bensmom9 wrote:The ride to the south side appeared desolate and eating out of the car at Calumet fisheries looked ridiculous.

It is a little desolate. Also, that's about the only way to eat there.

I thought it was a nice, balanced show that didn't focus on the trite Chicago things that everyone does.
No Italian beef - it's been done to death-
Although there was a small nod to ribs at the SIlver Palm.
It was nice that they also filmed in summer and showed some decent weather, especially in light of what we've been suffering thru lately.

What fun to see all my LTH friends all over the episode, especially at Burt's,
and an incredible job by Louisa!

Of course it truly only scratched the surface of Chicago since there was no visit to LTH!

bensmom9 wrote:And I believe he called the patrons at Burts and most pizza-loving Chicagoans fat.

Had you been at Burt's that night, you would have though the same thing .

riddlemay wrote:A (very very mild) note of criticism, or perhaps disappointment: Somehow I felt the Burt's segment didn't fully capture the "flavor" of Burt's.

Maybe not of Burt's, but I think they got a pretty good snapshot of Burt himself.

SaintPizza and I had a lot of fun pointing out all the people we recognized in the Burt's segment.

Also I thought Louisa and Rene G both came off very well, and Bourdain ribbing him about his profession was funny stuff.

JimTheBeerGuy wrote:Also I thought Louisa and Rene G both came off very well...

An "Enquiring Minds Want to Know" question: Was Rene G the French guy having dinner at L20 with Bourdain and Louisa?

riddlemay wrote:

JimTheBeerGuy wrote:Also I thought Louisa and Rene G both came off very well...

An "Enquiring Minds Want to Know" question: Was Rene G the French guy having dinner at L20 with Bourdain and Louisa?

No, that was Eric Ripert (chef at Le Bernadain in NYC). I'm pretty sure Rene G was the man who is now responsible for introducing the Mother in Law to the rest of the world.

riddlemay wrote:

JimTheBeerGuy wrote:Also I thought Louisa and Rene G both came off very well...

An "Enquiring Minds Want to Know" question: Was Rene G the French guy having dinner at L20 with Bourdain and Louisa?

The French guy having dinner at L20 was Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin fame. Rene G (aka Peter Engler) took Bourdain to try the mother-in-law.

On edit -- what jesteinf said.

The Burts segment was neat, getting Burts take on things, as well as seeing a few of the LTHr's I have met dining there.

The segments that impressed me the least were the Moto segment(not my cup of tea), and the L20 segment(I fell asleep).

irisarbor wrote:No Italian beef - it's been done to death-

Locally, perhaps, but Chicagoans are only a tiny portion of the audience. In my experience, most folks outside of Chicago only have a vague notion of what an Italian Beef is, if they've even heard of it.

Matt wrote:The French guy having dinner at L20 was Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin fame. Rene G (aka Peter Engler) took Bourdain to try the mother-in-law.

On edit -- what jesteinf said.

Ah. Thanks, guys. (And I agree Peter came off well.)

The biggest sin of omission or commission in that show was the drinking of PBR at the Silver Palm.

For those planning on heading to the Silver Palm for a Three Little Pigs sandwich, note that it is not a regular menu item. I spoke with Dan, the creator, last week and he said they probably would be adding it to the menu as a regular item -- and I suspect after the program last night, that would be a good idea.

bensmom9 wrote:The ride to the south side appeared desolate and eating out of the car at Calumet fisheries looked ridiculous.

It is desolate, no tables at Calumet Fisheries, though I'd have gone Al Trunko

bensmom9 wrote:The place serving the mother in law looked like a dump.

Fat Johnnie's is a dump. A dump with style, but a dump nonetheless.

bensmom9 wrote:And I believe he called the patrons at Burts and most pizza-loving Chicagoans fat.

I was in the crowd that night at Burt's, draw your own conclusions.

Loved the show, enjoyed Louisa 'The Fixer' and Peter Engler showing his, and Chicago's, incredible range. Fell in love, again, with Burt, Sharon and Chicago.

For a funny guy, Doug Sohn came off as serious and for a somewhat serious fellow Homaro Cantu seemed quite playful.

