blueorigami wrote:I never knew lollipop style was available before the fire. I never saw it advertised, but I suppose you had to ask

Yeah, I think I told her that I loved the great-seas-style wings, and she said "we can do it like that, you know!" and lo and behold, I had 'em.

I went to Take Me Out today for lunch,a family size Little Hotties order to take back to work for lunch. Karen took my order, and as it was prepared we talked. The space was lovely, quiet at 2:00 p.m. I was instantly popular back at work, and the leftover wings and rice made a nice dinner, which Mrs. Trpt enjoyed. I'll certainly be back, and I wish her well.

More little hotties today, just terrific. Karen was friendly, remembering me from last week. Business has been a little slow, she was happy when two guys came in behind me. I hope they can make it happen after the fire, it's a terrific place and a great addition to the neighborhood.

I had a taste for some wings from Take Me Out last night on my way home.I passed by at 7:30 and it was dark, they were closed. I went back today and asked what happened. They were broken into Sunday night,someone stole their computer and POS system and security cameras. Some Monday they were closed while the cops did their thing. First a fire, now this. Karen was upbeat as always and there was a steady business tonight. I hope they can make it through, I'd sure hate to lose the wings.

An outlier at one of my faves tonight:

I usually run into Karen on her shift; her personal warmth welcome heightens the whole experience. Tonight, staff I hadn't seen before was bored and rather cool. Instead of their usual Little Hottie takeout containers, which are recyclable/reusable plastic and in two compartments to separate the saucy wings from the rice, the orders were placed together into thick styrofoam hinged boxes with the rice and wings mingling. Perhaps because of this takeout arrangement, they went extremely easy on the hot sauce, so there was none at the bottom of the container for anointing the rice, and the overall heat of the dish was way down.

The wings were still perfectly cooked, lollipop style with the ridiculously crisp skin redolent of a pastry shop next to a rotisserie, but, disappointingly, had a really unacceptable number of feather remnants. While tasty, one slight letdown after another made for a less-than-stellar impression. To top it off, they don't make their delicious fruit drinks "during the winter." Wish they could borrow some produce, ice, and time from Joy Yee's about a mile away over on Halsted.

Santander wrote:I usually run into Karen on her shift; her personal warmth welcome heightens the whole experience. Tonight, staff I hadn't seen before was bored and rather cool. Instead of their usual Little Hottie takeout containers, which are recyclable/reusable plastic and in two compartments to separate the saucy wings from the rice, the orders were placed together into thick styrofoam hinged boxes with the rice and wings mingling.

Matt,

Heard from a reliable source Karen Lim is no longer day to day at Take Me Out. The person I spoke to used the word "rented" and mentioned franchising, but I should point out there is real possibility for misinterpretation as English is her second, possibly third, language.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

Santander wrote:I usually run into Karen on her shift; her personal warmth welcome heightens the whole experience. Tonight, staff I hadn't seen before was bored and rather cool. Instead of their usual Little Hottie takeout containers, which are recyclable/reusable plastic and in two compartments to separate the saucy wings from the rice, the orders were placed together into thick styrofoam hinged boxes with the rice and wings mingling.

Matt,

Heard from a reliable source Karen Lim is no longer day to day at Take Me Out. The person I spoke to used the word "rented" and mentioned franchising, but I should point out there is real possibility for misinterpretation as English is her second, possibly third, language.

Enjoy,
Gary

Thanks for the insight; your source may very well be correct based on the disconnects of tonight's visit. I don't want to scare anyone off - this was still really good food - but it doesn't have that almost-GNR sheen provided by Karen, whom you could light up by ordering the wings, and completely make her day by ordering an avocado smoothie

Santander wrote:An outlier at one of my faves tonight:

I usually run into Karen on her shift; her personal warmth welcome heightens the whole experience. Tonight, staff I hadn't seen before was bored and rather cool. Instead of their usual Little Hottie takeout containers, which are recyclable/reusable plastic and in two compartments to separate the saucy wings from the rice, the orders were placed together into thick styrofoam hinged boxes with the rice and wings mingling. Perhaps because of this takeout arrangement, they went extremely easy on the hot sauce, so there was none at the bottom of the container for anointing the rice, and the overall heat of the dish was way down.

The wings were still perfectly cooked, lollipop style with the ridiculously crisp skin redolent of a pastry shop next to a rotisserie, but, disappointingly, had a really unacceptable number of feather remnants. While tasty, one slight letdown after another made for a less-than-stellar impression. To top it off, they don't make their delicious fruit drinks "during the winter." Wish they could borrow some produce, ice, and time from Joy Yee's about a mile away over on Halsted.

With the container change it is beginning to sound like there is a bit of cost cutting along with the transition to "franchising". Good thing the menu and prices have not changed that much.

But feather remnants? Yikes! Cutting back on the heat and amount of sauce? Karen was always a bright ray of sunshine that added a nice personal touch to the visit.

We will have to see how this develops.

This is very disheartening. I have to say Karen was not around the last two or three times I've been there, and I've noticed a subtle difference from last fall. Can't articulate it, I've just not been so happy with the wings the last couple times I've been there. This may help to explain.

trpt2345 wrote:This is very disheartening. I have to say Karen was not around the last two or three times I've been there, and I've noticed a subtle difference from last fall.

Takeout at Great Sea last week and Karen, owner of Take Me Out and daughter of owner of Great Sea, was at the register. Karen mentioned she and her sister had 'taken back" Take Me Out, dropped the majority, if not all, of the Chinese American dishes and were concentrating on Great Sea style wings. This is good news.

Karen, who is friendly and nice as can be, had pictures of her darling new baby and the Great Sea Chicken Wings were as good, if not better, than ever.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

trpt2345 wrote:This is very disheartening. I have to say Karen was not around the last two or three times I've been there, and I've noticed a subtle difference from last fall.

Takeout at Great Sea last week and Karen, owner of Take Me Out and daughter of owner of Great Sea, was at the register. Karen mentioned she and her sister had 'taken back" Take Me Out, dropped the majority, if not all, of the Chinese American dishes and were concentrating on Great Sea style wings. This is good news.

Karen, who is friendly and nice as can be, had pictures of her darling new baby and the Great Sea Chicken Wings were as good, if not better, than ever.

Enjoy,
Gary

This is an early Christmas present - thanks for the news. I'll try to get in a Take Me Out - Honky Tonk double feature soon. If only for Bombon, now.

Went to Great Sea last night. Carried out, a couple of order of the wings.

Karen (lady from the picture) told me one order was plenty big. I bought
two anyway, one medium, one spicy. So glad I did.

My wife and I were in total heaven. Absolutely delicious.

Restaurant was doing a booming business.
Lots of families in there.

What are the thoughts on some of the Chinese dishes they serve?

Thanks for this winner

Happy Holidays

Dave

Thread bump needed. I have no idea why I went a couple years between visits here. Stopped in last month and I've been addicted returning three times since. The wings have been perfectly fried each and every time and when asking for the real heat they've brought it. Some of the best non buffalo style wings around.


Hot Lil' Hotties

Take Me Out
1502 West 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 929-2509