Bishop's Chili in Westmont does a very nice tamale/chili combo. If you are really hungry, you can order a plate of multiple tamales covered with chili. Tasty, and good for you.

Despite having not tasted any of this in 4+ years, just the thought (thanks for the update ReneG) still instantly evokes gag (nay, that's too euphemistic), puke reflexes.

I still remember the exact location of my last MiL. (Johnny O', standing on north side of 35th, in full motorcycle gear, luckily next to a trash can).

Good times.

Above: High praise indeed!

Just spotted the mother in law on the menu at George's for under $2.00 (thought I had a picture, but don't, oops). I didn't see it until after I ordered, but I'll be sure to try it soon. With Ramova across the street, I have to wonder if 35th & Halsted is the epicenter of MIL's in Chicago?

George's Restaurant
3445 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60608

773.247.4770

Rene G wrote:Some new signage at Fat Johnnie's:

The misspelling of "Bordain" adds a certain je nais se quoi.

The misspelling of "Bordain" adds a certain je nais se quoi.

Considering that Bourdain pronounced Grant Achatz's surname as "Ahhh-SHOTS" on the same Chicago=themed NR show (!), a misspelling of his name seems appropriate. As we say on Twitter, #SMDH

Ursiform wrote:Just spotted the mother in law on the menu at George's for under $2.00 (thought I had a picture, but don't, oops). I didn't see it until after I ordered, but I'll be sure to try it soon. With Ramova across the street, I have to wonder if 35th & Halsted is the epicenter of MIL's in Chicago?

Thanks for mentioning your sighting. I'm always interested in trying new mother in laws* but unfortunately George's version (the bunless variety) is not one of the better ones. I'd have to give the nod to Ramova, or even Johnny O's a few blocks west on 35th.



A window sign informs that George's is now BYOB so you can bring a favorite beverage to drink with your mother in law.



The two women who ordered ahead of me both got mother in laws! They cost $2.84 now, but you get an awful lot of chili.



And that's the problem with George's mother in law—the chili isn't very good at all. It has the pasty consistency and flavor of cheap canned chili.



The Tom Tom tamale gets cut in half and layered with chili in a cup: chili-tamale-chili-tamale-chili. I asked for raw onions and giardiniera, which were layered in the middle. I have to give them credit for careful assembly.

What wine would one pair with a mother in law?

George's
3445 S Halsted St
Chicago
773-247-4770

* Just as tamale is the singular form of tamales in Chicago-ese, I believe mother in laws is the accepted plural form of mother in law.

Rene G wrote:What wine would one pair with a mother in law?

No doubt...an '82 Latour.

PIGMON, Rene G - what was the MIL we ordered to-go at that fried chicken place? I'd say that was a tasty one, though my experience with MILs is quite limited... Where would you put it in the rankings?

backorforth wrote:PIGMON, Rene G - what was the MIL we ordered to-go at that fried chicken place? I'd say that was a tasty one, though my experience with MILs is quite limited... Where would you put it in the rankings?

I thought the mother in law from Mini Hut was thoroughly respectable (as was the fried chicken). It's another bunless version—simply a tamale in a styrofoam cup filled with chili (tamale on a bun is also on the menu). I like their chili much more than George's and that makes all the difference. The tamales (usually Tom Tom) are much less variable.

We paired this mother in law with bottles of High Life (not at Mini Hut).

Mini Hut
6659 W Archer Av (entrance on Normandy)
Chicago
773-586-2115

Mother in laws are found mostly on Chicago's South Side—though they're not terribly common even there—so it was a surprise to see the menu at Big Jack's in Round Lake Park, not far from the Wisconsin border.





Note the last item under Dogs & Polish. Asked if he was a Southsider, the owner said he wasn't but he'd heard about the sandwich on television, on No Reservations, and decided to add it to the menu just for fun. The mother in law marches on.

Big Jack's Chicago Style Red Hots
507 N Hainesville Rd
Round Lake Park (Hainesville) IL
847-548-5225

One twist on a mother in law was to put sport peppers in the middle of the tamale, we did that for a group of customers at Little Eddy's which was located at 59th & Pulaski. Definately packed a punch.

Rene G wrote: Asked if he was a Southsider, the owner said he wasn't but he'd heard about the sandwich on television, on No Reservations, and decided to add it to the menu just for fun. The mother in law marches on.

I love it!!!!

One twist on a mother in law was to put sport peppers in the middle of the tamale, we did that for a group of customers at Little Eddy's which was located at 59th & Pulaski. Definately packed a punch.


I'd like to suggest that someone add this to their menu as the "Angry Mother in Law".

fishfryguy wrote:One twist on a mother in law was to put sport peppers in the middle of the tamale, we did that for a group of customers at Little Eddy's which was located at 59th & Pulaski. Definately packed a punch.


