Prairie Bread Kitchen
103 N Marion St, Oak Park

To close after 24 years.
Sometime after Easter

https://www.oakparkeats.com/food-news/p ... -to-close/

Vital Information wrote:It's amazing how some places can go up fast and others...

The mangonada place on OP and North has been lingering for at least a year, it seems, without being in business.

On the other hand, Basehit BBQ went into the old Harold's place on North and got to serving awfully fast. Haven't tried yet, but in walking the dog, I can say the aroma wafted at least 2 blocks down.

Basehit
6606 W North Ave
Chicago
https://www.basehitbbq.com
**Note they only stay open to 8 pm**

Basehit brought serious game just ahead of Opening Day. I dig the concept and aquarium smoker execution. Hot Chicken sandwich with skin-on fries was on special for under $5 with a can of pop, and they also have a sub-$5 small tip which also buries some additional fries unseen below. The staff radiates friendly and takes pride in the finishing touches like the baseball toothpicks, breads - atypical grainy whole wheat instead of squishy white; fresh burnished sandwich buns - and sauces, which were distinctive and appreciably up the Scoville scale. The (Nashville) Hot particularly seemed to incorporate a lot of smoked paprika, garlic, and grainy brown sugar.

I hope they get to play a regulation contest in this locale. I am possibly being overly cautious - get here.

My Bride’s Birthday Festival week so a festival of great eating was in order.

Lunch on Saturday, March 30th

George's Family Restaurant
145 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

Never fancy, always busy, serving consist good food.

Hopping today and both George and his Son were in residence. Another gal (daughter? Wife?) was doing hostess duty.


Roast beef has always been one of the favorite meats and many places roast their own. Tender with a good flavor, gravy with a touch of tomato. Housemade mashed potatoes with a few lumps. My favorite for many years.
Lentil soup was standard.


Hard to screw this up. My Bride’s favorite. She always makes bacon sandwiches.

Can never go wrong and My Bride was very happy.

It didn’t make it.

For Sale sign caught up in their sign over the door

Panther in the Den wrote:You all remember...

Skrine Chops
7230 Madison St, Forest Park

Well, as of November 17th last year it is now known as...

Mi Tierra Nayarit
Mexican Seafood and Bar

Good luck!

https://mobile.forestparkreview.com/New ... a-Nayarit/

Researching the above led me to discover the new...

Cactus Grill
315 S Harlem Ave Unit A, Forest Park

... in the old Fuji Grill location.

Guess they’ve been open 7 months?

Easy come, easy go ...

Has that Cajun (?) place next to Wild Onion opened yet? Or the reimagined/delayed Brazilian place?

Vitesse98 wrote:Has that Cajun (?) place next to Wild Onion opened yet? Or the reimagined/delayed Brazilian place?

Cajun Boil & Bar
April 15th?
https://www.oakparkeats.com/food-news/c ... -district/

Kalamata Kitchen
Mediterranean on Marion
March (???)

Mulata Kitchen
They just posted Sunday mentioning delays.

After another great waffle breakfast at...

Addis Cafe
818 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

(Standing room only) after which we strolled down the street to get a few groceries and discovered...

Carnival Grocery Cafe
824 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

... had opened a cafe (8 tables(ish)) a few months ago in the front of the store being served from their deli counter.

Soup, sandwiches and they do have a few prepared foods.

I purchased their hot Meatball Spinach Soup to go. Very tasty! Big(ish) meatballs and chock full of vegetables. Chicken based broth.


If it’s too busy at Addis you can stroll down the street.

Looking forward to this!

Pork and Mindy’s
7528 W North Ave
Elmwood Park


Besides this I believe they will be opening many locations in the food court at area Mariano's.

We have visited their location at...
1623 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
... and have enjoyed our visits.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ ... story.html

Jeff Mauro lives in Elmwood Park.

Wow! The Elmwood Park North Avenue Restaurant Row is really coming up!

Gringo & Blondie Taqueria & Churreria
7514 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
Summer 2019 (June?)
https://www.gringoandblondie.com/

Right next to Burger Moovement and in the same block as Johnnie's Beef.

Oh, Boy! More Taco's!

Panther in the Den wrote:

Vitesse98 wrote:Has that Cajun (?) place next to Wild Onion opened yet? Or the reimagined/delayed Brazilian place?

Cajun Boil & Bar
April 15th?
https://www.oakparkeats.com/food-news/c ... -district/

Kalamata Kitchen
Mediterranean on Marion
March (???)

Mulata Kitchen
They just posted Sunday mentioning delays.

