North Clark-a-thon II: February 24th

What you've been waiting for: North Clark-A-Thon, Part II on the afternoon of Saturday, February 24, 2007. Treasures from the designated restaurants will be purchased and brought to the home of Mr. X and The GP.

Now I pass the torch to Germuska and other participants to work out the details. We'll have plates, bowls and eating utensils. I'll PM interested folks with our address and a phone number.

-The GP (Mary)

I'm in. How can I help?

HI,

I can make it.

Regards,

Fantastic. We love to eat on Clark Street. Count us in. When and where do we start? Noon?
Octarine recommended Taqueria El Pueblito, by the way. Shall we order from them as well?
Three days later, we leave for Paris ...

It has a place on honor in my datebook.

Hi,

This Clark-a-thon II announcement was split from the September 16th Clark-a-thon. If the planners believe other posts from the original belong here, then PM me and they will be merged here.

Looking forward to this event!

Regards,

I'm in, I hope

sonja

Wow, it's great to see so many people register interest.

Given that we have about six weeks, we can refine this, but I will again propose that we begin with the GAF strategy and divide attendees up among restaurants of interest. If we start around noon-ish, there should be time for everyone to pick stuff up and bring it over to NCAT-central, the location of which will be disseminated by the GP to people who have registered interest closer to the date.

Here's what I had put forth on the original thread as a starting point for discussion:

germuska wrote: Just taking the big five that we hadn't hit at all would probably make for a pretty substantial spread of food:

Los Niches
Asmara
Taste of Peru
Big Buns and Pita
Caracas Grill

I've been re-interested in Banadir lately (continuing the Caracas Grill slide off the southern edge of the original boundaries) Adding it would set us up for a nice pair of themes: South American and East African (plus BB&P just sort of a dangling bonus)
Also new to the zone since last time around is Harold's Chicken if we just want to go over the top. And who would I be to say that we couldn't add in favorites from the last go-round, or places that people felt didn't get their due, or ones that people who missed the last time wanted to try.... I mean, could it be a Rogers Park food event without at least some Mexican? I'm not sure we got anything from La Cazuela

after all, nothing exceeds like excess...

Also, given that we've had interest from a few folks who missed the first go-round, I don't think we need to categorically reject places we hit up the street. Perhaps no need to hit El Llano if Los Niches has very similar food, for instance, but maybe there are some things people saw which they really wanted to try, or dishes we missed at places we hit.

I imagine that not everyone will need to bring food individually; maybe a few folks could be on beverage detail (there's a good beer store at Clark and Columbia, and, if Seth Z isn't looking, I remember being pretty intrigued at beverage options for sale on Devon-near-Clark at La Unica and Devon Market.

So in the next several weeks, I figure people can assess the lay of the land, lay claim to things they plan to bring... I guess we could work this kind of the way the LTH picnic was done where a post periodically summarizes expected attendees and what they're going to bring. We also need to determine whether all these places are open at lunch time and will do carry out... if Caracas Grill isn't, we can all just go there for dinner later...

I'm in for the 24th. Thanks...

I'm in and will claim Big Buns and Pita if no one else wants it.

We're in, thank you!

Mrs. Messycook (Alex) and Mr. Cleanup (Barrett)

germuska wrote:Also new to the zone since last time around is Harold's Chicken ...

one interesting thing to note about that particular harold's is that they offer red velvet cake to go (not bad either, but I'm not a red velvet cake connoiseur)

I think I'm in at this point, and even though I missed the first one, I'm not really sure it makes sense to revisit places that there were on the first NCAT, it just seems like it would make the event undoable, others may of course disagree.

A couple of other questions - is la unica's food on the list for this one as well?

and does anyone know if Norka will be back in businesses by the target date?

zim wrote:I think I'm in at this point, and even though I missed the first one, I'm not really sure it makes sense to revisit places that there were on the first NCAT, it just seems like it would make the event undoable, others may of course disagree.

Well, since the GP and Mr. X have kindly offered to host, the only other facet of doability is collecting all the food ahead of time -- hopefully enough folks will come that there's no problem collecting food from every spot of interest. But I think we should try to keep this more like South North Clark-a-Thon unless there's overflow.

zim wrote:A couple of other questions - is la unica's food on the list for this one as well?

