Thanks for all the great memories. I'd forgotten about Gare St. Lazare. As I recall it was on Armitage back in the mid-70's. Only went a few times, but had some fine meals there.

Here are two more that came to mind.

El Criollo (I hope I have the name right). 1970's, maybe continued into the early 80's. On Fullerton between Ashland and the River. It was my introduction to Argentine steaks. I was taken by a friend who had lived in South America. As we waddled out, full to the brim from with steak, empanada and Argentine wine, he said "Now you know how poor people in Argentina eat. The rich dine that way three times a day!"

Helmand. Afghan. On Halsted and Belmont. Excellent food. Wife #1 and I really liked it for an evening out away from the kid.

jbw wrote:the South Shore Ashkenaz--a real deli

Funny, I still miss the Rogers Park version.

midas wrote:

jbw wrote:the South Shore Ashkenaz--a real deli

Funny, I still miss the Rogers Park version.

Me too! The Rogers Park Ashkenaz introduced me to one of my favorite foods, roast duck (of all things). I have very fond memories of weekly family dinners there. The location on Delaware (or is it Elm) or the now closed location in Wilmette never had the same feel or food. There was also another location on Dundee Road near Rand for a short time, but it was little more than a glorified bagel store.

George R wrote:Helmand. Afghan. On Halsted and Belmont. Excellent food...

George:

I ate a few of times at the Helmand and really enjoyed all visits very much. I wish they were still around...

On another topic...

Does anybody remember a place called Cafe du Midi... I don't know really where it was... Some friends took me there as therapy on a sad occasion back in the early 90's and it served well to cheer me up a bit at the time... bistro food... Belgian beer (Chimay)... I can't remember details of the meal but the lingering impression is that it was simple and good...

Antonius

stevez wrote:

midas wrote:

jbw wrote:the South Shore Ashkenaz--a real deli

Funny, I still miss the Rogers Park version.

All right, my memory may have failed me here. I remember the Rogers Park Ashkenaz well, and I thought it had migrated from South Shore, but perhaps the South Shore deli (late 60s--only got there a couple of times) was another establishment whose name--now that I think about it--seems to be gone forever from my addled brain.

Anyway, this gives me the opportunity to lament another long-gone institution--Club El Bianco, the first version on 63rd St., which went several steps beyond even Febo's ("famous for nothing").

Busy Bee

Does anyone remember Resto 22? On Chicago west of Damen? The chef, a Frenchman, was formerly at the Pump Room. I loved their escargot and a veal chop that I used to dream about. Interesting interior in what used to be a fast food restaurantor some sort of diner. If you ate later in the evening, the chef would often come out and visit tables. Just a great all around dining experience. One day we called to make reservations and the line was disconnected. How traumatic.

jbw wrote:

From the German Side (yes, Chicago used to be a great town for German restaurants:
Red Star Inn


Gosh! The Red Star Inn! I grew up down the street and loved that place!Which reminds me of another neighborhood institution to be missed: the Buffalo Ice Cream Parlor (at Pulaski and Irving).

We also loved La Hacienda del Sol on Lincoln (which, I think is where Stanley's is now). Their fondue la hacienda was the family fave, as were the strolling musicians and talking parrot!
[/quote]

When I lived in Buffalo Grove (1992 - 97), I often visited the Buffalo Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor location on Lake Cook Road. Before that, when I lived in Irving Park, I had of course seen the old location (hard to miss at that intersection) but never stopped in. Anyway, I'm sure the newer location lacks the atmosphere of the old, but I always thought the food and icecream were decent enough. If you've been, how do you think the Buffalo Grove operation compares to the original?

Unfortunately, I never went to the location in Buffalo Grove so I can't compare. I can tell you that the neighborhood was in a tizzy when they decided to close the original, however. Petitions were flying due to the gas station that was to replace it!

The Beef n Stein(?) on Howard near Gulliver's.Elliot"s Pine Log near Lincoln or Skokie Blvd and Howard in Skokie.

hattyn wrote:The Beef n Stein(?) on Howard near Gulliver's.Elliot"s Pine Log near Lincoln or Skokie Blvd and Howard in Skokie.

Elliott's in Edison Park on Northwest Highway is owned by the Elliott family and serves some excellent steaks along with the Pine Log Recepie Ribs. In terms of the ribs, the memory is better than the actual item.

shanti wrote:Unfortunately, I never went to the location in Buffalo Grove so I can't compare. I can tell you that the neighborhood was in a tizzy when they decided to close the original, however. Petitions were flying due to the gas station that was to replace it!

I think the Buffalo in Buffalo Grove is still in business; you should check it out.

Both in Evanston:

The Spot (on Foster)

Michaelini's (on Central St.)

In Wilmette:

The Ground Round (Okay, I was young)

When I lived in Buffalo Grove (1992 - 97), I often visited the Buffalo Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor location on Lake Cook Road. Before that, when I lived in Irving Park, I had of course seen the old location (hard to miss at that intersection) but never stopped in. Anyway, I'm sure the newer location lacks the atmosphere of the old, but I always thought the food and icecream were decent enough. If you've been, how do you think the Buffalo Grove operation compares to the original?

I have been to Buffalo Grove as well as the original location at Irving Park and Pulaski. I still have a memory flash everytime I pass that corner. Even Mike Royko was writing passionate pleas to keep the Buffalo. Going to the Buffalo as a treat after visiting my Grandparents. Often it was the best part of the trip.

After the original was demolished, they moved to Dempster west of the Edens Expressway, then later to Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights Roads. I have to say from my side I presume all the Buffalo's are the same business simply moving from site to site. The original Buffalo did not have anywhere near the Greek Family Style restaurant feel the current Buffalo has today. I drove past there this evening and was sorely tempted to walk to make inquiries. I just wasn't in the mood for a 'deer in the headlights' showdown, which some of these questions evoke.

What I recall best from the old Buffalo was their hot fudge; which I guess they made themselves. As much as I want to say the experience between then and now is the same, I really do not know. There are so many feelings of bittersweet childhood nostalgia, of a far off distant time, I don't know if I can really say what is what even if presented with the exact same Sundae from yesteryear.

All I know in that moment in time a visit to Buffalo's was the highlight of my life. Nothing was better than a Buffalo Hot Fudge Sundae.

JimInLoganSquare wrote:

shanti wrote:Unfortunately, I never went to the location in Buffalo Grove so I can't compare. I can tell you that the neighborhood was in a tizzy when they decided to close the original, however. Petitions were flying due to the gas station that was to replace it!

I think the Buffalo in Buffalo Grove is still in business; you should check it out.

I went to the Buffalo after it moved to Morton Grove. I was less than thrilled with the hot fudge when comparing it to the original. I'm out of town on an extended trip, but when I get back, the first place I'm going to try to find is the Buffalo in Buffalo Grove. Does anyhone have an actual address or cross street on Lake Cook Road where it is located.

MMMMMMMMM Buffalo Hot Fudge!

Steve,

On the Northeast corner of Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights Road. You cannot miss it.

Let me know when you go, I wouldn't mind meeting you there to compare our memories. It's maybe 20 minutes from my home during low traffic periods.

Regards,

Paul Tyksins wrote:Both in Evanston:
The Spot (on Foster)

I actually delivered for The Spot for a few months back about 30 years ago. I don't know how long they were in business after that. There were also 2 other Spots at the time, one on Broadway and one on Peterson. But the Evanston one was by far the best of the 3.

Cathy2 wrote:Steve,

On the Northeast corner of Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights Road. You cannot miss it.

Let me know when you go, I wouldn't mind meeting you there to compare our memories. It's maybe 20 minutes from my home during low traffic periods.

Regards,

I will. It will be a while until I'm back in Chicago though.

On another topic...

Does anybody remember a place called Cafe du Midi... I don't know really where it was... Some friends took me there as therapy on a sad occasion back in the early 90's and it served well to cheer me up a bit at the time... bistro food... Belgian beer (Chimay)... I can't remember details of the meal but the lingering impression is that it was simple and good...