Great job, can hardly wait for Chicago part 2.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:It is desolate, no tables at Calumet Fisheries, though I'd have gone Al Trunko

I'd have gone Al Bridgo, which affords a great view of the rusting old infrastucture on the south River.

irisarbor wrote:I thought it was a nice, balanced show that didn't focus on the trite Chicago things that everyone does.
No Italian beef - it's been done to death-
Although there was a small nod to ribs at the SIlver Palm.
It was nice that they also filmed in summer and showed some decent weather, especially in light of what we've been suffering thru lately.

What fun to see all my LTH friends all over the episode, especially at Burt's,
and an incredible job by Louisa!

Of course it truly only scratched the surface of Chicago since there was no visit to LTH!

Thats where ill have to disagree. The Italian Beef at Portillo's and Mr. Beef might have been done to death but to not grab a beef from a place like Johnnie's, Carm's, Chickies, Pops or Jays was leaving out Chicago's most signature food item amongst its locals. I would say is even a bigger deal in the city than the hot dog, On top of all that if anything has been played out in Chicago food its Hot Dougs. Of course he didnt have time but I really think that the beef, Maxwell St. Market and Harold's should have been included in that order but hey this makes more better the chance that the show will be back. Lord knows its impossible to do an hour show in Chicago and cover everything. Nonetheless it was a great episode that did the city justice. Nice work to the people from LTH who showed him around.

Da Beef wrote:I would say is even a bigger deal in the city than the hot dog

Of course you would; you're Da Beef

Sorry, I just felt like channeling the Big Labowski.

You see, I loved the gritty shots of Chicago. That's Chicago. But the gritty bits were balanced with plenty of glamour shots of the nice parts so I don't think we came off looking too scruffy.

Looking at the episode as a whole, Chicago was portrayed as a "real" city with its own unique culture and mindset. Being so relatively isolated from the coasts and their respective fast paces, I think that Bourdain showed that Chicago's own distinct working class, immigrant and migratory roots have resulted in a place that can't easily be described as simply a poor man's NY. I think Chicago came off as more laid-back, more food-focused; hence, we tolerate salty old dogs like Burt even though his restaurant is quirky and sometimes downright frustrating because even though Burt is Burt, his pizza is stellar. Or, we'll celebrate places like Calumet Fisheries for, among other things, its history even though dining is al trunko. Even our higher end restaurants are populated by chefs with a unique, even edgy, point of view, what with Cantu, Kahan and even Laurent Gras. That is not to say that NY doesn't have a uniquely NY style that's not influenced by its history, or that it doesn't have restaurants that are noteworthy, but in Chicago, it's a little bit different, perhaps, a little quirkier, and less self-conscious than either NYC or LA. That's what I took away from the episode and I'm okay with that portrayal.

As for certain particulars, I, too, was a little perplexed that the food at the Silver Palm was featured (a place mostly known for its onion rings), but I'm nonetheless glad that it received ample camera time. Even though it has only been open for a few years, coupled with Matchbox, it's already a Chicago institution with great drinks and a fun staff.

Between Burt and Homaru and Doug Sohn and David Gevercer, I think Chicagoans in particular came off positively as a diverse lot of laid-back individuals.

Great job Louisa and Rene G!

Talking about this or that thing that was left out of an hour program is missing the point.

When I moved here two decades ago, there were three places everybody knew-- Pizzeria Uno, the Billy Goat, and Lou Mitchell's. Why did everybody know those places? Because every guidebook trotted out those same three places.

Last night's picture of Chicago's food scene was Fat Johnnie's and Moto, L2O and Calumet Fisheries, Laurent Gras and Burt and Sharon. And why is that? Because Louisa led Bourdain there... because she, like LTHForum, is part of a movement that has redefined what matters in Chicago food. The choices on last night's show were a victory for everyone here who has contributed to the project of shifting the attention paid to Chicago food from second-tier fine dining and lazy Americanized ethnic cuisine to the great authentic places we talk about and discover here.

A round of applause, for Louisa, for Peter, for all of us.

stevez wrote:

Da Beef wrote:I would say is even a bigger deal in the city than the hot dog

Of course you would; you're Da Beef :wink:

Sorry, I just felt like channeling the Big Labowski.