Well, Seth Z was the chief dogmatist last time who objected to any escape from the bounds of Clark Street. I won't turn my nose up if someone brings La Unica, and as I noted previously, their diverse Latin American beer and spirits section might be one nice way to cover some of the beverage needs.

zim wrote:and does anyone know if Norka will be back in businesses by the target date?

Cafe Salamera has reopened

This would make it even easier to make it a purely South American North Clark-a-Thon! But I think the true spirit of Rogers Park (or at least my own taste) insists on maximizing diversity.

germuska wrote:

Well, since the GP and Mr. X have kindly offered to host, the only other facet of doability is collecting all the food ahead of time -- hopefully enough folks will come that there's no problem collecting food from every spot of interest. But I think we should try to keep this more like South North Clark-a-Thon unless there's overflow.

maybe insist that all the southern end spots gt spoken for before people start signing up for places that were covered last time?

germuska wrote:
Well, Seth Z was the chief dogmatist last time who objected to any escape from the bounds of Clark Street. I won't turn my nose up if someone brings La Unica, and as I noted previously, their diverse Latin American beer and spirits section might be one nice way to cover some of the beverage needs.

actually I'm a bit of a dogmatist on this as well, in keeping with other "athons", such as the westernathon it seems that the place should be actually on clark

germuska wrote:

zim wrote:and does anyone know if Norka will be back in businesses by the target date?

Cafe Salamera has reopened

Great, Sign me up for salamera, then.

actually I'm a bit of a dogmatist on this as well, in keeping with other "athons", such as the westernathon it seems that the place should be actually on clark

Right. The real virtue of that is that it forces you to check out places you've always skipped by because some place you knew was not far away. Many of the most interesting discoveries have come from sticking to the official street.

Just to stir the pot, here's a summary/experiment in organization.

If this seems to work, I'll periodically repost a message like this. I've summarized the list of people who say they plan to attend, and I've collated a comprehensive list of restaurants starting at Lunt (omitting, forgive me, the McDonald's right around Pratt & Clark). Some of these places are certainly lower priority, but its more fun to start big.

It may also be worth trying to list key menu items people want to try or know are good, or list specific things people plan to get once they pick a restaurant. Zim provided some insights like this during the run-up to our first excursion.

My general idea has been that if every attendee brings, say, $10-15 worth of food or drink we'll have way too much to eat (in a good way). Then again, some places may have more we want to try and require a greater outlay. Ultimately, we may find that it's not worth everyone stopping somewhere and can figure out some way to group people up or split the costs. The GP and Mr. X won't need to go get food since they are graciously hosting.

Attendees
The GP + Mr. X - (Hosting)
germuska
Cathy2
chapulin + rgl201
GAF
SGFoxe
ChgoMike
messycook + Mr. Cleanup
Zim - (Cafe Salamera)
Hellodali - (Big Buns & Pita)

Target Locations (North to South)
Lunt
Supermercado Roman: Clark and Lunt
Taqueria Hernandez: 6983 N Clark St
Panaderia Ayutla: 6963 N Clark St
Paleteria Monarca: 6955 N. Clark St
Harolds Chicken Shack #44: 6952 N. Clark St.
Dona Lolis Quesadillas*: 6924 N Clark St
La Cazuela de Mariscos: 6922 N Clark
Pratt
Good Beer Store whose name I don't know: 6733 N. Clark
Dulcelandia: 6718 N. Clark
Taqueria El Pueblito: 6712 N Clark
Big Buns & Pita: 6649 N Clark St (Hellodali)
Cafe Salamera: 6653 N Clark St (zim)
Las Islas Marias*: 6635 N. Clark St.
Grande Noodles: 6632 N Clark St
Los Niches: 6619 N. Clark
Taste of Peru: 6545 N. Clark St.
Asmara: 6511 N. Clark
Taqueria El Chorrito: 6404 N Clark St
Devon
Deluxe Diner/Maria's Subs: 6349 N Clark St
Caracas Grill: 6340 N Clark St
Banadir (Somalian): 6221 N Clark St.

*These places had some representation at NCAT v1.0 and may be considered lower priority

I can pick up arepas at Caracas Grill ...

nr706 wrote:I can pick up arepas at Caracas Grill ...

See if you can confirm that they're open for lunch, if you please, as Robert suggested they usually aren't.