Drove by all three today in my way home.

Windows still papered over

City Barbecue in Berwyn closing!? Only BBQ I like anywhere near Oak Park.

Vitesse98 wrote:City Barbecue in Berwyn closing!? Only BBQ I like anywhere near Oak Park.

That's a bummer (just called / cross-checked on Yelp) - I liked it too. Have you tried Basehit on North yet? Totally committed staff, can only picture it will get better (and already good).

pudgym29 wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote: Finally have a name for the new brewpub at the corner of Lake and Austin...
One Lake
Per the Wednesday Home Journal Facebook announcement...

Brewing tanks have arrived for installation this week at One Lake, the craft brewery currently under construction at the corner of Lake Street and Austin Boulevard. Another key step in the long conversion of the handsome old bank building into a multi-level beer pub.

Good to hear about progress on this project.
I am looking forward to sitting at the rooftop bar with a view overlooking the park along the “L” tracks and with a view of downtown.

I have taken a few pictures of the edifice while waiting for a Pace bus (Rts. #309 | #313) at Austin & Lake. When this opens, it will become the closest brewery to a Green Line “L” station, displacing All Rise Brwg. (@ Ashland).

https://mobile.oakpark.com/News/Article ... y-to-open/

Another month or so?

Aarruuggg

Just heard about this...

Lexington Betty Smoke House
6954 W North Ave, Chicago

Had been a series of Chinese food places. I visited a few.

Not far from The Onion Roll.

Anybody been?

In the same block...

Sergio's Place
6966 W North Ave, Chicago

... has closed. I really wanted to go there. Going to be a caterer.

Panther in the Den wrote:Just heard about this...

Lexington Betty Smoke House
6954 W North Ave, Chicago

Had been a series of Chinese food places. I visited a few.

Not far from The Onion Roll.

Anybody been?

In the same block...

Sergio's Place
6966 W North Ave, Chicago

... has closed. I really wanted to go there. Going to be a caterer.

Lexington Betty is a caterer too, with a pop-up about once a month. I tried it a while back and have no need to return.

Speaking of no need to return, man did I not like Basehit.

And yes the place going into the Sergio spot is a cater called Hygee Supper club (no idea if the food itself is Danish). My understanding is like LB, there will be occasional pop-ups.

VI - I know you live near (thanks! for the information!) and I have found this is a good resource...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/107435609823334/

Yay! More tacos and burrito bowls!

Opening soon (in spring?)...

currito A nationwide chain.
Between GNC at 1112 Lake St, Oak Park and Fitzgerald's Fine Stationery (somewhat of an odd storefront that shares an entrance).

https://currito.com/

At first I thought it was a vegetarian place until I saw...

... choose from grilled chicken, grilled steak...

On the BBQ catering front, I had Basehit do my birthday and was really impressed. Not cheap, but getting (through the snow!) pans of hot smoky tips and spares and very crispy deboned chicken (in both very hot and unsauced varieties) delivered at temp and right textures was a feat, and enjoyed by all my guests, most of whom are usually of the Carson's / Russell's / Twin Anchors school on ribs.

Having the slaw on the side (not integrated into the sandwich) for the first time made me appreciate how flavorful and spicy that is as well - they seem to go all in on heat. I don't discount they have the same consistency issues with every other place on our (LTH) radar in this genre but for me they're 4/4 at this point on legit hardwood perfume and wake-you-up chicken.

Busy time in The Kingdom!

Opening soon...

Downtown
Cajun Boil & Bar - Opens May 15
Kalamata Kitchen
currito

Further East
Mulata Kitchen - open
One Lake - end of May
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
Daly Bagel - late summer

Restaurant Row
Gringo & Blondie Taqueria & Churreria - July
Pork and Mindy’s

Forest Park
Small Batch Barbeque
Charlie’s Restaurant (Andrea’s) Restaurant - Open
Chirrion (The Forest Perk)

South
Sweet Monster

I wonder what's happening in Berwyn???

What a great time to be alive.

Venerable...

Riverside Restaurant
3422 S Harlem Ave, Riverside

... has closed (last month). Was always a good alternative to...

Czech Plaza Restaurant
7016 Cermak Rd, Berwyn

https://www.oakparkeats.com/food-news/r ... -retiring/

Don't forget Daly Bagel, coming soon! Also, I can't remember, but have we discussed how (sticking with carbs here) Rare Bird sells loafs of Publican bread on Saturday mornings?

