LikestoEatout wrote:Okay, am I blind.... is there a date for this?

Yup. If you'll go back to the very first post in which Dimitra floats the idea, she also suggests a specific date (June 23) and even a time! (11 am).

you kow i kinda have done personal devon-a-thons with family fairly often (one of the ways my dad "shops" is by stocking up on items from various restaurants on devon). In fact its kind of my preferred way of gathering a meal on devon as I feel a number of places do one or two items very well but whose whole menu I don't necessarily care for. What we usually end up doing is place take out orders around the street prior to eating our meal at a chosen spot and then after the meal we pick up our various take out items. One thing that is important to know within this strategy is which places take longer to prepare their food, as there is a wide range - for example chopal takes quite a long time while khans is fast and hyderabad house is very very fast.

Rather than trying to have more than one sitdown meal (which can be awfully heavy especially given the LTH love of overordering) I'd suggest doing all the food from the sitdown places as carryout to Warren Park -parking at Warren and just north of Warren will be easier as well. and using the snack/sweet shops as appetizers while you walk

If folks wanted to split up you could have some do west of western and some east of western.

if folks are interested I can prepare a list of those items which our family regularly picks up in this manner.

zim wrote:if folks are interested I can prepare a list of those items which our family regularly picks up in this manner.

Yes, of course!

Regards,

zim wrote:if folks are interested I can prepare a list of those items which our family regularly picks up in this manner.

Yes, thanks, that would be terrific.

Hey, I'm probably in the minority here, but I like the idea of having meals at some of the places along Devon, as compared to just picking stuff up. I've found it a lot of fun on these things, the interaction between us and the restaurants as we descend, and there are elements that cannot be felt if not "inside." Also, I've always enjoyed exploring Devon, shop to shop, sometimes finding something new, like Sam's heavy cream (gamour).

Sure, having a bunch of great food (and I'm confident of that) and hanging with the LTHers in the park's fun, but, well, to me, it just not athony enough.

Hi all - it's great to see the interest and all of the terrific ideas and feedback. So far, based on the comments, it sounds like we'll plan for:

1. A multi-ethnic Devon-a-thon beginning with Argo Georgian Bakery, over to La Unica and back and ending at Hasholom (and yes, the stretch between Damen and La Unica will be a bore, but some of us may appreciate a stroll with some time to digest! The company will be good, for one.)

2. While some people have suggested bringing food to one location, I would prefer to keep the street-a-thon spirit and walk the street, eating along the way. If the group is large (as it is looking to be) we may split into two groups with one walking the north side of the street and the other the south side. Another option might be to start off in the same place, but then split the group according to who wants to walk and eat along the way, and who wants to bring food and gather at a central location. There is a playground at Granville and Western with some tables that could work for that purpose.

3. Some time in early June, I will spend a day plotting the course. I'll try to get a sense of how much time it will take to be served in the sit down places and the take out places, how much time to budget in the stores (Patel Bros., La Unica), etc. I think I will aim for about a five hour excursion with maybe 3 sit down spots and the rest carry out or stores.

4. I will post in early June with a tentative plan and a rough schedule so that people can find us along the way. I'll get final final RSVP's from everyone at that time.

I think I will do the reconnaissance (sp?) trip on Sunday June 3rd. I would love a second opinion if one or two people who know and love Devon well want to join me.

Thank you and please keep the suggestions and ideas coming.

Dimitra

I'm in for two. I offer no opinion as to the execution of the walk, so whatever's cool with me. I didn't see Hyderabad House on the list though, that's worthwhile. Possibly kosher pizza at that place on California? I am greatly curious, and I don't like pepperoni anyway, so

This sounds like a lot of fun! I never know my schedule that far in advance, but put me down for a tentative yes. I'd like to do the long trip, but especially Sukhadia and some grocery stores. I collect bottle caps and would like more foriegn ones. I'm up to 231!

Me again. The 'eating along the way' idea sounds great. It leaves more room for more eats, as opposed to filling up on one big meal. Devon Market has a big selection of soft drinks? As the kids say, I'm like, TOTALLY there.

i've done a number of 'athons' and find them unwieldy when there's a large group, so i'd prefer no sitdowns meals. also, every stop takes way longer than you think it will. maybe that could be a way to divide into groups. some who'll just walk and eat, and others who want to sit and eat. justjoan

I think this is a great idea. Devon Ave. is just stocked with great eats! I'm not sure if anyone has given any thought about the far end of Devon, where the Jewish bakeries and shops are, and that they are probably closed on Saturday afternoon in observance of Shabbat. Most, if not all, stores owned by observant Jews close all day Saturday, and won't reopen until Sunday. If this is a concern, would it be possible to move it to the next day?

