Shui zhu niu rou

Before we came to Chicago, we lived in Columbia, MO and used to frequent a restaurant there (House of Chow) that featured what they called "northern style" Chinese cuisine. One of our most favorite items there was "Shui Zhu Niu Rou", which I think is Sichuan style boiled beef (not very northern Chinese at all). It would come in a big bowl and a ladle full of chiles and garlic in the center.

Any recommendations for where a good version of this dish is made in Chicago?

There are two places that immediately come to mind, and both are Great Neighbohood Restaurant Award winners. The first is Lao Sze Chuan and the other is Double Li.

Lao Sze Chuan
2172 S. Archer
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-5040

Double Li
228 W. Cermak
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-7818

Also available at Lao Shanghai, Lao Beijing, Lao Ma La, Lao You Ju, Lao Hunan, and Lao Yunnan.

Essentially, you will fall into a cauldron of it if you walk into Chinatown Square. Have blotting paper handy.

I also had a very fine version at Ma Gong and La Po recently. The menu has some English on it now, so don't be afraid. I'd probably still say Double Li's is the best version around, but you can't go wrong between them, Ma Gong, and Lao Sze Chuan.