Where would you go?

I have some out of town visitors in for the next couple days, so we are heading down to the city tonight, and maybe tomorrow night. Looking for places that they will enjoy, and I will enjoy(last time they insisted on Giordano's(stupid FOod Network, and Travel Channel), and I kept my mouth shut and took them, they hated the pizza(casserole), I hated picking up the tab for it. ). SO this time I am taking the reins.

Must have parameters: no pizza, not too expensive, no trendy spots, good food, sit down - table service, either a full liquor license or BYOB, S. Side works better, but N. Side isnt a deal killer. toddler friendly, preferably ethnic that they cant find in Iowa.

Tonight I am leaning towards two spots:

1) Hae Woon Dae

pros:
-GNR
-I havent been there yet
-Korean BBQ
-liquor license

cons:
-N.Side location
-not BYOB (byob would be easier on my wallet)

2) Cafe Hoang - Chinatown location

pros:
-had a great meal last time I was there
-BYOB
-S. Side
-kid freindly

cons
-Ive been there before
-tough parking for 2 vehicles in Chinatown

I am curious as to the parking up near Hae Woon Dae, guessing it is difficult like most of Chicago. Also curious about how kid friendly they are, SSGS has been great for us.

Any thoughts in my choices, or ideas for tomorrows dinner?

How about Xni-Pec? I think it hits all your "pros".

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:How about Xni-Pec? I think it hits all your "pros".

Best,
Michael

I was thinking about that one as well in the back of my mind, good call

I think some good Mexican food may be the ticket for tomorrow night, plus it keeps us west of the city in Cicero.

jimswside wrote:I am curious as to the parking up near Hae Woon Dae, guessing it is difficult like most of Chicago. Also curious about how kid friendly they are, SSGS has been great for us.

Jim,

Hae Woon Dae shares a parking lot with 3-4 other businesses, parking is not a problem. HWD is very kid friendly, in fact was there with two kids, and their parents, just a couple of weeks ago. Rice with soyu was the only thing they wanted for dinner, water was spilled and no one batted an eye, in fact the waitress really seemed to like them. I should point out the girls are cute and well behaved, but I've been there with not so well behaved children and the response was the same.

In addition, Hae Woon Dae is my current favorite, and has been for a while, of the Korean BBQ spots.

Enjoy,
Gary

Hae Woon Dae
6240 N California
Chicago, IL 60659

G Wiv wrote:

jimswside wrote:I am curious as to the parking up near Hae Woon Dae, guessing it is difficult like most of Chicago. Also curious about how kid friendly they are, SSGS has been great for us.

Jim,

Hae Woon Dae shares a parking lot with 3-4 other businesses, parking is not a problem. HWD is very kid friendly, in fact was there with two kids, and their parents, just a couple of weeks ago. Rice with soyu was the only thing they wanted for dinner, water was spilled and no one batted an eye, in fact the waitress really seemed to like them. I should point out the girls are cute and well behaved, but I've been there with not so well behaved children and the response was the same.

In addition, Hae Woon Dae is my current favorite, and has been for a while, of the Korean BBQ spots.

Enjoy,
Gary

Hae Woon Dae
6240 N California
Chicago, IL 60659

thanks Gary(Hae WOon Dae is my # 1 choice for tonight), I see from past posts about Hae WOon Dae they offer meals for 3,4, or 5 if I am correct. Are these a good deal, and is there enough food(specifically meat) included.

thanks

The only hitch about a Korean restaurant is making sure the kids can't/don't burn themselves. That said, it's very kid friendly in that the whole process is fun for them, as long as they eat meat happily.

Mike G wrote:The only hitch about a Korean restaurant is making sure the kids can't/don't burn themselves. That said, it's very kid friendly in that the whole process is fun for them, as long as they eat meat happily.

good call, luckily she has fared well @ SSGS for a few meals in the past, and with a hot grill, smoker, stove, or oven seemingly always working at home, we know to be on our toes. As for the meat, she will eat it as filler, she likes rice.

Hae Woon Dae it is for tonight:

Either going for the $80 dinner, which seems like a good deal, althought I dont think we need 3 grilled items.

Or I came up with this for about $65 before tax(more $$ for OB):

Hae mool Pajun (seafood pancake), BiBim Naeng Myun(buckwheat vermicelli,veg spicy sauce), Do Sot Bi Bim Bab(steamed rice with veg, beef, egg, spicy sauce), So Go Gi Bok um Bob(beef fried rice - for my daughter), Bul Go Gi, and Dak Bul Go Gi for the grill items. How does that selection look?

also interested in the preserved crab dish - Gye Jang Bak Ban, anyone had this?