I'm a new member to LTH (just joined yesterday). In checking out the forum I came across this event. I think it sounds like a great idea and would very much enjoy participating. I've been haunting the Indian section of Devon Ave. for over 10 years, and have sampled quite a bit of the fare. But there so much up there I feel I've only scratched the surface.

Since I have a physical condition that limits my ability to walk a lot, I will not be able to join in the 3+ mile march. But I'd certainly be able to meet up with people at certain locations, or try to keep up by riding the 155 bus.

I'll watch this topic for developments. This sounds like fun!

Peaces,

Frater G

Frater -

If you've got a wheel chair, we can push.

Lee

Lee--

That is a very kind and generous offer. Actually, I do have a wheel chair, although it's packed away in my locker (I live in a highrise condo). It's a tempting idea, but whoever would be doing the pushing certainly would get their exercise as I'm 6'1" and weigh about--well, let's just say I'm not a lightweight.

Most likely I'll try keeping up by CTA. I can manage a good 3-6 blocks at a moderately slow pace. Fortunately the 155 runs frequently on Saturdays, so that may actually work out well.

Peaces,

Frater G.

Did anybody see the article in the Trib food section today on Indian Mangoes? They sound heavenly. They're only in season til July and they're only available at the Patel Brothers on Devon - what a coincidence! We should stop there too. They're also only sold by the case - and look how many of us are going and can split them with me! How convenient! They're supposedly "smoother, much less fibrous, juicier, more fragrant and flavorful than most of the mangoes sold in the United States". Well, I'm sold!

I'm in, plus 2, possibly 3 (MIL will be in visiting us). This sounds like a blast.

C2, if you're coming from HP, we can transport you both ways. The only caveat is that we'll probably have to head for home at about 3 pm, since we have plans that evening.

=R=

Sounds fantastic, this may be my first a-thon. I'm tentatively in for 3. Is that alright?

-John

Booooo -- I am out of town on the 23rd now. Have fun!

asami

this will be our first a-thon (and meet) as well - count us in for 2 (me & cjchaps).

From Dmitra's post: the date is 23 June, the time is 11 AM, but where do we gather?

I did a bit of scoping of the route last weekend and will post details when I have a few minutes - hopefully this weekend.

Two of us look forward to joining you for the Devon-a-thon - our first off line encounter with some LTH Forum folks.

sorry, i won't be able to join. business takes me out of town that wkend.

Pie Lady wrote:Did anybody see the article in the Trib food section today on Indian Mangoes? They sound heavenly. They're only in season til July and they're only available at the Patel Brothers on Devon - what a coincidence! We should stop there too. They're also only sold by the case - and look how many of us are going and can split them with me! How convenient! They're supposedly "smoother, much less fibrous, juicier, more fragrant and flavorful than most of the mangoes sold in the United States". Well, I'm sold!

FYI, there's actually a very cool way that these can be "eaten" in an "Indian way." I'm Gujarati and I was taught at a young age. You want to look for ones that are pretty ripe (i.e., soft). What you do is squeeze or roll the mango on some surface to get it even softer. Once it feels like you've reached a point where it won't get much softer (it doesn't really take too long), you pop off the stem, thereby creating a little hole. You may have use a finger or somthing to adjust this hole. You want it to be about the size of a bamboo skewer and probably no bigger in diameter than an average pen or pencil. Next, [you guessed it], you suck the mango right out of the hole (um, insert joke here I guess )! It'll come out like a very hearty shake--it's fantastic. It can get kinda messy if you're not careful.

Can't make the festivities, I'm sorry to say. I think I'll set up another on my own with friends and family though!

That sounds tasty! I can't wait to go, I love thons. I'll be there with bells on.

Hope it's not too late to add one... watch that asafetida!

