Let's talk salad

OK, so seven years living in California brought out a hitherto undiscovered salad-eating side of mine. As much as I enjoy being back in Chicago, with easy access to every beefy, sausagey, porky edible imaginable, I do crave now and then something green. So here's my quest/ion:

Where can I find yummy salads beyond the second-thought additions on most menus in town? Something featuring the freshly-pulled-out-of-the-soil green things that the Midwest has in abundance. Something beyond the ubiquitous chopped salad/chicken caesar fare I find everywhere....

Dr. K wrote:Where can I find yummy salads beyond the second-thought additions on most menus in town? Something featuring the freshly-pulled-out-of-the-soil green things that the Midwest has in abundance. Something beyond the ubiquitous chopped salad/chicken caesar fare I find everywhere....

I think we need to start more broadly with where you've been eating and why you've been choosing those places. I eat out a lot, and it's extremely rare for me to end up at the "ubiquitous" places with nothing but chopped salad or chicken caesar. Just about everywhere I eat has something more interesting than that.

Try Avec's rotating salad offering on their menu. Only one option, but always interesting, fresh and satisfying (in a way that most salads aren't). Can't guarantee their won't be any meat on it, but it won't play a major role.

If you're anywhere in their delivery radius, Zig Zag Kitchen has a great menu of salads to choose from.

http://lincoln.zigzagkitchen.com/zgrid/ ... d_it=81876
Zig Zag Kitchen
2436 N Lincoln Ave
773-472-2222


Another favorite of mine (also in the Lincoln Park area) is the Wrightwood Salad from Dunlay's
Dunlays on Clark
2600 North Clark Street
773-883-6000
http://www.dunlaysonclark.com/index.asp


For a bit more exotic option, the nam sod from PS Bangkok is fantastic.
PS BANGKOK
3345 N Clark Street
(773) 871-7777
http://www.psbangkok.com/

Or you could make a habit of eating Thai or Vietnamese.

I really like the salads at Crust. Jonathan & I usually share one before each of us gets their own pizza, but on occasion I have had one as my entree w/ a soup of the day. Our favorite is their "Sun Salad" - mixed greens, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, carrots, seaweed salad, garlic croutons & ginger vinaigrette. The ginger vinaigrette really makes it for me, + I'm a fan of seaweed salad. I also enjoyed the "Tapanade" - roasted peppers, kalamata olives, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, capers, wild herbs, goat cheese & herbed flatbread pieces. Both are $9. The greens on all their salads have been fresh, cold, and crisp each time we've been there (maybe 6 times.) There are 7 other salads on the menu as well.

Crust
2056 W. Division
Chicago, IL 60622
773.235.5511
http://www.crustorganic.com/menu.php

Kennyz wrote:
I think we need to start more broadly with where you've been eating and why you've been choosing those places. I eat out a lot, and it's extremely rare for me to end up at the "ubiquitous" places with nothing but chopped salad or chicken caesar. Just about everywhere I eat has something more interesting than that.

Agreed. I adore the salad at Spacca Napoli. The olives are insanely delicious. The Fetzel Salad at Petterino's, w/ Asparagus & hearts of palm is another winner.

I do miss Zoom Kitchen because they offered a heap of stuff to put in salad. I love a garbage salad.

Kennyz wrote:I think we need to start more broadly with where you've been eating and why you've been choosing those places. I eat out a lot, and it's extremely rare for me to end up at the "ubiquitous" places with nothing but chopped salad or chicken caesar. Just about everywhere I eat has something more interesting than that.

You're right, Kenny -- maybe I should stop eating at TGIFriday's and Applebees and start eating at all them fancy restaurants just like you. Please. My most recent rotation has included Publican, Bonsoiree, Taxim, Great Lake and L20. Does that mean I can sit at the cool kids' table?

My question was a serious one. If you have spent any time dining in the Bay Area, Seattle and/or Portland, you would know that Chicago pales in comparison when it comes to treating fresh vegetables. Which I find ironic, given the abundance of agriculture in the region. What I was really getting at was the fact that in my reent dining experiences I have found that salads are generally an afterthought. Even when chefs attempt something creative, they tend not to be well executed.

