Thus far, Sausage City has focused mostly on European-influences sausages, in part because Chicago has a strong tradition of Polish, German, and Italian butchers. But that's changing today, because the good news of Thai sausage, in this case from the superb restaurant Thai Aree in Irving Park, is a gospel worth spreading. More
Whether it's the stale pita or limp looking meat, I've never had a gyro sandwich I was too excited about. So, why do I keep giving it a chance? Well, there are only so many times I can pass the alluring eyes of the Kronos gyro model before I give in, thinking that it must all be my fault. More
This week I challenged myself to locate a stand that served a salad that I could actually get excited about. All roads led to Zebda. Run by Mohammed Djeddour and Katie Garcia, the tiny shop in Irving Park features a menu of Algerian and Mediterranean dishes, with an excellent mix of grilled kebobs and lighter, vegetable-based dishes. More
Crust isn't everything. There I said it. Given the quality of the sausage, the well-seasoned salt, and the heaps of real mozzarella (no "pizza cheese" nonsense here), the purely functional crust at Manzo's does not stand in the way of this being a crave-inducing pie. More
Dry rub Memphis barbecue. [Flickr: orangachang / CC BY-SA 2.0] Memphis barbecue ain't all that. There, I said it. I expected and wanted Memphis barbecue to be the soul shaking, stomach sating, come-to-Jesus occasion everyone says it is. I... More
"Susie's is a veritable wonderland of grease and the only advice I have is to submit." [Photographs: Nick Kindelsperger] Susie's Drive Thru 4126 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago IL 60641; 773-283-6544 The Short Order: Eclectic diner fare, with incredible milkshakes. Want... More
Cordero con frijoles y arroz at D'Candela My good friend Mike Sula, the intrepid food reporter for the Chicago Reader recently told the story of D'Candela, an Irving Park Peruvian joint. It reminded me that I had an incredible... More
We asked Michael Nagrant, our normal Chicago go-to guy, to handle this week's Serious Eats City Guide. From deep-dish pizza to the best taqueria and meatiest Eastern European butcher, Michael tells how a missionary of the delicious should visit Chicago. As always, chime in with agreement, or feel free to alert us to any Chicago eats we've overlooked. More
You gotta have bulletproof glass, utilitarian decor, and a grizzled soul man stoking an aquarium-style smoker or a black pit drum with hickory and fruitwoods to have great barbecue, right? In Chicago, until about two years ago, this seemed the... More
