Far South Side Food Crawl

I am changing jobs starting next week, and as a result I have a fair amount of time on my hands this week. As a result, I thought it would be a good time to go explore some dining destinations I've never visited.

I'm working on a list of far South Side places I can check out this week. I routinely make it to Bridgeport, little village, or even Hyde Park. But I'm hoping to hit up places like Old Fashioned Donut, Top Notch Beef Burger, and (recently discussed) Wonderburger.

Any other ideas? I've gone back over old threads but the most applicable seem to be about 6yrs old. I'd ideally lile to keep everything south of 50th since the whole point is me going way out of my way, to areas I never, ever visit. But I'm not opposed to keeping that requirement a little flexible, in the interest of eating as well as possible.

I suppose any notable non-food destinations may also be of interest, if to provide a digestive break, if nothing else.

Calumet Fisheries, That's a Burger and some of the BBQ spots would be additional suggestions.

Others:

Fox's Pizza Beverly

Vito and Nick's Chicago

Petey's Bungalow Oak Lawn

Maybe you could check out a Big Baby.

Call Old Fashioned first, as I seem to recall that they might close for some vacation time.

Thanks - Calumet is a great idea and I'll definitely add it to the list.

I suppose I might as well grab a Big Baby, though that will be 3 different burger places on the list. There's no such thing as too many burgers!

When I did this a few years ago, it was a blast. Unfortunately, not every place we hit is still open. And now there are so many more I'd like to hit. I'm going to have to do this again sometime soon.

Have fun!

=R=

Thanks! This was one of the threads I mentioned in my initial post - very relevant to what I'm looking to do, but about 6 years old (crazy to thing 2007 was over 6 years ago...).

Considering how far I'll be driving, I am going to be calling each business before I go, just to double check that they'll be open when I arrive.

DClose wrote:Thanks - Calumet is a great idea and I'll definitely add it to the list.

I suppose I might as well grab a Big Baby, though that will be 3 different burger places on the list. There's no such thing as too many burgers!

Speaking of burgers - any thoughts on if Wonderburger is worth the trip, if I'm already planning to hit up Top Notch and Nicky's? I was enamored with the idea the place was supposed to close and is now suddenly staying open, plus the fact the burger did look pretty good over on the Kewpee thread.

Is my time better spent on going to these three places, or skipping Wonderburger? Or is there another burger-type place I'm overlooking as a better idea?

It isn't really a matter of driving, but realistically I only have so much stomach space.

DClose wrote:Thanks! This was one of the threads I mentioned in my initial post - very relevant to what I'm looking to do, but about 6 years old (crazy to thing 2007 was over 6 years ago...).

Considering how far I'll be driving, I am going to be calling each business before I go, just to double check that they'll be open when I arrive.

I know. It's insane how long ago that was. My son, who is now a junior in high school, was just a wee lad back then.

Especially for folks like myself who live up north and have pretty extensive daytime obligations, the south side still holds a ton of yet-to-be-experienced culinary treasures. Please, let us know what you think of the places you end up visiting.

=R=

Once you're good and full, you can stop by Bridgeview for some Middle Eastern take out.

Wonderburger is worth a stop once it re-opens. It's a nice old-school burger, and the house-cut curly fries are unheard of, and pretty good (if occasionally greasy). Fat Tommy's is a decent alternative, but moreso for its bacon-wrapped Polish than its burgers, which are sometimes good and sometimes way over-cooked. Their wider menu is a relative breath of fresh air in pizza/beef/burger land down here.

Speaking of beef, Pop's on Kedzie is solid. I love their combos, and the hot peppers are unique--fresh, with celery and serranos, not at all oily.

Mini Hut has a new-ish outpost fried chicken outpost further north on Kedzie at 87th that's pretty good--hit it up a few times, pretty juicy and nice crust.

Definitely hit up all the BBQ places.

Pizza: in addition to Nick & Vito's and Fox's (both good versions of cracker crust), there's also Barraco's, Rosangela's (both in evergreen park--Barraco's is related to N&V's, and Rosangela's has a nice, blackened, airy crust and herb-y sauce) and Palermo's (in Oak Lawn--sweet sauce, various thicknesses) all on 95th. Louisa's is another pizza worth eating, but deep dish rather than thin.

In Bridgeview and environs are Chuck's (his BBQ has improved, but isn't amazing, while his Mexican and Southern dishes are gut-busting and inexpensive), Al Bawadi, and Al Mawal for Middle Eastern (meats are often on the overcooked side, but grilled over live wood and thus excellent), and Grand Duke's (absurdly large Lithuanian menu--go for kugelis!)

For a Freddy and other sandwiches, there's Calabria's in Beverly, which is pretty reliable (though it's no Graziano's).

There are countless Mexican places these days, on Kedzie, Pulaski, and Cicero, from 50th on down to about the seventies or eighties, and then more sparsely. You could do a food crawl exclusively on Mexican pollo asado on about a two mile stretch of Pulaski alone. Pozoleria Dona Esther was a recent da Beef recommendation that I thoroughly enjoyed, just off Kedzie on 59th. Stick with pozole.

