Comments on: Via Chicago

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:27:56 +0000

I’d second Malnati’s—there’s one up in Lincolnwood for you, Eszter. Also Connie’s is pretty good; go for a middleweight or thinner crust there. I find their leftovers to be better than the original thing. There’s also the Best’s Kosher factory on 39th Street for a dog on a yellow roll. Don’t forget Taylor Street either for a beef sandwich. Darn, all of this is making me hungry and I’m in California.

By: Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 17:00:33 +0000

I have heard it said that attendance at MPSA will be well down because APSA is also going to be in Chicago this year (and in fact Law & Society too, though that only affects a smaller f®action)… has this turned out to be true, Henry?

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 14:41:42 +0000

I’ll also be in Chicago this weekend for a wedding. In between rehersal dinners and such, I’m going to try to run to Pilsen for Mexican food and to Shaw’s Crab House for a cocktail. The Billy Goat Tavern is always cool. Cheeseburger. Cheeseburger.

By: Fuster

Fuster — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 10:36:50 +0000

For pizza I’d say Gino’s East but it’s touristy (where isn’t though?). Other people might tell you Lou Malnati’s (predictable choice) or Home Run Inn (damn good and I’d be temtpted to put it top). Disclaimer: I can’t really handle deep dish so am probably not the best person on pizzas. Be warned also – pizzas cause arguments in Chicago.

By: Fuster

Fuster — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 10:25:03 +0000

Can’t see the NYT article without logging into it so I may be doubling up on information here…. If you find yourself craving something dirty, I’d highly recommend: 1. The Weiner’s Circle Late night post-drinking hot dogs (*excellent* substitute for a doner) ( http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3677757/ ) 2. The Billy Goat Tavern Burgers near the Herald Tribune Building ( http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3668269 ) 3. Demon Dogs Friendly little hot dog joint by the El (Fullerton) but threatened with closure last time I was there ( http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3677653/ )

By: tew

tew — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 09:16:21 +0000

Firstly, if two pages of encomia to Chicago’s hot dog hadn’t preceeded it, I would have been very angry about the disparaging paragraph about our pizza. I will allow, though, that reasonable people may disagree about the desireability of Chicago-style deep dish pizza (I live in a blended deep-dish/thin-crust hosehold myself). I will brook no disparagement of our hot dogs, however. The article does hit the appropriate highlights, but will probably have the unfortunate effect of making Hot Doug’s even more crowded than usual. Superdawg is really more of a kitsch adventure than a true hot dog stand. Plus, no tomatoes on the dog—heresy! As far as deep dish pizza goes, you’ll find the best at these two places: The Art of Pizza (3033 N. Ashland) Pequod’s (2207 N. Clybourn) The Art of Pizza is mostly just take-out/delivery, but you can pop in for a slice. It’s traditional Chicago-style, but with a buttery, flaky crust that makes it much less heavy. Pequod’s is also all about the crust—a caramelized wonder. Pequod’s is a tavern, so you knock back an Old Style or two along with your meal. The lovely thing about Chicago is that it’s a city of neighborhoods, and just as you have a local dry cleaners and a local tavern, you’ve also got a local hot dog stand. One of the purest moments of joy I have had in my life was the first time the owner of my local stand asked me if I wanted “the usual”.

By: eszter

eszter — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 06:26:24 +0000

Since the author of that article had nothing positive to say about pizzas, I would love to get recommendations on that front… I have yet to try the famous great Chicago pizza myself. Any other suggestions, Dargie, or anyone else?

By: dargie

dargie — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 06:03:23 +0000

He’s right about the hotdogs, though he missed Superdawg on Milwaukee and Devon. But he’s wrong (and deserves a couple of good smacks) for his comments on Chicago pizza. Try Pequods pan pizza.

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 03:22:38 +0000

Nah – I’ll leave that to the real expert!

By: eszter

eszter — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 01:58:53 +0000

Since you’re so well read up on Chicagoland restaurants, does this mean you’ll be picking the location of our outing?:)