Panther in the Den wrote:

Marshall K wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Restaurant Row
Gringo & Blondie Taqueria & Churreria - Summer
Pork and Mindy’s

Restaurant Row is in Elmwood Park
May have to change the thread name as I don't believe Elmwood Park has ever considered itself to be part of The Oak Park scene

Annexed into the Kingdom.

Ask seebee how that works.

seebee please enlighten me

Panther in the Den wrote:Opening soon...

Downtown
Cajun Boil & Bar - Opens May 15

Missed their date

I was out getting dinner for me and My Bride at ...

Parky's Hot Dogs
329 S Harlem Ave, Forest Park

... and was walking by so I dashed in for a solitary taco.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cactus Grill
315 S Harlem Ave Unit A, Forest Park

... in the old Fuji Grill location.

Guess they’ve been open 7 months?

Can I say best taco in a while?

Grilled fresh to order and they weren’t afraid to brown the meat.


The salsas were fire as well. Green a little smoother

Not just another taco place

Marshall K wrote:8)

Panther in the Den wrote:
Ask seebee how that works.

seebee please enlighten me

As far as I can tell:

If Panther&Bride, Santander, Dradeli, or a few others consider a place within 27.4 miles of Oak Park proper worth visiting, then it's "Oak Park Area." Anything in that same geography that is NOT good is in the town it resides in.

Examples:
Alpine Food Shop - Oak Park Area
Johnnies - Oak Park Area
The Panera on North Ave down the street? ELMWOOD PARK.

Just...let them be.

Panther in the Den wrote:Busy time in The Kingdom!

Opening soon...

Daly Bagel - late summer

While we are waiting I was able to stop by...

Sugar Beet Food Co-op
812 Madison St, Oak Park

... to give the Daly Bagel wares a try.


Pretty dang good! I had an everything bagel and a adagio cheese bagel.

Generous with the toppings, enough that if the bagel is sliced you still have some to flavor the bottom.

A pretty good variation in size so if you arrive when they are almost gone you might end up with small ones.

Recently they had a pop-up sale at...

Urban Pioneer Group
7503 Madison St, Forest Park

... and sold out in 20 minutes!

Good for them.

Yesterday, My Bride and I stopped at the What’s Blooming on Harrison street fest on Harrison between Austin and Ridgeland.

We had some obligations earlier in the day and then it rained. We didn’t arrive until after 5.

Well, the rain chased most of the vendors away and there was only one food vendor still out but we were warned their food was ‘hard’ (?!?) which I interpreted to mean stale.

No problem as I figured we could grab a bite at...

The Happy Apple Pie Shop
226 Harrison St, Oak Park

Well, looking for something savory I was informed they sold out in an hour at noon (even after preparing all day yesterday). She thought she had made enough.

They weren’t completely out as they had a few asparagus and Gruyère cheese mini quiche left. Also one mini apple pie ala mode left. These items tasted great but the eggs in the quiche were a little too soft.

Not nearly a satisfying meal. We grabbed another bite on the way home.

seebee wrote:

Marshall K wrote:8)

Panther in the Den wrote:
Ask seebee how that works.

seebee please enlighten me

As far as I can tell:

If Panther&Bride, Santander, Dradeli, or a few others consider a place within 27.4 miles of Oak Park proper worth visiting, then it's "Oak Park Area." Anything in that same geography that is NOT good is in the town it resides in.

Examples:
Alpine Food Shop - Oak Park Area
Johnnies - Oak Park Area
The Panera on North Ave down the street? ELMWOOD PARK.

Just...let them be.

You’ve reformed me, as I think the record of the past few years shows. The remaining laziness of this thread itself I think is one of expediency - some folks are still scared / busy / unwilling to start a separate thread per place at current posting volume. In my opinion, better to have something on record than nothing (we don’t need any more dis-incentives).

Also -
For the whole "Oak Park Area" annexing -
I'm 100% sure the Oak Park Area folks know I write in jest. So for everyone else - please know that Panther, Santander, and I are just kidding around here.

If I ever see you encroaching on Lavergne's though, the gloves come off.

I think the real question is: Can you smell what The Hat is cooking?

