Evanston Lunch Group Tuesday, August 19 - Fish Keg

Since it's our last "summer" get-together and we'd talked about the possiblity of dining Al Fresco, our next lunch will be purchased at The Fish Keg, 2233 Howard St, Chicago; locally famous for hush puppies, Bag-O-Chicken and fried walleye. We'd discussed pre-ordering, and carrying our booty to a local park: Evanston's Lakefront Garden Park was discussed as a possible location, other options nearby for outdoor eating include James Park. Closer to the date, I'll start taking orders - the menu is online.

If anyone knows of a location with a picnic shelter as a rain option, please post - there appears to be a park of some kind at Oakley and Jarvis which shows some kind of a structure, but it doesn't say what it is on the map (probably part of property of St. Scholastica, which apparently is available for rent only) Evanston has a few shelters, one much further up the lakefront near NWU...

Count me in!

A query at another board I frequent found me a picnic shelter at Dobson/Brummel Park, at the corner of Dobson and Asbury - I vote for this for our rain location, as it's very close by. It doesn't show up on Google Maps as a park, but it's there if you look at the satellite picture. I will go check it out in the next week or so.

Sounds like a p

Mhays wrote:A query at another board I frequent found me a picnic shelter at Dobson/Brummel Park, at the corner of Dobson and Asbury - I vote for this for our rain location

Sounds like a plan. I'm putting it on my calender, and plan to come hungry.

Count me in.

yep

Great. Count me in. Beverages? JOJO

Good point, JOJO - the Fish Keg has a limited selection - what's the best way to handle this? (FWIW - alcohol is illegal in Evanston parks) I have a cooler I can bring & stock with ice (which they do sell) - does somebody want to stop somewhere and get some cold sodas and water? Alternatively, do we each want to bring our own?

While illegal, I know people who have risked bringing beer or wine into a park and consuming surreptitiously. Not me, of course. I'm just saying ...

Last meeting we had with the Chief of Police, he reported they'd made 31 alcohol-related arrests on Dillo Day this year...so, yes, it happens...but...

Mhays wrote:Last meeting we had with the Chief of Police, he reported they'd made 31 alcohol-related arrests on Dillo Day this year...so, yes, it happens...but...

Hmmmm! Do you really think the Evanston police would mistake our group for a bunch of drunken NU students? If so, I'm extremely complimented! I haven't been carded in way too many years....

Anywho, count me in for the 19th--booze or no booze....

I'm going to do my best. Fried food is certainly a lure. (Lure. Fish Keg. Get it? Ahem.) All is dependent on the impending arrival of my new little LTHer and her willingness to cooperate with my culinary predilections.

- Mike

C'mon Mike - get your priorities straight. It'll be weeks before your new baby can prepare fried seafood for you anywhere near as good as The Fish Keg's.

Mhays wrote:Closer to the date, I'll start taking orders - the menu is online.

BUMP!!!
I assume this is still on the calendar....

PS. Every time I try to look at the menu, I get knocked off my browser.... So some menu help would be appreciated.... Thanks!

tarte tatin wrote:PS. Every time I try to look at the menu, I get knocked off my browser.... So some menu help would be appreciated.... Thanks!

Fish Keg Online Menu



My favorite are the fried scallops followed by lake perch.

Fish Keg
2233 W Howard St
Chicago, IL 60645
773-262-6603
http://www.thefishkeg.com

G Wiv wrote:Fish Keg Online Menu

My favorite are the fried scallops followed by lake perch.

Thanks, Gary, for the menu--and the suggestions!

I see mention of a meeting location if it rains. However, what's the spot if the weather is nice? Perhaps I've overlooked it....?

- Mike

ChgoMike wrote:I see mention of a meeting location if it rains. However, what's the spot if the weather is nice? Perhaps I've overlooked it....?

- Mike

I think there was some discussion of eating right at the Fish Keg. They have picnic tables, I believe....

You guys got ahead of me! I did go today and scout our rain location - there's a little park between the alleys, as promised, behind the blue building at Brummel and Western: it has a small gazebo with one large picnic table underneath; should be an excellent rain location.

