Yes, put something in there. Whatever you think is reasonable, it's not table service but your food is brought to you, and the folks are very nice.

If you enjoyed the food very much, tip just as you would at any restaurant. 15 - 20% tells them a lot. I think the unwavering warm service at TP totally deserves full tipping. When I went about 5 or 6 years ago the son ( the younger one) took the time to walk me slowly and carefully through the menu. Yes I am a gringa and no, it didn't feel staged or fake or circus-y. I felt like he wanted to teach me about the finer points of their menu. So I ordered a tacos arabes and a cemita. I fell in love with both and the whole operation. I went quite a bit when I used to work in Humboldt Park but have not been to the new location. I did watch the segment on DDD via LTH and thought it was one of his better shows, he actually seemed into the cooking aspect of the operation. Finally, It sounds like there is a proud Papa standing at the door.

bjt

If anyone plans on eating there this month, don't forget to use the coupon for free chalupas! Coupon expires Jan 31st, but I think they do a coupon for most months?

http://www.cemitaspuebla.com/index_files/Page441.htm

spiffytriphy wrote:The service seems similar to some Panera Breads or Corner Bakeries in the suburbs, and I don't think people tip there.

You just answered your own question. I tip if I get table service, but not if I have to stand in line and pickup my order when it it ready. What are you tipping for in that case? BTW, I also don't tip at Dunkin Donuts driveup windows, or when I buy a drink at a 7-11, do you? To me, the key word is "service." Someone who stays behind a counter or window isn't performing any personal service for me, ASAIAC.

>Someone who stays behind a counter or window isn't performing any personal service for me, ASAIAC.

"And so accordingly, I act - Cogito"??

"And salt always is a comestible"??

"Anyways, Scarfing
Appropriate indeedy!
Asto Chalupas!!"

(The last one is even haiku, if you'll indulge me on "asto" being a single word beginning with A)

Or what the heck is ASAIAC?

ryanwc wrote:>Someone who stays behind a counter or window isn't performing any personal service for me, ASAIAC.

"And so accordingly, I act - Cogito"??

"And salt always is a comestible"??

"Anyways, Scarfing
Appropriate indeedy!
Asto Chalupas!!"

(The last one is even haiku, if you'll indulge me on "asto" being a single word beginning with A)

Or what the heck is ASAIAC?

Nice try, but no cigar, as far as I am concerned.

I happily tip counter service people if the "service" at the counter is warm and helpful and the food is really memorable and the tables are clean and wiped down and I have an overall satisfying experience. It doesn't happen that often but a tip is a tip, it means that the staff working there get a little extra money and I get to let them know that I appreciate the food and the service. I have tipped at TP, Bom Bon on Ogden, Hot Doug's, McArthur's . . . these are what come to mind. It's just a personal choice.

bjt

Cogito wrote:

ryanwc wrote:>Someone who stays behind a counter or window isn't performing any personal service for me, ASAIAC.

"And so accordingly, I act - Cogito"??

"And salt always is a comestible"??

"Anyways, Scarfing
Appropriate indeedy!
Asto Chalupas!!"

(The last one is even haiku, if you'll indulge me on "asto" being a single word beginning with A)

Or what the heck is ASAIAC?

Nice try, but no cigar, as far as I am concerned.

For a moment, I thought this was a subtle reply telling me the answer. But then I realized that that would have made the acronym be AFAIAC. So I'm still lost.

I probably missed it somewhere in the previous 7 pages, but has anyone tried a burrito from here? Just curious.

spiffytriphy wrote:I probably missed it somewhere in the previous 7 pages, but has anyone tried a burrito from here? Just curious.

Why would you?

I was just asking out of curiosity. I like Cemitas Puebla. I like burritos. Can the two not go together? Could be good. Could be not so good.

spiffytriphy wrote:I was just asking out of curiosity. I like Cemitas Puebla. I like burritos. Can the two not go together? Could be good. Could be not so good.

Have you no shame but to commit the heresy of proclaiming to like a burrito. What's next, barbecue with sauce not on the side . These are beliefs that can get you drawn and quartered around here.

spiffytriphy wrote:I probably missed it somewhere in the previous 7 pages, but has anyone tried a burrito from here? Just curious.

"A burrito"

Very, very, vague.
Even so, "A burrito" will have subtle differences each time you go even if the same person makes it each time with the same ingredients.

Have you no shame but to commit the heresy of proclaiming to like a burrito.

I would defend your right to like a burrito in the face of board orthodoxy to the death (or at least till lunch), but that said, it seems to me when a Mexican place has a specialty, you're unlikely to reach happiness asking them to make something they don't specialize in, don't make very often, and probably could care less about. Go to a burrito place for a burrito, go to a cemitas place for a cemita.

Go to a burrito place for a burrito, go to a cemitas place for a cemita.

Yeah, a burrito arabe would totally suck !

bjt wrote:I happily tip counter service people if the "service" at the counter is warm and helpful and the food is really memorable and the tables are clean and wiped down and I have an overall satisfying experience. It doesn't happen that often but a tip is a tip, it means that the staff working there get a little extra money and I get to let them know that I appreciate the food and the service. I have tipped at TP, Bom Bon on Ogden, Hot Doug's, McArthur's . . . these are what come to mind. It's just a personal choice.

bjt

I think everyone should tip heavily at Cemitas Puebla.