Tomorrow still up in the air either Xni-Pec, or stay out west(hopefully Xni-Pec).

jimswside wrote:Hae Woon Dae it is for tonight:

Either going for the $80 dinner, which seems like a good deal, althought I dont think we need 3 grilled items.

Jim,

Set dinners are a very good deal, with 4 adults and a few kids I'd suggest at least 3 meats. Of the BBQ meats, I prefer HWD's kalbi, bulgogi (beef) in second, been a while since I've had the chicken (dak) bulgogi. Don't order the shrimp, the come still partially frozen and toughen up on the grill imediatly.

My bride and I love the Steamed eggs, salty, puffed omelet in a blistering hot sone bowl, and the Yook Hew, seasoned raw beef, is a treat. If you ask they may serve you raw crab as a panchan, but most often it is a separate order.

Have fun, looking forward to hearing about your dinner.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

jimswside wrote:I am curious as to the parking up near Hae Woon Dae, guessing it is difficult like most of Chicago. Also curious about how kid friendly they are, SSGS has been great for us.

Jim,
Hae Woon Dae shares a parking lot with 3-4 other businesses, parking is not a problem.
Enjoy,
Gary
Hae Woon Dae
6240 N California
Chicago, IL 60659

Actually they only share their little strip mall with two other active businesses, all the rest are shuttered. Absolutely no problem parking. We noticed that on our visit Sunday. It is a spectacular and kid friendly place.

easy parking, good meal @ Hae Woon Dae last night, followed up by a beer @ Laschetts since I was in the neighborhood.

Ill post my thoughts on the Hae Woon Dae meal on the appropriate thread.

Gotta see where the guests feel like eating tonight.

jimswside wrote:easy parking, good meal @ Hae Woon Dae last night, followed up by a beer @ Laschetts since I was in the neighborhood.

Jim-

One of the things I enjoy about your posts is that your sense of geography is extremely generous. Some would not put Hae Woon Dae in the same neighborhood as Laschett's. But not you! I'm glad you and your guests had an enjoyable evening. I look forward to going to Hae Woon Dae soon.

-Mary

The GP wrote:
One of the things I enjoy about your posts is that your sense of geography is extremely generous. Some would not put Hae Woon Dae in the same neighborhood as Laschett's. But not you! I'm glad you and your guests had an enjoyable evening. I look forward to going to Hae Woon Dae soon.

-Mary

thanks,

since I live so far south and west of the city everything is pretty much "on the way home" when starting out at Peterson and California.

I had some out of town guests in this past weekend. We went to Hoanh Long Friday evening. Total bill for 4--->$60. We brought along a bottle of wine. Portions were generous, left stuffed and took home doggy bag. We also ordered a serving of their priciest entree, bouillabaise (budabaise on menu).

The following evening the out-of-towners went to Cafe Hoang on their own. They preferred Hoanh Long.

I have never been to Cafe Hoang and have never been dissappointed by Hoanh Long.

Get the papaya salad and squid in special sauce (i think that's what its called)

Jerry D wrote:I had some out of town guests in this past weekend. We went to Hoanh Long Friday evening. Total bill for 4--->$60. We brought along a bottle of wine. Portions were generous, left stuffed and took home doggy bag. We also ordered a serving of their priciest entree, bouillabaise (budabaise on menu).

The following evening the out-of-towners went to Cafe Hoang on their own. They preferred Hoanh Long.

I have never been to Cafe Hoang and have never been dissappointed by Hoanh Long.

Get the papaya salad and squid in special sauce (i think that's what its called)

thanks for the heads up on Hoanh Long, Ill have to check it out some time. I think since we did Korean last night I am doubting Vietnamese or Chinese tonight(althought I am probably doing Chinese for lunch).

Looks like Xni-PEc for dinner tonight(only 16 miles from my work). I am psyched.

This has been one of the GNR's high on my list of places to try for a while.

dishes I am looking at based on research:

-Poc Chuc (beef)
-Mole ROjo
-Pescado Tikin-Xic curious what others payed for this dish since the online menu lists the cost as "market price"
-Papadzules

looking forward to the habanero salsa, and sauce as well.

How is parking around Xni-Pec, and I understand they have a full bar, do they have a good selection of tequila?

Parking in Xni-Pec is usually pretty good. You have to go around the back, through the alley, and park behind the restaurant. There's spaces for maybe 8-10 cars there, but on a Wednesday night you should be in the clear. Whatever you do, don't park in the Chinese restaurant's lot. They will tow.

darn out of town guests wussed out on going to Cicero, so I guess its Smitty's or Cajun Connection tonight.

thanks for all the replys, I will post the pics of Hae WOon Dae on thea appropiate thread asap.