Santiago's - Puerto Rican dinner - Des Plaines - Sept 13

A number of LTHers have been to Santiago's in Des Plaines, thread here: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=42954

The LTH North Lunch Group had a lunch a few months ago, as much as I wanted to attend, getting out for lunch during the weekday just isn't easy.

Looking for other LTHers who would be up for a dinner at Santiago's on Tues Sept 13 at 6:30pm.

Who's game?

Attending: (capping @ 10 )
Stevez
JoelF
boudreaulicious
GAF
Katie
Buddy
Giovanna
Cathy2
Helen
Willie

No Can Do:
EvA
SueF
nr706
moetchandon

Waitlist:
none at moment

Time:
6:30pm

Venue:
Santiago’s Puerto Rican Restaurant
935 E. Oakton St
Des Plaines, IL 60018
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Santiagosdesplaines/
-


(224) 938-9115

We'd be up for a return trip. I'll need to wait for my September work schedule to come out before I can commit to a date.

Buddy

I'm in. I've been wanting to try Santiago's. So far, all three dates work for me. I'd love to lock it in as soon as we can before my calendar fills up.

Sue and I would live to join you. Wednesday is the only day that wouldn't work for me.

Any of those dates would likely work for us, with Monday being the one possible exception (and I won't know about that until a few days before).

Thanks,

=R=

I'm in if there's still room--any date is fine tho Tuesday would be my 1st choice. Is there a limit to how many the restaurant can handle at once?

I would like to join you as well. Any of those dates will work for me.

I have always treasured the LTH dinners, and we haven't had enough of them recently. So thank you.

Cabbagehead and I would like to attend but can only do Monday night. Thanks!

boudreaulicious wrote:I'm in if there's still room--any date is fine tho Tuesday would be my 1st choice. Is there a limit to how many the restaurant can handle at once?

Whether or not there is room will be determined more by the amount of business Santiago's is doing when we arrive, rather than any arbitrary limits set by organizers.

We recently visited with five people, midweek and near closing time, and they were smashed. We managed to find seating at a table for four, with an extra chair set up on the end. It was a tight squeeze, but worked fine for us. Unfortunately, it put the back of the extra chair (my seat) flat up against the table next to us. There was no physical imposition, but I'm sure it created an uncomfortable sense of being crowded into a small space for those other diners.

I felt bad about the invasion of space, but Santiago's dining area is tiny and there's little you can do about it. It's a bit like the seating arrangements at Smoque only tighter. Even if our group manages to get comfortable seating, Santiago's is definitely an "eat-it-and-beat-it" kind of joint. No lingering over a cup of coffee and dessert.

I love this place and wish them great success, if only so they can afford to expand into the storefront next door and increase their seating area.

Buddy

I'm hoping to make it there too -- ought to have my car fixed by then. Any night that week is fine with me.

Perhaps we should arrange with Santiago's for them to close the dining room for the evening, except for our group (or to arrange for a suitable area). Monday and Tuesday might be relatively slow nights for them, so this could be appealing. We could ask for them to prepare special dishes for the group, and perhaps arrange a price in advance.

Clearly we would not wish to set a time, arrive from all over the city, and find no seats.

How about we let the organizer plan the event (and we can all decide for ourselves after that if those details are acceptable to us before we agree to attend)?

Just a thought.

=R=

I'll update the 1st post of this thread shortly but based on the feedback so far, it seems as if Tuesday would work for the majority post here, so Tuesday Sept 13th it is.

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:We recently visited with five people, midweek and near closing time, and they were smashed.

my experience is really hit & miss with weekday evenings, normally a 6:30pm dinner isn't a problem for a group of 10 (hence I've capped), but I have been there midweek, when like you, it has been smashed.

GAF wrote:I have always treasured the LTH dinners, and we haven't had enough of them recently. So thank you.

I plan a number of dinners (~10 per year) but for another website (non-dining).

I too miss LTH dinners, so hope my schedule will allow to stay active planning more.

GAF wrote:We could ask for them to prepare special dishes for the group, and perhaps arrange a price in advance.

I don't know about special dishes but I do like to contact the restaurant and manage their expectations. I did this with Badou @ Badou recently and it turned out fantastic, our group really had a great meal and Badou/kitchen could handle our group & other parties that came in.

Likewise, I'll stop by Santiago's when slow (it is near my home) and hope to plan a nice menu if the restaurant would prefer. I'll also inquire about reserved seating.

If there's a waiting list, can you put Sharon (aka moetchandon) and me on it?

nr706 wrote:If there's a waiting list, can you put Sharon (aka moetchandon) and me on it?

done. Most restaurants I've spoken with, if doing family style meals, are happy to accept a larger group. Again, all about managing expectations. When I meet with the restaurant I'll inquire about a max group size.

Please add me to the wait list as well.

Thanks.

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote:Please add me to the wait list as well.

will do

It has been far too long since I have been to an LTH event, could you please add me to the waitlist? Thanks, Glenn

As far as my "maybe" goes, I should have a firm answer by the 22nd of this month. That should give someone on the wait list plenty of time to plan accordingly.

Buddy

stopped by last night to plan the dinner, at 7:30, they were still humming. So busy that I left my cell with the owner to discuss a menu. They are very excited to have a group dine with them and the idea of a pre-set menu was something else they really were appreciative of. I'll make sure it contains the greatest hits posted in the thread here.

Today I hope to nail down how many attendees they feel comfortable with (also holding a reservation for the group) as well as cost for the pre-set menu, please stay tuned.

What?! No valet parking?! Harrummph!

=R=

Roadhouses confirmed for two.

Buddy

10 was the max they really wanted to take, 12 was mentioned a couple times but then she would back down to 10, so 10 is the max group size.

The idea is a greatest hits of Santiago's, with everyone getting to sample all of the following:
Tostones
Bacalaito
Pastelilo (meat pie)
Morcilla
Rellano Papa
Pollo Guisado
Mofongo w/lechon
Cuban sandwich
El Jibarito sandwich
Rice & Beans
Bread Pudding

A price per person has not been set yet, that is the next discussion.

Y'all still up for attending? I know I am.

& sorry Ronnie, no valet

Sounds great. I'm still in! Hopefully, we don't have to pay for bread.

stevez wrote:Sounds great. I'm still in! Hopefully, we don't have to pay for bread.

Or bread pudding!

=R=

stevez wrote:Sounds great. I'm still in! Hopefully, we don't have to pay for bread.

It's hand forged.

Still good for two Roadhouses.

Buddy

Hi,

Put me on the waitlist. I thought I would not be around, though I will be.

Regards,
Cathy2

I'm still in -- believe it or not, Willie!