Breakfast of Champions

Maybe not of champions but definitely breakfast for foodies. The Original Pancake House is a chain, which I try to avoid at all cost, especially when on vacation. However, while in Chicago it was down the street from my hostel so I decided to try it. Not to mention it had pretty good reviews. I ordered the hash with chorizo, peppers, onions, potatoes, jalapeños, and eggs over easy. It came with pancakes. I chose pecan, my favorite for pancakes or waffles. The pancakes were so delicious that I ate every bite and every nut even after eating half a pound of potatoes and eggs, ha! I don't know if the restaurant is good at every locatin and every city, but wouldn't hurt to try, right?

Chicago: Beer and Snacks

Goose Island

I'm definitely not a beer drinker by any means. I don't know much about beer, except how to tell if the glass is clean enough (Thank you Bar Rescue). Actually I might be a beer snob. Lately I've been trying (and liking) craft beers. While in Chicago I tried a few craft brews from Goose Island.

At a reception held at the conference I was attending I tried Matilda. It was pretty awesome. Because everything at the conference was included I had no idea what the beer cost. While I was out and about in the city I asked if anyone had it. Most bars and restaurants didn't carry it, but the one I found that did charged $12 for the bottle. That was the moment I realized I might be a beer snob. Why is that the only beer I like is the most expensive? Apparently it's like the wine of beer.

Headquarters Beercade

Headquarters is a beer bar and arcade. Pretty cool concept. They have a variety of beers on tap so I ordered a flight. I'm kind of a beer snob so I only liked two of the five. I played Snake, Asteroids, Pacman, and Street Fighter. I felt like a kid again. Did I mention that you play for free? That's right no carrying around a pocketful of quarters for a good time! You're probably not going to beat the high score after a few drinks though!

Garrett

One of the vendors at the conference was giving out popcorn. It happened to be from the most famous place in Chicago for popcorn, Garrett. I was handed a small cup with cheese and caramel popcorn (Chicago mix). The least likely combination for me since I don't like cheese popcorn. I ate it anyway because I was starved and I'm glad I did. It was o good. Somehow they perfected the cheese so it doesn't have that weird powdery flavor that I usually loathe on my freshly popped kernels. I found the nearest Garrett shop and bought some butter, caramel, and pecan-caramel mix. Yum!

Portillo's

After trying my first Chicago dog I had to have another, so my colleague and I ventured out to  find Portillo's. You know what I ordered! It was great. It was also different from the one I got from Downtown Dogs. The hot dog itself was heartier, the relish was regular, not neon, and the pickle was more sour. All in all not disappointed. 

Chicago Style Pizza

Giordano's

So worth the wait! They tell when you sit down that deep dish pizzas may take 45 minutes, but if you have the time go for it. I went with a couple colleagues from the conference I was attending. I had been drinking a bit and was starving, so in addition to the pizza we ordered, I ordered an Italian beef sandwich. The beef was great, tender and juicy. 

We had a medium, half sausage, and half cheese. It came with six slices which was plenty for the three of us. On most pizzas my favorite part is usually the crust; Giordano's was no exception. It may have been the alcohol talking, but I told one of my colleagues the crust was like hot buttered biscuits on Sunday. She agreed! The cheese was delicious and fresh. Out of the three Chicago-style stuffed pizzas I had this is hands down the best! Go!

Pizano's

I visited Pizano's as the first stop on my Tastebud Tour. The pie was delicious even at 11 in the morning. Our tour guide informed us that the owner's grandmother still comes in a few times a week to make the dough for the crust. The crust was great and I love the simplicity of just tomatoes instead of "sauce"! Yum!

Gino's East

My colleague and I went here after leaving Portillo's because it was down the street and we had time to kill. My least favorite deep dish. I didn't like the crust which you know is my favorite part. It was pretty much down hill from there. I don't really have anything good to say about it. Sad day!

Chicago: Tour de Food

I found a food tour on Tripadvisor before going to Chicago in April. I was there for a conference but I wanted to explore too because it was my first time in the Second City. The city is absolutely beautiful and I know why it has the name Second City; its like another New York City. It was windy of course and pretty cold for mid April but it has been cool all over the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic and the eastern seaboard. I was ready to buy a down coat and stay forever after only visit! So much culture and history. I can't wait to go back! Back to the tour . . .

