Del Toro

-Eating like a Mayan King in the Windy City

There isn't that much out there on the WWW about Del Toro on Halsted just north of Cermak. It sits in a little unassuming spot next to a liquor store right in between Nightwood and Skylark. So I can see how it might not be peoples first choice for food and drink if on the block. But it's a nice little place and really good option to have if you live near there or if you ever wanna get some drinks and have something to eat while you do.


Halsted just north of Cermak in Pilsen

I've been thru here more than a handful of times since first stopping in maybe six months or so ago. I like it first and foremost for the very reasonably priced well made drinks and their small menu with small plate selections. Cocktails are of course Latin based so that means mostly tequila and a few with rum but the guy who's usually behind the bar can whip up some good drinks not on the menu if you describe what you want. Regular priced cocktails average out to about $7 each which is pretty fair for what they're giving you.

Pepino Cocktail and a Mango Margarita

My favorite drink there is their version of a Pepino, which has been great this heated summer. The margarita's and the freshly made mojitos are refreshing too. Mondays you can get margaritas and mojitos for $4/each and they have good drink specials thru Thurs. Foodwise prices range from $3 to $7/8 a plate. The food is a nice compliment to the drinks. Not life changing but good modern Mexican. Their guacamole which is made fresh with little bits of pineapple is outstanding and at $5 an order a great value in my eyes but the chips are from a bag and that sucks. The queso fundido was just ok and they do a grilled fish taco as opposed to fried which I know some people prefer, including me but their grilled version is tasty.

Chips & Guac

Queso Fundido - Fish taco

Del Toro Burger: Freshly made mini beef patty with cheese, habenero and onion inside

I think the burgers might of been switched up and they now come two to an order but they used to be able to get just one if you wanted. It was a great snack that would fill me up for under $3.25. Despite being small they didn't manage to overcook the meat the couple times I tried. The sopes are homemade but I haven't got them since the first time I ordered them. They were ok. It's just more so due to the fact I really like their marinated pork tacos that I haven't got them since.


Chorizo Sopes

The pork tacos have a really nice flavor to them and I like how they cook up each piece to a nice consistency that leaves some with a nice crunch kick to it. I tend to go with these and maybe some guac along with a few cocktails each visit. All in all this is a good spot to go and have a drink and something to eat both of which are made fresh made and fairly priced. They have a few tables and a bar to sit at where they show any local/national sporting events on two nice TV's. It seems to be fitting in as a popular neighborhood place on that little stretch of Halsted between Cermak and 21st street. I like what they're doing.


Marinated Pork Taco

Del Toro
2133 South Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 733-7144
Website

Hoagie Hut

-The Sammy's of Chi

While the exact definition of a slider can vary depending on where you're at, I did find a pretty good example at what I believe to be the only Hoagie Hut left in Chicagoland. It seems as though this location in Waukegan took over for an old fast food place whenever it opened. They still use the drive thru if you dont feel like getting out around there.


An old Northshore favorite located upshore

The old Hoagie Hut in Highwood which was around for a while before shutting down was once a favorite of anyone who lived up North. At one time they also had a location in Lincoln Park which I really liked now and then when I got the hankering for a cheesesteak hoagie in the wee hours before heading home after making the rounds around town. I stopped into this location when I rode by after filling up on gas en route back into the city. They mentioned they now serve "sliders" and at a dollar and change for one with cheese I decided to try.


Mini cheeseburger/Slider

These weren't bad at all. They were made more so in the style of Powers in Fort Wayne Indiana but I wouldn't put these on their level. Despite the fact they do take a fresh ball of ground beef and put the onions on top before flattening it into a mini patty something was missing from these. Nonetheless still very good and way better than any burger from most every fast food chain around town and cheaper too. The Chicago style cheesesteak hoagie was as good as I remember them to be and I wasn't even drinking. Seemed to me like they made it the same way as back in the day. If they were anywhere near me I'd of been back for a few of them by now.


