Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Drunken Mexican Eats

-Oh Yeah, I've been there too
Where the cities wasted eat...

Neighborhood: Different Northside 'hoods with lot's of bars
Cuisine: Mexican - The drunken gringo type
Price Range: $4-$10
Would I go again? Well I still drink so sometimes I do to some and might make it back to others.

We have many different series' here at S'C'&C. One of those is "Oh yeah, I've been there to". These are quick run downs of places that I also happen to have been too along the way on the great Chicago eating trail. These posts just point out that if your wondering if I've been somewhere, I most likely have. Today we head to Twelve (10 newly featured) late night Mexican shacks, which happen to be abundant in Chicagoland. I cant verify this but I would bet that aside from Mexico City and maybe one other large city in Mexico that there is no other city out there with more Mexican restaurants than Chicago (LA included). Whether its a spot run by an award winning chef like Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill or a hole in the wall joint like these places that are frequented by the city's heavy drinkers, we got all phases of them here in Chicago. It's no coincidence that all these spots featured today are in neighborhoods with lots of bars and with that many drunks. These places are a part of Chicago and anyone who grew up in the city and did it up out on the town in their heyday has their favorite late nite burrito shack, always visited with blurry vision and after 2am.

Index (abc order)

Allende
El Burrito Mexicano
el gallo bravo
Fiesta Mexicana
Jaimito's Burrito's
La Bamba
Picante
Taco Burrito Express
Taco Burrito King
Taco Burrito Los Panchos
Taco Burrito Palace
Tradicion

I thought that with NYE 2010 approaching that now was a good time to post this. I imagine that these joints take in more money on New Years eve than any other night. These places have always been gold mines for those that open them. Since the 80's spots like them have been popping up near areas with lots of bars and clubs and near train stations throughout the city and its suburbs. They all have the same goal and that's to serve cheap, greasy not too authentic Mexican food up until the wee hours of the morning. Unless the tradition that is drinking starts to disappear, these places will be around forever and we as a society haven't stopped drinking since we found out about liquor and what it does. So here are 11 late nite spots that will soak up the liquor and the items you should order should you choose to dine at any of them. I am not responsible for how you feel the morning after. Cheers!
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Allende


Located on Lincoln just off Fullerton in Lincoln Park

It's fitting that Allende is first in ABC order because out of all these spots featured its also the best in my book. Located just off Fullerton on Lincoln, a block away from the red line stop it's been around for as long as I have in the neighborhood and at this point I'm one of the originals. They actually have two locations with another down south on Lincoln near the Children's Memorial Hospital and both are open late and serve to a working class lunchtime crowd and to wasted customers thru the early morning hours as well. I like Allende especially well when they have the al pastor spit going which is usually on the weekend.


The areas only al pastor spit, that I'm aware of anyway

Despite an abundance of Mexican restaurants in the city we still only have a few handful's of places that do up al pastor straight off the spit and not just on the griddle. In Lincoln Park you wont find them anywhere else and believe it or not Allende's are very good when they are on their A-game. Spicy marinated pork meat is sliced like gyros off the cone and then topped with cilantro, onion and comes with plenty of limes and salsa. A wonderful late nite snack.


Taco's al Pastor from Allende are the best tacos in LP...when they are on

The rest of the menu at this little sit down/take out joint is actually pretty good too and if something sounds good to you it most likely is going to be from here. I like the breakfast options and at under $5 the ham, eggs and cheese with beans and rice and tortillas is great bang for the buck. If a place isn't doing up real deal tacos de carne asada, I tend to stay away from the steak tacos, but as far as steak tacos made on the griddle go, Allende might be best. Good quality food at really cheap prices and a really good homemade red salsa make Allende part of my neighborhood rotation. I eat here when sober, so that's saying something aint it?


Ham, egg and cheese breakfast plate, dirt cheap and filling


Steak taco from Allende
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El Burrito Mexicano


Located on Addison, steps from Wrigley Field under the red line stop

If there's a large drinking area in Chicago there's another thing that's for sure going to be near it and that's a drunken Mexican restaurant, open late and serving the shit faced. It just so happens that El Burrito Mexicano is a block down from the biggest outdoor bar in the world, Wrigley Field. So you know this place has seen it all and has some stories to tell. It's been around a while and it's nothing pretty inside, just a grill, a few tables and a menu to soak up the alcohol. Pretty much every place on here today is like the other. I used to go here back in HS now and then.


