Serious Eats: Chicago
Hangover Helper: Maxwell Street Omelet at Hash Browns, Chicago IL
Maxwell Street Omelet. [Photograph: D.H. Lee]
Let's say you were out last night, and you lost your keys, pants, and girlfriend somewhere on your alcohol-fueled adventure. You're going to need some fuel to get all three back. Head over to Hash Browns in the University Village neighborhood of Chicago to get a Maxwell Street Omelet and some Killer Hash Browns.
In Chicago, Maxwell Street is famous for the Maxwell Street Polish, which is a Polish sausage served with grilled onions and yellow mustard. At Hash Browns, they incorporate the same ingredients in a hefty egg dish. The Maxwell Street omelet ($8.95) contains slices of Polish sausage, grilled onions, sliced grilled pork chop, and your choice of cheese. The Polish sausage lends a great salty, fatty addition to the eggs, the onions are nice and sweet, the pork chop adds a bit of porky chew, and the great equalizer, cheese, brings the whole mess together.
Forget regular hash browns at this place—sub in their Killer Hash Browns for an extra three bucks. They start with shredded potatoes, cheddar cheese, onions, and sour cream—all topped with corn flakes and baked like a casserole. The top is crunchy and though the potato-cheese core could use a little a bit of salt, it'll definitely soak up your hangover.
You might not find your keys, pants, or girlfriend, but you'll definitely feel better about losing all three. Who needs pants anyway?
Hash Browns
731 Maxwell Street, Chicago IL, 60607 (map)
312-226-8000; hashbrownscafe.com
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