Yeah, Salamera was hopping today. When I arrived there was only one table left, so I grabbed it. Not long after, they actually locked the front door because they felt so maxed out by the crowd. (There were also some people waiting for takeout) I only saw one person try to open the doors while they were locked and then give up and go away.

Also, I noticed in the window new posted hours, 11 am - 8 pm Mon - Sat. I suggest calling ahead, though, because I thought I heard the staff discuss closing at 6 pm today.

I enjoyed my Norky's Porky, but in reflection, I kind of wished I'd ordered the Jibarito. Well... actually, I wish I'd gone with someone else like I did last time so I could have two different half sandwiches.

I really liked the canchitas, which they didn't offer on my last trip. These are toasted kernels of that giant peruvian corn, with a slight bit of a glaze to them -- I kind of felt like I was eating Sugar Smacks, but not nearly so sweet (more sweet from the corn itself than from any other ingredient). I wonder if you can buy that in any markets around town -- anyone seen it?

Packed to the point of not letting in more customers? Open until 8? Is this the same restaurant?? Regardless I am delighted to hear both of these developments.

I went for a Friday lunch, there was one other table when we arrived and one other couple came in while we were there, so it was a slow day, but also this was around 2 PM so kind of a weird time. I finally had the Norky's Porky and I liked it very much but still prefer the Salamery. My mom had the vegetable sandwich which was fresh and tasty and my dad got the tuna salad which he also enjoyed (dietary restrictions, can't eat bread).

I really hope that her success continues and that she keeps the later hours!! In fact I may invite some of my girlfriends out for dinner there sometime soon.

PlayItGeorge wrote:I went for a Friday lunch, there was one other table when we arrived and one other couple came in while we were there, so it was a slow day, but also this was around 2 PM so kind of a weird time.

It was after 2 pm when I arrived to such a crowd -- but I think the weekends make all the difference. I bet being open for Sunday lunch would be worth two or three days worth of weekday business.

That reminds me -- you Evanston Lunch folks oughta schedule something at Salamera before you don't have the option!

I went with Oculi around 4 pm, when business had pretty much subsided as our group was 1 of the only 2 tables there until we left at 6 (though there were a handful of people who came to pick up food to go).

The food was, of course, delicious, and going with a decent-sized group that likes to share, I was happy to be able to try the jibarito, Norky's porky, and salamery, along with the ceviche! And, unfortunately, they didn't have the chicha morada, and she mentioned they stopped making the orchata because people don't order it (Why not?! She said it was delicious!), but the passion fruit juice she recommended was a good substitution. And I wish someone would have told me that Inca Kola tastes like creme soda because, while I don't dislike creme sode, I was expecting some more exotic flavors . . .

Anyway, although it would seem like a good idea to call before you go to make sure they're open, it doesn't seem like they answer the phone. Both Oculi and I called several times each before we went to no avail, and it rang a handful of times while we were there, and it was not answered once, though it didn't seem overwhelmingly busy. Or busy at all, actually. Perhaps the next time someone is there, they may want to mention to her that people are recommending to call ahead, and not answering the phone would probably lead people to belive she is closed . . . which we were actually expecting, and preparing to head down to Xni-pec for lunch instead. But some quick recon work, since I live sort of close by, debunked that theory, and we were on our way.

They also have a website: http://cafesalamera.com/ , which lists their hours as 10-6. On Saturday, when we asked, she did say that they were open until 6, despite the sign in the window claiming 8, and they did indeed lock the door before we left (which actually cost them a couple more sales, as a couple people tried to come in after 6).

So does anyone know what is going on with them? How much longer will they be open? Though I heard she's selling the restaurant, I didn't notice a for sale sign or anything . . . someone should give her a crash course in how to manage a restaurant because I will be sad when this place goes!

Can't talk...too full....will write more later....

(If you order a Norky's Porky AND a jibarito, make sure there are at least three of you. Those sandwiches kicked our a$*es - but I couldn't stop until every last bite was gone...licked the paper...sleep now.)