David Hammond wrote:Of course, you can bring your own, and you can buy CBD at many outlets. Locally in Oak Park, they have a wide selection at Fresh Thyme on North Avenue (though not Whole Foods).

Fresh Thyme
7501 W North Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 689-5036

Panther in the Den wrote:Busy time in The Kingdom!

Mulata Kitchen - open

What a great time to be alive.

Mulata Kitchen + Coffee
136 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

A highly anticipated opening!

The reopening of the respected...

Taste of Brazil
906 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park
http://www.tasteofbrasilcafe.com/Taste_ ... /Home.html

... which started as a coffee shop, added small Brazilian baked treats and then expanded to limited plate dinners.

Their new shop isn’t much larger so it will be interesting to see what they offer.

Santander wrote::lol:

I think the real question is: Can you smell what The Hat is cooking?

David Hammond wrote:Of course, you can bring your own, and you can buy CBD at many outlets. Locally in Oak Park, they have a wide selection at Fresh Thyme on North Avenue (though not Whole Foods).

Fresh Thyme
7501 W North Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 689-5036

I did see a big banner up at...

Studio 8
7316 Madison St, Forest Park

... which I found odd since a they are an arty repurposing, antique, tchotchke kind of shop.

CBD is readily available at most vape/smoke shops which are plentiful.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Busy time in The Kingdom!

Mulata Kitchen - open

What a great time to be alive.

Mulata Kitchen + Coffee
136 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

A highly anticipated opening!

Had some business on The Avenue and decided to stop in for a snack (that being one of the specialty’s of the old shop.

Walking in at 11:30 I noticed the offerings were very sparse, a pair of Chicken Empanadas.

I noticed the lady owner from before was there and chatted her up a bit. Turns out they were preparing for the lunch rush and the case would be stocked soon.

No problem! A double espresso and a cup of lentil soup (tasted more like split pea) in the meantime.


Once the case was filled I noticed the absence of some of our favorite treats and asking she mentioned that many of the old items were deep fried and they don’t have a frier.

Settling for a pair of empanadas (mushroom and chicken) and upon serving I asked for some Chimichurri Sauce which brought about some confusion, the waitress asked the coffee guy and then the owner. She went in back to get me a cup.


The Chimichurri sauce was a nice departure from traditional, what I thought to be a touch of vinegar turned out to be lime juice and it also packed a touch of heat. She asked if there was too much heat, no, just fine.

While we were there a couple we know walked in and upon leaving we stopped by to chat, turns out their daughter is a friend of the owner. Good thing as they had ordered an eggplant sandwich...


One sandwich that caught my eye was a smoked turkey, bacon, chihuahua cheese, avocado, with a splash of the chimichurri sauce.

First they add the cheese, toast it to melt, then add the meats, toast to warm (open face) and then the splash, assemble and serve.

Glad to see them reopen although I do morn the loss of the small tidbits they used to offer (my primary reason to visit).

Seems that they are primarily a empanada, sandwich and coffee place.

Desserts to come back once the dessert case gets repaired and the possibility of limited plate dinners (like the old location) might also return.

I will return once some other things get added but there are several other options for empanadas in the area. Maybe for a sandwich.

Doing a good business at lunchtime.

Forget to post this a few weeks ago.

My Bride and I stopped by (free t-shirt Mother’s Day weekend)...

Kinslahger Brewing Company
6806 Roosevelt Rd, Oak Park

... on a Friday evening when they were hosting the food truck from...

Carnivore
1042 Pleasant St, Oak Park

On the menu was a Bacon Sandwich.




Looking at it I was thinking, greens, tomatoes and the forementioned bacon. BLT?

Upon eating I couldn’t of been more wrong, the amount of bacon was almost over the top! A strong hit of hickory and a mouthful of bacon in every bite.

So good! I wonder if this is available in the shop too.

Exiting I stopped to complement Brad and he simply mentioned “Years of practice” with a sly smile .

They are keeping up the great work. Lucky to have them around.

Not mentioned: A bowl of unloaded (without the toppings, sour cream, cheese and bacon crumbles = -$2) baked potato soup and a pair of citrus infused Weekly Kinsmen.

