Favorite Restaurant Salad Dressings

As a balance to my rant on packaged salad dressings, irisarbor has inspired me to ask another question: What are your favorite restaurant salad dressings? (Ignoring the possible answer that "Salad is Stupid" for now)

irisarbor wrote:I will continue to dream of the green garlic salad dressing that Tonellis of Northbrook used to make. It was my favorite. I could eat that in reverse- dip the salad into a tub of dressing. LOL

For me, I have two strong faves:
1) Dave's Italian Kitchen in Evanston has the platonic ideal of creamy garlic. So far as I can tell, it's part mayo, part sour cream, lemon juice, garlic and salt, doesn't need anything else. It's one of the reasons I haven't tried all the cool places in Evanston, because of 36 years of dining at Dave's has left me addicted to their salad, their Carbonara (of a type that would give Batali fits), and their Eggplant Parm.

2) Carson's Ribs' anchovy dressing. I rarely end up with a salad at Carson's, since the ribs, potatoes and slaw are plenty to eat, but when we lived across the street from the long-gone Skokie location, we would get one rack of ribs and a salad for dinner (particularly tempting on a warm summer evening when the windows facing Niles Center were open and the smell of the ribs would waft in). I'm not the biggest anchovy fan, but that's one fine dressing.

2) Carson's Ribs' anchovy dressing.

mmmmm
another truly great dressing -I could eat it with a spoon

1. Fanny's salad dressing.

2. Myron & Phil's Green Goddess, which is still being served at Wildwood Tavern.

Boeufhaus has a salade du marche which comes with what they call a "root vinaigrette." I can't break it down by component, but the dressing, some form of a yogurt based sauce, is just outstanding (not to mention the slightly cured vegetables really complete the plate). When I think steak and salad, this is what I think of, all too often to the chagrin of my wallet.

1) Half Shell on Diversey- "house" dressing. I have no idea what it is, but they douse the leafy greens to an almost offensive manner, and I dig it.

2) Bristol- Tarragon-buttermilk Dressing on their market greens
I don't see it on the menu online anymore, sigh....

1. Lou Malnati's Creamy Garlic
2. Don Roth's dressing(while the restaurant closed years back, it used to be available in bottled form at Dominick's. Anyone seen this lately?) Lawrys is similar but doesn't scratch the itch.
3. Lou Malnati's 1000 Island.

Lou Malnati's has salads? Who knew?

I really love the house (Italian) dressing that Maggiano's uses on its chopped salad and Maggiano's salad.

mkess wrote:2. Don Roth's dressing(while the restaurant closed years back, it used to be available in bottled form at Dominick's. Anyone seen this lately?)

Try Jewel, since it's on their website. It's also shown as available by the case at walmart.com.

Chunky Blue Cheese dressing made in house at Charcoal Oven, Skokie.

JoelF wrote:
2) Carson's Ribs' anchovy dressing. I rarely end up with a salad at Carson's, since the ribs, potatoes and slaw are plenty to eat, but when we lived across the street from the long-gone Skokie location, we would get one rack of ribs and a salad for dinner (particularly tempting on a warm summer evening when the windows facing Niles Center were open and the smell of the ribs would waft in). I'm not the biggest anchovy fan, but that's one fine dressing.

Amen to that, Joel. From 1980-1982, our first apartment after getting married was down the alley from Carson's/Skokie. That smell in the summer! I'd call & order, then in the interim mosey on down the alley and wait for my grub in the bar whilst indulging in the mini-rye, chopped liver & fresh onions.

Yes, their anchovy dressing is great, and a similar version is served at Dover Straits in Mundelein.

stevez, the fact that Wildwood Tavern serves the old M&P Green Goddess might get me over there sooner rather than later.

There is a white French dressing at Fondue Stube on Peterson that when mixed with their signature Roquefort, is just about the best dressing in captivity.

Graziano's (Niles) house dressing.

