The Best of 2023

- Memorable Bites from the Past Calendar Year

We’re celebrating another year in the books at S’C’&C (16) with our annual best of the year list. As always it was a busy year that started off with a massive feature on more than 95 places to eat in sunny South Florida. As far as Chicagoland goes we visited 67 restaurants from the city and the suburbs, ranging from Japanese food options in the NW suburbs to a Persian tasting menu in Albany Park. We also went on roadtrips to Cincinnati, Rockford, Minneapolis, and South Bend and checked out some old burger spots in Downstate Illinois. A return to New Orleans was also part of the fun in 2023. Lastly we visited Europe not once but twice with a winter trip to both Athens and Paris plus a summer trip to Italy where we visited Milan, Parma, Piedmont and Liguria. So there was lots to sort through. As regular readers know we do the best of the year list a bit differently each time. This year I’m going to name the 11 best bites from Chicagoland plus the 11 best from beyond Chicagoland within the U.S. Then I’ll also name the 11 best bites from Europe but the pasta in Italy will get its own list as I’ll name the seven best preps of the bunch (I tried more than 50 on the trip). So without further ado here are the links to the 40 best bites featured on Smokin' Chokin' & Chowing in 2023…

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- 11 Best Bites from Chicagoland

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11) Steak Burrito at Mi Tocaya Antojeria (Logan Square)

10) Isan Papaya Salad at Tuk Tuk Thai Isan (Lakeview)

9) Shrimp and Grits at Virtue Restaurant (Hyde Park)

8) Cheeseburger at Best Intentions (Logan Square) 

7) Fish Jibarito at Omarcito's Latin Cafe (Logan Square)

6) Shishlik (lamb chop) at Maman Zari (Albany Park)

5) Bang Bang Chicken (Xoi Man) at Danang Kitchen (Uptown)

4) Pork Chop Peralan at Thattu (Avondale)

3) Queen Crab Arroz Caldo at Valhalla (West Loop)

2) Maggi Noodle Bolognese at Superkhana International (Logan Square)

1) Sizzlin Sisig at Boonie's Filipino Restaurant (North Center)
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- 11 Best Bites from Beyond Chicagoland (U.S. edition)

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11) Double Cheeseburger at Wally’s Drive-In (Breese, Illinois)

10) Æbleskiver at The Norwegian (Rockford, Illinois)

9) Honeyberry and Raspberry Crisp Ice Cream at Pumphouse Creamery (Minneapolis)

8) Cincinnati Chili Ramen at Cafe Mochiko (Cincinnati)

7) Cuban Sandwich at Sanguich de Miami (Miami)

6) Corn Taco at Owamni by The Sioux Chef (Minneapolis)

5) Snapper Collar with Peanut Jerk Sauce at Compere Lapin (New Orleans)

4) Char Grilled Oysters at Casamento’s (New Orleans)

3) Boudin Boy at Ayu Bakehouse (New Orleans)

2) Sauteed Red Snapper at Zasu (New Orleans)

1) Jerk Chicken at Chef Tally’s World Famous Jerk (Hollywood, Florida)

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- 11 Best Bites from Europe 

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11) Olive Oil Ice Cream at Folderol (Paris)

10) Cotechino Sandwich at Tra L'uss e L'asa (Parma)

9) Fritto Misto at Il Pescetariano (Santa Margherita Ligure)

8) Pappardelle with Kavurma at Seychelles (Athens) 

7)  LiangPi (spicy cold skin noodles) at Ristorante Xian (Milan)

6) Souvlaki at Elvis Suki (Athens) 

5) Green Bean Salad with chicken necks at Trattoria Trippa (Milan)

4) Sardine Shoyu Ramen at Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji (Paris)

3) Bagna Cauda at Osteria L'Archivolto (Ovada)

2) Lamb Chops at Karavitas Tavern (Athens)

1) Salt Baked Guinea Fowl at Maison by Sota (Paris)
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- 7 Best Pasta Preps from Italy 
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7) Egg Tagolioni with Meat Ragu at Ristorante Cacciatori Massimo (Cartosio)

6) Calamarata Curry Pasta at Ristorante Padò (Santa Margherita Ligure)

5) Clams with Pesto Pasta at Ristorante Don Giorgio (San Fruttuoso di Camogli)

4) Spaghetti alla Acciughe at Ristorante La Camogliese (Camogli)

3) Agnolotti del Plin at Osteria dell'Arco (Alba)

2) Anolini en Brodo at Trattoria Ai Due Platani (Coloreto)

1) Spaghetti alla Tamorro at Dongiò (Milan)
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See ya next year @chibbqking 

Note: As of now the plan is to come back for another year with the current structure of one post per week but there also may be a substack in the works so do stay tuned.