Cheese Steak Hoagie

Hoagie Hut
2807 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 249-8300

Franks n' Dawgs

-In Chicago: Every Dog Has it's Day

Today we walk over to Clybourn avenue to check out one of Chicago's famous artisan sausage shops. Franks N' Dawgs burst onto the scene a couple years back offering "five star dining on a bun". This certainly wasn't anything new to the scene as Hot Doug's was the first place to bring hot dogs to another level. However those that have been to both realize that each place has it's own unique signature touches they put on their array's of encased meat offered.


Located on Clybourn in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood

The people behind Franks N' Dawgs have some sincere passion and quite frankly it's as much as I've seen from anyplace. First off their hand crafted sausages (chef's hat on display next to them on the menu) are made in house. The tubed meats are placed into New England style lobster rolls which are made by a local artisan baker. They're lightly buttered and then toasted to perfection. The creations are for the most part well thought out as they top the sausage with fresh made in house toppings sourced with local ingredients. The menu can change and they have "guest celebrity" sausage creations sold monthly which are made by famous city chefs. Lets take a look at a few. The first one being my favorite that's been on the menu since day one.


The Brunch Dog

This is a perfect idea for one of their fine dining creations as they recreate a breakfast sandwich that you would expect to get at a fancy hip and hot brunch spot. The Brunch Dog is made with Slagel Farms pork loin breakfast sausage (made in house) and comes topped with Cobb smoked bacon and a fried egg and it's all drizzled in maple mayo. If you're a breakfast sandwich fan like I am you should enjoy this one.

One of their many specials I've had over the years

Brat topped with apples and other goodies from last Fall

As far as the menu goes and what to get it can vary. As I said before they have a main menu where you can find their popular creations which are always available such as the Brunch Dog and then the "Ruben Pulaski" which comes topped with a potato pancake and thousand island dressing. You basically just have to order what sounds good to you since they create different styles of dogs ranging from Southern to Far East as far as inspiration in making them goes. They even got a standard all natural 100% beef hot dog for the kids under 12 that my friend ordered a couple years back. I still give him shit for that. The fries here are served waffle cut style but they arent straight from the freezer and their triple truffle variety is great.

Kiddie Dog


Waffle Fries

One of the great things about the dogs at Franks 'n Dawgs is their uniquq buns. they can be compared best to the buns used for New England Lobster Rolls found up and down the coast of that region out east. So it makes sense then that on Weekends they do a Maine lobster roll here and I tried one out last year and came away quite pleased.


Lobster Roll from Frank's 'n Dawgs

They take a 1/4 poinf of claw meat like that seen up above and lightly slather it with a garlic aioli and some chopped cucumbers with lemon and tarragon. Served with a side of slaw at $17.95 it's not cheap but you got to appreciate the fact its all there for you to see. its not chopped up meat that's been stranded in a can somewhere forever now drowning in mayo. Its a slightly different take on the New England classic but nothing that strays too far away from the authentic taste of this regional favorite.

The Insides

I should stress that I dont go here for a hot dog when I get an itching for a classic version which of what we do best here in Chicago. This is more of a spot that I get to when I have a hankering for something a little more gourmet but dont have to make a reservation and wait until the evening to eat it. The people behind this place are classically trained chefs that saw an opportunity and went with it, successfully. Shown below is my favorite dog to date that I have ate from Franks 'n Dawgs. The Peking Duck Dawg featured a homemade sesame duck sausage with crispy duck skin and puffed rice amongst other goodies on top. Even though it's not on the menu anymore its the reason that keeps me coming back. They change their menu up so you never know what amazing creation could come next.


The Peking Duck Dawg

Franks 'n Dawgs
1863 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 281-5187
Website

Passing thru Central Illinois

Eating like a local:
Regional food specialties
-Breakfast, Pizza, Tenderloins and the IL State Fair

The 2012 Illinois State fair is set to begin this week. For those of y'all that were thinking about heading down and all others who may some day find themselves down around Central Illinois we have some spots that you should check out for chowing down. Lets start off in Springfield which is the home to the Land of Lincoln's state fair. We all know the fried and unhealthy goodness that goes hand in hand with state fairs and all there is to eat at them but lets start off eating a big breakfast before we get to walking around the fairgrounds. This morning we'll head over to longtime locals and visitors favorite Charlie Parkers Diner.


