Longman & Eagle

-Grubbing in Chicago
New to the 'Scene'

Longman & Eagle opened up back at the start of 2010. Following the trend of hot gastro pubs around the city they did so with a bang. It was an immediate success and received rave reviews. As always I like to let a place get its feet under its legs before I try it. So I hadn't been until earlier this month. I'm not the local snob food expert but I very much enjoyed my first visit and intend on getting back sooner than later. I know I like it when I'm wanting to go back asap despite the place being flooded with hipsters. there were like 7 hipster bikes parked on the pole outside. They have officially taken over Logan Square. That is until they grow out of this "weird and annoying to others" phase of their life.


An immediate success and now staple on the scene

As you can see in the picture above they are low key for what they put out. The food is excellent and the drink list is impressive. They have alot of whiskeys available including cocktails dedicated to the season and plenty of micro brewed beers and a fine wine selection. I had wanted to try a Dark & Stormy but for some reason they were out of that I was told. A mixed drink? I went with a Moscow Mule which was excellent and great on the summer day as we dined outdoors enjoying the weather and cocktails.

Summertime Moscow Mule

Lucky for me this was a bday treat from a couple of my aunts so there were three of us and we were able to split a few of the small plates which are basically appetizers. We went with the bone marrow spread served with toast, a porcini agnolotti with crispy pork skin and also prawns and grits. All three were excellent. Hard to choose a favorite so much so to the point I would get the same three again if the menu was still the same. It can switch as the seasons do too.


Bone Marrow

Prawns and Grits


Porcini Agnolotti with fried pork skin


Seared Tuna Entree

The entrees were just as good as the apps. One of us had the tuna seen above which was excellent as I was able to have a piece. I forget how it was prepared and the menu does change but if your going there around or near when this was written just check the entrees. I get the feeling it's hard to go wrong here. Even if you wanna just head out with a friend/spouse for a drink and reasonable meal, the burger is said to be great and it sure did smell good. The skirt steak dinner was excellent. Served with a bone marrow ravioli as well as green beans, corn and a wonderful Latin inspired sauce.


Skirt Steak Dinner with bone marrow Ravioli

Longman & Eagle
2657 North Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-7110
Website

Grilled Skirt Steak

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

I did up some charcoal grilled skirt steak for a family bday party. Skirt is one of my favorite cuts when you get the best of the best. In case you didn't know there are two types of different skirt cuts. The outer and the inner. The outer is whats best producing a more tender cut with great flavor. It does cost a little more but well worth the price. Those in the Chicagoland area should check out Fresh Farms meat counter if they need a source. I brought out my Brinkman Grill King for its size and filled it up lump charcoal and a tad touch of hickory wood. Before the steaks went on I grilled some corn on the cob and charred some knob onions and jalapeno peppers.


$7.99/lb outer cut skirt from Fresh Farms (Niles) meat counter

I picked up 7 lbs of the outer skirt to go as the main dish for a summertime Mexican fiesta. Grilled lobster tail meat and shrimp marinated in lemon and lime juice with garlic and fresh herbs, served on tostadas with a mango gauc salsa and a little crema for starters.

Grilled lobster tail meat and shrimp tostadas

I marinated the steak in some fresh lime juice and fresh ground pepper and let them sit for about 30 minutes while the charcoal died down a little and then threw them on for about 4 minutes a side and they came out perfect. Served with hickory grilled corn, cut from the cob and made into elotes, sauteed bell peppers and onions, Mexican rice and my special recipe refried beans with roasted poblano mixed in and then topped with crispy bacon pieces and melted chihuahua cheese. Guacamole, pico de gallo and both red and green salsas as well as tortillas at the table. Chowing like a King.


Grilled Skirt Steak Dinner. So easy, so good.


Leftover beans, rice and cheese quesadillas for brunch the next day
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See ya next time @chibbqking

The Hala Kahiki

Touring the Tavern's
& Drinking Joint's of Chi-Land
-Tiki Style

Tucked away in Chicago's River Grove suburb is one of America's most authentic remaining tiki bars. The Hala Kahiki has been bringing the south seas feel to Chicago since they moved into the suburb after being a neighborhood tavern in the city at Fullerton and Lockwood. The idea for a tiki bar came about when the old places walls were deteriorating and the cheapest way to fix it was with outdoor fencing that looked like bamboo from Sears. When the regulars asked if the place was going tropical it was all in from that point.


Chicagoland's most authentic and now it's only tiki lounge

The entrance inside

With summer winding down if you haven't been to the Hala you should head over. They have a very authentic tiki bar feel with the atmosphere inside being mellow and the lighting very low with some music playing and tiki mixers tending the bar. You can sit at the bar or one of the many tables inside or when the weather is good the back garden. I love to stop in for two drink (anymore and I might not make it home) and have one inside and one outside. The garden is beautiful and on a hot sunny day you just might feel like your in Hawaii as you sit there and sip on one of their 100+ offerings. From Mai Tais to Zombies, coffee drinks and ice cream ones too. They're all potent and people come from all over to have one.