The venerable and always popular...

The Original Pancake House
7255 Madison St, Forest Park

Originally of 954 Lake St, Oak Park

... has closed. A friend familiar with the restaurant mentioned it was rather sudden.

I didn’t get pancakes so much but rather their...

Our signature items include the Apple Pancake, a single large pancake smothered with sautéed apples and cinnamon sugar baked to perfection, to create a deliciously rich cinnamon sugar glaze.

... or their...

Another signature item is the Dutch Baby, an air filled delight oven baked to golden perfection and served with lemon, whipped butter and powdered sugar to create a mouthwatering blend.

A loss in the community.

Although it was reported back in April I thought I would give people the heads up here...

Another venerable fixture in the area has closed...

Riverside Restaurant
3422 S Harlem Ave, Riverside

Very good for what it was but I always preferred...

Czech Plaza Restaurant
7016 Cermak Rd, Berwyn

One of the several Serbian restaurants in the Brookfield/Lyons area has closed.

Župa Restaurant & Deli
Also known as Župa Bakery And Cookie
7919 Ogden Ave, Lyons

Never very popular but pretty good on my few visits when we got what I called The Festival of Meat which was a large platter of various meats and sausages.

Perhaps the opening of the popular and very nice...

Skadarliya
9237 Ogden Ave, Brookfield

Can the less popular and less nice...

Dunav Restaurant
8801 Ogden Ave, Brookfield
(At the location of the long gone but awesome Back in the Day Cafe)

... be far behind?

Panther in the Den wrote:One of the several Serbian restaurants in the Brookfield/Lyons area

<snip>

Skadarliya
9237 Ogden Ave, Brookfield

Has an excellent buffet on Sunday's.

seebee wrote:

Marshall K wrote:8)

Panther in the Den wrote:
Ask seebee how that works.

seebee please enlighten me

As far as I can tell:

If Panther&Bride, Santander, Dradeli, or a few others consider a place within 27.4 miles of Oak Park proper worth visiting, then it's "Oak Park Area." Anything in that same geography that is NOT good is in the town it resides in.

Examples:
Alpine Food Shop - Oak Park Area
Johnnies - Oak Park Area
The Panera on North Ave down the street? ELMWOOD PARK.

Just...let them be.

Area I understand Scene is much different (Just Bustin Chops)

seebee wrote:I'm 100% sure the Oak Park Area folks know I write in jest. So for everyone else - please know that Panther, Santander, and I are just kidding around here.

Marshall K wrote:Area I understand Scene is much different (Just Bustin Chops)

I’m sure we understand.

Since there have been some changes I am bringing this post forward...

Panther in the Den wrote:Busy time in The Kingdom!

Opening soon...

Downtown
Cajun Boil & Bar - May 15
Kalamata Kitchen - No progress
currito - Sign down

Further East
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
Daly Bagel - late summer

Restaurant Row
Gringo & Blondie Taqueria & Churreria - July September
Pork and Mindy’s

Forest Park
Small Batch Barbeque - Open!
Chirrion (The Forest Perk)

South
Sweet Monster - Open!

I wonder what's happening in Berwyn???

What a great time to be alive.

Panther in the Den wrote:I was out getting dinner for me and My Bride at ...

Parky's Hot Dogs
329 S Harlem Ave, Forest Park

... and was walking by so I dashed in for a solitary taco.

Panther in the Den wrote:Cactus Grill
315 S Harlem Ave Unit A, Forest Park

... in the old Fuji Grill location.

Guess they’ve been open 7 months?

Can I say best taco in a while?

The attachment 883CC26F-19E3-4BBA-ACC4-A26D1F373B35.jpeg is no longer available

Grilled fresh to order and they weren’t afraid to brown the meat.

The attachment 48625BB0-DA7B-4724-AB1E-95F336D6AA53.jpeg is no longer available

The salsas were fire as well. Green a little smoother

The attachment 7382BC37-6A11-4806-9FE7-500C69AB0233.jpeg is no longer available

The attachment 963ADB6A-762B-447A-88E9-09A98E6A007E.jpeg is no longer available

Not just another taco place

Nevermind

Was was perhaps the best I ever had slipped into average today when I brought My Bride over for dinner.


