Help Me Preserve My Reputation!

I need some help from my LTH colleagues. We have friends coming in from LA next week for a conference. When they were in town a couple of years ago, we took them and some of their colleagues to Honey One, Lao Sze Chuan, Spoon Thai and Frontera Grill. All four places were knockouts, but now that I've set their expectations so high, I'm at a bit of a loss to repeat that performance.
This year we'd like to show them more of our town's culinary treasures, but since I've been mostly living in Brooklyn, I haven't kept up with the dining scene in Chicago. It shouldn't be anything too fancy (read: expensive). I'd also like to go to places within the confines of the city so nobody has to lay out a lot of money for transportation. I'm thinking maybe Bridgeport, Devon Avenue, Andersonville, but as far as specifics, I dunno. Where would you folks take someone from LA to show off a little?

Paul SL wrote:I need some help from my LTH colleagues. We have friends coming in from LA next week for a conference. When they were in town a couple of years ago, we took them and some of their colleagues to Honey One, Lao Sze Chuan, Spoon Thai and Frontera Grill. All four places were knockouts, but now that I've set their expectations so high, I'm at a bit of a loss to repeat that performance.
This year we'd like to show them more of our town's culinary treasures, but since I've been mostly living in Brooklyn, I haven't kept up with the dining scene in Chicago. It shouldn't be anything too fancy (read: expensive). I'd also like to go to places within the confines of the city so nobody has to lay out a lot of money for transportation. I'm thinking maybe Bridgeport, Devon Avenue, Andersonville, but as far as specifics, I dunno. Where would you folks take someone from LA to show off a little?

Big, Star, Franks & Dawgs (especially on the weekend when truffles fries are available)Great Lake, Prairie Fire, Avec, Nightwood, Lula, Sweets & Savories.

Hey Paul, good to hear from you.

In Andersonville, how about Great Lake or Vincent (haven't been to either, but going to both this Friday, based on the many good things I've read about both).

pairs4life wrote:Great Lake, Prairie Fire, Avec, Nightwood, Lula, Sweets & Savories.

+ Hot Doug's, Khan, Smak Tak, TAC.

Paul,

My first thought was Khan BBQ. I'll post a few others later, but that jumped right out at me given the list they loved last time in Chicago.

Enjoy,
Gary

I frequently recommend Polish for out of towners, so I'd second Smak Tak, or add Szala's to the list for its Disney-esque atmosphere.

Cemetas Puebla

HI,

Sun Wah BBQ for the Peking Duck.

If your friends are into beer, in Andersonville it is Hop Leaf.

If you are willing to drive to a temple of beer, take them to Three Floyds in Munster, IN. 3F has a national following approaching cult status and the food served in the restaurant is better than it has to be.

If they saw the movie the Blues Brother's, then Calumet Fisheries on 95th St. Enjoy fresh fried and smoked seafood while checking out the bridge the Blues Brothers flew their car over. If you are lucky, the bridge might go up. CF usually will show you their smokehouse, too.

If your friends arrive via Midway Airport, Chuck's Southern Cafe is just south in Burbank. The Southern/Creole/New Orleans and Mexican food are his forte.

When driving on Michigan Ave, point the building built from gum: Wrigley.

Regards,

I'd go with a Korean BBQ...an adventure!

One of my best friends lives in la la land. He has worked in the food biz most of his adult life. His major complaints are no pizza, and believe it or not, no good Mexican (Chicago style Mexican, that is.) I still have to discuss really what Chicago style Mex is with him. Last time I went out for a visit, I asked around on the best taco joint in the area. He told me to just forget about it, but I persisted. The consensus was Tito's Tacos. It was nearly the worst food I have ever eaten. The lines were stacked ten deep on a Sunday at 2 in the afternoon. There were about 6 windows open, and there were ten ppl in each line, and all of the seating was taken. Scary, scary stuff. They did not offer beef, chicken, or pork - they offered "meat." Scary, scary, scary. Anyway, sorry for the rambling. My friend's entire family from LA bee lines it to Vito & Nick's not very long at all after landing. At the very least, they do the orig Home Run Inn. When they are in town, Vito/Nick's is pretty much the main agenda. Then, it's Las Asadas for steak tacos. Las Asadas might be a little too, um, shacky for you. Next time he's in town, it'll be Khan's for sure. We almost made it the last time, but La Pasadita got in the way (Las Asadas was closed,) so, well, ya know.
My suggestions:
Good Pizza
Khan's
Good flame grilled steak tacos. - maybe I'd do the place on Lincoln / Montrose across from Wells park - the name is escaping me, dammit. They do chicken, pastor, and steak really well. Taqueria ASADERO! - Also kinda divey, but great food.