Antonius[/quote]

They are gone and Meritage is in the space. Damen(2000W) and Charleston (2100N) in Bucktown

I don't think anybody mentioned The Blackhawk, so I will. It once seemed to personify downtown classy eating, at least in my then-juvenile mind. Also I fondly recall the dining room at the Bismarck Hotel. I can't remember what I ever ate there, but you were always guaranteed a lunchtime siting of some Chicago mover and shaker, possibly even old man Daley himself, when one dined there. Of course there was Ricardo's, which also I think has escaped comment so far. I remember that Ric kept dogs in pens that were somehow hidden from view in the front of the restaurant -- can anyone confirm that? I was once there with my parents and I have a distinct recollection of being shown some very large dogs. Ric was very insistent that lunchtime prices be kept low so that secretaries and printers could eat there for cheap -- the dinner trade, he figured, could subsidize the working folks. These restaurants were all important in defining Chicago's character, at least its pre-modern one.

Cafe du Midi was on Damen, about 2100 north. Where Meritage now is. Prior to being a restaurant, it was an independently owned laundromat called the "Big 'n' Tucker."

I lived a block or so away on Damen for almost 15 years, and it was the first place we could take either my parents or my in-laws out for dinner (their dime) in the neighborhood. They had some good food, but they were a bit early on the restaurant wave in Bucktown and the tables were a little too close together, the prices a little too high, for the time. I remember being there on a Tuesday and loving it and on a Saturday and saying to myself, "not coming back."

It was owned by the person who previously owned Gare St. Lazare, mentioned on this thread. He also began and may still own Meritage, I've never been so won't comment.

Annie:

Thanks... your comment that Cafe du Midi was really cramped has gotten my memory going... I remember being uncomfortably sandwiched into a small space... I also remember the prices did seem high (though I was being treated)... But I still can't remember what I ate, just that I thought it was very good...

A

Hattyn wrote:We keep remembering more.Big O' s on 120 just west of Rand in McHenry or Lakemoor.

I have been going to O's for at least 10 years. I haven't been in that direction since I wrote this post in early May. In addition to the food, I liked all the interesting reading material at O's. Three of us would come for lunch, we would grab the Star, National Inquirer and some other scandal sheet. Our table was quiet as we read carefully what we would never buy. By the time we left, we had our fill of the lives of J Lo and Brad&Jen. Mrs. O said there was a couple who came once a week to do the exact same thing.

O's BBQ Now Paradise Grill - or how to cultivate what you want!

When canning season arrives, I am driving around the fringes of Lake and McHenry counties buying produce to consume fresh and preserve. One of my places to stop for a rest and refresh is O's BBQ in Lakemoor across from Le Vichyssois.

Oliver and his wife started O's after Oliver took a roadtrip to Texas to learn his craft. Unfortunately, his parents in Mississippi took ill and they moved to back to help. For a year, their daughter-in-law and son moved up from Florida to take over with the hopes the parents would return or they would sell the business. Last year the business was sold to new owners who maintained the recipes. They had a larger ambition of buying a pizza oven, but they fizzled by late summer and closed. Oh no, no more Sloppy O's.

Several weeks ago, I was on a day-time-occupation visit to McHenry passing O's when I saw it was open with a new name: Paradise Grill. The smoker was emitting smoke, so whomever took it over had it in use. On my way back I pulled in to visit. Paradise Grill is run by two Mexican partners, who learned how to use the smoker from a former O's employee.

Cheeky person that I can be sometimes and also full from my lunch appointment, I asked if I could sample a bit of the Sloppy O's. I told them I wanted to check if it was as good as before, which the owner actually appreciated because he never had the original. The original Sloppy O's used the crusty bits of the pork which would have otherwise gone into the waste container (not mine, but theirs, I like crusty bits). They would dice the crusty bits add their sauce, then filled a hamburger bun to became Sloppy O's.

The new owner gave me a sample with a bit too much sauce. The meat wasn't chopped, didn't have the high ratio of charred bits and was shredded in the Mexican style for tacos. Granted it is the same meat, texture shouldn't change taste that much but it did. Shredded versus diced charred pork did make a difference.