Zombie Killer


Coconut based tiki drink


Gift Shop attached to the compound

If your ever in need of some Hawaiian gear before heading to the island or a theme party they also have a gift shop with clothing and other South Seas merchandise. It's a quick easy ride from the city, I usually just take Grand over to River Road and then stop in at legendary hot dog joint, Gene & Jude's both before and after a visit to Hala Kahiki. Now with the new casino in neighboring Des Plaines you can make a night out of it with friends which is what you'll see many people doing at this Chicagoland drinking favorite.


Hana Hou!

Hala Kahiki Lounge
2834 River Road
River Grove, IL 60171

(708) 456-3222

Website

Drive In's of the Midwest

Eating like a local:
Regional food specialties
-Some Old Midwest Drive In's

Summer is still here but it's also almost over. Damn it goes quick. Well there's still time to plan a weekend adventure or take a cruise somewhere close for the day. So I wanna share with people seven old school Drive In's that are still in business for you to pull on into when you find yourself hungry around any of the seven featured spots located in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. Each one will take you back to another time, like when they first opened up because as you can see not much has changed at these old school Midwest Drive In's featured here today.
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The Polk-a-Dot Drive In (Braidwood, IL)

Originally a school bus with rainbow polka dots painted all around it the Polka-a-Dot was started over 50 years ago according to their website. Nowadays it's a classic 50's style Drive In and one of the most authentic Route 66 attractions alongside the old American highway in Illinois. It's been called "the best 50's and 60's Drive In I have ever seen" by Route 66 Historian and Author John Weiss. Every year on the first Saturday of August they hold a classic cruisers night and it attracts some of the best old school cars around the Midwest. However I just checked the website and Cruise Night was canceled this year which could mean Polka-a-Dot is in trouble.

Old 50's style Drive In along Route 66 in Illinois

The menu at Polk-a-Dot is your standard Drive-In fare and mentions their chili cheese fries as some of the best of it's kind anywhere so along with those I got a double cheeseburger on my visit. It was good, nothing special like the actual Drive In but also more than edible in that I finished the burger and most of the fries.

Double Cheeseburger with Polk-a-Dot's famous chili cheese fries

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Annie's Egg Roll's (Momence, IL)

Here is a spot I randomly passed by while driving the Dixie Highway. Located in Momence right on the highway was this cool old school spot that offered egg rolls? I had to try them out. Annie's doesn't offer carhop service and there is no indoor seating, it's warm weather months only and the menu features typical American fast food as well as some Chinese American options such as the egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken and fried rice. As we waited for Annie to get to work one of the yocals chatted me up. When I told her I wasn't from around that way she asked me if I ever had Annie's egg rolls, I told her no and she got very excited telling me about them.

Located along the Dixie Highway in Momence, IL

I opted for what the two locals before me got and ordered two egg rolls with hot mustard, my much preferred choice over S&S sauce. These were really good. Annie doesn't skimp on the pork, they were freshly fried and would sit first class on the Egg Roll Express. Annie popped out from behind the kitchen into the front of the building after she was told I love them and wanted two more and she was indeed the little old Asian lady I had envisioned. She talked to me thru the glass and it was hard to understand her but she was very sweet and also animated and kept saying "work, work, work" which I think she was referring to her very popular summertime egg rolls which keep her busy when she's open for the season.

Annie's Egg Rolls

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The Root Beer Stand (Oglesby, IL)

Next we head down to Central Illinois near the great Starved Rock State Park. Oglesby is a short drive from Starved Rock which is a must see IL state park. It's beautiful and a great day trip or even weekend getaway. The Root Beer Stand will take care of one of your meals while down there. They still offer drive up service and its a popular stop with locals and visitors to the park.

a favorite of campers at Starved Rock State Park

The menu at the Root Beer stand is pretty basic as far as Drive In's go. We're talking burgers, dogs, pork tenderloins, chili and a few other options including the root beer their famous for. The most popular items ordered are the pork tenderloin and double cheeseburger and you have to have either or with a root beer. I liked the cheeseburger over the tenderloin and loved the root beer. Some of the best I have had anywhere and I always stop when I see somewhere that serves homemade root beer. The stand has become a fixture on my stops down to Starved Rock.