I appreciate the comments of those who have recommended their own favorites -- Crust sounds particularly promising and you have reminded me that I can move past my regular Thai/Vietnamese dishes into salads (although I am addicted to so many other things on these menus, this will take some discipiline).

Dr. K wrote:You're right, Kenny -- maybe I should stop eating at TGIFriday's and Applebees and start eating at all them fancy restaurants just like you. Please. My most recent rotation has included Publican, Bonsoiree, Taxim, Great Lake and L20. Does that mean I can sit at the cool kids' table?

Sure, grab a seat. I still don't really know what the lament is about, since the places you've already been serve salads that are far more than afterthoughts, imo. So I'll just bow out and let you educate me with your reports when you do find something you'd call yummy.

My favorite salads from restaurants are:

Pecan Honey Dijon Salad from Egglectic Restaurant in Wheaton, Il. Grilled chicken breast, crunchy greens (none of the dreaded spring mix), cheese, bacon, carrot and red cabbage shreds, avocado, candied pecans and dried cranberries. Served with honey mustard dressing. Very delicious.

Asian Chicken Salad from the Berghoff Cafe. Napa, lettuce, chopped chicken, noodles both soft and crunchy, mandarin oranges, etc. Served with a ginger vinagrette dressing.

Crispy Chicken Salad from the Red Robin chain. Chunks of fried chicken, mix of crunchy lettuce, bacon, cheese, hard cooked eggs, carrot and red cabbage served with a couple squares of parmesan pita. Honey mustard poppyseed dressing.

LTH,

A new healthier dawn at LTHForum, no more rip your head off discussions about pizza, hot dogs, garlic in the carbonara, for the first time in 5-years we have a little kerfuffle over salad. A mini-kerfuffle, but a kerfuffle none the less.

What's next, knives drawn over seitan?

My seitan drive a 600 Benz
Your seitan got no friends
My seitan fry up so tasty
Your seitan make the girls go pasty



Enjoy,
Gary

Dr. K wrote:

Kennyz wrote:I think we need to start more broadly with where you've been eating and why you've been choosing those places. I eat out a lot, and it's extremely rare for me to end up at the "ubiquitous" places with nothing but chopped salad or chicken caesar. Just about everywhere I eat has something more interesting than that.

You're right, Kenny -- maybe I should stop eating at TGIFriday's and Applebees and start eating at all them fancy restaurants just like you. Please. My most recent rotation has included Publican, Bonsoiree, Taxim, Great Lake and L20. Does that mean I can sit at the cool kids' table?

My question was a serious one. If you have spent any time dining in the Bay Area, Seattle and/or Portland, you would know that Chicago pales in comparison when it comes to treating fresh vegetables. Which I find ironic, given the abundance of agriculture in the region. What I was really getting at was the fact that in my reent dining experiences I have found that salads are generally an afterthought. Even when chefs attempt something creative, they tend not to be well executed.

...

I actually had the same thought as Kennyz. Your initial post didn't give any details about where you've eaten or what you've tried. You mentioned the chopped salad and chicken ceaser, but those aren't served at the restaurants you just mentioned, are they? If they are (or some other salad-that-doesn't-measure-up), I'd be interested to hear your take on it. The salads on Publican's menu look pretty good to me (although I tend not to order these at Publican) and use farmer's market ingredients. What did you think of these?

If you are looking for great, fresh vegetables, I'd recommend trying a few of the restaurants that focus on that: Mado, North Pond (both of which have a salad section on the menu), and Lula Cafe. These are the first places that come to mind.

How is the chicken caesar at Great Lake, anyway? I've only ever ordered the Santa Fe chicken salad.

Sincerely,
Sir Digby Chicken-Caesar

As we all know, you don't win friends with salad.

Okay, okay, "Uncle! Uncle!" Geez -- you mention something green in Chicago and everyone gets all huffy..

In any case, I'm mildly honored to have started the first salad "kerfuffle" on LTH. See what living in California can do to a guy...

Let me go back to square one. I will admit a lack of clarity. I know that there are great restaurants in Chicago. Check. I know that many of them serve salads. Check. Some serve great salads. Check.