That's most of the eating that's sustained me throughout my SW-side existence, with some less notable things that I'll try and come up with later. Lemme know if you need more details.

Now that Uncle John's has closed and because there is no way I'm driving to Richton Park, even in the spirit of exploring the far south side, is there a general consensus of a single BBQ place to hit while I'm down there?

Lem's? Barbara Ann's? Am I asking you fine folks to do the BBQ equivalent of Sophie's Choice here?

DClose wrote:I'd ideally lile to keep everything south of 50th since the whole point is me going way out of my way, to areas I never, ever visit. But I'm not opposed to keeping that requirement a little flexible, in the interest of eating as well as possible.

Have you been to Birrieria Zaragoza? If not, you should at least stop for a taco, even though they're a block north of 50th.

DClose wrote:Speaking of burgers - any thoughts on if Wonderburger is worth the trip, if I'm already planning to hit up Top Notch and Nicky's? I was enamored with the idea the place was supposed to close and is now suddenly staying open, plus the fact the burger did look pretty good over on the Kewpee thread.

Is my time better spent on going to these three places, or skipping Wonderburger? Or is there another burger-type place I'm overlooking as a better idea?

Of the burger places, I'd put Top Notch first (though I'd strongly consider That's-A-Burger too). Top Notch's fries are first rate (due partly to a bit of beef tallow) as are their malts. For a Big Baby, I'd strongly recommend the Nicky's at 6142 S Archer. If you can't make it to that one, I’d probably skip it. It's not a huge burger so it shouldn't weigh you down too much. For another view of Wonderburger, see stevez's post from precisely seven years ago. I don't know what to say; his burger looks terribly dry, unlike the handful I've had there (I haven't been for a while though). It's a nice old place, family run for 60 years and has many loyal regulars. It's cool that they'll stay open a little longer. Partly depends how much all that counts for you.

turkob wrote:Once you're good and full, you can stop by Bridgeview for some Middle Eastern take out.

Or shopping for Middle Eastern groceries (and pastries) could break things up a bit. Be sure to hit The Nut House for their astounding selection of Turkish Delight (I thought I didn't care for the stuff) and great zatar blends.

mtgl wrote:Speaking of beef, Pop's on Kedzie is solid. I love their combos, and the hot peppers are unique--fresh, with celery and serranos, not at all oily.

I have to disagree on Pop's. It isn't solid, it's one of the very best (one of my top three).

mtgl wrote:Grand Duke's (absurdly large Lithuanian menu--go for kugelis!)

I like Grand Duke's but Lithuanian food isn't exactly light. A visit to their excellent delicatessen next door for some groceries and prepared food to take home might be a wise alternative.

DClose wrote:Lem's? Barbara Ann's? Am I asking you fine folks to do the BBQ equivalent of Sophie's Choice here?

Probably Lem's for ribs or tips (though their links aren't bad). Definitely Barbara Ann's for links (though their tips and ribs aren’t bad).

Why not finish with a Jim Shoe from Stony Sub? The king size might be too much but the regular weighs only a couple pounds.

HI.

Club 81, Too is a worthy stop who have expanded their dining days beyond Wednesday and Friday lunch and dinner. They actually serve lunch every work day. I certainly would call to affirm their hours, because they may have changed.

Since you are willing to go south, why not go a little east to Northwest Indiana.

Regards,

I will be happy to throw in my 2 cents. As far as pizza goes, There are a number of good options but Nick and Vito's would be my #1 choice and Fox's would not make my list. For burgers I actually prefer the burger at Fat Tommy's, but the fries and shakes/malts at Top Notch put it at the top, although the fries at FTs are pretty darn good. As much as I like Pop's on Kedzie (2 miles from the house), I actually think the beef at the Palos location is even better. If you do make it to NWI, I like the burger at Miner Dunn a little better than Schoops but either are better than Wonderburger IMO, although it is a good story. As for BBQ, I like Lems ribs quite a bit, and there is the very good Exsenators in Markham although it is pricier than the other BBQ places. The is also Hog Wild in Midlothian which has an excellent pork chop they're known for, but wouldn't stray far from the pork chop.

Jimmy Jamm ('s sweet potato pies).

Here is the list so far, which was assembled as something that makes sense geographically (coming from the north side), jives with operating hours, and for some variety:

Barbara Ann's
Calumet Fisheries
Club 81 Too
Miner Dunn
Old Fashioned Donuts
Top Notch Beef Burger
Birrieria Zaragoza

Rough timeline will be 12pm-4pm. One reason I picked Barbara Ann's over Lem's is because Lem's doesn't open until 2pm, which won't jive with the route unless I flip the entire order. But then I'd very likely miss the 11a-2p lunch window at Club 81 Too.

Anything really notable I'm missing? I love Vito and Nick's, but I was just there last month, so I'm not sure I need to hit it again this soon, considering how much else I'm doing.

Decisions decisions!

Jimmy Jamm's does make sense if I'm already going to Top Notch, since they are only a couple blocks a part.

Don't ask me for a specific joint, but shouldn't there be some very worthy Jerk Chicken somewhere in one of these areas?