Tastebud Tours was highly rated on Tripadvisor and I wanted bang for my buck. What better way to explore the city than with food? They had a good variety of tour options. I chose Flavors of Chicago which included Chicago style pizza (discussed in another post), Chicago style hot dogs, the most famous cheeseburger in Chicago, and so much more. I bought my ticket online; after taxes and fees the cost was $50. It's a walking tour so you don't feel overstuffed and gluttonous and it that lasted 3.5 hours. The tour guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Definitely worth the time and money! If you're in Chicago with no lunch plans take a Tastebud Tour.

L'Appetit

The first stop on our tour was Pizano's (read about my experience there, here). The second stop was the beautiful and historic Drake Hotel. It's a gloriously beautiful building that boasts one of the most beautiful restrooms in the world. Next we made our way to L'Appetit. A small but bustling bakery at the base of the John Hancock building. The tour included a rich fudge brownie (pictured above), but I'm not much of a chocolate eater so I bought an oatmeal cookie the size of my face and a red velvet cupcake. Both equally delicious.

Billy Goat Tavern

Cheezborger! Cheezborger! Cheezborger!

If you're looking for the In N Out or Five Guys experience you'll be sadly disappointed at Billy Goat Tavern. Very simple sandwich with meat, cheese and bread. You can top it with onions, pickles, ketchup or mustard. Make it a single, double, or triple. Add a Coke and Cheeps. That's it! I went to the original location. The food is average at best, but I'd go back just to hang out. The atmosphere is fun and the history is all over the walls.

Downtown Dogs

We went to Downtown Dogs right off The Magnificent Mile on Rush St. We enjoyed our hot dogs in Pippin's Tavern which has the same owner and is right next door. What makes up a Chicago dog? The Vienna beef hot dog, steamed poppy seed bun, neon relish, peppers, tomato slices, chopped onion, pickle, and mustard, NEVER ketchup! My first experience with a Chicago dog was perfect. I almost don't want them any other way now! I think the Vienna beef dog makes the difference.

Fannie May

Not much of a chocolate eater but the caramels are the best I've ever had. The artisan collection (shown to the right) is expertly crafted and coated with cocoa butter for a brilliant sheen. 

Heaven on Seven

The last stop on our tor was Heaven on Seven. We went to the Rush location. Their claim is "the best Lousiana cookin' outside of New Orleans." I sampled the jambalaya, which was good but nothing to write home about, and the gumbo. I could have eaten an entire pot of that gumbo and licked it clean. That's what they're famous for so I guess that's a good sign. Can't wait to get back to try some other items!

Tea for Two

Teavolve is such a cute place in a great location! A friend thought I'd like it and took me for happy hour one Wednesday. You can't go wrong with any drink. Tea infused mixed drinks? Don't mind if I do! Try the sangria. I'd recommend you go at the beginning of happy hour so you have time to try a few different beverages.

I was on a vegetarian kick so I ordered a black bean burger. It left much to be desired. It was dry and mostly flavorless. I'll definitely go back but I'll be trying something else for sure!

The Real Chow Baby

If you're picky this is the place for you! Ok that may not be completely true. The Real Chow Baby is a new american stir fry where you choose from an array of meats and vegetables the ingredients in your dish and its made on an open stir fry grill. You can make rice or noodle dishes, soups, salads, or wraps out the ingredients you choose. Add shrimp, salmon, or roti for a little extra.

A couple of weeks ago I took friend who rarely goes out because she is a vegetarian here last week and she thoroughly enjoyed all the options available for her. The food is fresh, the price is great ($8.99 for lunch and $12.99 for dinner), and its fun trying different concoctions. I love making Pad Thai.Come hungry and get small portions so you can try different things!

Cheap Eats: Sushi

Rusan's is one of my favorite places to go for cheap japanese. The summer/fall of 2008 I think I went every friday. Other than the original location on Piedmont Road in Midtown, the Edgewood location in Reyneldstown is my favorite! I love sitting at the bar chatting with the cooks in Spanish. The quality for the price is pretty damn good. If you're looking to try sushi you've never had the heart to order, hit up the lunch buffet. Get the calamari, unagi, tuna and salmon nigiri, and you can't go wrong with any tempura or fried rice. There's no labels so if you've got allergies be careful and ask questions, if not just get whatever looks good. With the large menu there's something for everyone!