FULL DISCLOSURE: A couple of us teach a student who works there. That student is most certainly college bound.

Mike G wrote:

Have you no shame but to commit the heresy of proclaiming to like a burrito.

I would defend your right to like a burrito in the face of board orthodoxy to the death (or at least till lunch), but that said, it seems to me when a Mexican place has a specialty, you're unlikely to reach happiness asking them to make something they don't specialize in, don't make very often, and probably could care less about. Go to a burrito place for a burrito, go to a cemitas place for a cemita.

Just for the record, it ain't me that likes a burrito. But the fried wings and gizzards at Honey One BBQ , can make me pretty damn happy.

T Comp wrote:But the fried wings and gizzards at Honey One BBQ , can make me pretty damn happy.

Ha! Amen to that.

As for the Cemitas Puebla-burrito marriage, I can see the appeal of wanting a place you really like to make something they don't normally make, just so you can experience their asethetic in a different medium. That's not much different than eating GEB's caesar salad or Thomas Keller's s'more. It's just the other end of the spectrum.

=R=

With friends visiting from out of town, Cemitas Puebla was a requisite stop this week. This was the first of a very enjoyable 2-stop lunch on Thursday . . .


Quesadilla de Chicarrones con Jalapeno



Cemita Atomica

Needless to say, our friends were thrilled with the experience. Having seen pics of this sandwich a few times over the years, they were very happy to finally get to eat one! For me, it was fantasic as always -- amazing food and warm, friendly service.

=R=

damn.... nice pic of that atomica... got to get me one asap..

jimswside wrote:damn.... nice pic of that atomica... got to get me one asap..

Yeah, I really can't think of a sandwich in Chicagoland that I like more than Cemitas Puebla's Atomica.

=R=

I tried the Atomica for the first time yesterday, and (no one will be surprised at this) like the other sandwiches better. I thought the ham flavor was overwhelming and with all that meat, it slid around too much and I could barely taste the cheese. I could see wanting a little more meat on the normal sandwiches, but that one for me was just too much muchness.

Hombre de Acero wrote:For me- the worst part of the experience was watching every group of Gringos that entered being assaulted by the "greeter", and seeing many Latinos
clients being happy to eat/order with any long introduction.

Hombre de Acero wrote:I know of no other Taqueria, Dive, or other hole-in-the-Wall "joint" where food is served in green plastic baskets lined with paper,
that has a "greeter" to hustle you (and every other potential client/customer who has European blood lines) about their food and their being on TV.

Not sure if this person didn't like the food or atmosphere on the one particular day they were there. Judging by these racist comments, I really believe they just don't like white people.

Back to the food, which this "gringo" really likes; I'll be taking a newbie there for the first time this week to try out the cemitas. I've had a jones for this place for a while, so it'll hit the spot. I'm looking to try some other things as well and thanks to the LTH love for this place, I've gotten plenty of ideas.

Ronnie_Suburban: thanks for posting that pic of the Atomica!

Given my recent move, Cemitas Puebla is a quick ride down North Ave. Lunch yesterday was a Carne Enchilada Cemita, which was dead-on perfect. Tony can greet this gringo any way he wishes*, I'll keep coming back for the Cemitas.

-Dan

* which, for what it's worth always involves asking me if I've been before - reminds me of eating at The Bristol

dansch wrote:* which, for what it's worth always involves asking me if I've been before - reminds me of eating at The Bristol

funny, I was at CP for the first time in a couple years (first visit post-DD&D) and he greeted me like a long-lost friend. I was really kind of touched that he recognized me after seeing tens of thousands of faces in between.

The food hasn't skipped a beat in the interim, obviously.

gleam wrote:funny, I was at CP for the first time in a couple years (first visit post-DD&D) and he greeted me like a long-lost friend. I was really kind of touched that he recognized me after seeing tens of thousands of faces in between.

Apparently I'm a rather generic looking gringo.

-Dan

Does anyone else double up on the pork when you get a cemetas milenesa? To me this is essential, as it makes a better meat to bun ratio.

YES! Double meat or cemita atomica.

Had a stellar lunch here last week. Cemita Milanesa better than ever. No need for double meat on this visit, a perfectly harmonious sandwich. Though I have had them in the past that seemed a bit shy on the breaded pork. I ordered a taco oriental to round out my lunch- it had been awhile since I'd sampled one. El trompo was looking mighty fine and charred, so it was a must order. I do wonder what the difference between ordering the arabes and orientales might be from the al pastor- has anyone ordered al pastor here? Is it the same meat cut from the cone as the other said tacos? Anyway, I gotta say that this charred pork beat the pants off of any al pastor I've had recently at Tierra Caliente or Big Star. While the meat was not as aggressively seasoned with the pasty rub typical of renditions of al pastor, this meat stood out for its much more developed smoky depth. And doctored up with a little of any of CP's fantastic salsas, this taco was transcendent.

Grabbed a to go order from here today, the place was JUMPING having apparently aired on "Check Please" last night. Arabes were exactly to my particular taste today - hot enough to make me sweat a bit but not too much. Brought my milanesa home and threw a fried egg on it, awfully darned good. As busy as they were, Tony took a few minutes to talk baseball with me (we're both White Sox fans), I love how they remember their customers. Good to see them getting some additional recognition, it appears that everyone on "Check Please" loved the place.