Steak taco platter is my go to from Mexicano


Nacho platter with cheese, beans, SC and avocado is great too...
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El Gallo Bravo

El Gallo Bravo has a number of locations around Chicagoland. Many of them are 24 hour joints including the one I like to hit up from time to time located over on Montrose and Clark. You can read all about my favorite burrito in the city right HERE as it's been featured before. I also really love their hard shell steak tacos which at under $1.40/each are cheap and complete.


Hard Shell steak tacos from el gallo bravo


My own constructed Cali burrito
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Fiesta Mexicana


On Halsted in Lincoln Park

You'll notice that half of these spots are within a mile radius of each other and that includes Fiesta Mexicana which is across the street from Allende and around the corner from TBP #2 and so on. This place is actually a sit down spot popular with Biograph theater goers as well as people starting they're night out with food and drink. It burned down a few years ago and then reopened and I went back once since. I thought it was better before for food but the drinks at the new one were great. One of the better margarita's in the neighborhood and nice price with patron or something decent added in. My combo meal wasn't what I remembered it to be from my youth, maybe my taste buds just moved on? None of this food featured is too authentic.


Combo Platter with one of each
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Jaimito's Burrito's


Located on Clybourn just off Sheffield

Here we have another spot that I have been going to for a while, meaning I am still a customer here from time to time. Mexican food has always been my favorite and I've been going out and about since before I was supposed too so there isn't many places in the neighborhood and it's vicinity that I haven't been to. Jaimito's has always been a favorite of mine for a quick bite when at home or headed there. I think the whole menu is pretty legit with the tacos being my go to menu items. The best chicken tacos in the city reside at Jaimito's. They take moist meat and flavor it up in a red sauce and in this case I enjoy the lettuce, tomato gringo style toppings.


Tamale with their top notch sauce

I pretty much always go with the chicken tacos but don't sleep on the chile rellanos as well as other items like the tamales and enchiladas. Another thing I must always get is an order of rice or two. I think they put out the 2nd best Mexican rice in the city and love their red salsa that comes with it as well as the tacos, burritos etc...I just wish some of these places would use larger containers for them and or stop being so stingy with handing them out. The tacos need the salsa.


Jaimito's chicken tacos are my "best in city"
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La Bamba


Locations throughout the Midwest

Oh boy, this next stop is not something I like to remember. When I was at college in Madison we had nowhere near the selection of good greasy Mexican we have in Chicago and I never slowed down from hitting up the bars and rocking out til the wee hours. This created for some desperate times which were going to La Bamba for a burrito when I was fiending for Mexican food. This is a franchise started by a family who had the idea to bring "burritos as big as your head" to areas with lots of college kids. Yes I love Mexican so much sometimes I had to eat at this not so great place. I'm not a burrito guy either but if drunk enough I could make theirs good. We got a few in Chicago and they're locations throughout the Midwest. Ignore the "authentic Mexican food" sign.


Steak burrito from La Bamba...a favorite among college kids
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Picante


Located on Division in Bucktown

Back in the 90's when Lincoln Park was the king of bar's and weekends in Chicago many places like Picante popped up. Then when Wicker Park and Bucktown got trendy and bars and clubs came with it, more taco joints would come too. I've only been to Picante once and it's located on Division not too far off of Damen. It's there to serve the hipsters tacos and such after midnight. They need them too right? It's a really small space and the food and its flavors arent too large either. The most popular menu item is the white boy tacos which are just hard shell ground beef tacos with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Since they arent fried fresh they are just ok as is everything else on the menu. The fish and chicken tacos sucked. Sorry but they did kid.


Hard shell taco filled with ground beef aka a White Boy's taco


Chicken taco from Picante


Picante's fish taco
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Taco Burrito Palace


Located on Halsted in Lincoln Park

Oh yes the place where I spent more drunken nights than most...TBP. Back when it was in it's old location this was a place of legends. The crowds it got and stories the old building could tell. Those days are over, they moved and so did most people that made this thee place to eat during the late 90's and early 2000's. You can read all about it HERE.