Acorn Williams wrote:The food was, of course, delicious, and going with a decent-sized group that likes to share, I was happy to be able to try the jibarito, Norky's porky, and salamery, along with the ceviche! And, unfortunately, they didn't have the chicha morada, and she mentioned they stopped making the orchata because people don't order it (Why not?! She said it was delicious!), but the passion fruit juice she recommended was a good substitution.

The jibarito was as good as I remember, though I gotta get around to trying the Salamery if I can. The chicha morada might have simply run out by the time you ordered, but your word on the orchata probably explains why they didn't have it the last two times I asked for it.

Acorn Williams wrote:Anyway, although it would seem like a good idea to call before you go to make sure they're open, it doesn't seem like they answer the phone.

They answered the phone for me quite a while back (so I don't know what their answer rate is these days), but if they're really closing by the end of the month (or later?) -- with or without a buyer -- then the lack of connections is... understandable.

Acorn Williams wrote:So does anyone know what is going on with them? How much longer will they be open? Though I heard she's selling the restaurant, I didn't notice a for sale sign or anything . . . someone should give her a crash course in how to manage a restaurant because I will be sad when this place goes!

There are things which can of course be improved with the operations of the restaurant, but I'm not sure how far suggestions will go on this web forum. Approaching Norka directly is certainly possible, but whether she can implement your advice is another question (given the experience of others on this site).

--Dan

OK, after a nap, I should report that Norka is in Peru (or very possibly still stuck in the Miami airport) taking care of family business; her family is taking care of the place until she gets back. When I mentioned that I was from LTH, I got a big smile and something like "those guys really want us to stay open," so everyone's efforts are not going unnoticed. They do plan to stay open and are trying the new hours to that end.

We were there around noon, and it was quiet, but several people stopped by for lunch while we were there. We had a jibarito, a Norky's porky, and the chicha morada. The sandwiches were served with canchitas (sort of like huge crunchy versions of "old maids" at the bottom of the popcorn bag -a guilty pleasure of mine) and two sauces: a green one that tasted of onion and maybe parsley, and a fire-hot red one that was sort of like having a whip cracked across your eyes - after a moment of disbelief, searing pain; then it roars past leaving a trail of tears in its wake. (I'm a lightweight with chilis; this could be different for you) It was all, as reported, unbelievably good.

EDIT: We went back on Saturday, unable to resist the siren call of twice-fried plantains. I felt really sorry for the makeshift crew out there; it was pretty busy and they were desperately in need of a good expediter (I had to repress the urge to run in back and throw on an apron) I hope they make it through until Norka gets back...

I was on craigslist.com looking for kitchen equipment as I do on a time to time basis when I came across this http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bfs/315609587.html
Any one want a cafe with yummy sandwiches?

This place is still open, right? I was planning on packing up the laptop in an hour or so to get lunch and settle in for an afternoon of work. I suppose I can go somewhere else on Clark st. if it's shut down but I really am craving that Salamery....

Still open.

Thanks, I'm very happy I can get my sandwich .

I don't have anything to add to what other posters had to say--the jibarito is just phenomenal and you should know to schedule a siesta/food coma after consuming Norky's Porky--but there a few newsy tidbits to add, none of them good.

--My sister and I were either among or the first customers of the day on Thursday (and it was 1:45PM). When asked about moving to a better location, Norca said, "No. Never again."
--The press boon lasted a mere day or two for her. She said something to the like of--and it's been two days, so it's a bit hazy--that the lthforum was her main customer base.
--She had a potential buyer in the restaurant when I entered. She seemed optimistic. She wants out of the restaurant biz. And fast.
--Her plan is to try out selling roasted corn kernels and the purple corn drink (whose name I forgot) at the Evanston art fair and see what happens.

I told her that if she went to NYC, the blog press--grub street, eater, et al.--would make her a superstar; my sister, a Napa denizen, told her she'd be the cat's pajamas in San Fran. Alas, prepare the elegy now: the curtain is closing.

P.S.: I think Norky's Porky is better cold. Mmmm, congealed pork fat.

I stopped in to Salamera today. Norka says she was closed last week, but that this week she will be open to sell off the last of the food she has on hand. (The jibarito was as good as ever.) Don't miss your last opportunity to eat at Salamera before it closes for good.