What I really was/am after is not a night at Mado/Moto et al, but just a simple neighborhood place where I can have a salad for lunch. If any of you have ever been to Tender Greens in San Diego, you'll know what I'm talking about. $10 gets you any of a dozen or so salads, each hand-tossed before you with premium ingredients -- Gunthorp chicken, local organic eggs, heritage bacon, heirloom tomatoes, etc. I have tried places here in town, like something called Veg Out on Broadway, or another place further down with Lettuce in its name -- they are just run-of-the-mill supermarket-quality salad bars. Bleh. Other lunchy places--Toast, Bongo Room--not so good. I tried to get a salad at that new place on North Ave (that sounds like Nightwood, but isn't), and they had zero options. Same with Bananas Foster up north. I'm sure there are places out there that I have yet to find (I've only been in town a couple of months), and that's why I asked. Thanks to those who have responded earnestly.

For the record, I would have been happy to clarify after the original post, but when the first response you get is patronizing/insulting, it's easy to get distracted.

In any case, cheers to those who care enough about food to be reading/writing/squabbling on a Tuesday morning....

Dr. K wrote:Where can I find yummy salads beyond the second-thought additions on most menus in town? Something featuring the freshly-pulled-out-of-the-soil green things that the Midwest has in abundance.

What about making a trip to Green City Market and just making your own? I'm not much of a straight salad person, but when I do occasionally want to indulge in "freshly-pulled-out-of-the-soil green things that the Midwest has in abundance," I just go to the market, buy everything that looks good, chop it up and toss with dressing. It's hard to mess up salad (and I would know).

Dr. K wrote:Even when chefs attempt something creative, they tend not to be well executed.

Since you've proven that you're not afraid of fancy restaurants, have you tried the Caesar at Graham Elliot? That is a fine example of a creative and well-executed salad. I'm going to explore the fall menu there tonight. I'll report back if there are any new salads.

I've also had very good salad at the Signature Room, made with veggies from Green City Market, but I suppose most people would not go there for just salad.

Finally, Swim Cafe in my neighborhood always serves very simple, fresh salads.

Green City Market
South end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive (until Oct 31)
Wednesdays & Saturdays, 7:00 am–1:00 pm

Graham Elliot
217 W Huron St
Chicago IL 60610
312-624-9975

Signature Room
875 N Michigan Ave # 1525
Chicago IL 60611-1894
312-787-9596

Swim Cafe
1357 W Chicago Ave
Chicago IL 60642
312-492-8600

Dr. K wrote: If any of you have ever been to Tender Greens in San Diego, you'll know what I'm talking about. $10 gets you any of a dozen or so salads, each hand-tossed before you with premium ingredients -- Gunthorp chicken, local organic eggs, heritage bacon, heirloom tomatoes, etc. I have tried places here in town, like something called Veg Out on Broadway, or another place further down with Lettuce in its name -- they are just run-of-the-mill supermarket-quality salad bars.

I'm afraid you're right. I don't think we have what you're looking for here in Chicago. Here, the places that sell themselves as "salad places" really do suck.

Dr. K wrote:For the record, I would have been happy to clarify after the original post, but when the first response you get is patronizing/insulting, it's easy to get distracted.

Sorry about that. I'm just like that sometimes (ok, most of the time).

I like the salads at Sopraffina (multiple locations) and Homemade Pizza Kitchen (multiple locations). Neither are salad restaurants, but I only go to them to get salads. They both usually have 5-6 options on the menu and give a pretty decent sized salad with lots of fresh ingredients.

Dr. K wrote:What I really was/am after is not a night at Mado/Moto et al, but just a simple neighborhood place where I can have a salad for lunch. If any of you have ever been to Tender Greens in San Diego, you'll know what I'm talking about. $10 gets you any of a dozen or so salads, each hand-tossed before you with premium ingredients -- Gunthorp chicken, local organic eggs, heritage bacon, heirloom tomatoes, etc.

That actually sounds pretty awesome. If you were to round up some investors and open a place like that in the Loop, I for one would spend a big chunk of my paycheck there, in $10 increments just about every weekday.

Dr. K wrote:I have tried places here in town, like something called Veg Out on Broadway, or another place further down with Lettuce in its name -- they are just run-of-the-mill supermarket-quality salad bars. Bleh. Other lunchy places--Toast, Bongo Room--not so good. I tried to get a salad at that new place on North Ave (that sounds like Nightwood, but isn't), and they had zero options. Same with Bananas Foster up north. I'm sure there are places out there that I have yet to find (I've only been in town a couple of months), and that's why I asked.

