Virgin voyage to the Brown Sack today.

I ordered the shrimp and avocado BLT and found it to be a pretty ordinary sandwich. Don't get me wrong - ingredients were fresh and it was well prepared, but despite expertly cooked bacon, I didn't find the flavor had much to recommend it...

...especially compared to my dining companion's pick. She got the grilled vegetable sandwich which she had had before. She reluctantly agreed to swap sandwich halves. I thought I was doing her a favor, sharing the BLT. Due to her hesitancy, I gave her a 2-bite-swap-back option. I'm surprised she didn't take it.

The grilled vegetable sandwich was just delicious. There were black beans, grilled plantains, some sort of melty cheese and, I believe, grilled onions. This was a gestalt experience. When it was delivered, warm, it was a little bit fantastic. My dining companion suggested that they give it a better name because it doesn't really sound like a winner. It is.

The oreo milkshake was toe-curling. Or maybe it was face puckering. That thing was thick. And great.

I'll be back.

It seems like there have been a few variations, but any sandwich with slow roasted pork is the way to go. I teach at a nearby school, and the foodies on staff have all had it with rave reviews. One described it as "dinner on bread", another described it as "crack" (though the simile doesn't draw on actual experience with hard drugs). But the best I heard was, "when I finshed it, I immediately got sad".

Sweetbread, there was a slow cooked pork sandwich on special yesterday that I'm still kicking myself for not ordering.

I had one yesterday. It was good. I was expecting the pulled pork sandwich because in my hunger, my ears heard slow roasted pork with apples onions and thyme with cilantro slaw, but my brain heard "that pulled pork sammich you had last summer here." I was disappointed that it was not pulled poke, but it was pretty good nonetheless. D/c had that roasted veggie sammy, and yes, deelish. Their chicky noodle soup stole the show for me, however. The soup was great, sure, BUT, there were chunks of roasted skin on chicken added to the soup just before serving. The crispy, crunchy skin of the chicken in the warm broth was well, I can't really explain. Reminded me of crispy skin roasted duck soup you can get in good Chinese joints. Just really, really good "real" food here. Oh yeah, I could eat a whole pan of that jalapeno corn bread with butter they have. I just love places like this where you don't have to "worry" about what you order. I can just randomly pick off the menu, and know I'm probably gonna get something pretty good.

P.s.
Adam said that the two quarts of seebee's giardiniera went pretty quickly indeed. I promised him another jar, but don't know when I'll get it there. I'll be sure to post a note here.

seebee wrote:P.s.
Adam said that the two quarts of seebee's giardiniera went pretty quickly indeed. I promised him another jar, but don't know when I'll get it there. I'll be sure to post a note here.

Please, I asked for your giardinera with my veggie sandwich on Saturday. Adam will tell you that. I went again with my husband and it was my mum-in-law's maiden voyage. She really enjoyed. I just wish I could get myself to try something else, but I always come back to the veggie plantain and black bean sandwich with the slaw dumped on it and the vanilla milkshake, no whipped cream and the best I have had in the city!

Seebee's Giardiniera has returned to The Brown Sack.

Sweetbread wrote:It seems like there have been a few variations, but any sandwich with slow roasted pork is the way to go. I teach at a nearby school, and the foodies on staff have all had it with rave reviews. One described it as "dinner on bread", another described it as "crack" (though the simile doesn't draw on actual experience with hard drugs). But the best I heard was, "when I finshed it, I immediately got sad".

Got takeout from Brown Sack for lunch today. I tried the slow roasted pork sandwich for the first time. It was incredible. I'm already looking forward to the next one. By the time I got home, the juicy pork had completely soaked the lower slice of bread. This wasn't a bad thing, for sure. It made it more difficult to eat, but also more delicious. The sandwich was topped with a cilantro slaw that was tasty, but rather unnecessary. The pork was the star of the show. Crazy flavorful, moist, falling apart.

