From the Raamsdonksveer (NL) To Chicago

Hello,

My name is Danny, and in Februari (13 until 21) my and my girl are visiting Chicago. As we speak we are in a small town called Raamsdonksveer in the Netherlands (Europe).
We're both chefs at gastronic restaurants. For my 30th birthday my girl has given us a dinner at Alinea. So we go there on the 17th. Yes, I'm consider myself a lucky guy.
But we are looking voor nice places. I saw already L20 or Moto, but to visit both is a little bit out of our league. So what would you choose.
Further I like to dicover the food and life in Chicago, as I'm also a big carlover, I'm planning a visit to the Car show to.
But what things I MUST eat in chicago. I'm looking forward to my trip, but is it really so cold? Is expecting to become Frosty The Snowman the minute she walks out of the plain. And my mother thinks it's -22F.
Thanks so far!
Danny

Wees welkom aan LTH, Danny! Het weer hier in februari kan wel afschuwelijk zijn, vooral als de wind sterk waait... maar je kunt wel geluk hebben en het kan relatief mooi zijn... in ieder geval, moet je bereid zijn voor 't ergste, als jullie van plan zijn, veel buiten te wandelen en ik moet zeggen: de architektuur bezien is wél de moeite waard...

You will hopefully get a lot of recommendations from folks here but I'll start things off with just a couple of general comments...
- you really should try to experience some of the wonderful variety of Mexican options here (after all, Chicago has one of the largest concentrations of Mexican population outside of Mexico)... there is high-end Mexican (e.g. Bayless' places) and some great mid-level places (e.g. Sol de Mexico) and lots of great small neighbourhod places, including lots of places which feature regional specialties... Peruse the GNR list:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=20908
- typically American dishes that have simultaneously given American cuisine a bad name but also become fabulously popular across the world, such as hamburgers, can, in fact, be made in a serious fashion and really well... Along those lines, a visit to one of the burger nouveau places, such as Kuma's would seem to be in order... (though it would be a pity to have to spend time waiting in line when you're here for just a short visit)...
- A visit to a typical Chicago hot-dog joint might also be worth the time (and calories) if you're looking for a taste of the genuinely local and popular... so too the pizza (though I am personally not at all a fan of Chicago style pizza)... American barbeque would also be an item that is available here in the genuine form at the best places but in Europe is surely for the most part rendered poorly... Again, consult the GNR list for examples with the addresses and further links, etc....

Travel to some of the outlying neighbourhoods without a car can be a pain, especially if the weather is not cooperative but you can ask for advice here and will likely get it in short order... public transport can get you most everywhere...

Groeten aan Noord-Brabant!
Antonius

Goede dag, Danny, en welkom aan de board.

Some ideas of places you might consider:

1) For American classic cocktails (something you won't find so common in Holland, particularly in Raamsdonskveer), you might go to The Violet Hour on Damen St. for great American spirits/cocktails.

2) Restaurants like Moto or the Bristol are quite popular, and lots of people like these restaurants.

3) You might want to try an American steakhouse while you're here. Primehouse (expensive) and Gibson's are perhaps the classics, but other options include Keefer's as well.

4) A classic Chicago hot dog will be good. Hot Doug's has Chicago style hot dogs and on Fridays and Saturdays, frites made in duck fat.

5) Mexican is something that is of high quality in Chicago, and not really found in Raamsdonskveer. You might try either Xoco for informal food, or Salpicon for a more high end dinner.

Just one dutch person's thoughts to another.

If you're going to the car show, you're not far from Chinatown. Would be glad to arrange a meal there for you (or elsewhere). I'm also a chef and love meeting others in the industry.

@ Antonius en DutchMuse: bedankt voor de reacties zover, ik verwachtte even geen Nederlands.

Thank for al reactions!

@ DutchMuse: I've red aboud Gibsons and primehous. With one is best? I believe that Hot Dougs also got a sandwich with foie gras, so I 've red on a blog! Thats wat we like
The Violet is whrote down! Thanks

@ Jazzfood: Thanks for the invatation, it's always nice to meet a colleague, I'm quitte courius where your chefs getting your ingredients. In the Netherlands we have (for us) big halls where you can find everything. But I believe there stille small compair with your supermarkets.
I like to visit a nice foodmarket. Where do you work?