Root Beer Stands Double Bacon Cheeseburger

The Pork Tenderloin from the Root Beer Stand

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The Igloo Drive-In (Peru, IL)

Also in the Illinois Valley Region and near Starved Rock is another classic old school Drive-In known as The Igloo. It was established in Peru on July 4th 1937 and still stand today. The car hops are gone but the generations of customers remain. It's been a fixture of this area for a long time. Until recently it had been operated by the same family since it opened but they decided it was time to retire and sold the place. the good news is the current owners didn't change a thing.

The famous Igloo Drive-In in Peru, IL

Around the Central Valley Region of IL, the tenderloin as well as fried chicken are popular local eats. The Igloo has offered their tenderloins since they started, same goes for the burgers. On my stop I had to try them both but also had to pass on what looked like some excellent made in house pies. I preferred the burger to the loin here as well. I loved the fresh cut fries and overall feel of the place and will stop back in next time I'm around to further explore the menu. Fun stop and on the day I went in it was about 100 outside and it was very refreshing inside living up to its name.

The Igloo's Pork Tenderloin

Cheeseburger from The Igloo Drive-In

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The Port Drive-In (Chesterton, IN)

We now venture outside the state over into Northwest Indiana to a longtime favorite. the Port has been slanging their famous root beer and chili dogs since 1953 in Chesterton, IN. It's gone by a few names since then but the root beer and most of the menu has stayed the same. there is an a/c'd room to dine in at but most people still prefer to have a hot dog with a creamy mug of root beer while in their vehicle.

a locals favorite in NW Indiana

The menu nowadays at the Port is large and most of it not necessary. It's all about the aforementioned root beer and chili dogs. I stop by when I'm driving out that way and always get the same thing which is one of each. Not the best chili cheese dog still very good and even better when you wash it all down with their awesome root beer. When its been attracting people since it's opening you know its the real deal. I love their root beer.

Chili Cheese Dog from The Port

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Gilles (Milwaukee, WI)

Gilles is Milwaukee's oldest custard stand. They've been around since 1938 and also have a location in Fond Du Lac but that one has no relation tothe other these days. It's all about the custard at Gilles but I love the cheery floats and a Gille burger which is basically a sloppy Joe. It's one of the better Joe's I've had from a place other than my kitchen. A summertime favorite up in Wisconsin, check it out of your ever up that way.

a Summertime favorite in Wisconsin

Cheery Float

Gilles Sloppy Joe Burger

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Lutz's Drive In (Dowagiac, MI)

This is a stop I had on my radar forever. Thanks to a rec from a food friend I always wanted to go here but never found it when driving around for fun in this part of Michigan. I'm up this way during the summertime and was finally able to check it out after a trip to the beaches on Lake Michigan. They still have carhop service (on foot) and also an indoor dining room and picnic tables outside for people to eat at. We parked and walked over to the girls working the carhops and placed an order to eat at one of the picnic tables outside.

a classic Michigan Drive In

I knew what I was going with thanks to the rec I got a double bacon cheeseburger with no ketchup and then also spied a sign in the window for fresh strawberry shortcake, so I had to have some of that too since they grow strawberry's just down the road.

As we enter


There were four classics in the lot when we pulled in

The burger was $5 and packed quite the punch, well worth it. The bacon was fried to a crisp perfection and they didn't skimp on it. The fresh griddled patties with mustard, onions and pickles topped it all off. I've been eating around this way for years and this was the best burger of the Harbor Country I have come across. There's nothing fancy or even unique about it, it is what it is which is a classic burger in a classic setting. The strawberry shortcake was also excellent, I would get the exact same order again next time I'm there.

Double bacon cheeseburger from Lutz's Drive In

Fresh Strawberry shortcake

Maybe next time I'm out there I'll sneak my order into the show next door, rare for a town to have both a Drive In restaurant and theater these days, let alone right next door to each other. You aint ever gotta leave your car while on this block. Lutz's also makes homemade pizza which smelled good when we were sitting there eating the burgers. Cool place for lunch or dinner if your up there this summer. Check it out.

Might have to go check out a movie there before summers done

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Polk-a-Dot Drive In
222 N Front St
Braidwood, IL 60408
(815) 458-3377
Website

Annie's Egg Rolls
501 North Dixie Highway
Momence, IL 60954
(815) 472-3056

The Root Beer Stand
225 North Columbia
Oglesby, IL 63148
815-883-9254

Igloo Drive In
2819 4th Street
Peru, IL 61354
(815) 223-0848

The Port Drive-In
419 North Calumet Road
Chesterton, IN 46304
(219) 926-3500
Website

Gilles Frozen Custard
7515 W Bluemound Rd
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 453-4875
Website

Lutz's Drive In
28102 Michigan 152
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-5676

Peppo's

-The Sammy's of Chi

Peppo's out in Palos Hills is a favorite of many in the area. They've been around since 1976 back when the area it's in was desolate. People would race cars and motorcycles around these parts since there was nothing else out that way. Jim Peppo the stores founder decided that maybe these racers needed something to eat really quick before they hit the streets. Well over 30 years later Peppo's is still here and often named by many from the area as the "best sandwich in Chicagoland". Today we head over to check it out.