Meat chopped fine (almost a coarse ground beef) without much perceptible browning.

Without consistency you might as well visit any place.

Blue Max Coffee
26 Lathrop Ave, Forest Park

Closed abruptly last week first claiming “technical difficulties” then “potential buyer”. I loved the space and the vibe.

https://www.oakparkeats.com/food-news/c ... -blue-max/

In the meantime you can visit another favorite of mine that is very similar but with some actual food...

Mission House Cafe
6818 W 34th St, Berwyn

Panther in the Den wrote:Busy time in The Kingdom!

Further East
One Lake - Open

One Lake Brewing
1 Lake St, Oak Park
(corner of Lake and Austin)

Today, May 29th

Yay! I wonder if the rooftop is open too?

Panther in the Den wrote: One Lake Brewing
1 Lake St, Oak Park
(corner of Lake and Austin)
Today, May 29th
[attachment snipped to save {my} bandwidth)]
Yay! I wonder if the rooftop is open too?

Yay!
Now I can suggest this venue to other people in the Chicago Beer Society (as if they ever listen to me ) as a venue very close to public transportation.
You know what? I'm heading over there to see if it will give me a seal for my 2019 Drink Illinois craft beer Passport, even if it isn't listed thereupon. (Metropolitan Brwg. does not count for ICBG either - stuff them.)

Panther in the Den wrote:Blue Max Coffee
26 Lathrop Ave, Forest Park

Closed abruptly last week first claiming “technical difficulties” then “potential buyer”. I loved the space and the vibe.

https://www.oakparkeats.com/food-news/c ... -blue-max/

In the meantime you can visit another favorite of mine that is very similar but with some actual food...

Damn I think I still have a Groupon for Blue Max

Mission House Cafe
6818 W 34th St, Berwyn

So ... One Lake is going to be sort of Oak Park's Exit Strategy? Do they have a beer menu? Is their beer any good? What gives their beers (per their website) a "Midwestern flare"(sic)? I wish them luck, but I suppose color me hesitant

Vitesse98 wrote:So ... One Lake is going to be sort of Oak Park's Exit Strategy? Do they have a beer menu? Is their beer any good? What gives their beers (per their website) a "Midwestern flare"(sic)? I wish them luck, but I suppose color me hesitant

Thanks for that. So looks like mostly/exclusively lower ABV beers, which is a change of pace. And some fine looking nibbles.

Panther in the Den wrote:Mexican food along Roosevelt

First the bad news...

The stalwart...
Inos
7100 W Roosevelt Rd, Oak Park
... has a For Sale sign in the window. Still open for business.

I have been a fan ever since they were located just on the other side of Harlem and Carm’s Beef occupied their current spot.

Several unique items, double burritos, all beef burritos and their special Steak and Mushroom burrito.

Most of their menu was prepared well to this standard.

Don’t know what the story is about the sale.

Good news, The For Sale sign is down.

I had a dream (and maybe a post) that they were making ‘whole piece of skirt steak’ tacos like...

Mr Taco
5960 Ogden Ave, Cicero

... but sadly no. Fell back on my place favorite...


Same ‘ole, same ‘ole. Juicy, tasty and from what I remember (it was a long night) tender steak.

My Bride fell back on her favorite too...


This had risen to the tops of the charts by the addition of a ‘lot’ of cheese.

I have always been a fan of Queso Fundido and this tasted like a Fundido sandwich. Melty and greasy cheese, oozing out of the tortillas, grease and cheese dripping onto the plate. Delicious!

Both the red and green sauces had some fire in them and a complementary bowl of chips (no Pico de gallo) was good for giving them a taste.

They were doing a good business at 11:30 pm on a Thursday and thinking about it they are the only taco place nearby.

Good for them.

Vitesse98 wrote:Thanks for that. So looks like mostly/exclusively lower ABV beers, which is a change of pace. And some fine looking nibbles.

They did mention this is just their starting beers (which I took to mean, the ones they are most proud of) with IPAs and others to join. Several dark beers on the menu.