I'm in for lemonade! I'll even bring my own cup !

Sorry to miss you JOJO!

OK, weather looks lovely, so we'll be meeting at Garden Park at 12:30. For those of you who don't know where that is, it is the park just North of South Boulevard Beach in Evanston, entered from Keeney (which becomes Sheridan Square) and Sheridan Rd. If you're coming from Clark/Chicago, take South Blvd to the East (away from the El, towards the lake) and turn left at the light at Sheridan, and then turn right onto Sheridan Square and park. The park is immediately to the left of the curve of the road.

I'm going to assume food for 6, as we've got some undecided folks...and I'm going to call the order in a few hours from now, to be ready a little after noon - so it's piping hot when I bring it over. I'm thinking a pound of scallops, a pound of lake perch, a half-pound of hush puppies, the aforementioned cole slaw and I'll ask about the shrimp cocktail, or specials of the day - and a bag of ice. Please let me know by posting or PM if you think that's enough, too much, or if I should add something else to the order.

Sounds good to me. I'll be coming by myself today.

See you there.

Order is placed! At 12:15, I'll be picking up: 1 lb lake perch, 1 lb scallops, 1/2 lb hush puppies, 1/2 lb shrimp cocktail, 1/2 lb each vinegar and creamy cole slaw. I will also bring some small plates and utensils, and a fruit salad I happen to have in the fridge, and a bag of ice. Tarte Tatin graciously volunteered to bring lemonade and cups.

See you at the park!

Mhays wrote:Order is placed! At 12:15, I'll be picking up: 1 lb lake perch, 1 lb scallops, 1/2 lb hush puppies, 1/2 lb shrimp cocktail, 1/2 lb each vinegar and creamy cole slaw. I will also bring some small plates and utensils, and a fruit salad I happen to have in the fridge, and a bag of ice. Tarte Tatin graciously volunteered to bring lemonade and cups.

Arrgh! So sorry I couldn't join you--and even sorrier after reading this. (I was in touch with M about this beforehand, but wanted to share my regrets with the rest of you, too.) Oh well--better luck (for me) next time!

It was a lovely day on the lake and a great way to spend a lunchtime. Fried food and friendly chatter.



A nice setting in southeast Evanston - perfect for a picnic.



Although scrumptious, Fish Keg cannot be accused of producing the most photogenic food.



I think GWiv recommended these scallops - the best item on today's menu IMHO.




We also had two kinds of perch, hush puppies, cocktail shrimp, and two kinds of slaw.



nr706 brought some fermented grape juice boxes.

Not pictured are tarte tatin's lemonade and GAF's Ecuadorian chocolate - both perfectly complemented the layered nuances of our main courses.

Thanks, MHays, for ordering, delivering, and organizing today's lunch.

My thanks also to Michele for organizing a great time by the lake.

I agree with ChgoMike that the real hit of the day was the scallops, but all of the fried food - which ranged from a light beige to a medium beige in color - was very good, and not at all greasy.

Hush Puppies (top) and Scallops


But the food wasn't all beige, as MHays did her best to make us healthy by ordering two kinds of cole slaw, and bringing a colorful fruit salad.


And tarte tatin's lemonade (with lemon and lime slices) hit the spot on a warm day.


Watch for an announcement of the next Evanston Lunch Group™ lunch - probably on September 16, to accommodate the Northwestern contingent.

Thanks, all!

How could a lunch consisting of almost 100% fried food go wrong? Well, I suppose it could - but fortunately, it didn't - I agree, the scallops were enlightening - never would have crossed my mind to order those before. I also thought the "shrimp cocktail" was excellent, and the rest very good. Love that yet another of the good places is a short walk from my home.

Here are some "before" shots inside the Keg: