Philly Express

-The Sammy's of Chi

I was out in Long Grove at some point this past summer and headed over to Vernon Hills to try a cheese steak place that I had remembered someone saying I should try. Philly Express labels itself as having the best cheesesteak sandwich in Lake County.

 When I went in there were quite a few high school aged kids in there ordering steaks and other baked subs and such. The guy behind the counter started chatting me up and asked if I had ever been to Philly's Best in the city. I told him "yeah" and he asked what I thought? I said it was ok, he then told me they're much, much better and he is the brother in law of the guy that owns those. He said his sandwiches were much bigger and better quality at that. I tried a regular with but they do have a wide variety of specialty steaks on the menu. The result? It tasted virtually the same and thus just ok, a place I'm sure I'd eat again at if I lived near.

Cheesesteak from Philly Express

Philly Express

701 N Milwaukee Ave #104

Vernon Hills, IL

(847) 816-4000

Puerto Vallarta

Eating like a local:
Regional food specialties
-West Coast of Mexico for Seafood, Street Eats & Fancy Food

Today we head to Mexico and one of it's better places to vacation. After a wonderful four days in Aguascalientes celebrating my cousins wedding the entire side of my moms fam and some friends of the groom got on a bus and headed for Puerto Vallarta.


First time visitor to PV

Me, my immediate family and a couple of cousins stayed up the mountain in Punta Negra. We had a really fantastic place on the beach that came complete with a pool and personal chef and staff. The owner of the place down to the helping hands were great. If you have a couple families or a big one going down I'd recommend Casa Patty for a great stay.

A view of the beach from my rooms balcony

I hadn't been to Mexico in some time. Frosh year of college spring break we had an interesting experience that still makes for a great story today but I was kind of turned off. Not just at the attempted blackmail threats made by placa but also because Cancun is just a dump of large resorts with places focusing on cheap all inclusive garbage in which case you get what you pay for. Lesson learned? Stay away from Cancun it's our Daytona Beach. Staying in Punta Negra worked out great because we had an amazing beach to ourselves in the backyard and town was just a short bus ride down the hill.


El Calamar Adventurero

Before I left I knew I was in good hands as far as food goes but in all honesty this thread over at LTH is so damn useful it was almost too much. Every time I tried to read thru it I ended up over in Pilsen or somewhere else eating Mexican food before I could write places down. So I just kind of went at it as I walked around. Needless to say as I was reading this before I wrote this report I saw this place below in a picture as one of the good inexpensive joints in town. I concur and just like the tipper said it's a great place near the bus stop where you get off at in town.


Shrimp and Onion Quesadilla

Enjoyed by local Mexican folks and gringos in the know. I ate here everyday I was in PV (five to be precise) and even recognized the cook in Silas Jayne's pics in that thread. You know the seafood is fresh because one of the popular fish markets in town is a few feet down and the cook goes over there to grab fish and shrimp as needed.

Shrimp and Fish Tacos

Nothing fancy here but the perfectly battered seafood served in a warm tortilla with a slurry of sides for you to dress as you please tasted grand. Served with cheap ice cold Pacifico these tacos hit the spot each and every time I ate them. The shrimp in particular were fantastic and whenever I get the crave which I still do I'll go to La Lagartija Taqueria for something close but not quite as good. I noticed what seemed to be like alot of expats or regular wintertime wanderers eating here along with locals headed to or coming from work. It lived up to the looks.


Succulent Shrimp Tacos

Since we had a chef and all that I did alot of eating at our rental. I forget her name but she was great and must of learned well from her mom. Each meal requested whether it was fried whole fish like her mom used to make or comfort favorites like chilaquiles for breakfast and chile rellenos for lunch it was all good. She made some of the best damn Nayarit style garlic shrimp I've ever had. We had her make it a couple times after asking for her favorite or signature recipe she likes to make and eat for herself.

Home cooked meals that we didn't have to prepare...always nice

One of the days spent there was on a big boat that we rented (Captain included) and took out to a popular snorkeling area. Nothing special as far as food goes on the boat but our guide was great and we had a blast drinking and singing while enjoying good times. We've gone on some great family trips with virtually everybody on my moms side (One of Seven girls) over the years from renting a house boat in Kentucky to renting a bus driver and touring Ireland. This was another fun one.


