Evanston Lunch Group - Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 12:30pm

OK, date and time are up there. Now for the place, which isn't up there...well...in light of Geoffrey Baer's take on LTH, I propose lunch at the Evanston Grill. I know, I know - let me clue you in to the thought process. First of all, the internet holds one lone review of the place, which states simply "The Bim Bop is the finest in the Chicagoland area." Second, I've eaten there once and had a nice, if nontraditional, grilled Reuben - and though Phil Vettell isn't going to give it any Circuses, it seemed well-kept - if well-worn.

My criterion: Cheap, quick, and indoors (cutting out takeout options.) Not somewhere we've been before (cuts out Cross-Rhodes and Sh.Rustaveli). Not mediterranean (personal choice as I've overdone it recently - cuts out a good third of local restaurants) Greasy comfort food. A touch of the unknown. Are you with me? If you're horrified by this idea, PM me - I didn't put it in the title for a reason; I can be flexible...

Evanston Grill
1047 Chicago Ave # B
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 328-3339

cya there

HI,

CrazyC for a while was working in Evanston. I would be interested in her opinion of their Bi Bim Bop, if she had it there.

Regards,

I'm not by any means taking the single review as gospel, and I didn't eat Korean food when I was there -IIRC it is run by an elderly Korean couple.

LOL

I cannot tell you the number of times I have driven by here and thought of stopping in, just to see what it's all about.... and being a general fan of bi bim bop, which is well publicized by their large sign in the window.... but it was always too close to their 3:30 closing time or there was no legal parking available or I was in a hurry to be elsewhere or something....

So I'm up for it! In the quest for dingy, could this be another diamond in the rough???

Although I won't be able to join you for the lunch, Mr. X and I have the Evanston Grill on somewhat regular rotation for breakfast. I can count the number of places I've had bi bim bop on two fingers (Evanston Grill and Noon Hour Grill in Rogers Park) and I like both renditions. I think the couple that runs Evanston Grill are a hoot -- they remind me of my grandparents if my grandparents were (A) still alive, and (B) Korean. I think you'll enjoy your visit at least for the atmosphere. I can't attest for much of the menu -- I've only had the bi bim bop.

The GP wrote:Although I won't be able to join you for the lunch, Mr. X and I have the Evanston Grill on somewhat regular rotation for breakfast. I can count the number of places I've had bi bim bop on two fingers (Evanston Grill and Noon Hour Grill in Rogers Park) and I like both renditions. I think the couple that runs Evanston Grill are a hoot -- they remind me of my grandparents if my grandparents were (A) still alive, and (B) Korean. I think you'll enjoy your visit at least for the atmosphere. I can't attest for much of the menu -- I've only had the bi bim bop.

GP's comments seals the deal for me. Let's go there for lunch.

Regards,

Fabulous! I'm in the mood for a good Hanukkorean meal. See you there.

Of course, you'll be providing the soundtrack, Paul? Can't think of a more appropriate time...

The only thing I've had here is the Bi-Bim-Bop. And it's been tasty. I just had the version served during lunch at the Mandarin House on Noyes Street in Evanston and I would say that Evanston Grill does it better. That being said, I'm sorry I can't make this one due to prior commitment. Have fun!

I had the bi bim bop at Evanston Grill once, and while it was ok, I can't say I was particularly impressed. I will be out of town in any case, but Catherine will be there. Wish I could as well, for the company if not the food,
Robert

I arranged my schedule to be able to attend. I might be a little late (I have a noon meeting which should last about half an hour, and it should be a ten minute drive).

Given the potential weather tomorrow, Mhays do you want to be in charge of deciding tomorrow (say by 10) whether we will meet for lunch.

Good idea, unfortunately I won't be near a computer until about 11...can someone near home take this on for me?

I also plan (if I remember and this lunch happens) to bring my notes about the history of the Evanston Lunch Group, if anybody wants to bring theirs to compare (I have some info from the Chapulins and from nr706)

I'd suggest we go ahead with it, and if some people don't feel comfortable driving in this weather, then we'll see you next time - no harm, no foul. My experience is that Evanston does a reasonably good job keeping major streets clear most of the time, and if no one else shows up, then there'll be more bi bim bop for me.

So, I believe we are 7 if we all show up. Fortunately, reservations won't be required...

I just canceled my students. (just can't bear driving up to the northern suburbs when there's an ice storm warning). I will be a last minute addition. See you!