I asked for a side of (seebee's?) giardinera, of course, which I happily munched along with the sandwich.

I don't know why we don't eat here more often. It's less than ten minutes from the house, and reliably delicious. Plus the folks are very friendly - - and they deliver for just $2.50.

Ronna

Hooray back to the Brown Sack for lunch today. I had my usual vegetarian sandwich with plantains and black beans + the vanilla milkshake. Oh yeah, the Seebee's was fantastic and placed on the sandwich for me. I dumped the coleslaw on myself.

If you want details of how much I love this combo click on the link below for a prior post.

If you want the details on these Chicago Delights,then here is an earlier post:
http://tinyurl.com/6c824z

Photos here: http://tinyurl.com/c38cxz

I am already wondering if I can snag lunch there tomorrow as well.

No dinner for me!

pairs4life wrote:I dumped the coleslaw on myself.

I hope you got a second helping and a change of clothes...

pairs4life, I missed you by one day! My mom and I poked our heads into Kuma's, foolishly hoping it might not be crowded (we had baby G-Funk with us, so crowds were a no-go), and swiftly moved on to the Brown Sack. Grilled veggie sandwich for me, BLT w/avocado for her, coleslaw for both of us. Absolutely spot-on. My mom has made the trip from Park Ridge with friends on a few separate occasions to introduce them to the place as well.

My only complaint is the cookies. I've tried them both times I've gone, and both times, they've been pretty lousy. it's disappointing for a place where everthing else is so wonderful, especially because a good chocolate chip cookie isn't very hard to make, IMO.

Had I not read about the Brown Sack here, I never would have found the place - I just don't make it to that neighborhood. But as usual, the good folks here have given me a reason to travel a bit.

So today was my first visit. I thought the shrimp-avocado blt was excellent. Sure the ingredients were all in the right proportions and prepared well, but I was most impressed by the very high quality of all of the ingredients. I only got one bite of my friend's slow roasted pork sandwich, but I thought it was also delicious.

Sides were perhaps even more impressive, if only because I would not have expected so much care put into them (as others have pointed out here). In particular, I loved the addition of fresh apple chunks to the cole slaw and the generous dose of heat from the cayenne pepper. My only criticism: my oatmeal smoothie could have used a little more honey. I liked that it was not super sweet, but it could have been a touch sweeter. Otherwise, very creative and a nice combination of flavors.

I'm not sure when I'll make it over there again, but I really wish there was a Brown Sack in my neighborhood . . . every neighborhood deserves a sandwich place this good.

seebee wrote:P.s.
Adam said that the two quarts of seebee's giardiniera went pretty quickly indeed. I promised him another jar, but don't know when I'll get it there. I'll be sure to post a note here.

I went last week for my sandwich-- Grilled Veggie(Plantains, black beans, etc, & they now place the coleslaw on it for me) and the minute they saw me they told me my friend had ordered my sandwich incorrectly. Then they said, whenever I call in ( or anyone else calls for me), just tell them it's the Seebee's girl & my sandwich will be made with said giardiniera on it. Yes they, remade my sandwich. I just love that kind of care and attention.

pairs4life wrote:
I went last week for my sandwich-- Grilled Veggie(Plantains, black beans, etc, & they now place the coleslaw on it for me) and the minute they saw me they told me my friend had ordered my sandwich incorrectly. Then they said, whenever I call in ( or anyone else calls for me), just tell them it's the Seebee's girl & my sandwich will be made with said giardiniera on it. Yes they, remade my sandwich. I just love that kind of care and attention.

It is based on your recommendations that I finally tried the veggie. Wow - what an excellent sandwich! I am still trying to figure out the seasonings - I almost tasted an Asian note on the grilled onions. Or maybe I'm crazy. Next time, I need to remember the giardiniera (cross fingers on availability.)