Marina Vallarta

I saw this place early morning as we walked by and took note for later that afternoon

usually a good sign, especially considering not many people were anywhere else

Even though some family members weren't into eating seafood in Mexico we gave Mariscos 8 Tostadas a go. I wasn't scared and those of us that weren't we were rewarded with some good eats, especially after a day in the sun. Fresh cold seafood dishes taste great and that's what they do here. You can get different varieties served on a tostada with an assortment of salsas.








Tostadas w/ fresh seafood, Coctel de Camarones & Raw Tuna in Spicy Sesame Soy Sauce

I liked this place and would go back again no problemo. Nice place to eat at if your staying near the marina or doing any activities there. I spent alot of time just walking around and stopping in at different bars for a beer and of course worked up an appetite while doing so.

Strolling around

There was one intersection in town that I mentally noted as "chicken square". It had a two grilled bird shacks and one rotisserie cooked chicken shop on three of the four corners and it always smelled great around there when walking by.

Pollo Feliz won out on my last day as I gave into the amazing smells coming from it...


...Happy with my choice, this was a flavorful grilled bird

Across the street from Pollo Feliz

I spied these ladies making fresh sopes and had to have one


Chorizo con Papas not bad for a little more than a buck


Café des Artistes

We also had a chance to get a fancy meal in and my sister chose Café des Artistes as our spot to splurge out at. We had some good well executed food made with fresh quality ingredients as was expected. The dining experience as a whole was really top notch as far as service and atmosphere goes. Very nice outside seating. We started with gratis short rib nachos and I thought that was a little off as far as fancy food goes but it was free and they were good.



Highlights as far as app's go were the Baked Goat Cheese "Crottin", Octopus Carpaccio, Fresh Tuna Tartare and Confit Duck Chilaquiles. It got dark and I couldn't get any half decent pics of our main entrees but the shrimp au comal, lamb osso bucco and a few of the specials were fantastic.

Giant shrimp flamed w/ tequila & veg broth w/ ginger, swiss chard frittata, confit mushrooms & French green beans

See ya next time @chibbqking

Charlie Beinlich's

-Got beef?
The Burgers of Chicago (land)

Somewhere in my "food folder" as I call it, Charlie Beinlich's got lost in the mess. This popular tavern has been serving the people of the Northern suburbs since 1950 and it still has the old time charm and feel today.  Heck some of the folks that drink there look like they might of took their first date to Beinlich's the year it opened up.

Popular locals stop in Northbrook

Because it's been around so long and many families stay put in the area this place is now a favorite of quite a few different generations of people that grew up around there. From the outside it looks like a tavern you'd find in the Northwoods. It's dark and cozy inside this old time haunt that sits in Northbrook and is well known for their hamburgers. Those who love the place swear by them. Others like their chili and they have a few other things on the menu but I couldn't tell you what they are. I doubt most regulars could.

Chili

The burgers are pretty good and to go with the old school atmosphere it makes for a fun place to eat if you live nearby. But I wouldn't make the trek out there from the city unless maybe I grew up on this place and going there brings back pleasant memories. The burger is no frills and about what you expect most places that serve burgers to be able to do. However we live in a lazy world and most places don't. So I can respect Beinlich's and it's backers because of that. They didn't change with time. See y'all next time.

Cheeseburger with Bacon from Beinlich's

Charlie Beinlich's
290 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 291-0420
Website

The Bay Restaurant

-Grubbing in Chicago 
Where the locals eat.

Today we're headed further south into the Chatham neighborhood for a taste of the Islands. If you've ever ridden down 79th street from the lake west you'll happen to pass quite a few jerk chicken shacks. Some come and go while others stay. There's also grocery stores and a couple bakers specializing in African and Caribbean goods. Just off 79th street on Martin Luther King drive is The Bay Restaurant.