a locals favorite in Palos Hills

I had been told I need to check out Peppo's for one of their sandwiches which are well known due to their famous guts. These "guts" are a mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers and other spices. They offer the guts in a few diffeent varieties and you wont catch anyone in there requesting their sandwich without guts. The bread is Gonnella and other options aside from sandwiches are available but its all about the subs and guts on top of them at this place. I tried an Italian and thought the meat was ok, the bread was pretty good but those guts, goddamn they're good. Next time I'm up that way I will be sure to stop in for a sandwich and also a cup of guts to go which they do sell. No guts no glory.


Peppo's Italian sub with guts

Peppo's Subs
10303 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 237-1755
Website

Uncle Mike's Place

-Grubbing in Chicago
Where the locals eat.

We haven't ate any breakfast in a while here @chibbqking. Perfect day to head over Uncle Mike's Place on Grand ave in between Ashland and Western in the Ukrainian Village 'hood. I must of drove by this place 100's of times without ever stopping in until a rec for the place came with glowing reviews that also informed me they have a Filipino breakfast menu that is very popular with the Filipino people. They've been in the neighborhood since 1991 and have quite a loyal following and constant traffic of customers from all races all the time. Well needless to say I made my first visit some time last year and have enjoyed each visit back since then.


a favorite of many from all over on Grand ave

As we enter

Because of it's location which isn't a far drive for me and the authentic Filipino breakfast menu this is now one of my favorite places to enjoy a weekend brunch. When you go in there on a weekend day you might have a little wait but the place is big and goes all the way back so it's never a long one. You'll see couples in there as well as families with three generations at the table enjoying their meals. There's also a counter if your rolling solo and parking is never an issue. The Filipino portion of the breakfast menu is why 90% of these people are here. Mike's does breakfast and lunch but I have not been able to pass on the blackboard with the Filipino dishes. One time when I went with a friend we got some potato pancakes and sausage to share and while they were good, I wouldn't pass on the specialties of the house.

Potato Pancakes


Sausage and scrambled eggs

The menu is mostly American diner food but you'll see the little black board both on the menu and on the wall with the Filipino options. Each breakfast comes with two eggs of your choice and some of my favorite rice from anywhere, their addictive garlic rice. You have your choice of six dishes, three of which we will take a peak at today. I have yet to try the Bangus (boneless grilled monkfish), Spam or Pork Chop. I'll definitely be trying the fish and the pork chop might pass on the Spam. The other specialties of the house are the Tocino, Longaniza and skirt steak. All of which are excellent. All people dining in are offered a free cup of Lugaw, a thick creamy rice porridge with bits of chicken and some fish sauce. Very good, classic Filipino comfort food.

Complimentary Rice Porridge

My first visit there I went with what I would end up getting my next visit because I enjoyed it so much the first time. Tocino is pork shoulder cured with annato and anise. It's then thinly sliced and grilled 'til cooked thru with a crispy char on the outside. Filipino breakfasts have a tendency to be sweet and even though I'm not the biggest sweet toothed man out there I love this dish. I like to take the garlic fried rice which I mentioned is just great and mix it all up with cut up pieces of pork and my over easy eggs all tossed together into one. Then I add the pico de gallo which also comes with each meal and jump on in.


Tocino Breakfast from Uncle Mike's

Next up is the Loganiza which is a sweet chorizo sausage made with anise and wine. You get three nice sized pieces on your plate along with the rice and two eggs. The sausage has a firm texture with some garlic flavor with a little sweet taste mixed in and really hits the spot. I know a few Filipinos who will get this dish a couple times a month from Mike's. If you cant decide between the sausage or pork shoulder just get the combo which comes with both.


Loganiza breakfast from Uncle Mike's

The insides

After my first few visits I was finally able to try what Mike's labels "the best damn marinated skirt steak east of Pecos". Being the big time skirt steak fan that I am this was a dish on my 'must try list' as soon as I first saw it. Knowing how good the previous Filipino breakfasts were and how much I love the garlic fried rice and enjoy a steak with eggs at anytime, I had a good feeling about this dish. You can get it in a full order (12 oz) or half but at $13.95 you might as well go whole and save what you cant finish should there even be anything left. Just like I do with the Tocino I mash it all up with cut up pieces of skirt steak thrown in. Also included was some sort of sweet tasting refried bean? dish. Not exactly sure what it was but damn this is my type of breakfast. Good stuff indeed and well worth checking out.


Skirt Steak and Eggs breakfast from Uncle Mike's

Uncle Mike's Place
1700 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 226-5318
Website