Paul SL wrote:...When they were in town a couple of years ago, we took them and some of their colleagues to Honey One, Lao Sze Chuan, Spoon Thai and Frontera Grill. ...

Since the BBQ, Chinese, Thai and Mexican paradigm worked so well last time, I'd suggest a repeat - swapping in different places. Uncle John's, Sun Wah, TAC Quick, La Casa de Samuel would make a hell of a showcase for Chicago cuisine.

cilantro wrote:+ Hot Doug's, Khan, Smak Tak, TAC.

I've got to say, this is really a perfect list.

Unless they're trapped in their neighborhood and have never gotten to K-Town (which, frankly, wouldn't surprise me -- having everything to do with the city and nothing to do with your friends), I don't see the sense in bringing them for Korean.

Birreria Zaragoza. I think about their birria and tortillas every day. You might need to go there twice. You also might want to consider some carne en su jugo.

I'd recommend Mundial Cocina Mestiza or Mixteco Grill for Mexican. I've been to each of them several times in the past year, and they were outstanding every time. These are my go-to places for Mexican when friends/relatives visit from out of town.

Paul,

You've gotten some great recommendations. There is one major food group that is notably missing from the list...especially since your friends are coming in from an area where it is not generally available...and that is Greek. For an Opaa! good time, they can go to the Greek Islands, or if they might be interested in something a bit more upscale and chef/ingredient driven, I'd highly suggest Avli in Winnetka. There's nothing like it in LA (that I'm aware of). If the trip to Winnetka is out of their range, a slight step down and not really Greek, but still in the same spirit is Taxim.

Greek Islands
200 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 782-9855

Avli Estiatorio
566 Chestnut
(In the Laundry Mall)
Winnetka, IL 60093
847-446-9300

Taxim
1558 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-252-1558

Possibly too expensive, but my friends from the West Coast are always wowed by Chicago steakhouses, even those I consider mundane. And don't forget Italian beef, Chicago hot dogs and deep-dish pizza; they are low-cost and memorable to visitors.

cilantro wrote:+ Hot Doug's, Khan, Smak Tak, TAC.

I'd swap out TAC for Great Lake here, only since you went to Spoon last time. My gut tells me the variety would be more impressive than another great Thai place. Otherwise I think that's perfect.

Love,
John

I second (or 4th or 5th) the general approval for Cilantro's choices. Add in Sun Wah and you have Argyle St. (though not mainstream Argyle, obviously).

That said, I think the following are worthy of consideration (not as better than, but as distinctive, diverse, and interesting depending on the whim of the moment):
* Avec
* Prairie Grass
* Noon O K., or Semiramis
* Tre Kroner
* Tank Noodle
* Habana Libre
* Publican
* Spiaggia

stevez wrote:here is one major food group that is notably missing from the list...especially since your friends are coming in from an area where it is not generally available...and that is Greek.

I second this idea. I recently entertained relatives from LA who are very enthusiastic about food, and Greek was near the top of their list of cuisines to explore in Chicago. I would have liked to take them to Taxim, but we ended up at Parthenon for logistical reasons. They loved it. The octopus at Greek Islands is better.

LAZ wrote:don't forget Italian beef, Chicago hot dogs and deep-dish pizza; they are low-cost and memorable to visitors.

Definitely deep-dish. Lou Malnati's or the original locations of Uno and Due in River North. Not only are they low-cost and memorable, but it's delicious, it's a local specialty they can't get back home, and Uno (1943) and Due (1955) are of historical interest as the birthplace of deep-dish and are still in their original locations.

You can cover both Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs with a visit to Portillo's. I'd do it for a lunch rather than a dinner.

I would also take them to one of our best breakfast places to show off. M. Henry (and its new M. Henrietta sibling), Bongo Room, and Walker Brothers are all special, each in its own way. You can tell them that Bongo Room is our counterpart to their Griddle Cafe.

I also think there are some not overly expensive contemporary American restaurants worth a visit. For dinner, the food at Sable is outstanding, and it also offers craft cocktails. (It's sort of like their Animal.) Another great choice if you don't mind a long car/train ride is Inovasi in Lake Bluff. You can easily eat dinner at either of these for under $50 per person including tax/tip but excluding alcoholic beverages.

