Nick's, Check Please

Here is my personal best of Chicago list for eating as of how I feel today. This list is always subject to change.

Italian – I am of this heritage and am pretty picky. I hold Italian food up to a pretty big standard, my Grandmother. I have been to a lot of mediocre places. For my money there are 2 establishments I really like. Clara’s in Woodridge (http://www.claraspasta.com/) and the O.G. Rosebud’s in Little Italy. (http://rosebudrestaurants.com/rest1.php) Clara’s is very good and for the money a great value. I am big fan of their vodka sauce. I prefer Rosebud’s by a small margin. Now, there are many Rosebud’s in the city and I have been to some of them. None of them are as good as their location on Taylor. Make the trek you won’t be disappointed. This is old school Italian. Their sauce is a very close 2^nd to my Grandmothers. They roll their own pasta and it is damn good. Also the sausage is a must as a side.

Greek – I love Greek food as well. I have been to a number of places but the Greek Islands on Halstead is still my favorite. (http://www.greekislands.net/index.html) Go for the egg lemon soup alone. It is seriously worth a trip just for a cup of that soup. I am a big fan of their pastichio as well. Their deserts are good but, I must admit I prefer the banana bread pudding at Athena. They give you a brick of it that I could eat as a meal.

Chinese – This is a difficult one as there are a number of places I like for certain dishes. For good old traditional Americanized Chinese food then Lang Lee in Orland is my favorite. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/lang-lee-ii-restaurant-orland-park) Joyce and I get the dinner for two and it rocks. You each get a cup of soup, egg rolls, some Bali Maki, and then Beef with Pea Pods, Sweet and Sour Chicken, and some BBQ Pork Fried Rice for like $22. Make the trip it is worth it. Now, my favorite place in Chinatown for of a less Americanized version is Loa Sze Chuan (http://www.laoszechuan.com/) They still have a traditional Chinese menu as well as a more authentic as well. Their menu is a book and if you can’t find something on it you like you aren’t trying. For dim sum, I like the Phoenix Restaurant. (http://www.chinatownphoenix.com/) Go there on a Sunday morning (get there early) and you won’t be disappointed. You may not know what it is you are eating, but just eat it, because it is all good. Lastly, if you are in Chinatown grab a drink at Joy Yee. They make some killer smoothies.

BBQ – There are two places I really like in Chicago for good old barbeque. One is Chuck’s in Burbank (http://www.yelp.com/biz/chucks-southern-comforts-cafe-burbank) and the other is Smoque on Irving and Pulaski. (http://www.smoquebbq.com/) Chuck’s is a local favorite that has a dish called chicken fried chicken that is sinful. I only get it once a year because it must have 10,000 calories. That gravy is like paste but damn if it isn’t good. At Smoque just get the brisket ,you can’t go wrong. It is so tender you don’t even need a knife. The place is always packed and with good reason. Everything I have eaten there is delicious. It is a bit of a ride from my house but well worth it.

Mexican – Living in Chicago we are privy to a number of really good Mexican restaurants. It is hard to limit this to one so, I again will list three. The original (at least I think it is the original location) Lalo’s in Berwyn is one of my old time favorites. (http://www.lalos.com/locations/3011harlem.html) If you like your food spicy then you will love Lalo’s. Maybe it is nostalgia but there is something about that Berwyn location that I like that you don’t experience at any of the other spots. Café Salsa in Countryside is quickly becoming a favorite as well. (http://www.cafesalsa.com/) Joyce and I have been frequenting this place for years and the food is always right on. (Sometimes the service leaves a tad to be desired however.) There tamales are some of the best in the city. Also they have a steak dinner called the Churrasco that they marinate in garlic that is an orgasm on a plate. Lastly for a good old cheap burrito at 3 in the morning nothing can beat El Farol in Summit. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-farol-summit-argo-2) Even my wife likes this burrito joint. Their meat (whatever animal they use that week) is seasoned just perfectly. I have consumed hundreds over the years and that can’t be a good thing.

Deli – Again, I have to list 2 places. For a sandwich my favorite place is still Perry’s Deli in the Loop. (http://www.perrysdeli.com/) I go down on a Perry’s Favorite like it is 1972 andI am Linda Lovelace. That thing is again 10,000 calories but damn good. For just a regular old sub sandwich I am a slave to Peppo’s mere blocks from my house. (http://www.peppos.com/) Their “guts” are what make the sandwich. My personal favorite is the #1 Ham, Salami and Swiss.

Mediterranean – I have gone back and forth on this argument with myself but, today I have to lean to Andie’s on Clark (http://www.andiesres.com/) I am a dill rice junkie and theirs is my favorite. A damn good hummus and I love their chicken kabobs. Reza next store is pretty good as well but Andie’s is cheaper and in my opinion a little tastier.

Jewish – I have not been to a ton of Jewish places so my experience is limited. With that said the Bagel on Broadway serves up some real good nosh. (http://www.bagelrestaurant.com/) They have a soup called the mish mash which is a half gallon of chicken broth with a matzo ball, a kreplach, noodles, rice and kasha. My brother tackled it back in the day so, I had to see if I could do it. I did and it is good but you aren’t right for like a day. Also, they put out complementary pickles on every table. A huge plus in my book.