Stopped in Base Hit earlier this week and it was worth a return trip. Ordered the hot link/tips combo - both were spot on versions. Not the best I've ever had (I eat a lot of Q), but much better than most. I really wanted the brisket, but it wasn't going to be ready for a few hours (it was 11:30am). It was also the first day he was doing brisket - said he was just ramping up the menu as he got his feet under him. A few other patrons had the slabs and they looked really well executed.

My only complaint was fries buried under the tips and covered in sauce so they were soggy and not a relief from the heat. Also, no chance to swap out beans for the fries (my first request) on the combo.

The sauces are a mild pineapple/mango base, a seriously hot (according to the owner) BBQ and a medium combo of the two. I got the medium and it was really tasty - maybe a tad sweet - but perfect heat for the tips.

Give the guy a shot - it's him and his kid making a go of it and I imagine they'll only get better if they can ramp up production.

"Opening Soon!"

Sweet Monster
6604 W Roosevelt Rd
"Roll Ice Cream, Bubble Tea, Desserts"
https://www.sweetmonstericecream.com/

Handcrafted rolled ice cream made to order. Chocolate and Cereal Milk Shake. Honey Boba Milk Tea. Fresh ingredients. Made in small batches daily.

First location outside of the original in Fort Wayne, IN

The venerable...
Amato's Pizza
... has moved from...

1737 N Harlem Ave, Chicago


... to a newly renovated space at...

1745 N Harlem Ave, Chicago


Just a couple of storefronts north.

Yeah, yeah. I know you're all excited.

My sister was always a big fan after Grand Slam closed. I think it's good but not my favorite.

Panther in the Den wrote:

seebee wrote:Now quit claiming the good stuff is "Oak Park Area" unless you also start claiming places like "Mr. Taco" on Austin and Ogden, too.

Mr Taco totally rocks! Whole piece of skirt steak for tacos, open face quesadillas, cheese browned, fillings like a taco. Can't be beat.

Mr Taco
5960 Ogden Ave, Cicero

To finish off our 'de Mayo' event we stopped here to close the night. When we arrived at 11:30 pm there was only one other table occupied but by the time we left it was pretty full.


Thrown on the flattop when we ordered, lightly seasoned, very juicy. Now, this is Skirt Steak and there was a bit of bite and chew required. Well worth it to get a freshly cooked piece of steak. Onions had a good bite and the complementary pickled vegetables on the counter are always welcome.


We are also big fans of their quesadillas but we had a laser focus tonight.

Panther in the Den wrote:Researching the above led me to discover the new...

Cactus Grill
315 S Harlem Ave Unit A, Forest Park

... in the old Fuji Grill location.

Guess they’ve been open 7 months?

Easy come, easy go ...

Skeptical until I saw the Yelp record start to build and it was recommended by a Mexican colleague, but a visit revealed it bright and sunny with papel picado and a cook with a nice touch. Salsas are flavorful, pastor was of the Comales / San Luis stewed achiote effect (or at least I detected no recent trompo) though reasonably crisped, cilantro and onion fresh, and the griddled asada quesadilla (on flour tortillas) was above average, with a little of the lacy edge one gets at Pollo Vagabundo (but not quite there). Se solicita mesera but it's much less depressing than Fuji towards the end.

Panther in the Den wrote:Busy time in The Kingdom!

Opening soon...

Forest Park
Charlie’s Restaurant (Andrea’s) Restaurant - Open

Charlie's Restaurant
7427 Roosevelt Rd, Forest Park

Come and get your diner on.

Long history of the building including some mob history.

Panther in the Den wrote:Busy time in The Kingdom!

Opening soon...

Downtown
Cajun Boil & Bar - Opens May 15
Kalamata Kitchen
currito

Further East
Mulata Kitchen
One Lake - end of May
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
Daly Bagel

Restaurant Row
Gringo & Blondie Taqueria & Churreria - Summer
Pork and Mindy’s

Forest Park
Small Batch Barbeque
Charlie’s Restaurant (Andrea’s) Restaurant - Open
Chirrion (The Forest Perk)

South
Sweet Monster

I wonder what's happening in Berwyn???

What a great time to be alive.

Restaurant Row is in Elmwood Park
May have to change the thread name as I don't believe Elmwood Park has ever considered itself to be part of The Oak Park scene

Marshall K wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Restaurant Row
Gringo & Blondie Taqueria & Churreria - Summer
Pork and Mindy’s

Restaurant Row is in Elmwood Park
May have to change the thread name as I don't believe Elmwood Park has ever considered itself to be part of The Oak Park scene

Annexed into the Kingdom.

Ask seebee how that works.