In the grand scheme, if you're thinking Zaragoza and Grand Duke's - Villa Nova Pizza is in the vicinity. And also, if you're thinking Grand Duke's, those Middle Eastern joints are not too far of a drive due south on Harlem. It actually goes pretty quick. Harlem avenue north of lake street is like, "UGH" at any time, but once you're south of 55, Harlem isn't nearly as bad.

Exsenator's tips are pretty bad ass, but their links are not special compared to Barbara Ann's, and if Ba's tips are "awn" that day, you won't miss Exsenator's at all.

There's a Garrett's on 87th, I think, it's across the north side of the street from a Target. They had a "spicy cheese" flavor that was actually pretty spicy which made the regular Chicago Mix seem like child's play. I don't think all of the other locations have the spicy cheese. If I'm anywhere near that one. I. Stop. (The wife FULLY concurs.) Just suggestions, but I think the Jerk Chicken one merits some investigation unless you have a decent Jerk spot already.

I'd move Old Fashioned up as early as you can. It's a donut shop and the selection is best earlier in the day. They aren't open very late and at some point they stop replenishing certain flavors including the sought after apple fritters.

Yeah, I was thinking about that.

I'm a sucker for geographic efficiency...but I may have to hit Old Fashioned first, then back track to Barbara Ann's.

It also probably wouldn't hurt to break up the sweets more evenly, as a nice break from delicious, delicious meat.

I'll leave out names to protect the accused, but certain lther's have been known to hit up Old Fashioned and Calumet Fisheries in one swoop in order to concoct an apple fritter-and-smoked trout flavor abomination. Kind of worth it.

If you're going from Top Notch to Zaragoza, continuing just a bit west on 95th from Top Notch puts you at Rosangela's, across from Little Company. It's very Chicago style, but also distinct from the uber-thin Nick & Vito's style. It's airy, and in some ways more cracker-like, and well-charred most of the time. The sauce is more assertive with tomato and Italian seasonings. Sausage is a pretty good one.

If you can't do that, I'd definitely try Palermo's (regular crust), our other solid but unique-for-the Southwest Side pizza, but that would take you past Pulaski and slightly out of the way from Zaragoza. I like these both precisely because they're NOT like Barraco's/Nick & Vito's/Fox's, but still under the umbrella of Chicago thin.

And honestly, you could easily squeeze in a few more calories on this trip. Just ask yourself what a Southsider would do...

Teresa wrote:I'll leave out names to protect the accused, but certain lther's have been known to hit up Old Fashioned and Calumet Fisheries in one swoop in order to concoct an apple fritter-and-smoked trout flavor abomination. Kind of worth it.

Shhhhhhhh....

Great Caesar's Ghost
What's next . . . Bad Wolf canele wrapped in Manny's corned beef?

mtgl wrote:If you're going from Top Notch to Zaragoza, continuing just a bit west on 95th from Top Notch puts you at Rosangela's, across from Little Company. It's very Chicago style, but also distinct from the uber-thin Nick & Vito's style. It's airy, and in some ways more cracker-like, and well-charred most of the time. The sauce is more assertive with tomato and Italian seasonings. Sausage is a pretty good one.

If you can't do that, I'd definitely try Palermo's (regular crust), our other solid but unique-for-the Southwest Side pizza, but that would take you past Pulaski and slightly out of the way from Zaragoza. I like these both precisely because they're NOT like Barraco's/Nick & Vito's/Fox's, but still under the umbrella of Chicago thin.

And honestly, you could easily squeeze in a few more calories on this trip. Just ask yourself what a Southsider would do...

You've convinced me - I'll add in Roseangela's. I don't need to eat pizza for the sake of eating pizza, but I agree it sounds like a slightly different style than I normally see.

That brings the final tally up to 9 (added in Jimmy Jamm's and Roseangela's to the previous list). We'll need to keep our portion sizes to a minimum if we stand any chance of making it through this thing tomorrow.

Having eaten at Miner Dunn's many times, I have to disagree that it's better than Schoop's--everything always tastes standard issue Cysco to me, from the beef to the fries to the pies and ice cream. It's quaint but I think the food at any of the Schoop's locations that I've been to (Munster, Highland, Schererville, St. John, Whiting and Crown Point (I'm not a crazy burger fiend, I just have teenage stepsons ) is head and shoulders above.

I've never been to Miner Dunn, and the only Schoop's I've been to was very unimpressive - it was either the Orland Park or Chicago Heights location...can't remember. But that was just a single visit.

Do people have experience with the Whiting location? That seems to clearly be the most accessible option.

DClose wrote:I've never been to Miner Dunn, and the only Schoop's I've been to was very unimpressive - it was either the Orland Park or Chicago Heights location...can't remember. But that was just a single visit..

I too am not much of a Schoop's guy, and preferred my trips to Miner Dunn by far...

If youre in this area, though, I would strongly suggest a trip to GNR Lincoln O's (not far from the highway) - on my south-side-food-crawls (and Ive done a few now), I always make a trip there. I like their sandwiches taken to go, I like their soups - and their pies are solid and cheap too (easily can be taken to go also)...

c8w