Thank you, pairs4life and LTH.

wendy wrote:

pairs4life wrote:
I went last week for my sandwich-- Grilled Veggie(Plantains, black beans, etc, & they now place the coleslaw on it for me) and the minute they saw me they told me my friend had ordered my sandwich incorrectly. Then they said, whenever I call in ( or anyone else calls for me), just tell them it's the Seebee's girl & my sandwich will be made with said giardiniera on it. Yes they, remade my sandwich. I just love that kind of care and attention.

It is based on your recommendations that I finally tried the veggie. Wow - what an excellent sandwich! I am still trying to figure out the seasonings - I almost tasted an Asian note on the grilled onions. Or maybe I'm crazy. Next time, I need to remember the giardiniera (cross fingers on availability.)

Thank you, pairs4life and LTH.

Awww, I'm touched. You are welcome but I am not altruistic. The more folks order that sandwich, the more apt it will always be available when I go . Did you get a milkshake? If not go back tomorrow for one. It is amazing.

pairs4life wrote:

wendy wrote:

pairs4life wrote:
I went last week for my sandwich-- Grilled Veggie(Plantains, black beans, etc, & they now place the coleslaw on it for me) and the minute they saw me they told me my friend had ordered my sandwich incorrectly. Then they said, whenever I call in ( or anyone else calls for me), just tell them it's the Seebee's girl & my sandwich will be made with said giardiniera on it. Yes they, remade my sandwich. I just love that kind of care and attention.

It is based on your recommendations that I finally tried the veggie. Wow - what an excellent sandwich! I am still trying to figure out the seasonings - I almost tasted an Asian note on the grilled onions. Or maybe I'm crazy. Next time, I need to remember the giardiniera (cross fingers on availability.)

Thank you, pairs4life and LTH.

Awww, I'm touched. You are welcome but I am not altruistic. The more folks order that sandwich, the more apt it will always be available when I go . Did you get a milkshake? If not go back tomorrow for one. It is amazing.

I haven't tried the milkshakes yet. I tend toward savory rather than sweet, so I usually fill up on the wonderful soups (posole!) and sandwiches. But, coincident to your response, my better half just read the Time Out Chicago article that has TBS winning first place in the Strawberry Shake category. We'll be making a shake run this weekend. Now I have to decide vanilla shake or oatmeal smoothie for me?

So I am a recent convert to the Oatmeal Smoothie. Not as thick as the shake, with a great flavor. It is definetely greater than the sum of its parts.

Don't get me wrong - the shake is wonderful too - but I just can't eat dairy at the moment.
So the Oatmeal smoothie is a great substitution, worthy of being ordered in its own right.

It's even better when you can get them to toss in some fresh blueberries (which they were able to do last week for me )

NAV MAN wrote:Fhew! I thought this thread was gonna be about something else.

Yet you still needed to check it out.

wendy wrote: I almost tasted an Asian note on the grilled onions. Or maybe I'm crazy.

Red wine vinegar...


Per my previous thread, I would go with a blueberry shake to match the strawberry. Probably the best milkshake I have ever had... period.

Stagger wrote:

wendy wrote: I almost tasted an Asian note on the grilled onions. Or maybe I'm crazy.

Red wine vinegar...


Per my previous thread, I would go with a blueberry shake to match the strawberry. Probably the best milkshake I have ever had... period.

YES! Of course, vinegar in the caramelized onions. (Not just for windows.) Thanks for allowing me to obsess about other things. `

Adding blueberry to the list. I guess I need to invite more people or go back more often to sample all the recommended shakes and smoothies.

wendy wrote:

Stagger wrote:

wendy wrote: I almost tasted an Asian note on the grilled onions. Or maybe I'm crazy.

Red wine vinegar...


Per my previous thread, I would go with a blueberry shake to match the strawberry. Probably the best milkshake I have ever had... period.