You can add Salad Spinners and Salad Creations (if they're still open...I know they went through a rough patch and closed a couple of locations within a year of opening) to the list of "bleh" salad places. Cafeteria-quality greens & veggies, topped with bland protein and food service croutons, served to you for the low, low price of $11. Pass.

I can't think of any salads that I'd travel very far for, but a couple that spring to mind:

- The Cobb salad at Toast (I've only been to the Damen Ave location) is quite good: fresh greens, tasty chicken, and plenty of bacon, avocado, and bleu cheese. They have a housemade green goddess dressing that I used to love, and one day I came in and slathered it all over my salad before realizing that it wasn't the same. I mentioned it to the server, and I'm still not sure if they changed the recipe for good or what. Valuable lesson learned.

- David Burke's Primehouse does an excellent tableside Caesar. Probably wouldn't make the most sense for lunch, but if someone asked me for a Caesar recommendation, I'd probably send them there.

- This is a little out there, but if you find yourself in Arlington Heights, there's an outpost of the Sweet Tomatoes salad bar chain that I quite like. It's one of the most well-maintained salad bars I've seen.

Fox and Obel makes good salads that I often eat for lunch. The ingredients dont strike me as exceptionally seasonal, but are quite fresh and varied nontheless. Their gocery store and deli are fantastic btw.

Fox and Obel
401 E Illinois
Chicago, 60611

I've had really good luck with the salads that are freshly prepared to order at Food Stuffs. Sadly, they are a suburban 'chain' (Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview and Lake Forest). They set a pretty high standard for their produce, so things are pretty tasty and very fresh. Here's a url in case you find yourself in the area: http://www.foodstuffs.com/hours_ev.html#

The freshest/best salad that I've had is, hands down, the salad at Frontera. Bayless grows his own produce and supplements with local ingredients. The menu for XOCO has a few salads, which I can only assume would be prepared with the same attention as those at Frontera. I haven't been there, so I'd love to hear from someone who has tried one of the salads.

Mostly for carry out I get the mediterranea salad from
Via Carducci
http://www.viacarduccichicago.com/html/menus_main.html
and the salad at
Metropolis (fresh basil in the pasta salad mixed with the med salad is a favorite)

http://metropolisrotisseria.tripod.com/index.html

I'll fight anyone over the dreaded spring mix. Seitan, not so much.

toria wrote:I'll fight anyone over the dreaded spring mix. Seitan, not so much.

What is it about spring mix that you dread? Isn't spring mix just another term for mesclun?

The Cobb Salad (its magic is the fresh roasted corn-on-the-cob uncobbed -- nom nom nom) and the Beat Salad at the Beat Kitchen are two solid choices on a menu with a good selection of greens.

The Beat Kitchen
2100 W. Belmont
http://beatkitchen.com/

There's also a decent salad on the menu at Uncommon Ground (either location).

I'm a fan of the salads at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder. As mentioned at the site, they are "served with sour cream garlic, sweet and sour poppyseed, and Italian dressings." I, and many others, like to mix the garlic and poppyseed together. Don't forget to shake on some of their special seasoning mix.

Dr. K,

As someone that was born and raised in Cali, I can definitely commiserate with your salad dilemma. I've lived here for almost 10 years, but I still miss the great produce that you can easily procure in Cali, even at the regular grocery store.

I've always managed to have quite a good, fresh salad at Dublin's Bar, on State/Maple. The portions are huge, and the lettuce has always been quite fresh and crisp. I haven't been there in awhile, but now that we've started talking about salads, I'm tempted to go there soon and see if their salads are still up to par.

DG

I don't quite remember the name and it's been a while, but I loved something called the La Bamba Latin salad or something like that at First Slice Cafe. And for lunch in the Loop, I get the Taqueria Salad at Frontera Fresco on Macy's 7th floor pretty frequently.

First Slice Cafe
4401 N Ravenswood Ave.

Frontera Fresco
Macy's 7th Floor
111 N. State St.

Lula has a great spinach salad that is on their menu daily. I can't remember but I'm sure Nightwood is also going to have great salad offerings.