Anyone tried Feed yet?

Just noticed this new place in my hood. Any thoughts yet?

Feed
2803 W. Chicago Ave.
773-489-4600

M-F 8am-10pm breakfast ends at 11am
Sat 9am-10pm brunch menu ends at 3 pm, lunch menu runs concurrently starting at 12 ish
Sun 9am - 3 pm, same set up as Saturday, tho starting Oct 7, it will be 9 pm , provided I can get another dishwasher to fill in by then.


Link to metromix review:
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/sear ... 3573.venue

Edited by moderator to link to metromix review.

I tried Feed for takeout and I wasn't overly impressed. I ordered a whole chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Nothing made me want to go back for more. The chicken seemed under-seasoned.

I have a beef with their takeout packaging, which I hope they've remedied. The three sides were put together in one big styrofoam container which resulted in a big mish-mash by the time I got home. Also, their banana pudding didn't have the advertised 'nilla wafers in it.

The space is interesting in an urban-hipster-meets-roadside-cafe kinda way. Maybe I'll go back one day, but not for the chicken. There are too many other options for a good chicken in this town.

Best,
Michael

Dined in. The dining room features a super cute array of photos of various breeds of chicken. Who knew fowl could be so pretty? Ordered the dark meat 2 piecer with okra, beans, collard greens. The chicken was tender and succulent but could've used more seasoning. Sides were tasty but not notable. The greens had a nice smokiness. I'm not a huge fan of this genre so I'll not be rushing back soon. Its BYOB. This is a good place for a decent, casual, southern style supper. The bar next door is a terrific dive with an alluring $3 beer + shot deal M - Th. Together, these two make a satisfying low budget night out.

Remember about twelve years ago when you found a funky little hipster-tinged Southern joint called Wishbone on a nowhere stretch of Grand Avenue and thought you'd pretty much found your favorite comfort food place in the whole world? Now, Wishbone feels like an international conglomerate, with its less funky, much bigger, much nicer-wood-paneled outposts on Washington and Lincoln (don't they need one on Roosevelt now?) But you can go home again, albeit possibly with less hair. Now there's Feed, on Grand Avenue.

Feed is small, chicken-shack funky, exquisitely alt-country hipsterish enough to have Heather McAdams' country music calendar hanging over the toilet. It sits on a nearly empty corner on Grand at California that does as good an impression of a road house in front of a grain elevator on a windswept plain in the middle of Oklahoma as you could achieve in the city of Chicago. In other words, as ersatz folksiness goes, this is the real thing.



I had lunch there today with three compadres including the elusive Sam Swett, reclusive host of LTHForum.com. They had the chicken. I had the catfish, with mustard sauce, corn pudding and mashed potaters and gravy. It was plumb good.



Then I ordered dessert. Red velvet cake no less. Someone else orderded the banana pudding (which did have the 'nilla wafers). I have to say, somewhere along the way this comfort food became discomfort food. Too sweet and filling. No citrus sorbet palate cleanser, these.

I liked Feed. The kids will like Feed. It will make a nice trip to the countryside for them.

Looks great, and I'm going to make a point of getting there soon. One question: Biscuits (and/or gravy)? One comment: Clearly ersatz southern if they think it necessary to have an asterisk next to the beans to indicate "contains meat." Sheesh.

Did not see biscuits. I think it's only lunch and dinner, though it would seem a natural for Sunday brunch.

Mike G wrote:Did not see biscuits. I think it's only lunch and dinner, though it would seem a natural for Sunday brunch.

Hmm... I've never been a fan of Wishbone (although I've only been to the Lincoln address). I guess I don't like my Southern food "hipster tinged" (unless, perhaps paradoxically, it is in the South, where I've had plenty of good meals that were genuinely Southern and genuinely "hip," but not the sort of play-acting "ain't we hip, we'se all Southern like and ironic, 'cause we'se really from Dayton; now, 'YOU-AWE-UHL' enjoy your mustard greens in balsamic reduction, 'YUH HEA-UHR?" painfully self-conscious hipsterism I hope is not evident at Feed. The type of hip I'm talking comes from running a diner in Richmond or Knoxville and providing food you grew up with in a manner those you grew up with, and your customers also know, respect and anticipate -- and also being hip and cool because, for example, you own every Love Tractor and Pylon album but don't mention it unless asked.) So, Mike, do they meet that test at Feed?

I'm sorry, what was the question?

I mean, yeah, it's Bloodshot Records, Heather McAdams calendar, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Cash in the Rubin era, urban post-punk country, but with admiration rather than condescension for the real thing, mostly. Does that help? Do I need some Baudrillard references to make it clearer? Just go eat there and spend the damn $7! You'll be happy!