Danny,

Great to hear that you are coming to Chicago! All of the above recommendations are on point. Not sure if you have a lot of Pakistani eating options in the Netherlands, but if you don't Chicago has some amazing places that are probably some of best in the U.S. for this kind of food. Unfortunately, the trip out to Devon is a bit of a haul without a car, but if you don't mind a bus/train ride or you are renting a car, you can't go wrong. Here goes...

Khan BBQ for meats grilled in a tandoor with real charcoal. Everything is expertly seasoned and takes on a wonderful smoky flavor from the cooking process. Stick to the meats, but order a veggie to balance things out (I like their dal, simple and flavorful). As for meats, go for the seekh kabob and chicken boti. Of course, order some excellent fresh-made nan to go with that.

Sabri Nihari is a restaurant that specializes in a classic Pakistani dish, Nihari, a long simmered and exquisitely spiced (not spicy) beef shank stew. Eaten with fresh julienned ginger and nan, it is simply heaven. Sabri also does a really bad ass, authentic biryani - I would go with the chicken biryani.

Anyways, enjoy your time in Chicago. Definitely go to Hot Doug's by the way and get the foie dog. So good.

Khan BBQ
2401 West Devon Ave. (at Western)
Chicago, IL.60659
773-274-8600
http://www.khanbbq.net/

Sabri Nihari
2502 W. Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
773-465-3272
http://www.sabrinihari.com/

pastry wrote:
@ DutchMuse: I've red aboud Gibsons and primehous. With one is best? I believe that Hot Dougs also got a sandwich with foie gras, so I 've red on a blog! Thats wat we like
The Violet is whrote down! Thanks
?

Gibson's has a more local feel and is more genuine Chicago. Primehouse is more "fancy" in its feel but probably slightly better food. That's my feeling.

You're going to have so much fun!

@ Antonius en DutchMuse: bedankt voor de reacties zover, ik verwachtte even geen Nederlands.

Niets te danken... By the way, Dutch is widely spoken here... (not!)... lol

Danny -- Hot Doug's is definitely worth going to but maybe not just for a basic Chicago style dog... he has that on hand but he has so much else on hand that's out of the ordinary that, on a one-time visit, I'd go with one of his specialty sausages. If you're hankering for a Chicago dog, it might be better to save that for a visit to one of the 'old school' places... though if you're really hungry, you could do a HD specialty and a basic Chicago dog there and save a meal for some other sort of a thing...

... such as... If you're interested in genuinely local specialties, try an Italian beef sandwich... (again, GNR list is a good place to start looking at places...)...

Antonius

CTA (public transit) trains and buses will get you just about anywhere here. A CTA visitor pass might be a good option for your visit. It will save you money on train and bus fares. You can purchase the pass at the airport when you arrive here. www.transitchicago.com for public transit information.

Welcome to Chicago!

Here are some of my favorite local options that are not expensive and will give you a sampling of items you may not get back home:

1) Hot Doug's - get the classic Chicago dog (charred) and/or polish sausage. Also, try the alligator sausage if its on the menu when you arrive.

2) Smoque - fantasticly tender barbecue beef brisket. Pork ribs and chicken available as well, but the brisket is the best in the city.

3) Burgers - either hit Kuma's Corner for the experience and a broad, fun menu, or take a trip up north and hit Paradise Pup for the best cheeseburger on the planet (with the sublime Merkt's cheddar!!) If you go to Paradise Pup, get the polish sausage and the very berry milshake as well.

4) Italian Beef - the local beef sandwich can be had at numerous joints, but your options downtown are Portillo's and Al's.

5) Gyros - make your way to Greektown. Do a search for GYROS and you'll find links to discussions on which places make it in-house.

6) Carnivale - I understand that Argentinian steakhouses are quite the fad in Holland, but this place has a lively atmosphere, with a broad, but approchable menu.

7) Khan BBQ - head to Devon street for the magical chicken boti and seekh kabob. Also check out Sabri Nehari, another pakistani joint mentioned above by Habibi.

MacArthurs - if you're curious about soul food, then head to MacArthur's on the west side. It's a rough neighborhood, but the worth risking life and limb. haha. My favorite fried chicken. Banana pudding is great, too.

Take pictures and tell us how your trip goes!

yesterday I saw Antony Boudains No reservation Chicago.
What a great show!

We will get a visitorpass, I've red there are lot of good discounts on that pass to.
Hot Dougs is defenitly on the list and I shall thake a special
And if more localstyle food is prepared Gibson, we will go there.
Smoque sounds very good. But if I understand it whright Chicago is a real multicultural city?