Wow, I'm truly blown away! First, thanks for all your thoughtful replies. Second, you've really helped me crystallize my thinking on the range of places we should visit. So, my initial thoughts are these, but could change: pizza is a must. And it's got to be Chicago-style, not the artsy-fartsy stuff so depressingly common out there. Then, given the millions of Latin American choices in and around LA, I doubt if they'd appreciate the subtle variations of our Mexican food, so I'm going to table that one for now. Instead, I think something Indo-Pak or Middle Eastern would fit the bill. We have eaten Lebanese food with them in LA, but it doesn't hold a candle to the places here. Also, They'll probably appreciate something Asian, as they live in Brentwood and the most interesting Asian food is all the way out in the San Gabriel Valley. So one of our meals will definitely be Asian. The final choice will be a wild card. I'll think on it for a while and let you know where we end up. Last time, being in a group, our plans frequently changed, so some of the places we actually ate were the result of calling an audible at the last minute. I'll have the list with me in case it's needed. Thanks again, all!

Paul Kahan is mentioned above (Publican), but you might want to consider Blackbird for something special, particularly for lunch if you're nearby.

nsxtasy wrote:I also think there are some not overly expensive contemporary American restaurants worth a visit. For dinner, the food at Sable is outstanding, and it also offers craft cocktails. (It's sort of like their Animal.)

Have you been to Animal? I wouldn't put Sable anywhere near the same category. The food at the former is much more snout-to-tail, richer, funkier, more daring, and it's not a cocktail place.

Paul SL wrote:Wow, I'm truly blown away! First, thanks for all your thoughtful replies. Second, you've really helped me crystallize my thinking on the range of places we should visit. So, my initial thoughts are these, but could change: pizza is a must. And it's got to be Chicago-style, not the artsy-fartsy stuff so depressingly common out there. Then, given the millions of Latin American choices in and around LA, I doubt if they'd appreciate the subtle variations of our Mexican food, so I'm going to table that one for now. Instead, I think something Indo-Pak or Middle Eastern would fit the bill. We have eaten Lebanese food with them in LA, but it doesn't hold a candle to the places here. Also, They'll probably appreciate something Asian, as they live in Brentwood and the most interesting Asian food is all the way out in the San Gabriel Valley. So one of our meals will definitely be Asian. The final choice will be a wild card. I'll think on it for a while and let you know where we end up. Last time, being in a group, our plans frequently changed, so some of the places we actually ate were the result of calling an audible at the last minute. I'll have the list with me in case it's needed. Thanks again, all!

Pizza: I suggest Burt's in Morton Grove. Memorable pizza, memorable setting, very Chicago, even if slightly in the suburbs. Burt's pizza is a little less "deep" than some other Chicago places, but a truly superlative effort. Call ahead.

Lebanese: Semiramis. Somewhat upscale in terms of presentation and atmosphere, but not very expensive and really a nice showcase for the spicing and subtleties of Lebanese cooking (i.e. nothing gets lost in the pleasures of grease). Good salads and nice meats (though some have complained of dryness). I like to skip dessert there and walk across the street to Nazareth sweets for some baklava. Also, Taxim was very satisfying. A mite pricey and a somewhat clubbish interior, but well executed flavorings.

Asian: can't help you. Been looking for reliable bibimbop and thai places respectively, but haven't had much luck with the generally lauded places.

Wildcard: I will second the upthread recommendation for Birreria Zaragoza. Go on the weekend when they serve various different parts of the goat. The meat is tender and nuanced. The tortillas are handmade. The coffee has cinnamon. And the family/waitstaff would make for a memorable experience even if the food were half as good. Truly one of Chicago's treasures, and in such an inconvenient location.

Second wildcard: Lula. Simply the best overall restaurant in the city, at least for my specific tastes (upscale casual, seasonal, new-americanish). Take a look at their menus and see whether it wouldn't be a low key but impressive place for your guests. It's a must stop for anyone who visits me. It is understated class and competence like few others.

Also in the mix: Hot Doug's (lunch), Big Star (lunch, unless you want to people watch and/or get drunk), Nightwood (brunch).

