Evanston Lunch 9/18 12:30 pm @ Patty's Diner

A personal confession - I've never been to Patty's Diner. But I'm anxious to try it, since every report is superlative. For example, Josephine kicked off the Patty's-mania here:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... sc&start=0

And it's a GNR nominee:
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=14806

So I'm proposing an Evanston Lunch Group™ meeting at Patty's on Tuesday, 9/18 at 12:30 pm.

Who's in? New or inactive LTHers are especially welcome.

Patty’s Diner
3358 Main St. (just West of McCormick)
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 675-4274

I'm in - have to check with the 'spouse to see if I'm +1 or not.

I'll be there.

I'll be there. Thanks for setting this up.

=R=

Hi,

I plan to be there. Count on Helen attending unless advised otherwise.

Thanks, this should be fun.

Regards,

nr706 wrote:New or inactive LTHers are especially welcome.

As a newbie, I thank you! I'm in--and looking forward to it!

Yes, please, count me in. I'm looking forward to it...

in

Like nr706 I've never been to Patty's, but it sure sounds like my kind of place. I think I'll be able to get away from work, so count me in.

I'll try to join you as well.

--Matt

The count so far:

nr706
MHays
GAF
Ronnie Suburban
Cathy2
Helen
Tarte Tatin
Chgo Mike
gp60004
George R
mhl

That's 11, if I'm counting right. I'll call Patty's in the morning and warn her.

How can I pass this up? Make it an even dozen.
>>Brent

We just got back last night. Thanks, Tom, for waiting for us! Of course we will be delighted to join you,
Robert

We're set for about 15 at 12:30 - Patty said she'd set up so we can all sit together.

Hope you don't mind a last minuet addition.

G Wiv wrote:Hope you don't mind a last minuet addition.

Damn - I missed seeing Gary's minuet.

nr706 wrote:Damn - I missed seeing Gary's minuet.

Yes you did, powdered wig, harpsichord and all.

How were the fried potatoes? I was with you in spirit.... (had to go downtown to attend to some last-minute business with Jimthebeeryguy)

Saint Pizza wrote:How were the fried potatoes? I was with you in spirit.... (had to go downtown to attend to some last-minute business with Jimthebeeryguy)

We had not one, not two, but three different kinds of fried potatoes* and all of them were very good! Patty knows her way around a spud!

* Hashbrowns, old potatoes and fries

stevez wrote:

Saint Pizza wrote:How were the fried potatoes? I was with you in spirit.... (had to go downtown to attend to some last-minute business with Jimthebeeryguy)

We had not one, not two, but three different kinds of fried potatoes* and all of them were very good! Patty knows her way around a spud!

* Hashbrowns, old potatoes and fries

Yes, I agree. And I've discussed it with my wife before, many times. Patty definitely has a way with potatoes, as you can see here . . .


Old potatoes (in all their glory)



Up close and personal with an order of Old Potatoes



Biscuits and gravy



Cheeseburger, rare, on house-baked bun



My plate (clockwise, from 10 o'clock . . . ham off the bone, corned beef hash, buttered white toast, 'garbage' omelette, ham hash, biscuits and gravy, over-easy egg and old potatoes in the center)

Thanks, nr706, for organizing this very enjoyable lunch. I thought the food was quintessentially Patty's-like and I even got to try a few things I'd never had before, which was nice. Of course, the best part was chatting with the rest of our large and lively group. I really had a great time -- and the surprise appearance/minuet by G Wiv was an added bonus.

=R=

Thanks, Ron, I enjoyed it, too. Great company, a large turnout, and food far better than I'd expect from such an unprepossessing place. Definite GNR.

And we convinced Gary (GAF) do most of the ordering, and then also talked him into setting up the next lunch. He must be very popular at those Northwestern faculty meetings.

But, for newbies, or others thinking about places they'd like to try, "organizing" something like this is an overstatement. One or two posts, and one phone call - I'm not even sure that qualifies as "organizing." Bottom line, not always, but frequently there can be a huge return on the amount of time invested. (Of course, the big-time events, like the picnic or the holiday party, are an entirely different story.)

Although I definitely enjoyed the company very much, (welcome back, Chapulines) this time the food was way, way better than the company. I'm so glad I had that burger, although I was stuffed to the gills for the rest of the day. Thanks again for organinzing, Tom - and see you all next month at Claire's!

Hi,

I enjoyed myself considerably yesterday. I will admit finishing breakfast with a truly rare hamburger was a highlight.

I was wondering to myself how Patty would handle a group meal. She seemed very pleased with the interest in her food as the platters were swiftly cleared. The food also came fast and hot, which is always a good sign.

Tom, thanks for another fine get together Tom!

Regards,

Sorry I missed it, particularly since photos have been posted. Looks like I missed a lovely and delicious time.

stevez wrote:We had not one, not two, but three different kinds of fried potatoes* and all of them were very good! Patty knows her way around a spud!

* Hashbrowns, old potatoes and fries

Steve,

I'd add a fourth, the potatoes tucked under the blanket of gravy in Patty's Biscuits and Gravy.

Biscuits and Gravy


I dearly love the 'Old' Potatoes, both myself and my cardiologist* thank Steve Z for the introduction.

'Old' Potatoes


Much as I like the Garbage Omelet.


Ham cut straight from the bone.


And Patty's Hash


It's the drop dead gorgeous rare burger I'm remembering as I type this. I should also note that Patty's makes the burger buns in-house and there's a certain lightness, couple with just enough specific density to manage the burger, that greatly contributes to the enjoyment.

Patty's Burger



Tom (nr706) thanks for setting up lunch, and GAF for his ordering skill, lunch at Patty's was a real treat, much enhanced by the company and conversation of my fellow LTHers.

For a few additional pictures of our lunch click here, scroll to 9.18.07.

Enjoy,
Gary

*He has kids in college and needs all the patients he can get.