Brain Tacos and Biodynamics

Hello all,

My friend and I will be venturing to Chicago next month and we were hoping to get some tips on where to find some of the more esoteric ethnic or regional delicacies in the area. Anything akin to tacos de sesos (brain tacos), Italian beef sandwiches, a good dumpling spot, good Korean, or something we likely won’t see elsewhere, would be fantastic (and much appreciated)! We are up for anything...

We are also big fans of Biodynamic and natural wines, and if anyone has any recommendations on wine bars, wine shops, or restaurants with bio-focused lists, we would love to hear about those as well.

Part of town is not that important though I believe we will be staying near Wrigley Stadium. Thank you in advance!

-Jesse

Jessejesse wrote:esoteric ethnic or regional delicacies in the area. Anything akin to tacos de sesos (brain tacos)

Jesse,

Brain, and tongue for that matter, tacos are fairly common at Taquerias all over Chicago. I'll list a few places I like. Brain is common at Indian and Indo-Pak places as well.

Don Pedro
- Brain taquitos
- Tongue (lengua) tacos
- Carnitas, including snout to tail bits and pieces

La Pasadita
- Brain (sesos) tacos
- Tongue (lengua) tacos

Sabri Nehari
- Brain Masala
- Charga Chicken (Spicy marinated whole chicken coated in chickpea flour and deep fried)
- Paya (cow food in the style of Nehari)

Shan
- Brain Masala

Tacos de ojo (eyeball) and sesos (brain) tacos are available at the Sunday only Maxwell Street Market

Started with the head and will move down as time allows, though I am sure others will add to your quest for esoteric. Though one mans esoteric is another mans breakfast.

One additional item, I highly suggest a serious read through of the LTHForum Great Neighborhood Restaurant Awards

Enjoy,
Gary

Carnitas Don Pedro
1113 W 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
312-829-4757

La Pasadita Restaurant
1141 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
773-278-0384

Shan
5060-A N. Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL. 60640
773-769-4961

As far as good Korean goes you should check out San Soo Gab San. It's def my favorite Korean BBQ in the city.

San Soo Gab San
5247 N Western Ave
(between Berwyn Ave & Farragut Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 334-1589

Gary,

Thank you for the great response; that's exactly the sorts of things we are looking for, and you're right, esoteric can be rather subjective

Maybe I should also mention that it doesn't (necessarily, though it is a plus) have to be offal-related, as long as it's different, authentic, etc.

Also, thank you for the "Great Neighborhood Restaurant Awards" link, I was hoping to find something like that to peruse.

Best,
Jesse

Go get some ant egg omellettes and fried bamboo catepillars at Sticky Rice.
Ive never had emthu but I would think that many folk on this side of the pacific would find both items "exotic". Probably not bi\odynamic tho.

Not to bad of a trek from wrigleyville wasteland either.

cpowers,
Ant eggs and bamboo catepillars? That could be interesting. Thanks!

Chi-nate,
Thank you for the Korean bbq option! big fans

At risk of sounding like an effete, snooty-pants dilettante, I tried the bamboo caterpillars last week and found them to be fairly ordinary (they reminded me of fried rice noodles.) Actually, my favorite guts-and-culture item is the Taco de Montalayo, a sort of Mexican version of haggis available (hopefully) at the aforementioned Maxwell Street Market on Sundays - and in some Rogers Park taquerias. I find that, though challenging in principle, it reminds me satisfyingly of Thanksgiving giblet gravy with Mexican seasoning (thank you to Bruce Kraig for turning me on to it)

You might also want to peruse the GNR list for Polish, another strongly food-centric ethnic group in Chicago. Are you interested in upscale food at all? Chicago is also becoming known for avant-garde chefs who don't like to be referred to as "molecular gastronomists;" if you express an interest, I'm sure folks will chime in with recommendations.

We had brain tacos on the Endless Stomach Tour at El Rey Del Taco. Not my cup of tea. The tour resumes this tuesday night so we might have to hit some of the other places Gary has suggested.

El Rey Del Taco
7104 N. Clark
Chicago, IL
773-262-0411

Are you interested in upscale food at all? Chicago is also becoming known for avant-garde chefs who don't like to be referred to as "molecular gastronomists;" if you express an interest, I'm sure folks will chime in with recommendations.

MHays,

Thank you for the ideas and we are definitely interested in some more upscale food options, but figured we'd use this forum to dig up a few lesser known spots to fill the gaps between meals. We are going to do Blackbird, but if anyone has a good idea of something a little more off the beaten path (under or around $200 for two people), we would absolutely appreciate that as well. Stylistically, maybe something experimental, modern French, a big emphasis on local, or just plain interesting..

Thank you!

Jesse

Jessejesse wrote:a big emphasis on local, or just plain interesting..

Mado springs to mind.

Here's a link to Cathy2's terrific post about eating the road less traveled at Sticky Rice. The deep fried insects were not available last I was there, but the bamboo caterpillars (worms) have become a fixture. Neither is my favorite dish, but I do think Sticky Rice is an outstanding place, and a visit to Chicago really ought to include Thai cuisine, unless you live somewhere with equally terrific and varied Thai options.

Well said, Kenny; I particularly enjoyed the pork neck larb at Sticky Rice, which had some kind of fennel in it, making it remeniscent of Italian sausage while still solidly a Thai preparation. I'd eat the caterpillars again if served them, but I wouldn't order them (they'd make a great garnish for something that needs crunch.)

I also very much enjoyed the fried rice at Spoon Thai, completely different than any other version I've had of this dish. If you go, definitely ask for a side of fried egg to mix in.

Polish is a great idea - especially since Chicago has the largest Polish population in the Western hemisphere. Smak Tak is a favorite - especially for the pierogi. Personally, I also like Lutnia, for a more upscale Polish meal, including food prepared tableside and the occasional flambé. Szala also has good Polish food, in an almost Disney-esque atmosphere. (Want to be served while sitting in a sleigh?)

I don't know what part of the world you're coming from, but do you get much African food at home? You haven't eaten 'til you've dipped your fingers, sticky with fufu, into a rich peanut stew. Palace Gates is Ghanian, and the one-two punch of Le Conakry and Café Senegal on Howard St. are all good places to find friendly owners serving up West African food.

Smak Tak Restaurant
5961 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago

Lutnia
5532 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago

Szalas Restaurant
5214 S. Archer Ave.
Chicago

Palace Gate
4548 N. Magnolia
Chicago

Cafe Senegal
2131 W. Howard
Chicago

French African Restaurant le Conakry
2049 W. Howard
Chicago

Jessejesse wrote:We are also big fans of Biodynamic and natural wines, and if anyone has any recommendations on wine bars, wine shops, or restaurants with bio-focused lists, we would love to hear about those as well.

Here's an old thread on biodynamic wines.

I don't know if Frontera Grill/Topolobambo still have a focus on biodynamic wines, or even the same sommelier as several years ago, but it's worth a look, anyway.

don't know what part of the world you're coming from, but do you get much African food at home?

Hey,
I actually live in New York, but the person I'm travelling with is moving to Chicago and currently lives in Lousiville where his access to African and Polish is probably not as much as my own, so those are both really great Ideas! Thank you!