Personally, of everything mentioned, if I had to identify one absolute it'd probably be Smak-Tak. It's so wonderful, so Chicago, and so very not L.A.

seebee wrote:One of my best friends lives in la la land. He has worked in the food biz most of his adult life. His major complaints are no pizza, and believe it or not, no good Mexican (Chicago style Mexican, that is.) I still have to discuss really what Chicago style Mex is with him. Last time I went out for a visit, I asked around on the best taco joint in the area. He told me to just forget about it, but I persisted. The consensus was Tito's Tacos. It was nearly the worst food I have ever eaten. The lines were stacked ten deep on a Sunday at 2 in the afternoon. There were about 6 windows open, and there were ten ppl in each line, and all of the seating was taken. Scary, scary stuff. They did not offer beef, chicken, or pork - they offered "meat." Scary, scary, scary. [snip]
Good flame grilled steak tacos. - maybe I'd do the place on Lincoln / Montrose across from Wells park - the name is escaping me, dammit. They do chicken, pastor, and steak really well. Taqueria ASADERO! - Also kinda divey, but great food.

It's funny, I lived in LA for six months a while back and the Mexican food there was horrible. I mean awful. Asadero is way better than any place I ate in East LA or Boyle Heights or anywhere else for that matter. I don't know what it is, there's plenty of Mexicans there but oy, the food.

LAZ wrote:Possibly too expensive, but my friends from the West Coast are always wowed by Chicago steakhouses, even those I consider mundane. And don't forget Italian beef, Chicago hot dogs and deep-dish pizza; they are low-cost and memorable to visitors.

Exactly. IMHO a trip to a place like Lou Malnati's is a no-brainer - friends who come in from out of town are routinely wowed by it.

If theyre in on a Friday, I would strongly recommend taking them to Johnny's in Elmwood Park, for a pepper-and-egg-with-sausage sandwich - you cant get that other places, and it is one of the most outstanding sandwiches in Chicago IMHO. (Of course, Johnnie's combo beef-and-sausage sandwich is always brilliant on any day too).

I'd say Lou's, Johnnie's, Khan's, Hot Doug's (and then maybe Tak, Spoon etc) - all reasonably priced, all very Chicago, and all awesome. (Actually, good BBQ is probably one of the best things for any LA resident too... but if you dont want to repeat Honey One, by far the best one to go to is Uncle John's - and that is pure carryout. Id highly recommed you do a carry-out for it if thats at all possible, however..)

c8w

Another choice might be Greek, there is a significant lack of decent Greek in LA too.

Paul SL wrote:given the millions of Latin American choices in and around LA, I doubt if they'd appreciate the subtle variations of our Mexican food, so I'm going to table that one for now.

I wouldn't be so sure. Los Angeles has some good regional Mexican cuisine, but a lot of Angelenos are simply not aware of it (unless they browse boards like LTH). I know my relatives in L.A. were not aware of Mexican options there that I uncovered on similar boards. (I'm sure many non-foodie types here in Chicago aren't aware of our creative provincial Mexican options, with the exception of the Bayless restaurants.)

happy_stomach wrote:Have you been to Animal? I wouldn't put Sable anywhere near the same category. The food at the former is much more snout-to-tail, richer, funkier, more daring, and it's not a cocktail place.

Yes, I ate at Animal not too long ago. I loved it, but I would not describe it as you do. It's very much a loud casual bistro/brasserie type restaurant (like Sable) where people like to drink as well as eat (like Sable), which has delicious creative contemporary food (like Sable). I would have a hard time describing Animal as "richer, funkier and more daring" than Sable, since both lean in that same direction (with Sable's bison short ribs sliders with root beer glaze and Animal's foie gras with biscuit and maple sausage gravy, both simply fantastic dishes based on rich foods in funky preparations). And I wouldn't describe Sable as strictly "a cocktail place", either; yes, they have craft cocktails too, but anyone can go there just for the food - Heather Terhune's food is so good that it stands on its own without having to consider the cocktail angle. Clearly your opinion differs, but that's what I thought, based on eating at both places (both of which I enjoyed A LOT).

The main reason I mentioned Sable, though, is the affordability of the food, given the OP's stated budget constraint. And the food at Animal, while fairly priced, was not the unusual bargain that it is at Sable.

trpt2345 wrote:It's funny, I lived in LA for six months a while back and the Mexican food there was horrible. I mean awful. Asadero is way better than any place I ate in East LA or Boyle Heights or anywhere else for that matter. I don't know what it is, there's plenty of Mexicans there but oy, the food.

I travel to L.A. occasionally, thanks to relatives there, and as noted above, I recently identified a bunch of regional Mexican restaurants there. The only one I tried since doing so was Moles La Tia in Boyle Heights, but I liked it a lot - not as much as Mundial or Mixteco or Mexique here, but they do a very nice job particularly with their variety of moles. Certainly not horrible IMHO.