The Fruits of the Forest is truely one of the best things in Chicago. Every time I go to Freddy's I'm stuffed but on the way out I find I always have just enough room for a small.

Could be wrong, but I think they just introduced a pre-assembled caprese sandwich. At least, I've never noticed them there before.

zoid wrote:The Fruits of the Forest is truely one of the best things in Chicago. Every time I go to Freddy's I'm stuffed but on the way out I find I always have just enough room for a small.

If I make the mistake of eating my FoF first, I can't eat anything else for awhile; it's so freaking rich.

Just a heads up. Freddy's will be closed for vacation from this weekend until Sept. 17.

I never really got Freddy's until my most recent lunch there the other day. I don't get to Freddy's very often because it isn't generally on my route and I still maintain that the food itself is not the greatest, but Freddy's is more about the people and the atmosphere than any particular dish that they serve. For lunch the other day, I had a porcetta sandwich and an arancini.

Of those two items, the arancini was easily the best item. It was well balanced and not too dry, which can be a common problem with items cooked as far in advance as this arancini was.

Freddy's Meat Arancini


I was very excited to try the porcetta sandwich. I didn't remember this item being offered the last time I was there, and lately the version served at Panozzo's has taken my heart, so my hopes were high. Unfortunately, Freddy's version didn't hold a candle to the fatty, well seasoned version at Panozzo's. It was perfectly acceptable but not something I would get again, with such a great version to be had by driving a roughly equivalent distance from my house to the South Loop.

Freddy's Porcetta Sandwich


Like I said at the beginning of this post, Freddy's is more than just the food. The family that runs the place is extremely nice and accommodating to their patrons, and that same energy trickles down through the entire staff all the way to the guy who sweeps the floor. For example, the floor sweeper guy saw me taking pictures and noticed that I needed napkins. Without even being asked, he went inside and brought me out a handful of napkins (with a smile). Another thing I saw was a group of four old timers coming out of the store with one of the workers following behind them carrying their trays so they could keep their balance with both hands. The owner worked the patio area like a politician, making sure that everyone had everything they needed and greeting most of the patrons by name.

This was perhaps the best experience I have ever had at Freddy's.

I'm surely glad you had a nice experience. I hate, however, to be the reflective homer and wonder, did you have the "wrong" porchetta?

What I mean, was the porchetta displayed on the counter near the register? A huge hunk of porky, rolled meat, a combo of loin and belly? I wonder if you got instead, what is in the cold cuts/cheese case, more of a deli meat. If nothing else, I'm not sure the house made porchetta can be sliced that thin.

I could be wrong, of course, but I wonder...

Vital Information wrote:I'm surely glad you had a nice experience. I hate, however, to be the reflective homer and wonder, did you have the "wrong" porchetta?

What I mean, was the porchetta displayed on the counter near the register? A huge hunk of porky, rolled meat, a combo of loin and belly? I wonder if you got instead, what is in the cold cuts/cheese case, more of a deli meat. If nothing else, I'm not sure the house made porchetta can be sliced that thin.

I could be wrong, of course, but I wonder...

They had a big sign up something to the tune of "Now available porcetta sandwich". That's what I ordered. I thought it was on par with most everything I've ever been served at Freddy's. It wasn't bad at all. Just not best of breed.

Madon', on vacation until Thursday the 13th at 10 AM. Caputo's it is.

What will Joe have this time?



How 'bout throwing yesterday's porchetta into this day's beans. Red gravy, rosemary, that oustanding, crusty, natural starter, bread, call it a healthy lunch.

Vital Information wrote:I'm surely glad you had a nice experience. I hate, however, to be the reflective homer and wonder, did you have the "wrong" porchetta?

What I mean, was the porchetta displayed on the counter near the register? A huge hunk of porky, rolled meat, a combo of loin and belly? I wonder if you got instead, what is in the cold cuts/cheese case, more of a deli meat. If nothing else, I'm not sure the house made porchetta can be sliced that thin.

I could be wrong, of course, but I wonder...

Like this

Maybe they won't have porchetta the day you go, but maybe they will have some of the gelato flavors Joe's been hatching, like spumoni.

Something else new to try:



Their take on a timballo di maccheroni alla Napoletana. The end product is served with gravy as seen in this assortment of dishes.

About to leave bread behind for a period, I wanted one last carbo-feast, and Freddy's was just the place to do the trick.



What was especially notable this time was the foccacia. How many times can I say this, but it seems like there's always something new up their sleeves. It's what's pictured on the lower right side. First of all, let me say, that the portion for $3.99, was huge, like 2 big, big slices of pizza. Second of all, this was not pizza. It was airy and plush, and thick of sauce, like sheet/bakery pizza. Yet, third, most importantly, it carried a heft and crunch just about different from any other foccacia I know, save Eataly being only close.

Freddy's bakes their breads with natural starter, biga. I'm guessing that they use that in this as well. The crust tasted of their best breads too. I'm also guessing that this meatless item was here for Holy Week, so you might want to get to Freddy's soon.

