "townie tavern." Neither side is particularly appealing, but then again, if the food's okay, you can get over that. The rice. I wasn't a fan of their rice at all. I think it was some kind of cajun rice and just wasn't that great.

If you can get over that and you want a quick, rustic, and offbeat meal, come here. I do enjoy that alligator!