"Eat it and beat it" (Pic from: Roadside Trail Mix)

Charlie Parkers is an institution down this way and it's well known outside of town as well. It's been featured on Diners, Drive In's and Dives and is a popular stop for those on the campaign trail (Romney stopped in recently) and those in office down in Springfield. I'm not a big breakfast guy but I liked what I tried.

Pancakes as big as your plate

The pancakes are what most people here really enjoy due to both the taste and I'm sure size and I thought they were good. The Corned beef hash wasn't the best I have had but it's always great when it doesn't come from a can. I hear their fried chicken special is also very worthy. I'll be stopping in again sometime when the chance allows me too. Expect the place at most times as it's already popular place when stuff like the state fair isn't going on.


Corned Beef Hash from Charlie Parkers Diner
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The Illinois State Fair

I got back to the state fair last year after a 10+ year hiatus from when I went as a kid. As an adult I will say it sure is alot more fun when your a child and get to run around and go on all the rides and eat the food your normally told you cant have. However I was still glad to go and we had a good time while there. I encourage anyone who's never been to at least experience it once. The same goes for Springfield so why not do it all in one go? Here are some sights from there.


Riding the ride that overlooks the fair

You name it, someones most likely frying it...






Some of the great rides in Illinois

Vose's Corn Dogs

As far as food goes there's one place that's a must and that's Voses. This is where you can find the best corn dog in Springfield and for those not in the know, it's where the Corn Dog was born. Voses is located at the Grandstand and is a fixture at the fair. They use their own secret batter which is the best you can get. Then they freshly fry them and you proceed to burn the roof of your mouth because your unable to wait since it smells so good. If your only going to eat one thing make sure its a corn dog from here. Good luck to you on only eating one thing though.


Voses Corn Dogs and lemon Shake Ups are where its at

Corn Dog from Vose's

Men at work

DYK?

The State Fairs annual Butter Cow

Pork on a stick from the IL pork producers is my other eat of choice...

...unless your brave enough to try the Meat Man Parfait

The Illinois State Fair
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Bernie & Betty's

After all the walking around and resisting the urge to order bacon fried bacon dipped in chocolate it's nice to have a place you can go sit down at and enjoy a cold one and get something that's not fried and served on a stick. Many folks down in Springfield would recommend Bernie & Betty's for their Midwestern tavern style thin crust pizza pie.


a locals favorite in Springfield

The inside of the place

Bernie & Betty's has that classic old school Italian restaurant feel. You can still visit 100's of places like this throughout the Midwest and most of them have been around for a while. The same goes for Bernie and Betty's. All of us who were eating there last year agreed that it was a great pie and something to seek out if you enjoy Midwest tavern thin pizza pie like we do.


Sausage Pizza from Bernie & Betty's
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For more famous/popular eating stops in Springfield click HERE
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Jones Boy Market

We stopped into Jones Boy last year after a day at the 2011 IL state fair. I forget where but there was a booth set up at the festival that was giving out samples of foods made from around that way. They had cut up chunks of brats for sample from Jones Boy and we really liked what we ate. They gave us a card and we took the 30 minute ride Northwest of Springfield.


Ashland, IL

Another great stop which if your near there is worth the detour. This was as old school of a meat market as I can remember. Just look at the old meat lockers and wooden cutting boards seen below which by the looks have been around for a while. Jones Boy is run today by John Jones. He describes himself as " is a 4th generation business owner in Ashland, a 3rd generation market owner, 2nd generation meat cutter, and a 1st generation Brat/BBQ Rib Specialist" There's a nice article from the Illinois times circa 2008 HERE.

The Views inside with some pork cutlets and bacon made in house

It's the brats he makes that we ate which brought us here to his store. John makes many types of bratwurst including a cherry dipped brat, a prime rib steakhouse style and even an old world Swedish recipe with potatoes mixed in. But the star of the show and most popular brats here are his apple ones. I'm usually an original recipe guy when it comes to brats and tend to stay away from the ones stuffed with stuff or with different flavors meshed together but these were great. Its hard to declare one thing the best with so many options around. But these were some of the best non-original brats I have had. The bacon was also really good and those cutlets made for tasty breaded tenderloins. I recommend stopping in if your ever near here.


