Guidance needed to introduce son's gf to cured meats

My son and his girlfriend were watching Anthony Bourdain and were introduced to the wonders of cured meats. Her family is from southern India. She has never had any cured meats - no salami, no bacon, so summer sausage. She is not vegetarian.

My son suggested they go to Caputo's and pick out some cured meats. I am asking the Forum's guidance on the what and where. Where should they go and what should they taste. We live west. They are 18 and mobile. Any guidance would be appreciated.

I'd recommend starting with something quite smoky or highly-seasoned, like Spanish chorizo, summer sausage, speck, or a nice, spicy salami...avoid "funky" or blatantly meaty tastes at all costs initially. After she starts to enjoy those (and really, who wouldn't? ), you can move on to various jamons, prosciuttos, etc. That's how I got my south Indian wife accustomed to cured meats...and she was strictly vegetarian when we first started dating

Perhaps an antipasto platter at a nice Italian joint. Mercat may also fit the bill.
Fox and Obel can make you up a nice sampler as well.

No Bacon?!? Start with Bacon.

For a fun place to go where you can sample a lot of different kinds of Italian-style cured meats, try Quartino in River North. They make their own.

Quartino
312/698-5000
www.quartinochicago.com
626 N. State St., Chicago

It never occurred to me before this that cured meats aren't part of Indian cuisine. They are so ubiquitous in most of the rest of the world.

I whole heartedly agree with speck and bacon.

How about taking them out to lunch for a good old fashioned BLT sandwich.

Bacon first is a good choice.

Since there are great options all over town for charcuterie plates (i.e. Mado, Publican, Avec, Old Town Social, the Bristol, Big Jones, Vie), finding a good one isn't a problem. All of these places would excite their Bourdain-loving side, but since you are West, Vie might be an easy option. If you are far West, Ream's Market in Elburn is a good place to start too.

LAZ wrote:For a fun place to go where you can sample a lot of different kinds of Italian-style cured meats, try Quartino in River North. They make their own.

Quartino
312/698-5000
http://www.quartinochicago.com
626 N. State St., Chicago

I'd also recommend Quartino, their Salumeria menu is also a fun way to assemble a meal, a good selection of cured meats, a variety of cheeses and olives as well as appetizer plates, all in the $5 range.