The former late nite inebriated eats champion of the Northside
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Taco Burrito Express


Located on Halsted in Lincoln Park

I wasn't kidding when I said we got alot of spots. Our next stop is to Taco Burrito Express aka TBE. It's located on Halsted right down from La Bamba in between that and Taco Burrito Palace. Back in high school you either went to one or the other but most definitely not both. Since I was always a big fan of TBP I only came here a handful of times but had many friends who liked it far better to TBP. The nice thing about it today is that it's still the same place it was in the 90's.


Corny murals are a must at drunken Mexican joints

I have found that the food here today is still pretty good like it was back when. I really enjoy the veggie tacos from here and think they are superior to TBP's version. I like veggie tacos from these places nowadays and have found TBE's to be what TBP's used to be so when I want some of them I will just go here instead. The item that people loved TBE for back in the day was the chicken quesadilla and I'm afraid that has changed. It's nowhere near as greasy and filling as it used to be but is still a good option if that's what your feeling like. I like.


Veggie taco from TBE


Chicken quesadilla from taco Burrito Express
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Taco Burrito Los Panchos


Located on Diversey in Lincoln Park

Hey, hey whatdaya say, another place just up the road. This Taco Burrito is located on Diversey just off Lincoln. From what I can remember a few of the guys that work TBP Los Panchos used to work at TBP. I cant verify this but I am almost positive since I've been in the neighborhood eating at these spots my whole life. I like this place for it's tamale plate. They are just like TBP's but these are always a little more moist and fresh than the other spots. It must be a family thing and these guys must have branched out because many other things are very similar but I don't really order anything else but my beloved tamale plate from here. Best lunch for under $5 within reach from me. Although for me it's usually just a snack.


Los Panchos tamale platter, great deal at about $5
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Taco Burrito King


Locations throughout Chicago

I used to eat at a TBK located in a strip mall on Ashland just off Belmont back when my friends had a place around there. Taco Burrito King has quite a few locations throughout the city but I haven't been to any of them in years. I took this picture of my go to item, the steak taco platter, when I went to the Greektown location, about two years back. I have not been back to any of them since. Not much different than any of the others seen on here, they just have locations in lots of different neighborhoods. It's ok at best.


Steak taco platter from TBK
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Tradicion


Located on Belmont just off the Red line stop

Our final stop on the drunken Mexican restaurant late nite crawl is one stop before Addison on the red line over at Belmont. I usually stay away from these parts and it has nothing to do with crime or shady people, just weirdos and freaks which actually scare me more than any ghetto corner could. But I stopped in here one night when I got a parking spot a few feet away and ordered a chips and salsa along with a couple steak tacos to go. I got this big Styrofoam cup of house made red sauce and a big bag of fresh fried chips for about $2 and it was everything I wanted. I went back a few times and kept on enjoying the steak tacos and loving the chips and salsa until I had a bad experience there with the tacos one time. They were nothing like what they used to be and straight gross and I have not been back since. They can bee seen below. Just like Allende was first in abc order and also in food quality, Tradicion is last.


Tradicion has really good red salsa...


...but the steak tacos are very forgettable

Oh and in case you were wondering, my current late nite go to taco joint that I almost always go to when I want Mexican late is La Pasadita. See ya next year on S'C'&C with the King.
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Allende Restaurante
2408 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-7114

El Burrito Mexicano
936 West Addison Street
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 327-6991


El Gallo Bravo #5
1429 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 404-5358

Fiesta Mexicana
2421 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-4144

Jaimito's Burritos
1781 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 397-9009

La Bamba
2557 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-7491


Picante Taqueria
2016 1/2 W Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 328-8800

Taco Burrito Palace
2459 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-0740


Taco Burrito Express
2540 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 929-8867


Taco Burrito Los Panchos
1155 West Diversey Parkway
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-3198


Taco Burrito King
Multiple Locations
List of them

Tradicion
958 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 388-1574

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Chicago's Meatball Marathon

-The Top Meatball sammy's in the city and beyond

Last Holiday season I introduced what I hope becomes a regular feature here on chibbqking. We went on a chase for Chicago's best chili cheese dog which is one of the city's many signature foods and one of the best during the winter. Well Christmas 2010 is here and with that we go on a marathon run to find Chicago's most magnificent meatball sandwich. Just like chili cheese dogs, meatball sandwiches are a great wintertime eat and found throughout the city and its suburbs. Unlike the CCD chase from last year which was done in a couple weeks, this is a project that has been in the works for months on end now. So because of that I have no scoring system but with that I also tried many spots not featured in this post because I didn't deem them worthy of being in Chicago's best meatball sandwich discussion. So with that we head out thru the city and travel north, south, east and west outside of it in search of the granddaddy of all meatball sandwiches.

