3-day return visit to Chicago

As a former Chicagoan returning for a visit for the first time in 4 years, I am eager to hit old spots and try new ones. My particular interests are Mexican, barbecue, and other cuisines that I can't get much of in Uganda (where I live now), or Boston, my other stop on this trip. My planned ideal itinerary, after reading this board and Chowhound, is as follows:

Day 1)

Breakfast--Tre Kroner
Lunch--Xni-Pec or Sol de Mexico
Dinner--Katsu or Sunshine Cafe

Day 2)

Breakfast--Maxwell Street Market (will all the vendors be out in the winter?)
Lunch--Lem's
Dinner--Jamaican or Peruvian food

Day 3)

Breakfast--Svea/Sweet Maple Cafe/or undecided soul food restaurant?
Lunch--La Quebrada or La Oaxaquena or Restaurante Oaxaca, if it is still around
Dinner--San Soo Gap San, or anything I haven't eaten yet

Snacks: Tamales from somewhere, Spinach pies from Middle Eastern Bakery, Sticky Rice and Red Bean Cakes from New York Bakery in Albany Park

I would appreciate any suggestions, on the Jamaican/Peruvian/Soul/breakfast food front, or any "to die for" restaurants that I should add to this itinerary. I will probably avoid any very far Southwest or far South (except Lem's) restaurants due to time constraints. Plus any very fancy restaurants are out since i have two small and often destructive kids.

--jbl

Nice list, jbl. You've done your research. To answer your question:

jbl wrote:Breakfast--Maxwell Street Market (will all the vendors be out in the winter?)
--jbl

Yes. They're open all Winter. Rumor is that the market will be moving to its new location (Des Plaines n. of Roosevelt) in December--at the earliest.

I highly recommend hitting Lencho's for charcoal grilled asada tacos at the market (West side of Canal, close-ish to Walgreens and "across" from Bossman's Bargain Pit), and the pupusa stand (1/4 block North of Roosevelt on Canal, West side of the street).

For soul food, I'd go with Edna's Restaurant (featured in last month's issue of Saveur magazine, among others).
3175 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60612-1809
Phone: (773) 638-7079

For BBQ, it would be a battle of Lem's vs. Uncle John's.
Uncle John's
337 E 69th St
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 892-1233

For a Jamaican snack, you cannot beat the beef patties (washed down with a grapefruity Ting) at Caribbean American Bakery in Roger's Park.

Carribbean American Bakery
1539 W Howard St
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 761-0700

Enjoy! And don't forget to report back.

...or Restaurante Oaxaca, if it is still around

Unfortunately, Restaurante Oaxaca is no longer there. The rest of your itinerary looks great, though.

Noticeably missing from your list is any Thai food, something Chicago is noted for. I'd recommend a visit to either GNR Winner TAC Quickor GNR Winner Spoon Thai. Also, if you are short on time and are making a trip to the south side strictly for BBQ, you might want to consider visiting GNR Winner Honey 1 instead. It might save you some driving and you won't be disappointed by the BBQ, either. Have fun in Chicago. It looks like you have quite a list of places to visit (don't forget that Maxwell St. Market is only open on Sunday mornings).

stevez wrote:(don't forget that Maxwell St. Market is only open on Sunday mornings).

The market runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

jbl wrote:Chow-down in Chi-town.

Awesome! I thought I was the only one
to come up with over-the-top agendas like that.
I'd probably throw in an Italian Beef "snack", though.

SCUBAchef wrote:

jbl wrote:Chow-down in Chi-town.

Awesome! I thought I was the only one
to come up with over-the-top agendas like that.
I'd probably throw in an Italian Beef "snack", though.

ronnie_suburban is on the list also: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=15937

Thanks for all the advice, I will definitely put Honey 1, Spoon Thai, Uncle John's, and the Rogers Park Jamaican as options on the list. I remember loving those carne asada tacos from the MSM vendor you describe.

I went to Edna's a number of years ago and was a bit disappointed. Better was Boo's Soul Kitchen on South Chicago, but it is FAR.


Anyone have any suggestions on the Peruvian front? Any cases for Taste of Peru, Macchu Picchu, or Rinconcito Sudamericano?

--jbl

There's some discussion, and other thread links, here.

I tried going to a newer Peruvian place, Ay Ay Picante, on a Monday night recently. Unfortunately, despite calling ahead to make sure they were open (they answered, said, "yes"), when we arrived at around 6:30, they were closed.

Ay Ay Picante
4569 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 427-4239