Josephine wrote:I stopped in to Salamera today. Norka says she was closed last week, but that this week she will be open to sell off the last of the food she has on hand. (The jibarito was as good as ever.) Don't miss your last opportunity to eat at Salamera before it closes for good.

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll try to stop by before week's end -- I'm just wondering when the last day will be.

I was at Salamera yesterday too. Norka warned me to call ahead (773-764-7210) before my next visit. So sad.

Ambala, Salamera... what else do you want to take from me, world?

Has anybody suggested to Norka that she turn her little shop into a catering company? I'm sure once it got on the radar, she could do a bang-up job catering business lunches, and could open occasionally for lunch for the rest of us without having to sit there twiddling her thumbs between rushes.

Any of you pros know how to help her do this? It'd be a crying shame if those sandwiches were lost to the world...

Y'know, if Norky could make goatmeat empanadas and sell them at Wrigley Field as the Cure for the Curse ... along with that wickedly good purple corn drink ... and thereby saving the Cubs and Salamera

Anyone have the requisite connexions?

Mhays wrote:Has anybody suggested to Norka that she turn her little shop into a catering company? I'm sure once it got on the radar, she could do a bang-up job catering business lunches, and could open occasionally for lunch for the rest of us without having to sit there twiddling her thumbs between rushes.

Any of you pros know how to help her do this? It'd be a crying shame if those sandwiches were lost to the world...

I had the same thought too, and mentioned it to her today (was there to pick
up lunch). She didnt think it would work, she doesnt think her sandwiches
would work well for catering, wouldnt hold up etc, need to be eaten when
fresh she thinks.

She was the only one there today, she has already told her sister to try
and find a job elsewhere (thus she did the cooking herself, rather than
her sister - the jibarito was still quite wonderful tho). She came in today
because someone was supposed to come in and see the place - she
said again that you should call before you go in (it opened at 11am
today, not 10, for example).

She is looking for investors etc - if anyone is interested, please contact
her It would indeed be tragic for a place of this quality to go down,
all the sandwiches are awesome, and the corn drink is fantastic
(she will probably be taking a booth at the Evanston Arts Fair, BTW,
to sell her corn drink and cancha - I suggested the sandwiches too,
but that would require a bigger entrance fee, the presence of a
fryer there etc, and so she wont be doing food at the fair).

The location is one of the bigger problems I think - that particular
stretch doesnt seem to support restaurants very well. Apparently
Los Niches is struggling a fair bit too, as is Big Buns (was at Big
Buns for dinner a couple weeks ago on a weekday, was there for
almost a couple of hours, and I think only one other customer came
in in all that time).

c8w

c8w wrote:

Mhays wrote:Has anybody suggested to Norka that she turn her little shop into a catering company? I'm sure once it got on the radar, she could do a bang-up job catering business lunches, and could open occasionally for lunch for the rest of us without having to sit there twiddling her thumbs between rushes.

Any of you pros know how to help her do this? It'd be a crying shame if those sandwiches were lost to the world...

I had the same thought too, and mentioned it to her today (was there to pick
up lunch). She didnt think it would work, she doesnt think her sandwiches
would work well for catering, wouldnt hold up etc, need to be eaten when
fresh she thinks.

I, too, was thinking of bringing up the catering route to Norka when I stopped by today. The only problem was that there was nothing left for me to eat after 5 P.M., when the cafe was technically closed (though the door was left open). Okay, there were burritos left, but I was looking to finally try the Salamery for dinner, not a burrito.

Medium-sized catering jobs could work if Norka (and possibly her team) were allowed to cook to order on the premises, but the problem again becomes one of sustainable clientele. I foresee a mainly LTHForum-based audience who simply cannot produce enough jibarito-themed get-togethers per week to keep her gainfully employed. It's a dream that begs for an angel investor of some sort -- who happens to be very hungry -- but I'm resigning myself to the fact that I'll have to find my Porkys somewhere else in the near future.