Note: This is just my first installment. If I missed a place or you have a spot that you love for meatball sammy's in Chicagoland then please post about it in the comments section and let us know. Good Looks.

Index (abc order)

Filichia
Fontano Subs
Little Joes
Lo Los
Lucia's
Nottoli Imports

Nottoli & Sons
Rex's
Tore's

So all of these places listed above serve up what I consider to be one of Chicagoland's best meatball sandwiches. I would say that in my recent lifetime (last 10 years) I have had them from at least 35+ spots if not more and consider myself to have had as many as any. But it would be impossible to try them all and if I did, I don't think I'd ever want a meatball again so the reason I have nine spots is because I am leaving out the would be 10th entry, waiting to find it. Many of these spots featured in this post have been on chibbqking before and those stories are linked in the index. Most of the other spots have their stop in the spotlight coming soon and will be featured as the days go by so do stay tuned. Please take note that all of these sandwiches are top notch and I would stop in for one at any of the spots again, but I have listed them in my preferred order. Now onto the meatball's.

Chicago's Top Meatball Sammy's (In preferred order)
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Lucia's


In Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood

The funny thing about this whole marathon is that I ran it to try and see if there was a place that had a better sandwich than my then favorite spot for one which was Lucia's. Well guess what? it still is. It's also the closest of all these stops to me. That however is not why Lucia's is my current heavyweight champ of Chicagoland. On the menu the meatball is called Robert's special and it comes with the usual of melted cheese, marinara and choice of hot or sweet peppers. A plus on the points for offering it in six and nine inch options. Why is it my favorite? Well the main and most obvious reason is I think they have the best meatballs. Most all places serve good bread as is the case here. With those meatballs also comes a very easy to handle and not super messy sandwich. Just the right amount of marinara which isn't too sweet and keeps the sandwich together and some hot peppers with heat and you got my favorite meatball sandwich in Chicago. Utah, two!


Lucia's meatball sandwich
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Lo-Lo's Sub Shop


Located in Elmwood Park

I found Lolo's while taking a cruise while on a quest to find something else. Located in Elmwood Park on Diversey just off Grand it's a little neighborhood Italian joint with great food at very fair prices. The storefront caught my eye with the statue of the guy holding the menu of that days specials and when I went in it only got better when I saw a few policemen enjoying lunch. Soon I would be too. Before we get into the meatball let me just point out that Lo Lo's does alot of things right and they also have a very nice Italian sub as well as pastas and other good eats.


Italian sub from Lo Lo's

But the best thing on the menu at Lo-Lo's just might be the meatball. When I had my first one there I knew right away it was going to challenge for top 'ball. Just like the rest of the best, Lo Lo's has great meatballs in their sandwich. It helps and prevents a mes that they break the balls in half before going into the sandwich so this way they don't slide out. I forget if it's standard or an option but I get my sandwiches with garlic bread. This my friends is what takes them to another level. The garlic bread paired with meatballs, cheese and marinara is a superfans sandwich, no doubting that.


Meatball sandwich from Lo Lo's
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Filichia Food & Imports


In Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood

Filichia Food & imports is somewhat new to the neighborhood. I had drove by it on Western many of times and then one day read a post over at LTH praising the meatball amongst other things. It wasn't long before I made my way over and had them put together what the rec' said was the best meatball sandwich in Chicago. The owners said they modeled their meatball after a place they tried in Brooklyn that they said was a life changing experience. The secret to this place and now Filichia's sandwich is that it's made with a creamy ricotta. Believe it or not the meatballs aren't the star of the show on this sandwich. What takes it up a notch is the gooey cheese and perfect made in house red sauce that gets ladled on top. The bread is fantastic and the price at $4.50 is a steal. We will eventually have a post on Filichia's other offerings.


Meatball from Filichia
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Nottoli & Son


Located far west on Belmont

You'll have to check back next month for a full review of Nottoli & Sons but in the meantime I am here to praise their meatball sandwich. This is a little spot I always stop at whenever I drive by or find myself in the neighborhood. Sine 1947 this family has been serving Chicago with both deli and grocery goods all of which are priced great and of top quality. Today though it's all about the meatball. Housemade meatballs are stuffed into very fresh delivered that day bread and then followed up by a nice splash of tasty marinara and cheese and peppers to make one the city's best variations of the sandwich we chase here today. Check it out!


