The GP wrote:

BR wrote:I couldn't make it there Thursday, and with the GCM BBQ this Thursday, I'll have to wait another week. I could see where this might be considered a disaster for those here on LTH, where many of us have actually traveled in Southeast Asia and visited fantastic real night markets. But even as described, I guess I'm still believing (though I haven't observed the crowds) that this could be good for Argyle. It just has to draw people into the area to check it out, i.e., people who will return and visit these restaurants. And a beautiful Chicago summer night is the real draw.

But I wouldn't expect this to come anywhere close to replicating what you'd find in Asia, and I could see where that might be considered a loss for people on this board. Most of the vendors in SE Asia don't have restaurants outside of what they do at the markets - the small, mobile booths, the massive woks, the carts they haul on motorbikes or peddle . . . those are their restaurants and they've gained great experience making it work, as the jack-of-all trades: the proprietor, chef, sous chef and bus boy. Yes, the restaurants on Argyle should be plenty capable of delivering that same experience, but I just wouldn't expect that. And yet, I still believe it's a great concept and could fulfill at least a decent purpose.

BR-

Thank you for putting my thoughts into better words than I would have. I think it's great to have some activity on a stretch of Argyle that needs it. I've gone both weeks it's been held and have enjoyed food from Ba Le, Hai Yen as well as entrepreneurial vendors such as Karl's Kraft Soups and Uptown Brownie. (loved the mexican chocolate brownie) Could I get the same food in the actual establishment? Sure, but I'm willing to support their efforts to do something new in the neighborhood.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I do believe our expectations were adequately checked, mine certainly were. Between the 3 of us there was no discussion needed for us to all know it was simply not worth it and to move on to a restaurant. I agree with you entirely about how this could potentially help the fate of Argyle (see my first post above) but I'm not going to talk myself into liking something just because I want it to good. Wishful thinking, I know, but I don't see any harm in my wishing the vendors would try a little harder. I'm certain we LTHers weren't the only ones with the same opinions and expectations because the area was packed, but the lines at the food vendors were mostly empty. Also the area restaurants were all hopping for a Thursday night, which is good because as we had hoped the market is at least bringing people to the area. I just worry that it won't keep their interest.

went tonight, very disappointing, although it gave me an excuse to have dinner with the family at Tank

Went last night, it was OK, had trouble eating much in the heat. Drank a bunch of green tea lemonade, watermelon juice, and fresh coconut and then had some nice summer rolls. I wonder if it's not actually at night because that area of the city is a little worse for wear.

Tonight I was finally able to visit the market. On the plus side, there were a lot of people out (at least in part I'm sure due to the great weather) and a lot of people buying food on the street. But personally I wish there were a few more local food vendors - particularly ones from restaurants I less frequently visit. I really think they're missing a great opportunity to introduce themselves to more people. That being said, there were probably 6-8 restaurants serving food and plenty of things to be had.

The only thing that really annoyed me and my friends was that despite there being a line for the roast pork, the folks at Sun Wah thought it would be appropriate to invite their friends to the front of the line repeatedly to cut in front of everyone else. After waiting 10 minutes and watching this happen, my friends and I let them know we were displeased but got no response, and we left angry and it will certainly be a while before I even bother going in to Sun Wah.

Probably just as well really since one of the best features of the market is its proximity to Nha Hang, where we enjoyed an outstanding meal (no surprise). My friends hadn't been there before and loved it. And of course, there was nothing but gnawing (and maybe a little growling) as we devoured the crab.

I had a nice time at the Argyle Night Market last evening with laikom, incite, & friends. I wasn't able to make it last summer, so I don't have a basis for comparison, but I left full and happy.

The group consensus for "best in show" were the chicken wings from Hon Kee's stand: big, hot, juicy, and pleasantly spiced. I think they ran for a reasonable $1.00 each, and a nice "combo plate" with a chicken wing, some duck wings, and a pork bao was $3.50. Hon Kee was one of the few vendors cooking food on-site (a simple deep fryer), and the difference in freshness and quality really stood out. Hopefully, other vendors will see their success, and the success of others like Sun Wah, and get the hint.

Second place goes to the aforementioned deep fried pork bao from Hon Kee for $1.50. The filling was ample and sweet, but not cloyingly sweet. And, well, fried like a lovely pork donut. Yum. Honorable mention goes to the fried tofu from Sun Wah, also fried on-site. (Ok, I like fried food. Who doesn't?) Topped with chili oil and vinegar sauce, it was a really nice bite. I think 4 two-inch cubes set you back $1.00.

Laikom took photos, so I expect he will chime in as well. I just wanted to bump this thread and get the night market back on everyone's radar. It was well-attended and, as it has already been discussed on this thread, is a boon to the neighborhood. I'm hoping the current success will encourage growth and more creativity from local vendors.