HAHA, I did mean to mention that my opinion may be a little biased but I do believe that the beef is more unique and cherished by the locals than even the hot dog. The way I see it is like this, most dog places use the same vienna beef hot dog (which is the best in the world) and top them either Chicago style or minimalist style and thats about it. The only other difference in taste is if its a char dog ala Wieners Circle. As Tony said the the bar for hot dogs is raised pretty high and 7 out of 10 spots are going to be more than passable but they are all very similar. The only huge difference in taste and style of different locals favorite popular hot dogs is with the fries.

With an Italian Beef its always going to be different in taste, texture and style as long as your eating them from the places that specialize in it. The places like Johnnie's, Chickie's, Boston's etc.. that serve beef with hot dogs and other stuff and not vice versa like places such as Branko's and Murphy's Hot Dogs. For those that like their beefs with hot, the giardinara is always homemade and unique to that beef shacks flavor along with the beef and how its sliced and the gravy that it sits in. I could identify a beef from all the good spots in a blind taste test. Put an Al's, Johnnies, Pop's, Carm's in Hillside and a bunch of other in front of me and Ill tell you exactly where each came from. Im not sure I could do the same with hot dogs. You could blind taste test a Chicago style steamed from hot dougs and O'Hare airport and another place and I might not be able to identify where exactly each dog came from. Same goes for Gene and Judes, Jimmy's and 35th St. red hots.

...and speaking of WC, I would of liked to see Tony getting an earful from my girls behind the counter, would of been great TV but unfortunately its rated PG.

I read somewhere (maybe Louisa's blog) that they've been featuring a lot of beef sandwiches from other cities, so they wanted to focus on some other stuff in Chicago.

My sense for why hot dogs, or in reality, Hot Doug's, was featured was to demonstrate the point that unlike many other places, Chicagoans really love sausage, so much so, they'll stand outside in a huge line for it. And it's true, people do stand in line everyday at Hot Doug's.

And Burt's was featured to stand up as a discreet example of fine pizza, in defense of Chicago-style pizza.

Personally, I'm glad that the show focused on individual places rather than genres of food. If I see another Chicago-centric show which focuses on Italian beef, deep dish pizza and hot dogs in general, I'll scream. We really have more to add to the culinary world than those three things.

aschie30 wrote:If I see another Chicago-centric show which focuses on Italian beef, deep dish pizza and hot dogs in general, I'll scream.

I agree, especially in regards to deep dish pizza.

aschie30 wrote:My sense for why hot dogs, or in reality, Hot Doug's, was featured was to demonstrate the point that unlike many other places, Chicagoans really love sausage, so much so, they'll stand outside in a huge line for it. And it's true, people do stand in line everyday at Hot Doug's.

I also thought that Doug's stance on the foie gras issue made it a natural for Tony.

aschie30 wrote:And Burt's was featured to stand up as a discreet example of fine pizza, in defense of Chicago-style pizza.

Yes and the segment really focused on Burt, which is clearly the essence of Burt's Place.

aschie30 wrote:Personally, I'm glad that the show focused on individual places rather than genres of food. If I see another Chicago-centric show which focuses on Italian beef, deep dish pizza and hot dogs in general, I'll scream. We really have more to add to the culinary world than those three things.

Agreed, completely.

=R=

I really liked the show because Bourdain because he came off as a regular guy, and not a jerk like he can be. It was also really cool to see the now grown up Brian Huston (as I mentioned in another thread I used to baby sit him when I was in high school) but the one thing that kind of grossed me out was one of the chefs from Kahan’s restaurants was stirring what looked like a corn salad, he tasted it, and then put the spoon right back into the bowl. That kind of stuff makes me want to hurl. I sure hope he doesn’t do that in his restaurant.

jesteinf wrote:I read somewhere (maybe Louisa's blog) that they've been featuring a lot of beef sandwiches from other cities, so they wanted to focus on some other stuff in Chicago.

I dont think any less of the show because they didn't make it to a beef joint but the fact they have been doing all the regional beef sandwiches is even more the reason to show the king of all regional beef sandwiches. Its still the best food show on TV.

aschie30 wrote:My sense for why hot dogs, or in reality, Hot Doug's, was featured was to demonstrate the point that unlike many other places, Chicagoans really love sausage, so much so, they'll stand outside in a huge line for it. And it's true, people do stand in line everyday at Hot Doug's.