Nottoli & Son's meatball sammy
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Tore's Beef & Sausage


On Western ave between Diversey and Elston

Tore's has been in my yearly rotation for some time. Already featured over at "What's Your Beef?" that review can be seen HERE. I originally went to Tore's and always got my beloved beef sandwich. However as the years went by the place was sold I think once or twice and the beef went downhill in my opinion. It's not inedible and still very respectable but I was put on to the meatball by a guy who's knows his shit. The beef is still homemade at Tore's as is alot of the other stuff including the meatballs. This is a massive sandwich and was one of if not thee messiest of all the meatballs I ate for this. Three large balls are stacked inside the bread which doesn't stand a chance after a little while so eat this over the counter.


Tore's meatball sandwich
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Fontano Subs


In Chicago's Little Italy

Yet another place that's always been in my steady rotation. Fontano's is a great little sandwich shop and small grocery located off Taylor street on Polk street in the Little Italy/UIC area. It's been a locals favorite for a long time and has been featured on here before. Check out the review of some of their other sandwich offerings HERE. Sure they got some great cold cuts over there and in case you didn't know the hot sandwiches are damn good too. Like the meatball which comes with some ginormous balls literally squeezed into the fresh bread and then loaded with melted cheese, red sauce and tons of hot peppers. This isn't a sandwich you eat when in a suit or dressed to impress. It is no doubt one of the messiest, most magnificent meatballs out there. I enjoy these very much when in full glutton mode.


Fontano's meatball sub
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Nottoli Italian Foods


Located on Harlem in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood

Another one of my favorite places to shop also happens to serve up a mean meatball. You may remember a past post on this Nottoli from last year. That review can be seen right HERE. Your going to want to check that out since this place has so much goodness in it and that includes the meatball sandwich. Named the best in Chicago by the Hungry Hound himself, who's been around as much me, so I gotta say he knows whats up. It's hard to find a bad meatball sandwich at any of the Italian grocers in Chicagoland who serve them. These places take pride in their product and make their foods from old family recipes that have pleased generations of people. This is the case for the meatball sandwich which is done to perfection each and every time.


Nottoli Imports meatball sandwich
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Little Joe's


Located in Countryside

Little Joe's is one of my favorite beef joints in all of Chicagoland. Originally featured over at "What's Your Beef?" that review can be seen HERE. Well as it turns out Little Joe makes up quite a tasty meatball sandwich too. I cant say for sure but I believe it is a special on a certain day so maybe call ahead if your going there and planning on trying what I consider to be a really comforting sandwich. Served on the same fresh bread they use for the beefs, you get two nice sized homemade meatballs with a nice sauce and both sweet and hot peppers. Actually this family run spot has a bunch of good stuff on the menu and those that live or work near it have a great lunchtime option.


Little Joe's meatball sandwich
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Rex Italian Foods


Located in the suburb of Norridge

Rex Italian Foods is another one of the Italian grocers along Harlem ave. It has a full report coming on here soon. It's actually a place that specializes in Silcilian goods both packaged and fresh food items made in house. They have a really great selection of foods ready to eat in their display case as well as a really nice sandwich menu. I always get something else when I go here but was very satisfied the day I tried their meatball. You can only use so many descriptions to describe a meatball sandwich so let me just say that this was a damn fine example of one.


Meatball sandwich from Rex Italian Foods
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Lucia's Gourmet Italian
1825 West North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 292-9700

Lo Lo's Sub Shop
7501 West Diversey Avenue
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
(708) 453-2209


Filichia Food & Imports
959 North Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-8061

Nottoli & Son
7652 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60634-3197
(773) 589-1010


Tore's Italian Beef & Pizza
2804 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 486-2600

Fontano Subs
1058 W Polk St
Chicago, IL
312-421-4474

Nottoli Italian Foods
5025 North Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL 60656-3501
(773) 631-0662


Little Joe's
20 E. Plainfield Road
Countryside, IL 60525
(708) 352-9696

Rex Italian Foods
4431 North Harlem Ave
Norridge, IL 60706-4709
(708) 457-0177