Maxwell Street breakfast, Sunday 8/1

So I'm thinking that this Sunday might be a great day to drop over to Maxwell Street for breakfast (and possibly a little shopping). Anyone interested? I'm thinking on the early side (which for me would mean before 9 am) but recognize that others might be more interested if it were more like brunch, perhaps. Since I'm flexible on the time, I thought I'd gauge the interest level before setting an hour.

I'm interested, and I like early, but this Sunday I probably couldn't get there until 9:30. I'm running the RnR Half Marathon that starts and ends in Grant Park and *should* be done well before 9. Then it'll be a quick shot for me to ride up Roosevelt. You shouldn't wait for me, but maybe I can call and see where you are whenever I get there? I will need food.

Since there doesnt appear to be a groundswell of interest and since I have no pressing needs to go particularly early (though it's likely to be a bit cooler and less crowded), I'm fine with 9:30 or 10, if that works.

Where is Maxwell Street Market located? I think it has moved since I was last there. I think I'm free Sunday and that might be a nice morning trip.

I am (reliably, I hope) informed that it moved from Canal and Roosevelt to Desplaines and Roosevelt in September 2008. If I am wrong, I eagerly await and hope for correction. (I guess this is testament to how long it's been between visits )

For those interested in joining me/us at the last minute, I will try to plant myself as close to 9:30 a.m. as I can manage outside the giant red "M" (near the port-a-potties, sorry) at DesPlaines and Roosevelt and just outside the churro truck. This is not the other large M at the other end of the market (thanks to MHays for pertinent, precise, and useful information!).

Thanks, GB! Had a lot of fun at the market despite our tribulations getting there (be nice if they offered detour information when they shut down streets in Chicago!)

Tried the eyeball taco again just to see if I was crazy the first time or if I still kind of liked it. I still kind of like it and would order it again - don't get why people find it so challenging; it's kind of like eating neckbones. Almost grossed out my compatriots, though!

Should have taken photos of the food, but instead I offer this one:



Inside the somewhat austere market office (which, if you're dying in the heat, is open during the market) the only other decoration is stevez's poster stuck to the inside wall with tape.

Had a lot of fun eating quesadillas and sopes, and learning the Maxwell-St-scooch: the sope was so big it couldnt be picked up, so I had to eat it by pushing an edge past the front edge of the plate, and picking the plate up to my face, and biting it off. I can hear the horror resonating up from Argentina right now...

Interesting conversation with the herb/vegetable plant vedors right at the Roosevelt front of the market. I saw some chilis that were similar in shape to habaneros, and asked if they were spicier or less spicy than habaneros. They said they were manzano chilis, and apparently are WAAAY more spicy than habaneros (they told me that serranos would be much milder, if I was looking for a mild chili.)

Reports of the Market's death have been greatly exaggerated. Not only was every section packed with a stall, there was live music every so often, and most of the stalls I remember were back - though I still couldn't find my beloved motalayo...

sounds like you all had a great time!

Chile manzano (aka chile perón) is indeed hotter than a serrano but actually is not as hot as a habanero. Here is an old thread about them:
Manzano and other less common chiles

Pete's on Cermak west of Western (our preferred store for grocery basics) has consistently had them in the produce section since at least the spring.

Mhays wrote:Interesting conversation with the herb/vegetable plant vedors right at the Roosevelt front of the market. I saw some chilis that were similar in shape to habaneros, and asked if they were spicier or less spicy than habaneros. They said they were manzano chilis, and apparently are WAAAY more spicy than habaneros (they told me that serranos would be much milder, if I was looking for a mild chili.)

My understanding is (and a tad of research shows) that the manzano is at about the level of a cayenne chile. (30k-50k on the scoville scale). Hotter than a serrano but a mild habanero is still double the scovilles of the hottest manzano.