Going to Freddy's
on a Saturday around 12:30pm-
IS NOT
the best time to go to Freddy's if "the line thing" the josteling-jockeying-positioning-
thing is not for you......



Porchetta Special @ Freddy's by Man_of Steel, on Flickr
and

Italian Sandwich @ Freddy's by Man_of Steel, on Flickr
and

Broccoli Rabe @ Freddy's in Cicero (OMG!) by Man_of Steel, on Flickr
but if you like very tasty Italian Food- in an authentic Southern Italian fashion....
then do go!....just not when it's so crazy and disjointed there....
[img][/img]

i learned something curious, and very helpful last week at freddy's. i was chatting with ann-marie, one of the owners, as she was helping me. i asked for some rapini (or broccoli rabe), but made a face and said i eat it because it's healthy, but don't really enjoy the bitterness. she told me to eat it cold (already cooked) and it would be much milder, and she was absolutely right. it was like another vegetable altogether, no bitterness at all. i hope this helps....

i learned the hard way today that freddy's is closed for vacation from today until 9/17. everybody who works there has more than earned a vacation- what a great staff.

As I continue to send myself to intriguing restaurants in metropolitan Chicago; on Thursday, I combined transit and craftbeer with italian beef and headed for GNR Freddy's Pizza on S. 61st Av. in Cicero. https://i.imgtc.ws/GtLCB9E.jpg
(Freddy's italian beef was hyped by Time Out Chicago.)
A lot of patrons were there for the italian ice. I was not anticipating having such, but the flavor selections and the pricing made me decide to add it on. I opted for lime. https://i.imgtc.ws/FbZG19d.jpg
Let's get to the italian beef. This was OK. It isn't the best on the planet , but the beef was tender, the broth had the solid blend of aromatic and umami, and the hot peppers were not melting the heat scale, or vaporizing my flavor buds. {I didn't kick out any of them. I feel I have to do this with some italian beef sandwiches.} https://i.imgtc.ws/95ii26k.jpg
As I have read in this thread that most of its recommendations are for its pizza, here is a picture of it. https://i.imgtc.ws/X6sxpsa.jpg
(But I did not have this. )
Overall, Freddy's is a good place to hit. It isn't easy getting there via transit. There is no bus on W. 16th St. in Cicero (or Berwyn), so you'll wind up on a bus on Austin. The CTA route #91 bus ends at Roosevelt Rd., so you would have a five block walk if you did not want to wait for the Pace route #315 bus (@ Lake St. | Corcoran Pl.). Freddy's closes at 7:00 pm six days a week [Closed Sunday].
If you dine in its separate, but conjoined dining room, you will find a spectrum of photographs, newspaper reprints, and the GNR proclamation. https://i.imgtc.ws/u1pmfPT.jpg

pudgym29 - Thanks again, I love to see your Italian Beef posts. But it would be helpful if you properly size your photos. Even when I click on them, they are tiny. Kind of defeats the purpose of you sharing them. Freddy's Pizza is one of the last Italian Beefs I have to get to out of the dozens I've had so far that were considered the essential locations.

I clicked on the picture of the Italian Beef in pudgym29's post and the writing is all in Russian (or something). Is that right?

Freddy's needs to rethink their Retail Store Policies.
My dear friend, was there today- and as his order was tallied- came up short of CASH-
embarrassing enough, but had Freddie's had an ATM or took Credit Cards- no issue.

I've moaned and pissed to anyone who'll listen- why is it-
any other Retail Establishment (in Chicago or The Suburbs) is required by Law,
to have their Scales assessed as to their accuracy-"checked",
their stores and back-rooms to be clean and sanitary,
as well as ensuring that their Foods sold by the pound- display those prices.
Yet, with Freddy's food displayed at eyeball level- EVERYTHING LOOKS APPETIZING ENOUGH- until they tally your luck- an' it's +/- $25.00.
For Lunch.

I'm certain that I'm not the only one who's encountered this "eye(s)-bigger-than-my-"Bank"-held-in-Hip-National-Bank".

Now- not that I'm against a CA$H only policy ...
(but it does seem to be a thing of the past-
with Technology altering the Payment Landscape-
eg.-
Peer-to-Peer-Payments/Apple's iPAY/Square/and so many other ways
for Millennials to not carry paper currency.
I went to a Fulton Market Stanley's Donuts that refused to accept CA$H in fact).

My rant- is more about their NOT DISPLAYING A PRICE PER POUND- for nuttin'!
How hard is that?
They rarely change their food items.
It's kinda disruptive- in a bad way- to ask- before
each little plate of Scungilli Salad is portioned-
"Hey-How-Much-is-dat-a Pound"?

End of rant.

I remember coming home on a Friday evening and stopped to pick up a Date Night In feast.

3-4 entrees, a couple of salads, some bread. Bags worth.