Filipino – My wife would kill me if I didn’t include a Filipino listing. We have been to Cebu in Downers Grove a couple of times and I really like it. (http://www.ceburestaurant.net/contacts/) May I suggest the Chicken Adobo that they serve. Place is very good if you are a rookie to the Filipino cuisine.

Polish – I have been to a million polish restaurants in Chicago as living here we have a number to pick from. For me the best is the Red Apple Buffet on Milwaukee. The food they put out is outstanding. I could make a meal out of their apple pancakes alone. Only bad thing is the food is so heavy that for a buffet it is hard to force it all down. Just load up on perogies and do your best.

German – Well it used to be the Berghoff in the loop. (http://www.berghoff.com/Berghoff/home2.html) but they don’t have the sit down restaurant anymore. You can still eat there but it is more of a scaled back menu. Their German pot roast was to die for. Since the Berghoff essentially closed I am searching for a German place to call home. I have been told that the Chicago Brauhaus is good but I have not been there as of yet.

Thai – My wife loves Thai food. I like it. We go to a place in Palos Heights called Thai Smile that we both like. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-smile-palos-heights-2) I usually go for the pad thai or a dish called Bangkok Chicken. I Admit, I haven’t gone to a ton of Thai places so, there are probably better out there.

Japanese – I don’t like sushi (I know I am the only one left) so, I will leave this choice to my wife. She likes Matsuya in Wrigelyville (http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/japanese/matsuya-wrigleyville/136080/content) I usually get an order of teriyaki chicken which is fine. Joyce loads up on California rolls and other assorted fish.

Italian Beef – There are a number of places that have a good beef but there is only one place that has a perfect beef sandwich and that is Duke’s in Bridgeview. (http://www.dukesitalianbeef.com/) Dukes has spoiled me. Many people will tell me about a beef stand that they say is better but sorry Dukes tops them all. Portillo’s beef is good but it is expensive and not nearly as big as Dukes. Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park is also very tasty but again is a tad on the small side. Duke’s uses just the right spices and the beef is lean. The sandwich is packed with meat and big enough for my appetite. If you have never had a Duke’s beef I really believe you are missing out on one of life’s great pleasures.

Chicken – For fried chicken I have yet to find a place that makes a better bird then White Fence Farm in Romeoville. (http://whitefencefarm-il.com/) Their chicken is to die for. Plus they have great sides. A vinegary cole slaw that I love and then of course the fritters. I really can’t do justice to the corn fritters at WFF. You have to go yourself and eat them. If you have then you know what I mean. Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook also is pretty good and I would recommend that place as well.

Burger – I have eaten at a number of burger joints around the Chicaoland area. For my money Top Notch in Oak Lawn is the best. (http://chicago.citysearch.com/review/35368725?reviewId=33092871) There is also a Top Notch in Beverly (the O.G. location I believe) and in Orland. They grind their own beef and cut their own fries daily. It is the freshest, tastiest burger around. Also, do yourself a favor and get a shake there. You will thank me later. Kuma’s Corner on Belmont also has good burgers. They have a huge menu with a heavy metal theme and it is worth a trip just for the décor.

Pizza – Now how I could I do a list of food without including pizza, maybe my favorite food of all. There are two types of pie I will splint this into, thin crust and deep dish. For thin crust there are a number of places that I like. But if I am forced to choose my favorite of all of them, I have to give the nod to Fasano's in Justice. (http://www.fasanospizza.com/welcome.html) It is greasy, my wife hates it, but man there is something about that ‘za that makes my mouth water. For deep dish it is still Lou Malnotti’s. (http://www.loumalnatis.com/) That butter crust just makes the pizza. A very close 2^nd is Louisa’s in Crestwood. It is Very under rated and worth the trip. Service there sucks though so be prepared to wait. Gino’s East used to be a favorite but, they are way too uneven to recommend anymore.

Ice Cream – For homemade ice cream nothing compares to the Plush Horse in Palos Heights. (http://www.theplushhorse.com/) Go there and you will never go to Baskin Robbins again. My personal favorites are the Chocolate Chip and Apple Pie. For soft serve I am a Premo’s guy. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/premos-drive-in-oak-lawn) As my Uncle Dan would say they have chocolate, vanilla and chocolate and vanilla. A medium twist on a summer night is heaven. Just like the Plush Horse one cone from Premo’s and you will never go to a Dairy Queen again.

Hot Dog – You can get a hot dog anywhere. And most of them are pretty much the same wherever you go. The one place that stands out to me is Hot Doug’s. (http://www.hotdougs.com/) For a Chicago dog they do it right (no ketchup.) On weekends they do the duck fries and trust me they are worth the trip. You will have to wait to get in the place but the wait is worth it.

Breaded Steak – Not really much of a competition but I had to throw it in because I love Ricobene’s. (http://www.ricobenesfamoussteaks.com/) I get mine with mozzarella which melts right on top. Man I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

Ribs – Two places to mention here. Locally by my house I like a place called the Pit. (http://www.thepitribhouse.com/) They are very tender and fall off the bone. Another place that has good ribs that I have not been to in centuries is the Gale Street Inn. (http://www.galestreet.com/) I need to go back as I cannot remember the last time I ate there but remember enjoying them.

Ok, that is a pretty comprehensive list. I am sure I missed some genres so feel free to let me know what I neglected to mention.