Sharona

I called the grill just now and got an odd reception from the owner, who said they may or may not have room for a group (I guess, depending on the regulars?) Just in case, I'm instituting a plan B, which is to meet at the Grill, and if it doesn't work out, walk to Cross-Rhodes who I'm sure will be happy to accomodate us. GAF, since you're planning to run late, I'm going to PM you my cell phone number.

Cross-Rhodes
913 Chicago Ave. • Evanston, IL 60202
Telephone (847) 475 4475

Mhays wrote:I called the grill just now and got an odd reception from the owner, who said they may or may not have room for a group (I guess, depending on the regulars?)

Did I mention that my grandparents were on the quirky side?

For those who haven't been, the Evanston Grill is not a big place. There are a handful of booths along one side, a small counter with some stools and an island/counter with seating on both sides. They seem to do good business in-house as well as carry-outs. Hopefully you are able to experience the restaurant, but know you might have to be flexible in seating. Have some bi bim bop for me!

-The GP

Looks as if we dodged the bullet, weather-wise.

I was looking forward to the usual great company today, no matter what the cuisine ended up being.... However, I'm sad to report I will be MIA.
One of my clients moved a conference call from 3 pm to 1 pm today, so while you all are enjoying bi bim bop or gyros, I'll be here talking municipal bonds....
Have a forkful for me!

As we were leaving, I realized someone was missing! Well, see you Christmas Eve, then!

Thanks, everyone who joined us during the busy holiday season: (Mrs. chapulin, Paul SL, gp60004 and friend, Cathy2, Sharona, GAF and nr706)


Though my expectations were low, I did particularly enjoy this one - IMHO the American side of the menu stood out here for me. I've mentioned their Reuben in the past (my reason for returning)

I like it very much - mostly because it's not a deli-style two pounds of meat type, but a balanced combination of good meat, sauerkraut and dressing fried hard on the griddle. Crinkle-cut fries aren't my favorite, but at least here they're also fried hard and the hoisin on the tables makes an interesting dip.

C2 generously shared her very buttery grits, which recieved favorable comments from those in the grits know:

I got busy eating and missed quite a few photo ops, but of course everyone generously shared their food, so I got to try Paul SL's very nice teryaki steak (similar to bulgogi, but with a teriaki marinade) and chapulin's Bi beem bop (or however they spell it here) which was a bit bland and maybe on the oily side for my taste - though my only point of reference is Pusan House. Gp6004's shared onion rings (fried hard, see a theme developing here?) were crunchy, if not otherwise unusual.

We were all given holiday pocket calendars at the end of the meal by the very charming owner (the GP must have told her "grandfather" we were coming) and enjoyed this picture book (now on Sparky's gift list) as pre-meal entertainment. My roundup - while it's not the destination that Patty's or WASC have become, Evanston Grill does have a lot going for it, and I'll be back.

The star of the show (other than the company, of course) was the Bee Beem Bop (Evanston Grill's spelling). Here's Gary's (note the bright stainless steel bowl - is that a traditional serving dish?)

nr706 wrote:(note the bright stainless steel bowl - is that a traditional serving dish?)

Yep, at least for the non-dolsot/kopdol variety. I can't imagine eating bibimbop without stainless steel bowl and round, long stainless steel spoon! The bowls are also typically used for guk soo (buckwheat noodles).

binofhay wrote:

nr706 wrote:(note the bright stainless steel bowl - is that a traditional serving dish?)

Yep, at least for the non-dolsot/kopdol variety. I can't imagine eating bibimbop without stainless steel bowl and round, long stainless steel spoon! The bowls are also typically used for guk soo (buckwheat noodles).

I agree... For non-dolsot BBP, stainless steel bowl and a long spoon is a must. Or when I make it at home, I use my rice cooker pot... =)

There is something really reassuring about the steady scrape of a metal spoon against the bowl, imho

CrazyC wrote:

binofhay wrote:

nr706 wrote:(note the bright stainless steel bowl - is that a traditional serving dish?)

Yep, at least for the non-dolsot/kopdol variety. I can't imagine eating bibimbop without stainless steel bowl and round, long stainless steel spoon! The bowls are also typically used for guk soo (buckwheat noodles).

I agree... For non-dolsot BBP, stainless steel bowl and a long spoon is a must. Or when I make it at home, I use my rice cooker pot... =)

There is something really reassuring about the steady scrape of a metal spoon against the bowl, imho

I had a great time yesterday! And I do have to add that I enjoyed the bibimbap. I also noticed that they served the buttery grits also with the same long Korean stainless steel spoon. That was a funny worlds colliding moment for me.

Mhays, I'm so glad you found the book on amazon! I'll have to get one also for my cousin's twins!

Thanks again for the great company and fun

Sharona