Come time at the register and I had forgotten that it was cash only and she gave me the food and said "Come back tomorrow and pay" of which I did.

You might think that she didn't want to deal with the hassle of putting it all back (maybe she would have to throw it all away?) but I took it as someone who trusts in her community, her customers. It further cemented my commitment to the place.

Panther in the Den wrote:Come time at the register and I had forgotten that it was cash only and she gave me the food and said "Come back tomorrow and pay" of which I did.

Same thing happened to me about a year ago. Except it was a Saturday afternoon, so I just ran back down a little while later after grabbing some cash. They let me leave with the merch, though.

Has anyone heard that Joe is ready to retire- and want's to sell/close Freddy's Pizza sometime this year?

Hombre de Acero wrote:Has anyone heard that Joe is ready to retire- and want's to sell/close Freddy's Pizza sometime this year?

He seemed very happy working the gelato counter and the crowd when we stopped in for sausage over the Memorial Day holiday weekend and his Mercedes 2 seater looked mighty shiny sitting on the driveway.

It has been a long run and I think they deserve the rest. He is the head chef so I don’t think the place would be the same without him.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Hombre de Acero wrote:Has anyone heard that Joe is ready to retire- and want's to sell/close Freddy's Pizza sometime this year?

He seemed very happy working the gelato counter and the crowd when we stopped in for sausage over the Memorial Day holiday weekend and his Mercedes 2 seater looked mighty shiny sitting on the driveway.

It has been a long run and I think they deserve the rest. He is the head chef so I don’t think the place would be the same without him.

And the long run will go on for the foreseeable future.

Perhaps it was a good coincidence that this came up on a day that I already had Freddy's on the agenda, but I'll say man did my head get bitten off for asking.

Ann Marie had a lot to say on the subject, pretty much all angry, but especially angry that people would post such things without asking them.

Have I mentioned they have no intention of setting down to an extended rest?

Living in the area and being a regular visitor I cannot remember ordering a pizza. They have pizza in their name but the deli often overshadows. Plenty of pizza off of the counter...


Well, yesterday we decided to rectify that fact. Had some business in the area so we called ahead so it would be ready by the time we got there.


Well that was a great pizza! Premium toppings, crust not crackery but the edge had a great crunch. Piping hot the cheese wasn’t set so after our first few pieces we let it cool a bit before continuing.


I did order thin crust and was surprised at the heft of the box. Lots of toppings, cheese and a good amount of sauce.


By no means surprised at the quality and preparation skills.

Of course a gelato from the wide array in the double ice cream case to finish the meal.

Both the margarita and calamari pizzas are particularly awesome. But I love all of their pizza!

Best slice in Illinois

https://patch.com/illinois/oakpark/s/gt ... aign=alert

Just wanted to post how accommodating Ann and her staff were to a Group of 20,
post Funeral Attendees today.
We had an unexpected (are they ever expected?) Funeral at Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park,
(https://youtu.be/b6g5f25FzcU)
&
(https://youtu.be/E_MthUFFIRs)
and what had begun as maybe a couple of cousins
turned into a party of 20, many visiting Chicago from LA for their very 1st time-
so it turned out to be a perfect "spot" for them to get to see-The Real Deal-
of Cicero/Chicago.
The system- there- is more than a little bit awkward- even for seasoned veterans-
and the staff there were really helpful, after I explained that ALL THESE PEOPLE- are with me- to Ann.
So happy to have a nice lunch (& schmooze) with local Cousins, L.A.Family and new "friends" that I rarely see- except for Weddings/Funerals or________ ?
Freddy's Vodka Gnocchi's were as "pillow-like" as ever, and my salad plate combo was as rich and savory as only Freddy's can serve it.
Little less Olive Oil- maybe.....but- "whaddya-gonna-do"

Hombre de Acero wrote:Just wanted to post how accommodating Ann and her staff were to a Group of 20,
post Funeral Attendees today.
We had an unexpected (are they ever expected?) Funeral at Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park,
(https://youtu.be/b6g5f25FzcU)
&
(https://youtu.be/E_MthUFFIRs)
and what had begun as maybe a couple of cousins
turned into a party of 20, many visiting Chicago from LA for their very 1st time-
so it turned out to be a perfect "spot" for them to get to see-The Real Deal-
of Cicero/Chicago.
The system- there- is more than a little bit awkward- even for seasoned veterans-
and the staff there were really helpful, after I explained that ALL THESE PEOPLE- are with me- to Ann.
So happy to have a nice lunch (& schmooze) with local Cousins, L.A.Family and new "friends" that I rarely see- except for Weddings/Funerals or________ ?
Freddy's Vodka Gnocchi's were as "pillow-like" as ever, and my salad plate combo was as rich and savory as only Freddy's can serve it.
Little less Olive Oil- maybe.....but- "whaddya-gonna-do"

Kal-El,

Freddy's is a perfect place for an after-funeral family get-together. A good taste in several ways.