(On the other hand, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians with Pia Zadora was playing on the TV when I came in. What is this, Kitsch'n?)

Mike G wrote:I'm sorry, what was the question?

I mean, yeah, it's Bloodshot Records, Heather McAdams calendar, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Cash in the Rubin era, urban post-punk country, but with admiration rather than condescension for the real thing, mostly. Does that help? Do I need some Baudrillard references to make it clearer? Just go eat there and spend the damn $7! You'll be happy!

(On the other hand, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians with Pia Zadora was playing on the TV when I came in. What is this, Kitsch'n?)

O.K., sounds like they have their head on their shoulders. I wanted to make sure it wasn't all sizzle and no steak, that's all. Here's some food for thought: a place like Katsu or Matsumoto does not feel the need to play Godzilla movies (or even great Japanese movies) in order to establish a theme. The food speaks for itself. Based on the pictures you posted, Feed appears to be at least toying with cuteness or hipness. Hipness is irrelevant to the quality of their food, but I have a problem with the self-conscious play-acting that I feared might be predominating over the actual cooking and serving of food at Feed. Sounds like my fears were misplaced, and I think you got my point, based on the Pia Zadora reference (by the way, that is actually not a half bad movie).

I realize that at the intersection this building resides on, it's almost semantics - but isn't Feed considered to be on Chicago, and not Grand?

Mike G wrote:I'm sorry, what was the question?

I'm sorry, I don't actually recall myself. Perhaps there was no question.

Mike G wrote:Just go eat there and spend the damn $7! You'll be happy!

Only $7.00, huh? Then I guess I'll pay my money and take my chances...

Actually if you look closely at my first pic you can see some of the prices.

Yeah, it's a little cute, and ersatz, but nicely done, and not overdone. It's not this.

Address is actually Chicago, yeah.

Sent the other half there today for take out while I put the finishing touches on my take home final exam.

For 21 bucks, we got a whole chicken, green beans, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn pudding (stuffing), cole slaw and a pulled pork sandwich with fries.

Barry really dug the cole slaw; no mayo, more like a pickled cabbage salad.

The sides, BTW, were individually packaged.

The chicken was both juicy and flavorful. It was a bit small though. We enjoyed it. The pulled pork sandwich had a nicely pronounced smoke flavor.

Barry really liked the space and would like to eat in some time. We both enjoyed the meal and will surely go back.

Okay, now back to my final and McCormack presents Earth, Wind and Fire, a Tribute on Ice....

delk wrote:The sides, BTW, were individually packaged.

Thanks for pointing this out. Mike's post, along with yours, has convinced me to return. I'd really like to taste the catfish.

I'd really like to taste the catfish.

Take out menu says that catfish is a special on Friday....

It was apparently a special on Tuesday, too.

How was the pulled pork?

I don't consider myself an expert on pulled pork, but we liked it. The bun may have been a bit too "bready" but I removed some from my half. Both of us had the same first reaction...smokey! Although it's not walking distance, I have no problem driving the 5 minutes to get one...

I'd have one again...and plan to soon...

Okay...tried Feed again today.
First off, the sides were NOT packaged separately this time.
The pulled pork today was horrid. The only flavor was of too much cumin. Inedible and disappointing.
The chicken was good however.
I'll try it again when I get back from my holiday trip...

Mike's description is fairly evocative, but if you ask me, the place looks like nothing so much as the set of Hee Haw.

To make it all a bit more palatable, I recommend visiting the adjacent bar beforehand for a $3 shot/beer combo.*

E.M.

* Offer good Monday-Thursday.

the place looks like nothing so much as the set of Hee Haw

I knew there was a reason it felt like home!

"Ah searched the world over and thought ah found true love/You found another and spfft! you wuz gawn..."

I liked it. Tasty greens and pulled pork. But the banana pudding wasn't good. Nice neighborhood joint.

I thought it was great. I'm a big fan of the "meat, two sides" concept of eating (catfish, greens and okra; ribs, fries and cornbread; etc.). I ended up getting half chicken, corn pudding, fried okra, sweet potatoes, and greens. The chicken was really, really juicy; the skin wasn't super crispy, but it certainly wasn't "Boston Market-soggy" either. The flavor was nice--slightly salty. The corn pudding was outstanding, and ditto the okra (Tasting Note: the okra at Honey 1 BBQ is pre-breaded). I'm pretty sure Feed isn't because the breading is thiner and the okra isn't all evenly cut). The sweet potatoes and greens were better than most places, but not blown-away great. At any place like Feed, it's tough to really screw up the meat, but it's even tougher to find a variety of really great sides.

I thought it was really reasonable and I'd certainly go back again. I just wish I could find a rib place like Feed--succulent, juicy whole ribs w/ a mix of sides. Back in Washington, DC, there was a great BBQ place called Rocklands that smoked their meat, then when you ordered it, they threw it on the grill for a few minutes to crisp it, and they had just outstanding sides. Anyone have suggestions?