Last night, I took Mom2 to Paradise Grill for an early Mother's Day present. The owner was pleased to see I returned to order Sloppy O's. It was the same shredded pork, so I gave him tips on my recollection of how O's did the Sloppy O. He seemed very eager to learn, so I am very hopeful we will see the original Sloppy soon enough. (I didn't race into an explanation the first time because I didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth)

Frankly, I am very grateful the new owner has a willingness to try to get it right. A legend, in my mind anyway, has not died, I have not had my last Sloppy O!

Now, if I can work my magic on the guy whose whipped cream needs improving ...

Regards,
Cathy2

Paradise Grill
209 West 120 (west of Rt 12, but not too far)
Lakemoor, IL
Tel: 815/363-8067
Monday-Saturday: 6 AM - 8 PM
Sunday: 8 AM - 3 PM

Nikko's (Elston & Diversey) for nice spanokopita. It's now Niko's, a run-of-the-mill gyros/burgers joint. It's amazing what difference a letter (K) makes.

Old Plantation BBQ on Armitage near Clybourn. It only lasted a year, but the mere mention of it brings me and my friends to tears with recollections of real and locally made and smoked TX brisket, hot link sausages, and ribs. While it was there, it was Chicago's best bbq.

Jesselson's Seafood in Hyde Park. Nice fried-to-order seafood, crabcakes, and boudin from Opelousas, LA.

A tip (still with us):

The best fried-fish sandwich I've ever had (plus fried fish, clams, scallops, shrimp, calamari, fish/chips, catfish, smelt, hush-puppies, oysters) and smoked, fresh and frozen seafood:

Hagen's
on the south side of Montrose a block west of Central.

They'll also smoke your fresh-caught fish.

I have to ditto the user that posted on hagans, which is still there. i grew up on them.
But who remembers Ray's Red Hots ? the little stand just east of the hagans/c. davis metroplex that probably would have been right up there with G&J's and the other Chicago dog frontrunners . I remember being able to go to Portage park pool to swim, then stop at Ray's for hot dogs after and then of course a frozen custard cone at the place on the corner. You get 5 extra points if you can remember the orignal name of the place. found at the bottom of this message. This was back in the day when the whole days activity cost less than 2 bucks and you walked everywhee without turning up as an Amber Alert.

Ok, how about one of harlem avenues finest, known as ODMF to us in the delinquent crowd. Our Dogs Make Friends. If i remember correctly, chips no fries but a great dog. It was a trailer and is know a parking lot. not far from franksville which was very good local chain in the 60's. I remember them having a picture menu board with 2 dozen different dogs on it. As kids we would want foot longs, thinking we where eating a whole lot and not realzing the guy was using like 10/lb footlongs.

I also miss Bravermans for corned beef but this was before i drove and iw as never sure where it was.

Also, the folks used to take us to a cafeteria style place which was in our old hood around division and milwaukee, i think the name was initials like E&F's or something. it was my first of many lifelong experiences with became known to me as grilled cheese

This discussion has become one of my favorites to read and i want to thank all who are contributing.



bob


(Cal's Drive In )

Gordon -- Never had a bad meal there; old location had "unisex" [shocking!] bathrooms with some of the best graffitti in town...back in the heyday of articulate, philosophical graffitti.

Tango -- I remember when you could PARK ON THE STREET in that neighborhood; we'd stop late after the theatre or a movie & get fabulous omelets that came with soup (a whole crock) or salad for less than $5.00

Kennessey's -- right next door to Tango in the Belmont Hotel. Great place for imported hams, sausages, cheeses (back in the Dark Ages when they weren't common commodities) Fabulous Viennese pastries and that oddly addictive Hungarian cream cheese spread. Not to mention a wonderful, knowledgeable staff.

The Brewery -- around the corner, on Broadway. GREAT burgers, funky atmosphere, and that irritating fire bell they'd ring when an order was up.

Claim Company -- more good burgers (remember when they opened on Clark & had the menu on that miner's pan?) and later, that magnificent salad bar.

Whatever happened to salad bars? You'd think with the low-carb craze, they'd be back in fashion...