Hello again Devon-a-thon folks:

OK, I have spent a couple of weekends walking up and down Devon and would like to propose a plan. First, the date and time details:

Saturday June 23, 2007
11:15 am until about 4:30 pm

Meet at:

Argo Georgian Bakery
2812 W. Devon

Here’s what I am suggesting for the itinerary. A few words of explanation:

1.Most people were interested in the multi-ethnic Devon-a-thon, so I aimed for a range a variety of cuisines, not just Indo-Pak.
2.Walking at a very, very leisurely 2 mile an hour pace, the route itself took 90 minutes.
3.I talked to most of the restaurant owners and the sit down places said they could serve a large group in 10-15 minutes after ordering. So I have roughly budgeted 45 minutes to an hour for the sit down places and 15 minutes for the take out places, sweet shop, and Patel Brothers (we eat and walk), and 30 minutes for La Unica and the Georgian Bakery (figuring it might take a while to gather at that first spot). That may be a bit tight, but we can always eliminate a spot or two as we see how the time is going. Or if we are making good time, could add Taqueria el Pueblo, or the Halal Brown’s Chicken. I am trying to strike a balance between over- or under-scheduling the event
4.La Unica is about a 15 minute walk from the previous stop. Most people sounded OK with this, even though it is a dry spot on the route, food-wise. We can always hop on the 155 bus if it is happening by. Then again, we might be thankful for the walk and break.
5.I know I have missed a lot of great places on Devon. There is such a density of amazing places, there are sure to be favorites and must-try’s that I have not included. I mainly aimed for some variety and tended to stick with board favorites as opposed to new places. Someone suggested the Jewish delis farther west, but they aren’t open on Saturday and I selfishly need to keep this event on a Saturday. Perhaps we can aim for the delis on Devon-a-thon Part II? Someone also had the great idea of tasting samosas at each stop (a samos-off?), which we could try to do. Please take a look at the list and let me know if there are glaring omissions (I’m sure there will be) or duplicates in some way. If enough people suggest something, I’ll try to do some re-arranging.

Anyway, here’s what I’m suggesting:

Argo Georgian Bakery
2812 W. Devon Ave.

Patel Brothers Market (for spices and fresh coconut or sugar cane juice treats)
2610 W. Devon Ave.

Sabri Nehari
2502 ½ We. Devon (they don’t open until 12:00 on Saturday)

King Sweets
2308 W. Devon Ave.

Ghareeb Nawaz
2032 W. Devon Ave.

(15 minute digestive stroll)

La Unica
1515 W. Devon Ave.

Khan BBQ
2401 W. Devon Ave.

Hashalom
2905 W. Devon Ave.

In looking over the responses on the thread, we’re a pretty large group (about 40). And it seems that there are people who prefer to walk to each stop and eat along the way and others who prefer to pick up food and gather at one stop to eat. What I’d like to suggest is that with such a large group, we split into the “walk and eat” and the “gather and eat.”

Would someone volunteer to coordinate the gather and eat folks? I don’t think I can do both, really. There is a play lot across the street from my building at Granville and Western (2 blocks south of Devon) with some tables and low seating areas that could work for a gathering place for those of you that want to pick up food and gather to eat. And the walkers group might still be so big that we’ll have to split into two groups there as well.

Here are the RSVP’s I have so far. Could I ask everyone to:

1. Confirm that you are still coming and the number in your party
2. Indicate whether you are a “walk and eat” or a “gather and eat.”

Once I get a count, I’ll go back and give all of the stops a heads up to expect us around certain times that Saturday. Thank you all for your ideas. I’m so looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing some of you again!

RSVP’S

Ann Fisher
Nr706 +1
JimInLoganSquare +1
Cathy2
Asami
Cynthia
Jlawrence01
Leek +1
SGFoxe
Justjoan
Geli
Thaiobsessed
Jygach
Foodie1
Happy_stomach
Bill
Pcharrig +1
Judy H.
Germuska
GAF
Vital Information
Zim
Suzy Creamcheese
Pie Lady
JoelM
Frater Gregorius
Ronnie_suburban +2
Ideal Machine +2
Milic13 +1
French Baguette +1
Chicago foodies

This looks absolutely fabulous. Thanks for all the planning, Hellodali.

I'm still planning on being there.

And walk and eat is my preference, if possible.

Excellent planning! Hellodali, thank you for doing all of that scouting. I will be there on the 23rd with three other people. I don't have a strong preference for which group we eat with, but why don't you put us with the "walk and eats." If the groups get too imbalanced, feel free to move us to the "gather and eats."

Thanks!
Sharon

Changed the RSVP from one to four people (including myself).

Hi,

I am coming directly from a Culinary Historians meeting. I see several people whose cellphone numbers I have. I will call them as I approach to figure out where the group is.

Thanks!

Regards,