Located in Chicago's Chatham Neighborhood

What caught my eye here is the tall chimney connected. We smelled some smoke and saw some signs for their offerings including jerked this and that. Myself and a buddy stopped into place an order for some "Up Scale Carry Outs". They have a lunch menu that includes specials as well dinner portions and meats as is. We were tempted by the jerk shrimp stir fry and also the jerk pork fried rice but went with an order of jerk wings, order of jerk rib tips and a 1/2 jerk chicken dinner. The nice lady working the front told us it would be 30 minutes on the wings because they're grilled to order. We took a little ride around and came back.

Made to Order Grilled Jerk Wings and Jerk Rib Tips

Worth the wait. They we're prepared perfectly. I would of liked them a little hotter but otherwise great as is. Rib Tips weren't quite as good but still tasty. I should of got the jerk sauce on the side. Now the jerk chicken dinner was top notch. What it lacked in spice it made up for in the flavor in the paste and the smoke in it was perfect. Underneath the chopped up chicken is rice and peas and my choice of sides were mac & cheese and jerk beans. The chef behind was cooking up some fresh goods that smelled great so hopefully I can make it back here for some more of their jerk. You should too. 

1/2 Jerk Chicken Dinner

The Bay Restaurant
7915 S King Dr
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 783-8542

Cajun Smothered Pork Chops

 --Tailgatin' and how to make mofos start playa hatin' (Recipes)

There's just something about Cajun and Creole cooking in the wintertime. It never really gets that cold down in Louisiana as it does here but still, the style of food is perfect during winter. I made these Cajun Smothered Pork Chops from a quick and easy recipe I found online. I've prepped it quite a few times since. This is the perfect meal for a cold and rainy day. It really gets the house smelling super.

What you'll need (+Worcestershire Sauce). Serve over cooked Rice.

Just start off by highly seasoning your pork chops (I've used pork steaks too) and let them sit til they get to room temp. I've found King Creole Seasoning from The Spice House to be my favorite Cajun/Creole rub out there that's readily available.

Add oil to a pan and brown the chops on both side in batches if need be. Once they're all browned and removed add the holy trinity (peppers, onion, celery seasoned with rub) to the pan with a little bit of chicken or Veg. broth and scrape the bits off the bottom. Add chopped garlic into the pot followed with a few squirts of Worcestershire Sauce and the sliced andouille. Put all your browned chops back in the pot.

Sending sweet smells throughout the house

After that add enough chicken or veggie broth (with a few TBSP of tomato paste blended in) to the bowl. Make sure all that chops are covered. I use whatever is around but chicken stock, pref. homemade, works best. Add Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce for more heat. Let it cook on low with the top on for about an hour and a half. You can thicken the gravy after removing the chops if you want but I prefer not to. The leftover broth can be used to make a good jambalaya.


Hot Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________________________________________

See y'all next time @chibbqking

Taqueria Los Barrilitos

-Eating like a Mayan King in the Windy City

I'm trying to get back to my food blogging roots this year. So that means more exploring of the places no one else is talking about and less of the spots everyone else is blogging about.  I stopped in at an al pastor place that came highly rec'd on LTH and am excited to get on the streets to see what else is out there eluding me.

Located in Little Village

This place is no frills, tacos and thats about it. The first thing you notice here is the dedication and precision of the trompo (al pastor spit) and it's handlers. On my visit they had a pot of tripas going but I dont really like those unless they're fried crisp. So I stuck with the al pastor. I started with two tacos and wanted cheese on one but they don't offer that which is fine by me. It's refreshing to see a taco place pick a thing, do it and do it well. It's rare to find a place that has their al pastor spit up and running each and everyday but that's not the case here. It's always up.

She really is a beauty

I prefer my al pastor cut thin and crisp and they do amazing job with the knife getting it as thin as those electric gyro slicers elsewhere do. The meat reminded me of Saltisa sausage, an old Italian grind that made its way into WI and the UP with immigrants, it has a cinnamony pork taste to it. I liked the addition of the hot pepper and onion concoction they offer with your tacos. It packs a punch and the tacos are loaded with meat. On top of all that the people behind the counter are really friendly and appreciative for stopping in. This is some of the best al pastor in the city and I recently saw they have a 2nd location on 47th street now open. I'll be back.


Though it wasn't on the spit, I got some pineapple bits included 

Taqueria Los Barrilitos
3518 W 25th St
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 673-0102