ORD Crashpad Breakfast Spot
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 492
For killer ribs, take the Blue Line to the Jefferson Park stop; exit the station and look for the Gale Street Inn across the street.
Or take it down to the Chicago stop, and look for the Silver Palm restaurant (face the city and look for the converted Pullman railroad car). Order the Three Little Piggy sandwich. It's incredible.
If (when) it warms up, stop at the Belmont stop, head towards the lake. When you hit California, turn left and go to Hot Doug's. Best damn gourmet hotdogs in town. Alligator, bison, ostrich, venison... He's got something unique every day, and it's all awesome. Duck fat fries on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect to wait, cash only and he's only open from like 10am to 4pm.
(You might be tempted to stop at Kuma's Korner for a burger (it's off of Belmont, close to Hot Doug's.) Skip it. Lousy service, the staff is rude and the ingredients don't justify the price. Instead, make your way to Lincoln Square and go to The Bad Apple. Try "Elvis's Last Meal". It's peanut butter. And bacon. On a burger. Out of this world.
You'll find a dozen phenominal joints within a 5 minute walk of the Logan Square stop; El Cid (Mexican) and The Rocking Horse (everything) are both great.
Chicago is a Mecca for incredible food. I can't wait to get back.
Or take it down to the Chicago stop, and look for the Silver Palm restaurant (face the city and look for the converted Pullman railroad car). Order the Three Little Piggy sandwich. It's incredible.
If (when) it warms up, stop at the Belmont stop, head towards the lake. When you hit California, turn left and go to Hot Doug's. Best damn gourmet hotdogs in town. Alligator, bison, ostrich, venison... He's got something unique every day, and it's all awesome. Duck fat fries on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect to wait, cash only and he's only open from like 10am to 4pm.
(You might be tempted to stop at Kuma's Korner for a burger (it's off of Belmont, close to Hot Doug's.) Skip it. Lousy service, the staff is rude and the ingredients don't justify the price. Instead, make your way to Lincoln Square and go to The Bad Apple. Try "Elvis's Last Meal". It's peanut butter. And bacon. On a burger. Out of this world.
You'll find a dozen phenominal joints within a 5 minute walk of the Logan Square stop; El Cid (Mexican) and The Rocking Horse (everything) are both great.
Chicago is a Mecca for incredible food. I can't wait to get back.
Also, if you're hitting up Bad Apple, don't sell yourself short and go to Half Acre across the street and try out some incredible Chicago beers right where they're brewed. If you finish early on a Saturday morning, go do the brew tour that starts at 11am (have to get there early though because lines get crazy around 1030 and they only take the first 60), and finish the tour at 1230 with 3 pints that are included in your $10 tour, then go eat at The Bad Apple.
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 681
Agree with the above about Kuma's Corner. I just tried it last week for the first time and thought it was incredible - for what it's supposed to be. Just a dive burger joint with a good beer selection and loud metal music. I could see how it's not for everyone, though.
#14
#15
To each their own, I suppose.
I grew up in the restaurant industry; for me, quality of service is every bit as important as the food itself.
The one time I went to Kuma's I found the staff to be amazingly rude and vulgar; the "bouncer" came flying off the handle dropping F-bombs at me and threatening to throw me out, only because I pulled two tables together so our group could sit with each other. This was late at night, with the place half empty.
It was the first time in my life I left without leaving a tip.
When I spoke to a former employee and found out where they source their beef from (a small step up from McDonalds) that was it for me.
Better than McDonalds? Sure. But there's better places to spend your hard earned cash, with better burgers, better service and better beer selections. Bad Apple and DMK Burgers come to mind.
But again, to each their own. We are after all airline pilots; we expect a certain amount of abuse in our lives.
Speaking of better beer selections, if you're up in the Andersonville area, check out HopLeaf. Not only is their beer selection amazing, but the food they offer is absolutely incredible. Puts many gourmet restaurants to shame.
Another place worth checking out is HoneyButter Fried Chicken, although if skip the kelp cole-slaw. Interesting idea, but doesn't work. The chicken? Dy-no-MITE!!!!
Also, Small's on Irving Park and Albany. Best brisket in town.
I grew up in the restaurant industry; for me, quality of service is every bit as important as the food itself.
The one time I went to Kuma's I found the staff to be amazingly rude and vulgar; the "bouncer" came flying off the handle dropping F-bombs at me and threatening to throw me out, only because I pulled two tables together so our group could sit with each other. This was late at night, with the place half empty.
It was the first time in my life I left without leaving a tip.
When I spoke to a former employee and found out where they source their beef from (a small step up from McDonalds) that was it for me.
Better than McDonalds? Sure. But there's better places to spend your hard earned cash, with better burgers, better service and better beer selections. Bad Apple and DMK Burgers come to mind.
But again, to each their own. We are after all airline pilots; we expect a certain amount of abuse in our lives.
Speaking of better beer selections, if you're up in the Andersonville area, check out HopLeaf. Not only is their beer selection amazing, but the food they offer is absolutely incredible. Puts many gourmet restaurants to shame.
Another place worth checking out is HoneyButter Fried Chicken, although if skip the kelp cole-slaw. Interesting idea, but doesn't work. The chicken? Dy-no-MITE!!!!
Also, Small's on Irving Park and Albany. Best brisket in town.
Last edited by gringo; 03-02-2014 at 05:59 AM.
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Posts: 128
It's probably sacrilegious for me to say this but I think that the pizza here may be a bit overrated. The deep dish is definitely worth trying but there are so many other great restaurants in and around the city that have some of the best food in the world.
#18
#19
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2013
Position: corp
Posts: 89
I know it's not near ORD, but if anyone makes it to downtown Chicago, the best restaurant I've ever been to in my life is called The Purple Pig. It's on Michigan Ave. It's worth the 1 hour wait for dinner. And this is coming from a foodie who is from down south.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post