It's easy to feel overwhelmed at Beard Papa's. Chocolate or strawberry filling? Is the flavor of the day anything special? Original shell or éclair? Isn't it important to try the basics first? But then again, isn't everything improved by a layer of chocolate? Fret not. We did the arduous and demanding work required to break things down for you filling by filling and puff by puff.
If I had unlimited amounts of wealth and time, or otherwise lived a life of leisure, I would surely wake up every morning and walk to Lula Cafe, where I would find a sunny spot at their long white marble bar, read the paper, and have breakfast. There would be pour over coffee, an omelet or frittata, and a small plate of their exceptionally good breakfast sausage. And I'd be a happy man.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Antique Taco—which plans to open tomorrow in Wicker Park—but there is no mystery to be solved. The title of this brand new taco joint tells you exactly what you need to know; the room is decorated with antiques and you can eat tacos. I should also add that genuine and care attention have gone into both.
At one point during my meal at Taxim, there were four fetas on the table. An impromptu taste test suggested that among the portions of salty, crumbly cheese within arm's reach (crowning four different vegetarian Taxim dishes), at least two distinct varieties were represented—and both were delicious in their own way. Any place that traffics in Greek cheeses this good, and takes the extra step of parsing between different styles of fetas to complement specific dishes, is my kind of place.
When was the last time you had carrot cake? Yeah, it had been a while for me, too. But when a friend couldn't stop raving about the "best he's ever had" carrot cake at Julius Meinl, I figured it was worth a bike ride up to the Viennese pâtisserie's newest location in Ravenswood.
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A Sandwich a Day: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich from Robinson's No. 1 Ribs
Slid across the counter encased in a styrofoam shell, the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich ($7.25) is standard order: oversized bun, sauced pulled pork, steak fries, and a side of coleslaw that I promptly dumped atop the pork. Continue reading »
We Chat With: Anna Caterini of Getta Polpetta, Chicago's Meatball Sandwich Truck
As long as she can remember, meatballs have always been a part of Anna Caterini's life. The food truck owner and third generation (and then some) meatball maker admits that she can't even recall the first time she encountered one, "As long as I can remember, every Sunday night family dinner and all of the holidays in between, there have been meatballs." Over the years, Caterini became an expert at making these meatballs, and she now sells them off of her food truck, Getta Polpetta. Continue reading »
We Eat All of the Cream Puffs at Beard Papa's in Chicago
It's easy to feel overwhelmed at Beard Papa's. Chocolate or strawberry filling? Is the flavor of the day anything special? Original shell or éclair? Isn't it important to try the basics first? But then again, isn't everything improved by a layer of chocolate? Fret not. We did the arduous and demanding work required to break things down for you filling by filling and puff by puff. Continue reading »
Sausage City: Lula Cafe's Breakfast Sausage
If I had unlimited amounts of wealth and time, or otherwise lived a life of leisure, I would surely wake up every morning and walk to Lula Cafe, where I would find a sunny spot at their long white marble bar, read the paper, and have breakfast. There would be pour over coffee, an omelet or frittata, and a small plate of their exceptionally good breakfast sausage. And I'd be a happy man. Continue reading »
A Sandwich a Day: Num Num Beef at Flour and Bones
The underground dining operation you may or may not have heard of known as X-marx has decided to test the waters aboveground and will be opening a permanent spot in Logan Square in July called Flour and Bones. But before settling down, X-marx flexed their pop-up muscles one more time and offered a taste of the new menu at Sunday's Dose Market. Continue reading »
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Mother's Day Brunch
First Look: Antique Taco, Opening Tomorrow in Wicker Park
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Antique Taco—which plans to open tomorrow in Wicker Park—but there is no mystery to be solved. The title of this brand new taco joint tells you exactly what you need to know; the room is decorated with antiques and you can eat tacos. I should also add that genuine and care attention have gone into both. Continue reading »
The Vegetarian Option: Taxim
At one point during my meal at Taxim, there were four fetas on the table. An impromptu taste test suggested that among the portions of salty, crumbly cheese within arm's reach (crowning four different vegetarian Taxim dishes), at least two distinct varieties were represented—and both were delicious in their own way. Any place that traffics in Greek cheeses this good, and takes the extra step of parsing between different styles of fetas to complement specific dishes, is my kind of place. Continue reading »
Lunch in the Loop: Sopraffina Marketcaffé
Now that we're well into spring, I find myself craving fruits and vegetables. There's just something about the smell of spring air that says to my body, "Dennis, stop shoving those fries in your face and eat something fresh." When you get the same itch, Sopraffina Marketcaffé is the perfect place to visit. Continue reading »
A Sandwich a Day: Biscuit and Egg Sandwich at Old Town Social
Biscuits are unforgiving partners. No matter what you decide to top them with—great quantities of melty cheese, fatty bacon, breakfast sausage, etc.—if the biscuits are dry, chalky, and crumbly, the sandwich will suck. There's just nothing you can do about. But if the biscuit in the question happens to be tender and flaky—like Old Town Social's remarkable version is—then just about anything will taste good in between its buttery layers. Continue reading »
Sugar Rush: Carrot Cake from Julius Meinl
When was the last time you had carrot cake? Yeah, it had been a while for me, too. But when a friend couldn't stop raving about the "best he's ever had" carrot cake at Julius Meinl, I figured it was worth a bike ride up to the Viennese pâtisserie's newest location in Ravenswood. Continue reading »
Scenes from Dose Market: Check Out Our Preview of Pecking Order and Flour and Bones
Of the many great reasons to check out Dose Market, our favorite part is definitely the chance to preview exciting soon-to-open restaurants. The monthly food and fashion gathering in the River East Art Center usually features a sneak peek at new venture or two, and yesterday's event was no different. Guests previewed dishes from the upcoming Pecking Order and Flour and Bones, along with a host of other quality vendors from around the Midwest. Continue reading »
10 Touristy Spots in Chicago That Are Actually Good
When visiting a new city, I feel like I'm always caught in the that strange middle ground of wanting to sample the iconic local food specialties, while simultaneously avoiding the kind of restaurants that prey on my naivety and take all my money. These are the places that that offer an unmistakable glimpse at Chicago, while also dishing out great food. Continue reading »
This Week on Serious Eats Chicago
Check out the most popular posts over the past week, including our picks for the best pad Thai. Also, we round up 12 tacos we love and 8 places to take your mom for Mother's Day. Continue reading »
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Al Pastor in Chicago!
A Sandwich A Day: The Popper From Cheesie's Pub & Grub
Cheesie's Pub & Grub in Lakeview just recently doubled in size and includes a full bar and a menu of grilled cheeses, pizzas, and other bar food. I ordered The Popper ($6.95), which features sturdy sourdough with a perfect bronzing on top. Continue reading »
TGI Fry-Day: General Tsao's Chicken at Lao Beijing
Large, irregular chunks of breaded and fried chicken, barely charred green and red bell peppers, crunchy baby corn, a few dried red chilies for good measure, all swimming in a viscous pepper seed specked brick red sauce. Spooned over the accompanying steamed rice, the dish was comforting in it's familiarity, but self assured in its preparation. This was no ordinary carry-out General Tsao's Chicken. Continue reading »
Snapshots from the H-Town vs. Chi-Town Quickfire Challenge
Last night Spiaggia's executive chef and Top Chef: Texas runner-up, Sarah Grueneberg, faced off against her Houston-based mentor Chris Shepherd, in what was called the H-Town vs. Chi-Town Quickfire Challenge. Though not exactly the most serious competition we've ever seen, it was a great chance to sample Grueneberg's food and to see what Shepherd is currently cooking up in Texas. Continue reading »