As for my actual dinner tonight, I drove a few blocks north, found a meter with an hour left on the timer, and checked out a few places I'd been meaning to try over the past few weeks/months. Two carne asada tacos from Cuetzala ($1.60 each) served as a nice appetizer to a gyros sandwich from Parkside Gyros across the street ($3.85 + $0.25 for extra sauce -- prices according to the takeout menu). So, yeah... I got at least some of the meat I'd been craving along Clark Street. Still sorry about Salamera, though.

Quetzala
7360 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60629 [60626, according to Google Maps]
(773) 262-9417

Parkside Gyros
7355 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 338-0321
[A lot's available, but it was quite full when I arrived...]

Maybe I'll try a sub from Cap'n Nemo's next,
Dan

fastfoodsnob wrote:I, too, was thinking of bringing up the catering route to Norka when I stopped by today. The only problem was that there was nothing left for me to eat after 5 P.M., when the cafe was technically closed (though the door was left open). Okay, there were burritos left, but I was looking to finally try the Salamery for dinner, not a burrito.

Are you saying that everything is gone? I was hoping to stop in tomorrow one last time.

Quetzala is another place I really like that doesn't seem to get any business whatsoever as far as I can tell.

cilantro wrote:

fastfoodsnob wrote:I, too, was thinking of bringing up the catering route to Norka when I stopped by today. The only problem was that there was nothing left for me to eat after 5 P.M., when the cafe was technically closed (though the door was left open). Okay, there were burritos left, but I was looking to finally try the Salamery for dinner, not a burrito.

Are you saying that everything is gone? I was hoping to stop in tomorrow one last time.

Quetzala is another place I really like that doesn't seem to get any business whatsoever as far as I can tell.

Quetzala had another two people eating dinner while I was in there early for tacos, but Norka seemed to only have one guest who wasn't eating (perhaps a relative or business associate?) who reiterated that the place for closed -- at least for the day. But, yeah... I wasn't sure if her remarks meant they were out of non-burrito-type food for the day, the week, or forever... and I was planning on going back tomorrow, too! I guess someone oughtta give the place a call Friday and see.

They were open today, for what it's worth.

cilantro wrote:They were open today, for what it's worth.

Right you are! Mhays was kind enough to check out the place in person and invited me along for a sandwich. Mighty tasty, even in my car, as we got our orders near the six o'clock hour. The restaurant apparently should be open a bit longer, so keep on trying if the mood strikes (relatively soon). If Mhays would like to share further details surrounding the hows and whys, I'll leave that to her, but the most important thing is that we've got jibaritos for a little while longer.

Gratefully,
Dan

That's funny cause I was there around 1 and the place was closed. Only opening up for dinner time?

gp60004 wrote:That's funny cause I was there around 1 and the place was closed. Only opening up for dinner time?

Earlier calls went unanswered, so rapping on the door might occasionally be necessary when checking in person, which seemed to be our experience yesterday. Those in charge Friday also might not have been available around those lunchtime hours, unfortunately.

I know that a lot of new restaurants these days have "soft openings," but this is the first "soft closing" in my memory.

Norky makes some terrific sandwiches, and hopefully she will not be lost to our community.

Yes, indeed - it was fun seeing you, Dan! We just decided to drive over there, and go to Big Buns and Pita if they were closed, which I think is a good strategy (did you know there's now a sushi place on the opposite corner )

The place was dark, and the open sign was off - but there were people inside, and they graciously unlocked the door when they saw our desperate, jibarito-hungry faces (Dan called after we'd got in, so we ordered on his behalf.) The couple inside were some relation to Norky and don't want her to close either. Apparently the potential buyer for the restaurant didn't go through with it - and though I don't know how accurate the information is, the woman inside said she wasn't closing right away, and although they only had jibaritos today, the Norky's porky and other food would be back next week. We took ours to go and had a lovely lunch at Indian Boundary Park.

They were also surprised when we said we'd (also) called at lunchtime - something must be wrong with the phone. I'm going to try to call in the morning someday and ask to speak to Norka about June Evanston Lunch.

I've been there when they feel they can't really do justice to a large number of people and they lock they door and let no more in. (in that case Norka was out of town due to some illness in her family and other family members were running the place for her, I don't know the situation most recently)