I had a great meal at Sun Wah on Wednesday night and Kelly told me that they would be participating in the Argyle Night Market only once/month, so double check before going if you want to be sure Sun Wah is there. If it weren't for the Green City Chef's BBQ, I would have been at Argyle last night as well. Glad to hear it was good and fun.

Teresa wrote:I had a nice time at the Argyle Night Market last evening with laikom, incite, & friends.

A very nice time indeed!

Teresa wrote:The group consensus for "best in show" were the chicken wings from Hon Kee's stand: big, hot, juicy, and pleasantly spiced. I think they ran for a reasonable $1.00 each, and a nice "combo plate" with a chicken wing, some duck wings, and a pork bao was $3.50.

Loved the chicken wings -- duck wings a bit less. Should be noted that you get one huge chicken wing for a dollar, and 4 difficult-to-manage duck wings for the same price.

Sun Wah's duck sandwich was another bright spot at the market, as well as their 4 dollar duck carcass which still contained a ton of meat.

this was so terrible last year, nice to hear some better reports

AlekH wrote:this was so terrible last year, nice to hear some better reports

To be sure, there were still plenty of failures! For instance, a booth run by the Tai Nam supermarket was grilling up some horrible tiny American-style kabobs (think onions and green pepper with slivers of meat) and selling them for $2.00 a pop. But at least they had the right idea, bringing an actual grill. I'm crossing my fingers for more and better skewers in the future.

gonna give this another go in another hour or so

worst case scenario nha hang is right there

Oops, I just realized that I forgot to post photos from last week.


My favorite of the market. Fried chicken and pork bao from Hon Kee. The chicken was really juicy and hot, with a really subtle spice profile, I think tumeric and coconut. It reminded me a lot of of the best thing I ate in Malaysia:






2nd fav. Sun Wah's duck and fried tofu:






The deep fried flaky pastries were good and made fresh on the spot. (I forgot the name of the Bakery):








The award for worst effort goes to Hai Yen. Everything was pre-made at the restaurant and was sitting at ambient temperatures, not even a flame under those warmer trays. To add insult to injury, they were selling 3 pieces of Bo La Lot for $5. Not 3 orders/skewers, 3 actual pieces. I told the guy "wow that is expensive" to which he responded "yes":



2nd place for worst effort goes to these American style skewers at $2 for one tiny skewer:





This place had a ton of fried foods, all of which were also sitting at room temp, I tried some "fish tofu" which could have been good if fresh and hot:




Some street art being made:




Some dancing was happening:

Matt, I'm assuming those pastries are from Patisserie P which is a terrific bakery. I know many people love Chiu Quon, but I much prefer Patisserie P (a little farther east on Argyle, on the north side of the street).

BR wrote:Matt, I'm assuming those pastries are from Patisserie P which is a terrific bakery. I know many people love Chiu Quon, but I much prefer Patisserie P (a little farther east on Argyle, on the north side of the street).

Yes, that was the name of the place. Those guys definitely know what they're doing.

Teresa is more of a sweets person than I am, so she could probably describe what we ate better than I could.

Laikom, we LOVE Hon Kee -it is our 'go to' place on Argyle. They are so friendly and we have never had a bad meal there. It has a Philipino bent. Plus it is cheaper than Sun Wah.

Elfin wrote:Laikom, we LOVE Hon Kee -it is our 'go to' place on Argyle. They are so friendly and we have never had a bad meal there. It has a Philipino bent. Plus it is cheaper than Sun Wah.

Good to know, thanks for the input!

Any self respecting night-market needs "Fry Guys". You know, the stands with a whole array of veggies, meats and squids that you can choose from to be fresh fried and sprinkled with hot ground chilis. They have to be fresh fried in front of your eyes and served in paper cones with long toothpick spears. I especially like the fried squids that look like refugees from one of the Alien movies. The fried stinky DoFu you can keep.

In case anyone was thinking of going to the Argyle Night Market tonight, August 21, 2014, it has been cancelled tonight only due to expected bad weather. This was announced on Uptown Update.

The Argyle Night Market will return for its fourth year this week.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016070 ... s-thursday

these were super disappointing

Vendors for the market include Axis Lab, Clark Street Sports, Empanadas Argentinas, Homemade Sin Bakery, Kate & Jan Hot Dogs, Krazy Krab, Loud Grade Produce Squad, Lyons Fruit Farm, Miss Saigon Restaurant, Nadiya’s Cupcakes, Paradise Products, Pho Viet, Phoenix Bean tofu and Uptown Brownies.

Seems like this market is going in some weird direction that I do not understand at all.