Ting-a-Ling -- on Division, 'round the corner from the Playboy Theatre. Catch a snack, then on to a midnight movie double-feature and home before dawn. Or maybe grab early coffee at Jeff's Laugh Inn & watch the sun come up over the lake.

Soul Kitchen -- Shrimp & grits....tasso, mushrooms, garlic, onion, a touch of Pernod & a lot of shrimp and the creamiest grits ever....an incredible version, much tastier than what you get at Wishbone. Cornbread bread pudding with strawberry-rhubarb sauce. Terrific pork medallions....magnificient,,,,ah, you get the picture. Only thing about this restaurant I don't miss is the noise level.

Mel Markon's -- in Lincoln Park. You could come in at 3:55 am (they were open 'til 4am) and get served with no hassle.

Punchinello's -- On Rush St. Come on--where else could you get turtle soup at 2am? And Bob Moreen at the keyboard.

The Waterfront -- just up the street. Hangtown Fry AND----that salad bar!

Suburbs:

Come Back Inn -- Melrose Park. Peanut shells on the floor, Kingston Trio ("Scotch and Soda") & Johnny Horton ("Battle of New Orleans") on the juke box. Moose heads & moose hinds on the wall... Several rooms with fireplaces. Watney's Red Barrel on tap. Juicy, juicy Kodiak burgers. Great way to clog the ol' arteries.

Ralph's Pizza -- in Brookfiled. Absolutely the best thin crust pizza hands down. As a little kid, we'd go for the Friday fish night....ALL the fried perch or broiled halibut you could eat .....for a dollar.
(God, I'm old....)

Well I think RJ Grunts is still around for salad.And there is always Sweet Tomatoes.There was a place called La Salade in Skokie.I think that is where Grecian Kitchen Delights is now.In the same stretch of Dempster from McCormick to Crawford was Mark II and Wesley's.Fritz That's It was another one with a salad bar and I think they also served duck.

Reading VI's post for Le Coq and the mention of garlic chicken and lemons reminded me of the Main Cafe in Evanston.Wonderful chicken lemon rice soup.I miss that.

Main St. Cafe - yeah. Many, many liesurely weekend breakfasts, solo. w/ newspapar.

Yesterdays - also in Evanston. Wasn't really exceptional except it was the 1st place my 18 yr. old self ever encountered the notion that the cheese on a cheeseburger didn't have to be American. Cheddar! What a concept! I came out here to get educated, and I am. Also ordered my 1st legal beer there.

Leslies - my first andouille sausage and many nice brunches when my parents came out to treat

The Third Rail (on Foster in Ev. I think) They ground their own beef for burgers and had a great anchovy-based salad dressing.

Fritz That's It - first salad bar I ever saw.

The Bakery - about as high-end as I thought one could get at that time. A bit oppressive. I remember when the waiter was doling out new potatoes - placing them individually next to the entree, and one rolled off his platter and on to my plate and he took it back. Apparently that was 1 potato too many.

Metropolis - Irwin Dressler's first place (to my knowledge)

Bentley's Wine Bar - where I.D. cooked before opening Metropolis.

Panang - Malaysian west on Fullerton, I think. My first non-Indian curries.

Avanzare - my first taste of "new" upscale Italian

Chestnut St. Grill - had a girlfriend who worked there and we were memorably taken care of when we went in together.

The original Frances' when it was a hole-in-the-wall with the steam table right ot front.

The Sheridan Beach Cafe - a counter and 3 booths total. Owner/cooks were Bobby and Karen. Unbelievable skillet breakfasts and banana choc. chip muffins made fresh right then and there. To die for. They moved to Minnesota so Bobby could either play or just watch hockey. I forget which.

Pussan House - cheap storefront Korean on Glenwood next to Lifeline Theatre. Good cheap food for actors.

Cafe Pergolesi - hippie coffee house with a sign on the door that said, "If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong place."

etc.

Leslie's , was that in the basement of the Rotary Center?I think that was from the owner of Cafe Provencal.Verdi and Puccini Cafe which was replaced by Old(e) Orleans.The owner of OO had worked at F(r)annys.