And Burt's was featured to stand up as a discreet example of fine pizza, in defense of Chicago-style pizza.

Personally, I'm glad that the show focused on individual places rather than genres of food. If I see another Chicago-centric show which focuses on Italian beef, deep dish pizza and hot dogs in general, I'll scream. We really have more to add to the culinary world than those three things.

Fair enough and I agree totally but he still went to a pizza place, be it Burt's and a hot dog spot that if I see featured one more time Im going to give up going to and the silver palm, all of those are genres. I want to see the tavern style (what would he have thunk about a combo pizza from Vito & Nicks?) There are also lines out the door at Gene & Judes and Johnnies and both are a little more real Chicago than Hot Doug's which I like but isn't a real Chicago dog joint. C'mon half those people in line were tourists and Mr. Sohn forgot to mention the almighty sport pepper in the toppings. It was impossible to cover it all and the spots featured were good but the beef from a locals favorite (not Al's, Portillo's or Mr. Beef) and Gene and Jude's could have replaced Mancow and the silver palm, hes from KC and a total douchbag, the hell was he doing on there? It would of shown just how serious we are about dogs if they featured both the old school and new school style of hot dog stand.

For the record it was still the best food show featuring Chicago I have watched.

Da Beef wrote:There are also lines out the door at Gene & Judes and Johnnies and both are a little more real Chicago than Hot Doug's which I like but isn't a real Chicago dog joint. C'mon half those people in line were tourists and Mr. Sohn forgot to mention the almighty sport pepper in the toppings.

Well, I think ronnie is right -- Doug Sohn was featured given his (inadvertent) starring role in the foie gras debate/debacle. Bourdain focused quite a bit on the foie gras ban (even going so far as portraying Chicagoans as being heroes for getting that ban overturned), so it seemed natural for him to want to talk to the guy who got a public smackdown (okay, smack on the wrist) for standing up against the ban. For similar reasons, Burt's pizza was featured, I think, because it's made by iconic Burt.

But again, I think the show intended to focus on larger, more idiosyncratic themes than simply the technical aspects of certain genres of food, such as, here's a hot dog, it's got sport peppers, celery salt etc. Bourdain's shows tend to strive to discover the deeper layers of the places he travels to (mostly through food), which is one of the reasons why I like his shows so much. He's not always successful in his waxing poetry and philosophizing (Northern Ireland jumps to mind), but at least he reflects upon where he is and the people who live there.

P.S. I agree -- I could have done without Mancow.

Perhaps you are all just a little too excited about seeing people you know from this board for a half a second, and places that you like and have been to that the majority of Chicagoans have never even heard of, but folks on the "No Reservations" Travel Channel message board agree with me that Chicago was unappealing, one poster calling it the worst show ever.

http://discussions.travelchannel.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/6811975208

I barely even see what you're talking about at that board, but in any case I disagree with it.

bensmom9 wrote:Perhaps you are all just a little too excited about seeing people you know from this board for a half a second, and places that you like and have been to that the majority of Chicagoans have never even heard of, but folks on the "No Reservations" Travel Channel message board agree with me that Chicago was unappealing, one poster calling it the worst show ever.

http://discussions.travelchannel.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/6811975208

Or . . . perhaps we are more discerning than most.

=R=

I'm not sure what there really is to debate here. You either liked the episode or you didn't.

As others have posted, 1 hour -- no matter what it contained -- could possibly touch all the bases. In that respect, the episode could be viewed as incomplete. But for many of us who live in the Chicago area, it was an interesting and unique take on our city, which was refreshingly focused through the lens that is Anthony Bourdain.

=R=

bensmom9 wrote:Perhaps you are all just a little too excited about seeing people you know from this board for a half a second, and places that you like and have been to that the majority of Chicagoans have never even heard of, but folks on the "No Reservations" Travel Channel message board agree with me that Chicago was unappealing, one poster calling it the worst show ever.

http://discussions.travelchannel.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/6811975208

Well, to be fair to you and your opinion, a grand total of 2 people have posted in that thread as of this reply.