I am not a huge fan of banana pudding but I thought Feed's was great! Light and not mushy, not too many Nilla wafers.

Oh, and the chicken was mighty good, too.

Went to Feed a few months ago and was pretty dissapointed. The chicken was very bland and we needed to add lots of salt. The corn bread pudding was good, but the mashed pots. and gravy were also very bland. Not likely to go back, which is too bad, because it's such a funky place.

i had to laugh when i saw the "what is hip" discussion. The lady who owns feed was the original owner of Leo's on Division (may it rest in peace) which gives her hipster cred a plenty. I thought it was good--but what is up with all these new chicken places. Every where I look, cluck, cluck, cluck.

Cluck--that would be a good name for a chicken place!

ingridg wrote:i had to laugh when i saw the "what is hip" discussion.

Not sure about hip, but Feed sure hit the spot today for lunch. Rotisserie chicken was flavorful and moist, fried okra crisp/greaseless, mac and cheese cheesy without being a gooey mess, tender greens with just the right hint of both texture and bitter, corn pudding tasty, though just verging on being over rich.

Quarter Chicken, dark, w/fried okra, mac and cheese


Quarter Chicken, dark, w/corn pudding, mac and cheese (Picture by Steve Z)


The two women who run Feed were friendly and Steve Z, who I had lunch with, and I had a nice conversation with them ranging from country ham to BBQ. They gave us a taste of the BBQ which was pretty darn good, they do pulled pork Virginia style on a bun with slaw.

While we were talking with Liz and Donna, Donna was frying up nice looking pork chops for a dinner special of smothered pork chops, looked so good I considered going back for dinner.

Not sure how Feed rates on the Shannon Clark/Critical1 Hip-o-Meter, but far as food and friendliness, it rates pretty high on the G Wiv scale.

Enjoy,
Gary

Feed
2803 W. Chicago Ave.
773-489-4600
Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m
Sunday Closed

"What the Cluck?"

If you haven't tried the brussels sprouts when they're on the "fancy-pants" side specials, DO. They're incredible. Sliced cross-wise into ribbons and pan grilled/sauteed with butter and lemon 'til they're tender (with some nice crispy bits)...deeevine.

We've had some hit-and-miss experiences, but overall we love this place. One night they were totally understaffed and overwhelmed, and the chicken was kinda tough, and the mac in the mac and cheese was overdone and mushy, and didn't have much flavah. Most nights, the chicken is cooked to perfection...don't know what she's doing to those birds to keep the meat so moist, but it's impressive.

The banana pudding is so wrong it's right, and I generally despise any dessert with bananas in it.

And seriously...for the price? You can eat yourself sick for $10.

Holy crap was the dessert at the place insane. I loved it. The chicken was really good (although not as hot in temperature as I would have liked), but the mac and cheese was way too bland and dry. Instead I would do the mashed potatoes (both plain and sweet)-- they were awesome. I would definitely go back to this place-- good cheap grub. Did I mention that dessert rocked? Friendly, down-to-earth service, too.

So, we went back to Feed the other night for take-out and to give it a second chance. Not impressed, again the chicken was very underseasoned and all the skin had been ripped off the breast meat, that's the best part!! I got a side of mashed pots and gravy and the mac-n-cheese. The potatoes and gravy were very underseasoned, and the mac and cheese has no sauce what so ever. It seems that they cook the noodles and then top them with shredded cheese and melt it. It is just awful. If they aren't sure how to make cheese sauce, maybe they should remove it from the menu or ask someone for a good recipe. That was the last time I'll ever go.
**Not to mention the screaming children running around the restaurant make it even more unpleasant as you wait for your food.

driscoll75 wrote: The potatoes and gravy were very underseasoned, and the mac and cheese has no sauce what so ever. It seems that they cook the noodles and then top them with shredded cheese and melt it. It is just awful. If they aren't sure how to make cheese sauce, maybe they should remove it from the menu or ask someone for a good recipe.

Driscoll,

Funny, but everything you don't like about Feed's mac and cheese is exactly what I like. In fact, for my taste it could have even been drier and baked for a crunchy, toasted effect. There is nothing, well almost nothing , that turns me off faster than gooey, sticky, coat the roof of your mouth with oily slime, overcooked pasta mac and cheese, evocative of the type served to 2.7-million kids 12 or under each and every day.

Also, minor point, but I don't think Feed simply tops, then melts the cheese for mac and cheese, but it is, most certainly, drier than most. Far as the mashed potatoes go, I did not try them, but they sure look good in Mike G's picture upthread.

Enjoy,
Gary