gift suggestions

So, we thought we had ordered my father a "gift set" of barbeque sauces from Georgia for Father's Day, but now the place is claiming I never spoke to them or placed an order. I need to order something else (not trusting them again!) and am looking for suggestions. My father likes to grill and has enjoyed bbq sauces in the past. He is also opening a coffee shop (open tomorrow in Richton Park!) and has enjoyed the Intelligentsia coffee we've sent him in the past. Does anyone have any suggestions for some fantastic sauces or coffees I might be able to order online? (Or maybe some super cool coffee shop themed kinda thing that i can't even fathom)? Thanks so much!

Katharine

If he's gotten sauces in the past, maybe a box of rubs?
If this works, please get the "bronzeville rib rub" among your selections.
http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices-by-category/gift-boxes

There's also Penzey's:
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/c-Gift_Boxes.html

They both also have retail stores in the Chicago area. If you are in the area, stop in create your own box, and be ready to spend on yourself too, if you enjoy cooking.

P.S. A suggestion for a gift box: Get a few of the pre-made rubs or seasonings. THEN, include the seperate makings of a rub for your father to make on his own. Garlic powder, onion powder, fancy paprika (they will have several diff varieties,) one (or more) of their smoke seasonings, sage, cumin, black pepper, white pepper - etc - and a few of their big jars for him to put it in and label. IMHO, as a grill / bbq lover, and all around 'guy' this would be a pretty damn good gift. You could just read the ingredient list of one of their bq seasonings, and buy all of the stuff seperately. If he likes heat, then buy some chile powder too (I'd go with ancho, pequin, and aleppo)

Sorry - bit long winded, but I think you (and he) will be happy with the results if he is into grilling and bbq. Both places offer really fresh stuff,and very gifty packaging.

Unwrapped on the Food Network had a segment on the BBQ Sauce of the Month club a few years ago.

www.bbqsauceofthemonth.com

On the subject of Intelligentsia, they do offer a "coffees of the month" program for different time segments. They're not cheap -- but I did give it to a friend of mine who recently moved away from Chicago and was mourning the loss of Intelligentsia a block away from him. They send out 3 pounds of coffee a month and you get info cards on the beans, etc. I think the 4 month group was around $250 -- and i think you can do it for 6 month and 12 month as well.

He loved it -- said he got to try all sorts of great coffees and there wasn't a bummer in the whole 4 month group.

Shannon

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Since he is also a Chicago history buff, I ordered a couple of the Ethnic Chicago gift boxes from the Spice House. Should be a big hit! I can't wait to visit these places -- and to try some of the other suggestions for myself. Thanks again!

Kat

Perhaps a little late, but one of our fellow LTHer's, Buddy Roadhouse, has a line of barbecue sauces. I'd imagine there's a website, but you can also learn about them in person from Buddy at Burt's Place, where he can frequently be seen working on a Saturday night.