Jones Boy Apple Brats on the grill at home
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So if your riding to the State Fair I have you covered on not just where to stop at with a cooler so you can bring home some fun stuff for the grill but also where to eat at en route there or back home. Most people associate either Iowa or Indiana with the breaded tenderloin but its not all horseshoe's, corn dogs and chili down in Central Illinois.

Hallie's on the Square


Longtime favorite on Route 66 in Lincoln, IL

Hallie's on the Square is the "Home of the Schnitzel" and its been family owned since 1945. It's history goes back to an old place called "The Mill" It was there in Lincoln where patron could get sandwiches anytime day or ight. The building was in an old farm house and had a dutch them to it. over the years they became well known for their famous breaded schnitzel and it was very popular up until the late 80's and then it was abandoned by 1996. However the owner of Hallie's on the Park is related to one of the people who ran the Mill and they serve the same famous sandwich at Hallie's here today.


Famous Schnitzel Sandwich

Whats the difference between a tenderloin and a schnitzel? Not too much as far as I'm concerned. Now I'm no Tyrgyzistan when it comes to tenderloins but damn this is one exemplary example of a slab of fried pork, which to me is a tenderloin. But then again I've only had a few while in Iowa and those beer battered ones from over there look like they could be my first ex wife. Hallie's schnitzel wasn't really edible as a sandwich but was a perfectly fried butterflied 'loin with the batter having a really nice spice kick. I liked each bite dipped with the slightest bit of their famous sauce which tasted like ketchup kicked up with fresh ground pepper.

The insides

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Ariston Cafe

For those headed home the opposite way of Chicago I finally got the chance to stop in at the oldest restaurant along Route 66 recently. The Ariston Cafe located in Litchfield, Illinois has been up and running since 1924 when it was founded by a Greek immigrant in Carlinville. The Cafe moved to Litchfield in 1929 and then into its present location along old Route 66 in 1935. It's been all in the family since day one which means it still is today.


The Oldest Restaurant on Route 66 (Litchfield, IL)

Along with us on this Sunday afternoon there was an eclectic mix of local families there for some after church eating and bikers riding the old road. It seemed to me as if most everyone in there had been at least once. They were doing good business and most people there seemed to be enjoying their weekend brunch buffet which I guess is really popular with the people of Montgomery County. Add that to the fact it is said to be the oldest running restaurant and it's in the Route 66 Hall of Fame and you can see why while lots of other places are long gone Ariston Cafe remains.

Our view from a booth

Ariston doesn't open until 11a so they don't have a breakfast menu. Except they do their buffet on Sundays which was an option and looked/smelled very tempting. My buddy said he was going to go with the breaded tenderloin and how that's pretty much what he always goes with when he's down in Central Illinois and is eating at a bar or regular old restaurant. He told me that tenderloins too are very popular down there and usually very good. Our waitress confirmed his thought when she rec'd that as her favorite thing there. I went with an old diner classic, open faced roast beef sandwich served with real mashed potatoes and real gravy. We split the two in half to share.

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich

The roast beef was very good and downright comforting. About everything you could expect. But I left wishing I had just got a breaded tenderloin of my own instead. They had a nice example. It was definitely hand battered while being perfectly fried and a pleasure to eat the half I was allowed. It was big enough to still go outside the bun but not to the point where you couldn't eat it as a sandwich because of it. The people working this place were all very nice and welcoming and the tenderloin is terrific. I would recommend a stop to anyone passing thru hungry for some non-chain food. I look forward to finding out where the other great places with top notch breaded tenderloins are at down in Central Illinois. Happy Cruising and Enjoy Illinois Y'all.


Breaded Tenderloin from Ariston Cafe
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Charlie Parker's Diner
700 West North Street
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 241-2104

Bernie & Betty's Pizza & Fine Food
1101 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 528-1821

Jones Boy Market
201 West Editor Street
Ashland, IL 62612
(217) 476-3914

Hallie's on the Square
111 South Kickapoo Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
(217) 732-6923

Ariston Cafe
413 N Old Route 66 (at Route 16)
Litchfield, IL 62056
(217) 324-2023