Tater Tot Trot

For the Tot lover. I found this amusing. Most Tots are frozen right? How can they be that different? I guess we could find out.

http://tatertottrot.com/Tater_Tot_Trot/ ... _Trot.html

I love Tater Tots. Too bad I'll be in Michigan.

Tots are the side of choice at Meier's Tavern on Lake Avenue in Glenview, near I-94.

Katie wrote:Tots are the side of choice at Meier's Tavern on Lake Avenue in Glenview, near I-94.

They also serve them at Trax Tavern in Deerfield (right across from the Metra Station).

Don't forget the Skylark on Cermak and Halsted.

Looks like the fix is in, they've already
declared a winner:

"In 2009, the stakes got higher and the guest list grew by leaps and spuds. Newport was the clear winner with their campaigning efforts, custom-flavorings created specifically for the Trot and amazing tot-pitality.
We look forward to 2010 and and hope you’ll join us in deciding who is deemed worth of the Golden Tater Award!"

SCUBAchef wrote:Looks like the fix is in, they've already declared a winner:

Apears a simple mistake, Tot Trot has changed the web site to reflect Newport's win as 2008.

Regards,
G Wiv, lover of Tater Tots

does anywhere make their tots from scratch, not the frozen crap they buy from sysco?

i've come across recipes and pictures of homemade ones, but surely there's places in chicago somewhere that don't serve up the preservative-laden ones?

I can't claim to be a big Tot fan, but I was recently in Milwaukee for Rockerbox and had lunch at Stonefly Brewery where I noticed "Brat and Tot" and "Tofu and Tot" on the menu. Described as "Tater Tots layered with bratwurst or tofy, pepper jack and cheddar cheeses then baked until golden brown".

I went for the fried smelts, so I can't comment on the Tot casserole, but it does sound interesting.

-Dan

The Tater Tots are one of the few things I really like at Bar Louie.

Favorite tot places:

Just because of the size of the order and the bartender suggested a mustard and ketchup dip ying yang style:

Jefferson Tap
325 N. Jefferson St.
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 648-0100

and a topper fave:
DeLux
669 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
312.850.4008

If you're ever in Skokie get some tots with your burger at Village Inn, 8050 Lincoln Ave. Close to perfect imho!

lazygal09 wrote:If you're ever in Skokie get some tots with your burger at Village Inn

Ok, I will.

Village Inn





Village Inn
8050 Lincoln Ave
Skokie, IL 60077
847-675-3737
http://www.villageinnskokie.com

Tater tots have become my go-to snack at the Violet Hour. I think theirs are probably frozen, but they're always super crispy and satisfying, sprinkled with fresh herbs and the side of lemon mayo. BTW, TVH's new cocktail menu makes me giddy, it's so good.

I recently had great hot crispy tater tots at the Tap House Grill in St. Charles. I recently found out they are a mini chain with outlets in Glen Ellyn, Westmont and Oswego as well.

http://www.taphousegrills.com/

Don't forget the giant, house-made tots at Fulton's on the River!

Fulton's on the River
315 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
312.822.0100
http://fultonsontheriver.com

One more for the tater tot data file.

Emerald Isle on Peterson west of Western. Nothing fancy, no elaboration, ketchup, sriracha or hot sauce the only condiments, simply crisp piping hot tots perfectly fried served in a wax paper lined basket. What more does a tater tot lover need.

Emerald Isle is a well run neighborhood bar, multiple tvs, pool table, convivial, the type of place where half the customers know each others moms, dads and brothers. Grill man shows a steady hand and does a good job with the mostly food service products. Burgers, wings and a rotating daily reduced price special. If you long for the tacos served at your high school cafeteria hit Emerald Isle on a Wednesday.

Emerald Isle
2537 W Peterson Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
773-561-6674

G Wiv wrote:One more for the tater tot data file...

Add Toons to the list too. Though not always on the menu they usually are on the specials board and make for great gameday grub when chili and melted shredded cheese is added on top. They sack the shat out of Sonic like Corey Wootton did Billy Boy Favre. Trottin' into the end zone like Devin Hester does the record books.


chili cheese tots from Toons

Toons Bar & Grill
3857 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 935-1919

Paddy Mac's is a nice little neighborhood bar with decent food, drink specials, welcoming bartenders, a very amenable owner, and the offer of fries or TOTS with each sandwich. The tots are done very well, crispy and hot. I was in last week and had them make our table an order of what we called Irish Nachos. . . tots instead of chips smothered with cheese, guac, sour cream, tomatoes, jalapenos, and salsa. Tell them to hold the beans to prevent sogginess. Your cardiologist will love you for it!

Paddy Mac's
4157 North Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60641-2408
(773) 279-9300

G Wiv wrote:One more for the tater tot data file.

Emerald Isle on Peterson west of Western. Nothing fancy, no elaboration, ketchup, sriracha or hot sauce the only condiments, simply crisp piping hot tots perfectly fried served in a wax paper lined basket. What more does a tater tot lover need.

Emerald Isle is a well run neighborhood bar, multiple tvs, pool table, convivial, the type of place where half the customers know each others moms, dads and brothers. Grill man shows a steady hand and does a good job with the mostly food service products. Burgers, wings and a rotating daily reduced price special. If you long for the tacos served at your high school cafeteria hit Emerald Isle on a Wednesday.

Emerald Isle
2537 W Peterson Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
773-561-6674

I love Emerald Isle for a long, strong Jameson and Coke. Never knew they had tater tots.

Regarding the Village Inn, they have $2 burger special on Monday nights. $1 extra for crinkle-cut fries, or skip those, and order a $2.95 side of Tots.

That's what I did!

Villain's has tots on the regular menu . . . and they match up quite well with their beer list. Rest of the food the kitchen puts out is pretty good as well. Specials each night, among them Burger & Beer Mondays - 1/2 price burgers & $4 pints of Konig-Pilsener. It's a very good burger at the normal price. I just wish they were open for lunch.

http://www.villainschicago.com/
Villain's Bar and Grill
649 S. Clark
Chicago, IL 60605
+1 312 356-9992

Mon and Tues 5pm-12am
Wed thru Fri 5pm-2am
Sat 5pm-3am
Sun closed