@ Habibi: Thanks for the adresses, looks great. But since it's my second time in the US, I like to concentrate myself mostly on the Americankitchen. Although foreign country's are an inportant fact in your history. If some guy didn't sold New York for a pack of sigarettes, the whole world had been spoken Dutch whright now.

As I'm reading al your posts I'll think I first must lose a few kilo's, because I've got work to do.

Since I've enterted the Dutch Pastry Championships serveral times, can you give me some sugestions about some sweet delights?
I forgot to say, our hotel is at on the magnificent mile.

For desserts, you might like Hot Chocolate in the Bucktown neighborhood. The chef there, Mindy Segal, has been nominated twice for a James Beard award for her pastries. You could go just for dessert, or for a whole dinner. In fact, it would be a good place for a hamburger as well.

Hot Chocolate
http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com

1747 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 489-1747

I have never been to Tru (very expensive, near your hotel, just east of Michigan Avenue), but Gale Gand is famous for her desserts. I think you can go just for dessert.

Tru
http://www.trurestaurant.com

686 N Saint Clair St # 1
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-0001

This is perhaps less relevant for your specific interests but there is a lovely Sicilian pastry shop up north in the Andersonville neighborhood, Pasticceria Natalina. Search on this board for much discussion (and many photos!)

Pasticceria Natalina
5406 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 989-0662
http://www.p-natalina.com

Have fun!

I too like the Anthony Bourdain show on Chicago but if I was the one who got to choose what he ate, I would have skipped the Mother-in-Law (the tamale with the hot dog referred to as "stoner food" I believe) and instead had him try the Jibarito. The Jibarito is a Puerto Rican "sandwich" that was created not in Puerto Rico but here in Chicago. Instead of having bread it uses pressed plaintains that are fried. You choose your meat and it comes with lettuce, tomatoes and onions and mayo. They are garlicky and messy and juicy and totally unique.

I have only ever had them at a restaurant that is now closed but maybe someone else can recommend their favorite place to try one?

bjt

Since I've enterted the Dutch Pastry Championships serveral times, can you give me some sugestions about some sweet delights?

If you want a real sample of an "American" pastry get thee out to Hoosier Mama:

http://www.hoosiermamapie.com/

Look for a bus that will take you west on Chicago Ave.; it's only a mile or two from downtown.

For breakfast you might also want to try the Bongo Room in the South Loop (Roosevelt & Wabash--Take the red line south to Roosevelt and you'll be there.) Go on a weekday; usually very crowded on weekends and fill up on specialty pancakes (you can get half orders and try several versions). It's also close to the Field Museum, if that's on your itinerary, and an easy walk to the Art Institute from there.

bjt wrote:I too like the Anthony Bourdain show on Chicago but if I was the one who got to choose what he ate, I would have skipped the Mother-in-Law (the tamale with the hot dog referred to as "stoner food" I believe) and instead had him try the Jibarito. The Jibarito is a Puerto Rican "sandwich" that was created not in Puerto Rico but here in Chicago. Instead of having bread it uses pressed plaintains that are fried. You choose your meat and it comes with lettuce, tomatoes and onions and mayo. They are garlicky and messy and juicy and totally unique.

I have only ever had them at a restaurant that is now closed but maybe someone else can recommend their favorite place to try one?

bjt

Borinquen Restaurant
3811 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL
(773) 442-8001‎

I saw the tamale, and to be honest. I didn't look very appertaising. I didn't figgered out what it really is.
Thanks again for the reactions!

Those are mass produced tamales which are, can I say, an urban/southern/ Black interpretation of Mexican tamales? (Do I have that right?) And some people love them, so maybe you should try one (just because it isn't pretty doesn't mean it doesn't taste good. ) But if you are going to try a tamale when you are here, please also try an authentic tamale from any of the Mexican places that were suggested earlier.

If you are walking down a street and see a cart with a cooler on it and maybe even an umbrella over it, ask if they have tamales. If they say yes (or nod or say "si") then get one or three and enjoy. You might even want to try the corn in a cup which is a mixture of corn, salty cheese, maybe some mayo, chile, lime juice and there you go.

I do know you said you wanted to eat American food in Chicago but eating street food in Chicago is, well a rare treat these days and very representative of what this city looks and tastes like.

Happy eating!

bjt