In the event of fine weather, we'd actually been discussing meeting at Garden Park as it's a lovely location for a picnic, right on the lakefront. I'll be happy to stop by Fish Keg and deliver, if we groupthink up an order - you're on your own for beverages, though I could pick up a bag of ice as well (they sell it there)

Please let me know if you're coming, your location preference, and your food preferences...

A, I'm coming.

B. My location preference is where everyone else is.

C. Food preference is seafood, probably fried.

Does that help?

Isn't there a lot right next to the Fish Keg with some picnic tables? I drive by there all the time, but my visual memory is failing me. If so, I wonder if that space would be BYO...

As a Rogers Park resident, I always look forward to hearing about the Evanston Lunch Group outings. Some day, I hope to be able to join you for one!

I plan on attending. If the weather remains nice, I may be +1 1/4.

I like the scallops, shrimp and some sort of white fish if available. Hush puppies are good, too. I wasn't too impressed the time I tried the fried salmon, for what it's worth. And, believe it or not, I like the non-fried cocktail shrimp.

I'll let you know by Monday whether my +1 1/4 will be joining us, though the 1/4 will be bringing her own food and isn't willing to share.

- Mike

There are, indeed, picnic tables right next to the Keg, but, for alfresco dining, it's light on atmosphere, which is why I think the Evanston lakeshore was suggested - though I certainly don't mind eating there. It also doesn't appear to have a rain shelter, thus the other park. LMK what you all think.

OK. Fried. Maybe with shrimp on the side...Got it...

I don't think I'll be able to make it. I will try to stop by but might not make it in time for the food. I have an appointment at noon downtown. Hopefully, I'll see you guys soon.

Heather

OK, busy weekend coming up, so I'll try to summarize what I'm seeing here:

So far, we have:

GAF
Tarte Tatin
JoJo
Nr706
Riddlemay
(?)Chgo Mike + 1 1/4

Did I miss anybody?

Food preferences: shrimp coctail, fried whitefish (lake perch? walleye?), fried scallops I think I heard hush puppies in one discussion. Maybe a couple large tubs of their cold salads (coleslaw, potato, mac?)

Drinks - JOJO, you still on for that, if we're not eating there? IIRC, they do have some canned sodas. I can bring a small cooler and ice.

Location - rain, the unnamed park behind Brummel and Asbury(Western). Sun location - Fish Keg itself or Garden Park? LMK; if we're staying, we can make up an order there - otherwise, I'll deliver.

I am going to try my darndest to make this lunch. Garden Park is a good suggestion. It seems like it would be more pleasant than the fish keg lot. I really like FK's hush puppies, perch and the walleye. The Cod isn't bad either. For salads, the vinegar cole slaw is quite good.

I'd like to put in a request for some walleye, if I may....

And I'm fine with bringing my own drink, if that's easier all around. As for sides, just cole slaw would be fine for me (but I prefer the creamy to the vinegar--some of each?) if we are having hush puppies.... However, if the potato and macaroni salads show up, I'm sure I would not snub them.

As to sun location, I'm fine with either spot. If the weather looks iffy Tuesday morning (right now it looks like the forecast for rain has been moved to Wednesday), will you be posting a final decision as to whether we are meeting at the rain or sun location?

Thanks, Michele!

OK, to make some decisions, let's say this - Garden Park for the sun location; those of you who don't already have my cell who plan to attend please PM me and I'll send it to you, but I'll post a decision that morning as to which of the two parks - and you can call me to confirm if you don't have time to check the board (or if I forget....)

Good deal! See you all Tuesday!

Sorry--can't make the lunch. I am finishing my MA thesis and U of C is expects to hear from me right now! JOJO.

Mhays wrote:Since it's our last "summer" get-together and we'd talked about the possiblity of dining Al Fresco, our next lunch will be purchased at The Fish Keg

Since the weather on Tuesday is now supposed to be warm(er), it occurred to me today that al fresco dining should maybe include lemonade. I could bring some to share, if anyone is interested...?