HI,

I will bring chicken wings (unless advised otherwise) from Harold's. Some will be prepared as per Zim's technique of sauce immediately applied to marry with the chicken during transportation. Some will be au natural fresh from the grease.

Regards,

We will bring beer and wine - anything else needed? Please let me know if something comes up!

-

OK, NCATII aka SNCAT is less than three weeks away. Here's an update/recap, including me throwing in for Asmara. Let me know if I missed anyone, or if you still want to participate, post to this thread...

Attendees
The GP + Mr. X - (Hosting)
germuska (Asmara)
Cathy2 (Harold's)
chapulin + rgl201
GAF
SGFoxe
ChgoMike
messycook + Mr. Cleanup (Beverages)
Zim - (Cafe Salamera)
Hellodali - (Big Buns & Pita)
nr706 (Caracas Grill (arepas))

Target Locations (North to South)
Lunt
Supermercado Roman: Clark and Lunt
Taqueria Hernandez: 6983 N Clark St
Panaderia Ayutla: 6963 N Clark St
Paleteria Monarca: 6955 N. Clark St
Harolds Chicken Shack #44: 6952 N. Clark St. (Cathy2)
Dona Lolis Quesadillas*: 6924 N Clark St
La Cazuela de Mariscos: 6922 N Clark
Pratt
Good Beer Store whose name I don't know: 6733 N. Clark
Dulcelandia: 6718 N. Clark
Taqueria El Pueblito: 6712 N Clark
Big Buns & Pita: 6649 N Clark St (Hellodali)
Cafe Salamera: 6653 N Clark St (zim)
Las Islas Marias*: 6635 N. Clark St.
Grande Noodles: 6632 N Clark St
Los Niches: 6619 N. Clark
Taste of Peru: 6545 N. Clark St.
Asmara: 6511 N. Clark (germuska)
Taqueria El Chorrito: 6404 N Clark St
Devon
Deluxe Diner/Maria's Subs: 6349 N Clark St
Caracas Grill: 6340 N Clark St (nr706)
Banadir (Somalian): 6221 N Clark St.

*These places had some representation at NCAT v1.0 and may be considered lower priority

Joe-
It turns out I was able to push back a trip by a week, so I will be there as well. I can cover TOP or Los Niches (or anything else).

The liquor store at Columbia & Clark used to be called P&W. Now, according to the brand new awning, it is Rogers Park Fine Wines and Beer (or some such thing). The selection of microbrews and imports has nearly doubled. It is very impressive for a small corner store.

--dave

We will be glad to cover either TOP or Los Niches as well, both of which we patronize. (We orginaized an Evanston lunch at TOP a while back). Put us down for whichever one D4V3 doesn't pick.
We are not sure, by the way, that Caracas Grill will be open at that time. Is Asmara still in business? It is so inconspicuous that we don't always notice it driving by ...

I have never managed to find Caracas Grill open, I would at least try to contact them ahead of time.

I'll be there and I'm going to do a little look-see before I pick a place from the list. I'll post later.

When we get a little closer to the date, I will PM those who have noted their attendance with our address.

We will also have on hand some Bell's and/or New Glarus brews from a recent journey into Wisconsin.

-The GP

Caracas Grill was open last time I went bby, but I'll check again before the 24th.

I'll stop at the middle east deli on Foster just west of Clark and get stuff -- hummous & babaganoush & a package of pita or lavash -- or if preferable the dessert pastries

SGFoxe-

I would suggest that a stop at the Panaderia Ayutla (6963 N Clark St),
Paleteria Monarca (6955 N. Clark St) or Dulcelandia (6718 N. Clark) would be more fitting with the theme of the North Clark-A-Thon II. Anyone of these places would offer some interesting sweets, part of the menu that I don't think has been covered.

Others may chime in with different thoughts.

-The GP

Agreed with the GP... even I, who was ready to open the gates for La Unica, have come to terms with the laser focus required of a true 'thon event.

Here are some more suggestions -- others are encouraged to add things they know are good or things they want to try.

Here are just some things that have come up elsewhere...
Gorditas from El Chorrito or El Pueblito
Pastor from El Chorrito
Ceviche, Octopus or anything else from La Cazuela de Mariscos

Personally, i wouldn't mind more Shrimp Empanadas from Las Islas Marias, and that was all we had from there, so it's almost not fair to count them out if there's anything else worth getting from the menu.

I could probably come up with more suggestions, but I'm sure others can too...