Real Kitchen

I've been getting takeout from Real Kitchen for a couple of months. It's in a little strip mall at the corner of Montrose and Clark. All pre-prepared foods to go and explicit instructions for how to reheat it at home. The food offerings change regularly, but everything I've ever had there has been terrific: Beef bourguignon, homemade pasta with meatballs, brased veal, grilled vegetables...the list goes on.

Price are reasonable. Last night, I got a delicious hunk of braised pork over polenta with some yellow sqush and peas. This would have easily been a $25 entree, but for the bother of taking out a pot to heat it, I only paid $9. For the quality, this place is by far the best deal in the neighborhood.

They also have sandwiches. I've only gotten a sandwich once, which was tasty if a little small, but also not too expensive - around $6.50. They made the sandwich to order, so there was a little wait, as opposed to the cooked meals which are ready to be picked up.

Been there a few times, I think its fantastic. Prices are a highpoint for me.

Real Kitchen
1433 West Montrose
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 281-2888
http://www.realkitchenchicago.com/

Mon-Sat 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Run, don't walk to get that braised pork with polenta they still have on the menu today.

love this pace, sandwiches are delicious, and I am quite a fan of their baked chicken.

but special mention to their pastry chef who makes amazing eclairs and cakes.

and all very reasonably priced.

Tried Real Kitchen the first time today and was very, very pleased with quality and great prices (and convenience).The quality is not a surprise given the backgrounds of the kitchen staff (per the website www.realkitchenchicago.com):

"The three chefs behind the stoves and ovens at Real Kitchen hail from some of the finest restaurants in the world. After spending years creating ‘art on a plate’ for privileged diners, they decided to go back to their roots and begin cooking the real food that real people eat every day. Executive chef, Nick Schmuck (Charlie Trotter’s), sous-chef Shannon Dudas (North Pond) and celebrated pastry chef Andrea C. Correa (Charlie Trotter’s, Noma in Copenhagen, and El Bulli in Barcelona)"

Shasson-

What did you have? Real Kitchen isn't far from home and might be tonight's dinner.

Thanks.

We had the beef panang curry, a pork belly sandwich with miso butterscotch and thai chillies and some spiced carrots and a chocolate eclair. Everything was top notch -- though my pork belly sandwich seemed to lack the chilliies, which would have helped cut the sweetness of the butterscotch. It ended up tasting a bit like a pork belly butterscotch donut. Which I do not believe the dunkin' in the same strip mall offers.

And I chose things that seemed vaguely compatible with each other for the entrees -- but by no means do they feature Asian cuisine. As the eclair testifies.

Do try it. It's a great concept well excecuted. And, frankly, I love the idea the the lady who made my eclair worked at El Bulli. Scroll down for an interview with her:

http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Dish/Ap ... ma-Milano/

I had the Pork Belly BLT earlier in the year and it was fantastic and several bucks cheaper than it could have been.