I'd like to suggest that someone add this to their menu as the "Angry Mother in Law".

Isn't that redundant?

Back in 2006, in Guess the Restaurant #40, G Wiv wrote:

The years have taken their toll on the canoe boy at Fat Johnnie's. Both legs have been amputated below the knee and he now holds his head in his lap.



Fortunately, the Mother in Law seems untouched by the passage of time, as beautiful now as ever.

I've eaten at the Pop's on Kedzie for nearly as long as I can remember, and yet I was surprised when I actually read the rest of the menu. I found a 'tamale boat,' and when I asked about it, was told that it was essentially a mother-in-law. Frankly, I'm not particularly interested in trying one, but if any other folks happen to be near this or another Pop's location, it might please the enthusiast.

mtgl wrote:I've eaten at the Pop's on Kedzie for nearly as long as I can remember, and yet I was surprised when I actually read the rest of the menu. I found a 'tamale boat,' and when I asked about it, was told that it was essentially a mother-in-law. Frankly, I'm not particularly interested in trying one, but if any other folks happen to be near this or another Pop's location, it might please the enthusiast.

Here's a tamale boat from Pop's in Palos Heights (7153 W 127th). "As photogenic as it is delicious," to steal a phrase from dansch.

Rene G wrote:

mtgl wrote:I've eaten at the Pop's on Kedzie for nearly as long as I can remember, and yet I was surprised when I actually read the rest of the menu. I found a 'tamale boat,' and when I asked about it, was told that it was essentially a mother-in-law. Frankly, I'm not particularly interested in trying one, but if any other folks happen to be near this or another Pop's location, it might please the enthusiast.

Here's a tamale boat from Pop's in Palos Heights (7153 W 127th). "As photogenic as it is delicious," to steal a phrase from dansch.

Pop's 127th was my local beef/dogs/etc. spot growing up.
My dad (a native Ssider) loved these. Back in the 80s/early90s this dish was served upright in a 16 oz. styrofoam beverage container with a spoon.

Did we ever determine if there is a special name for a tamale on a bun sans chili?

stevez wrote:Did we ever determine if there is a special name for a tamale on a bun sans chili?

I seem to remember at the now shuttered Parky's on Roosevelt Rd they called it a 'Las Vegas Dog'. I do not know why.

Tamale on a bun with the traditional hot dog toppings.

Barnew wrote:One twist on a mother in law was to put sport peppers in the middle of the tamale, we did that for a group of customers at Little Eddy's which was located at 59th & Pulaski. Definately packed a punch.

There used to be an old woman who sold tamales from a cart on the corner of Keeler and Grand (25 years ago?). In the tamale there would be a single, small piece of Jalapeno Pepper. It was always the waiting game to see which bite it would be.

stevez wrote:Did we ever determine if there is a special name for a tamale on a bun sans chili?

The "Travesty?"
The "Carbdog?"

The Hot Dog Guy in the French Market serves an authentic Mother in Law.

The Hot Dog Guy
The French Market - 131 North Clinton (Between Washington and Randolph)
Chicago
http://www.thehotdogguychicago.com/

PopcornMegaphone wrote:The Hot Dog Guy in the French Market serves an authentic Mother in Law.

The Hot Dog Guy
The French Market - 131 North Clinton (Between Washington and Randolph)
Chicago
http://www.thehotdogguychicago.com/

Is it an off-menu item? I don't see it listed.

It is listed on his facebook page (posted 1/21):

"FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Come check out our new specials:

El Perro - Jalapeno/Cheddar Hot Dog w/ Pico de Gallo & Avocado

Mr. Miyagi - Hot Dog covered with Coleslaw and a Secret Spicy Sauce

Mother-In-Law - Beef Tamale covered with Chili, Cheese & Onion"

Thanks s3ki.

Kind of a shame it's short-term, as a French Market location would be, I believe, the most northerly outpost of the MiL.

Sorry, I thought it was a permanent item because I always see it on the menu. If I recall correctly he serves the "corn roll" in a cup chilli with onions and no bun. When I mentioned my surprise to see it on the menu and he laughed and said most people who order it think it's his idea.

PopcornMegaphone wrote:When I mentioned my surprise to see it on the menu and he laughed and said most people who order it think it's his idea.

And he probably does nothing to dispell it.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:

PopcornMegaphone wrote:When I mentioned my surprise to see it on the menu and he laughed and said most people who order it think it's his idea.

And he probably does nothing to dispell it.

Regards,

I can't be sure because I indicated I already knew what a MiL was when I mentioned it to him, but he seems like a really cool guy who respects Chicago hot dog stand traditions. If he really wanted to steal the recipe I doubt he would have called it a MiL in the first place.