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ORD Crashpad Breakfast Spot

Old 02-28-2014, 02:58 PM
  #11  
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Lou Malnati's PERIOD
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Old 03-01-2014, 09:19 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by gringo View Post
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.
I lived in North Center and I agree with everything you said except for the part about Kuma's. Kuma's Corner is DEFINITELY worth it. The place is a heavy metal bar. If you don't like the wait staff, check out Kuma's Too on 666 W Diversy. It's much newer and the staff is nicer as well, but the food is the same and on point.

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.
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Old 03-02-2014, 03:26 AM
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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.
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Old 03-02-2014, 04:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Al Czervik View Post
Lou Malnati's PERIOD
Well it's really hard to argue that. Agreed. Lou Malnati's is a must.
You're wasting your time if you have pizza anywhere else.
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Old 03-02-2014, 05:14 AM
  #15  
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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.

Last edited by gringo; 03-02-2014 at 05:59 AM.
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Old 03-02-2014, 10:45 AM
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Wow...that does sound pretty crappy.

I agree, too, about DMK Burger Bar...that place was great!
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Old 03-02-2014, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by willflyforcash View Post
Well it's really hard to argue that. Agreed. Lou Malnati's is a must.
You're wasting your time if you have pizza anywhere else.
As a life-long Chicagoan I agree that you can't go wrong with Lou Malnati's, but there are plenty of local neighborhood joints that are just as good if not better. It seems like everyone has a different opinion on who has the best Chicago pizza. Honestly it's hard to go wrong with whomever you choose. I would just try and stay away from the larger chain pizza places. The original Pizzaria Uno and Due as well as the original Connie's on Archer are both pretty solid, but their other locations aren't that great. I also think that Giordano's has gone downhill since they went bankrupt a few years ago.

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.
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Old 03-14-2014, 03:34 PM
  #18  
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Speaking of breakfast,

Chicago's 10 most ridiculous Bloody Marys - Thrillist Chicago
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Old 03-14-2014, 07:18 PM
  #19  
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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.
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Old 03-16-2014, 09:19 PM
  #20  
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As far as pizza goes your best bet is to find the neighborhoods local pizzeria. I saw someone mentioned chicken... I can't believe Harold's hasn't been mentioned yet!
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