The poblano salad dressing on the kale salad at La Sirena Clandestina. To die for.

mkess wrote:2. Don Roth's dressing(while the restaurant closed years back, it used to be available in bottled form at Dominick's. Anyone seen this lately?) Lawrys is similar but doesn't scratch the itch.

I found this at the Elmwood Park Caputo's at Harlem & Grand. I was enthralled by the label and the description of the spinning salad shtick. Sounds like my kinda restaurant; sorry I missed it.

The caesar dressing at David Burke's Primehouse.

Coogles wrote:Graziano's (Niles) house dressing.

My favorite. Unfortunately the last few times I was there the rest of the food wasn't as good as it was 20 years ago. So now, I just stop and buy a pint of dressing to take home.

Laschett's warm bacon dressing. Mmmmmmm...... bacon.

CHICAGO PIZZA AND OVEN GRINDER COMPANY
2121 NORTH CLARK STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60614
773-248-2570

Sweet poppy seed and their amazing creamy garlic - so good, craving some right now. The best part is they are available to take home in jars. Worth a trip.
After all these years, CP&OGC still is cash only.

I seriously miss Heaven on 7 on Rush. Naperville is just too far for us to drive from the North Shore. But gosh, I do love their honey-jalapeno dressing/dip.

jilter wrote:I seriously miss Heaven on 7 on Rush. Naperville is just too far for us to drive from the North Shore. But gosh, I do love their honey-jalapeno dressing/dip.

There's still the Wabash location.

Is it still open for lunch only?
I have never been there.

nsxtasy wrote:Try Jewel, since it's on their website. It's also shown as available by the case at walmart.com.

Didn't have any success at a couple Jewels. However, I did find it at Mariano's in Northbrook for $2.99. Thanks nsxtasy.

I am also a fan of the chunky blue cheese dressing at Sabatinos and find it worth the slight upcharge.

jilter wrote:Is it still open for lunch only?
I have never been there.

They do dinner Thursday-Saturday. FYI this location is cash only.

Miso-mustard dressing at Lucky Platter in Evanston. Unlikely combo, but good.

Once in a while I get a taste for Uno's purple salad dressing, which seemed like a sweetish Italian vinaigrette with some red wine. Does anyone know the proper proportions? And which spices they use? Online copycat sites just list
"INGREDIENTS: red wine vinegar, soybean oil, burgundy wine, water, sugar, garlic, salt, spices, xanthum gum."

My thought is to make a standard dressing and then add some red wine, but that might just throw off the proportions. If this is correct, they have more acid than oil, which is not usual. And I don't normally add water, or for that matter xanthan gum. Suggestions please

I am a simple man with simple needs and usually a standard 1000 Island dressing suits my needs.

My mom was a great cook and would make it from scratch for me. I know there was hard boiled egg.

Man! There are so many recipes I never got from her. I have recreated many but not this one.

leek wrote:Once in a while I get a taste for Uno's purple salad dressing, which seemed like a sweetish Italian vinaigrette with some red wine. Does anyone know the proper proportions? And which spices they use? Online copycat sites just list
"INGREDIENTS: red wine vinegar, soybean oil, burgundy wine, water, sugar, garlic, salt, spices, xanthum gum."

My thought is to make a standard dressing and then add some red wine, but that might just throw off the proportions. If this is correct, they have more acid than oil, which is not usual. And I don't normally add water, or for that matter xanthan gum. Suggestions please

Lou Malnati's is similar and delicious for a simple wine vinaigrette.

I'm w/SteveZ. Fanny's RIP

I’ve seen bottles of Fanny’s salad dressing at Sunset in Highland Park.

nsxtasy wrote:I really love the house (Italian) dressing that Maggiano's uses on its chopped salad and Maggiano's salad.

I found a dressing sold in supermarkets that is similar. It also might satisfy those looking for a sweetish Italian vinaigrette. Look for it in the refrigerated salad dressings.

Gibsons Garbage Salad