First time visit to Margie's on Cicero Wednesday, Had an excellent (as in I don't have to drive down to Jim's when I get a craving ) Ordered it Deep fried with mustard, grilled onions and Sports. Nice spice, abundance of perfectly grilled onions, Sports were hot (not as hot as Jim's but hotter than most) served on a hot dog bun. The shoe string style Fries cooked in olive oil were excellent.

With hot dogs and Polish you have a choice of Boiled, Grilled or Deep Fried

crispy fish w/herb salad at In-On Thai: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=41012

Green Bean Salad at In-On-Thai and the crispy fish with the dry red curry sauce a close second!

Went to Le Colonial for the first time Saturday. Everything was outstanding, but the filet and shrimp combo with tomato basil rice pilaf was one of the best entrees I've ever had.

Made to order paan @ KC Paan & Chaat House in LA

You ate it? And I thought I liked paan. Any favorites on Devon?

I loved it. Fresh made paans are really something to behold. The paan master (bottom left) kindly walked us through all the ingredients he put, but didn't allow pictures of the actual process. For me, this would be an LA destination.

I'd be eager to learn about any recommendations on Devon too - I don't go up there often.

I was kidding about the fact that one doesn't actually eat the betel leaf, tobacco and whatever else is in your paan.

I'm partial to the guy at Hyderabad House late night. But last I checked (it's been a while) Devon had a number of bespoke paan dudes blending the chew. Read ok things about Patel's sweets and Anmol Pan.

The roasted sunchokes with tomatillos, capers, and queso fresco special at Dove's Luncheonette. So simple but so, so tasty. These were completely devoured way before the potato/shishito hash, which is saying something.

We got delivery from The Pork Shoppe (on Belmont?). They came fast and hot!! Thank you for that.
The pastrami was as good as I've ever had. Ribs were fine although there was a glaze that I didn't need. Sauces on the side--as I requested--were great. The fries were extra crispy, and they survived the delivery option. My only complaint is that the salad could have used more 'blue' cheese. I was hard pressed to find it. All in all though, a great dinner.

Pork Shoppe, count me as a fan (xxoo, Gars W.)

We'll be back.

Mushroom and Oaxacan Mole at Dos Urban Cantina. Amazing dish, especially the soft masa cake alongside. Like some of their other dishes, it maybe (just maybe) needed a touch of salt.

This dish of pig tails, fish balls, and spicy peppers at Life List in Beijing. Why don't you see pig tails at more places in the States!?

fropones wrote:This dish of pig tails, fish balls, and spicy peppers at Life List in Beijing. Why don't you see pig tails at more places in the States!?

Just browsing, I found pig tails @ Mariano's @ Roscoe & Western a day or so ago. I couldn't figure out what to do with them...

shakes wrote:Went to Le Colonial for the first time Saturday. Everything was outstanding, but the filet and shrimp combo with tomato basil rice pilaf was one of the best entrees I've ever had.

Their pho broth is the best I've ever had, though lately it's been a touch too salty. Anyway, when it's on, it's spot on and nobody can beat it. I've told a number of friends this who will just kind of laugh because it's "fine-ish dining" - then they have it and say "okay that's the best I've ever had. Who knew?"

I had the Nashville Hot Chicken from KFC last night. Chicken strips dipped in hot sauce. Very good and the hot sauce soaked into the biscuit.

We went to The Blanchard for my birthday Tuesday night. I was surprised to easily get a table right after their Best New Restaurant award but I fear this will not be the case for much longer.

The seared fois gras with truffle crust and Madeira reduction may have been one the most incredible bites of food I have ever tasted. Just perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Best thing I've eaten lately: the amazing "Light and Mild" loaf from Union Loafers in St. Louis. And their baguette is also great. This fills in the last missing piece in my St. Louis food world. Except for the birria at Zaragoza. But I do have local Missouri goat in my freezer.

KFC must have figured out that I am a very important internet commenter and food opinionator because they gave me a whole bunch of coupons for a free drink with the purchase of any Nashville Hot Chicken basket.

JeffB wrote:I was kidding about the fact that one doesn't actually eat the betel leaf, tobacco and whatever else is in your paan.

I'm partial to the guy at Hyderabad House late night. But last I checked (it's been a while) Devon had a number of bespoke paan dudes blending the chew. Read ok things about Patel's sweets and Anmol Pan.

There are two kinds of paan: sweet paan, and tobacco/supari (betel nut) paan. Sweet paan is basically just the betel leaf rolled around a bunch of sweet edibles (candied fruits, rose paste, etc.). The latter is betel with supari with or without tobacco, and is meant to be chewed.

They make some mean tobaccer paan here in Hyderabad. I'll post about it sometime.

Tyrgyzistan wrote:KFC must have figured out that I am a very important internet commenter and food opinionator because they gave me a whole bunch of coupons for a free drink with the purchase of any Nashville Hot Chicken basket.

That sound you just heard was Thorton Prince rolling over in his grave. Asking without prejudice: Have you ever eaten hot chicken in Nashville?

The tripe soup at Podhalanka. In nearly 20 years of dining there, I'd never had the guts to order it. I didn't actually order it on this visit, my buddy did and generously shared slurps of it with me. Rich and almost creamy with delicately textured, though substantial ribbons of tripe. No funk whatsoever. A bit salty, especially at the bottom (maybe it had to do with "the guy's" Maggi dosing routine) But damn, what a full flavored bowl. I was bummed they were out of my requisite order of zurek, but I have a new go to in my soup rotation.

Habibi wrote:There are two kinds of paan

Paan, Malort or Russian roulette with two in the cylinder. Given the choice I might opt for RR.

The all-butter pre-packed bakery cookies from Mariano's. Zowie! And they're huge. $4.50 for 6, that's quite a deal. I was just about to grab the last one but I was beaten to it. Probably for the best.

Rare beef green papaya salad with fish sauce and prawn crackers at Saigon Pho in Forest Park. All the flavors.

Multigrain croissants from AuBonPain. I thought it would be heavy and dry, but just the opposite. It was as good as any traditional croissant. I can't wait until late March, when we have another breakfast meeting.

Raspberry and maple yogurt from 1871 Dairy, sold at both Local Foods and Harvestime. Holy sh*t, this stuff is good. I never get excited by yogurt, but now this stuff. It's expensive, but it's so good I might just go broke enjoying it.

Bought a 1/2 gallon of 1871 milk @ Eataly a couple wks ago. Unfortunately, it was sour.

Ruben at McBob's in Milwaukee washed down with a Spotted Cow, just a great sandwich. Next time I'll get there earlier for the corned beef hash which looked outstanding at the table next to us.

zoid wrote:Next time I'll get there earlier for the corned beef hash which looked outstanding at the table next to us.

It really is!

Due to bad planning and worse sense of direction, I ended up at Owen & Engine last night. I decided on the cheapest entree on the menu, the burger. I was advised to skip the cheese because it didn't need it. Pah! I thought. What wouldn't be improved with cheese? But no, cheese would have covered up an above-average burger. Nice that they toasted the bun too. And great fries, though the meal was so rich I should have stopped eating them at some point. At least I should have stopped dipping them in aoili.