YES! Of course, vinegar in the caramelized onions. (Not just for windows.) Thanks for allowing me to obsess about other things. `

Adding blueberry to the list. I guess I need to invite more people or go back more often to sample all the recommended shakes and smoothies.

I am a bit of a purist so I vote vanilla. Then I would go w/in less than a week and do blueberry since they are providing fresh berries & it is not something you can get everywhere.

pairs4life wrote:I am a bit of a purist so I vote vanilla. Then I would go w/in less than a week and do blueberry since they are providing fresh berries & it is not something you can get everywhere.

Hmmm, in taking my own advice I went to the Brown Sack today and had the vanilla shake and the perfection a/k/a grilled vegetarian Sandwich. Perhaps I can hit it soon for the blueberry shake & really go wild and try the mac & cheese.

I took a friend, her first time. At the completion of her smoked pork sandwich & Goose Island Rootbeer float she announced, "I'm coming back". Perhaps I can get her to go halfsies on the Blueberry shake.

Ha, possibly we (my whole family) was there with you. Man, do I love this place. Nicest service in Chicago, and the closest to home cooked food I can't quite manage to cook at home. Had the veggie sandwich and a spectacular blueberry shake. My wife and the peanut butter and chocolate shake and the grilled cheese, which my older daughter snagged in lieu of her own mac & cheese (whose paprika dusting put her off). The younger daughter, on the other hand, polished off the mac & cheese, which may be the first time at any meal, at home or out, where both kids completely ate both meals.

Only downside: now I want to go back ASAP for a strawberry shake.

Looks, like it is a good thing I'm running tomorrow b/c we are probably meeting friends back at the Brown Sack.

There's a woman I know who says she doesn't see what the big deal is about the Brown Sack. She said it was a sandwich place. I agreed that it was a sandwich place. She asked me what was so great about the milkshake and when I mentioned the butter notes, she had no clue what I was talking about.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that given her weight, apx. 92 lbs, she clearly didn't like food.

A few weeks ago I finally tried the shake(s.) I ordered blueberry hoping to take advantage of fresh berry season. (Yeah - I realized later that the berries seems to be flash frozen - no harm there.) My guy ordered the strawberry. Boths shakes was outstanding: fresh, rich, but not too sweet. Shake and a veggie sandwich (this time with giardinera) and I was set for the day. I guess I should count the sampling of corn chowder, sloppy joe, and mac-n-cheese off his plate.

Another fine meal at the Brown Sack.

wendy wrote:A few weeks ago I finally tried the shake(s.) I ordered blueberry hoping to take advantage of fresh berry season. (Yeah - I realized later that the berries seems to be flash frozen - no harm there.)

The berries are flash frozen but my understanding is that it has more to do with texture than preservation... whatever the reason, it is still my favorite milkshake of all time!

After having some minor tests done at Northwestern yesterday, I asked my chauffeur for the day (Mr. X) if I could buy him lunch. This was our first venture to the Brown Sack. Blueberry shake was perfection. Shrimp-avocado BLT was delicious. Mr. X's egg salad sandwich was marvelous. Even the sides were great. So worth the trip!

I was good today. I tried something new at the Brown Sack. I still ordered all of my regular food & beverage.

The Great 1st Bite of the Day was the Mac & Cheese. Browned w/ Paprika & loaded w/ cheese. I suffered. My eyes were way bigger than my stomach for that Mac & Cheese, plus the Vegetarian Sandwich, plus the Vanilla Milkshake.

I'm really, really Happy & still full now.

An unbeatable Oreo milkshake & a wonderful staff. Every employee is awesome. They're there for you if you want to talk about the food industry talk or if you just want to shoot the shit. It don't matter.

Best chocolate malt in the city...ok, I haven't tried them all, but who needs to after you've had this one?

I always feel at home when I go there, it must have something to do with all the Phish concert posters and Relix magazines around...

This is my kind of place, great sandwiches, great malts, great music, great vibe.

Thanks Brown Sack!!!