What’s on the menu????

[rzelinka]

20 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

Nice post.  I too, am a Lou’s fan.  I’ve been regularly traveling 4-6 times per year to Chicago for the past 36 years.  I can count on one hand where at least one meal during a trip wasn’t at Lou’s.  Mostly Elk Gove Village location, but some Schaumburg.  Love it.  Wish we had one here, in Atlanta.  Regardless, lots of good pizza joints in Chicago, like Giordano’s.   Interestingly, we have a Nancy’s here, though I haven’t been to it or those in Chicago.  
 

For Hot Dogs, I enjoy Portillo’s when I’m on my own in Chicago,  and just want to zip in and zip out.  When I’m with my boss, we typically hit one of the local joints.  Teddy’s Red Hots in Darien is a favorite.  
 

So much great food in Chicago.  

 

yes indeed. Lou's is always a treat for me. You can get them shipped but they're not the same. I expect we will get a Lou's here at some point as they tend to follow Portillos. On that note, I think it's probable you will see Portillos come your way. The Lou's in Schaumburg was about 5 minutes from where I grew up, and I've been to the one in Elk Grove countless times as I used to work there.

 

The reference to Nancy's was interesting. When I lived in Chicago, we'd hit Nancy's for dinner before a Sox game. There was a restaurant not to far from Comiskey, and Teddy's is legendary too. I think they would throw the freshly cut fries in withe hot dogs. Just awesome. 

[smokinjoe]

15 hours ago, rzelinka said:

yes indeed. Lou's is always a treat for me. You can get them shipped but they're not the same. I expect we will get a Lou's here at some point as they tend to follow Portillos. On that note, I think it's probable you will see Portillos come your way. The Lou's in Schaumburg was about 5 minutes from where I grew up, and I've been to the one in Elk Grove countless times as I used to work there.

 

The reference to Nancy's was interesting. When I lived in Chicago, we'd hit Nancy's for dinner before a Sox game. There was a restaurant not too far from Comiskey, and Teddy's is legendary too. I think they would throw the freshly cut fries in withe hot dogs. Just awesome. 

I’ve had the frozen Lou’s shipped to me.  While definitely not as good as at the restaurant (but, how could they be), it’s close enough that with my eyes closed and a couple of bourbons, I can get there.  . Got a little disappointed when they remodeled the inside several years ago.  They attempted to brighten it up, but that didn’t work for me.  Worst of all, they changed around the bar, which is where we always ate.  They took down the wood relief of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Miller Huggins, and shortened the bar so much that the bartender was always right  in front of you, now.  That’s when we started mixing in the Schaumburg location.  
I guess you probably hit up Johnnie’s Beef in Arlington Heights, too?  Good Italian beef there.  That was a good stop before a round of golf.  Tide you over well through 18.  
I often tell people that if I’m on death row, my last meal request will be a replication of the now closed Black Ram restaurant in Des Plaines’ Brie and Spanikopita appetizers, Kansas City steak, cottage fries, and beefsteak tomato with Gorgonzola cheese.  My Number 1 favorite regularly ordered meal from any restaurant, anywhere.  

[rzelinka]

4 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

I’ve had the frozen Lou’s shipped to me.  While definitely not as good as at the restaurant (but, how could they be), it’s close enough that with my eyes closed and a couple of bourbons, I can get there.  . Got a little disappointed when they remodeled the inside several years ago.  They attempted to brighten it up, but that didn’t work for me.  Worst of all, they changed around the bar, which is where we always ate.  They took down the wood relief of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Miller Huggins, and shortened the bar so much that the bartender was always right  in front of you, now.  That’s when we started mixing in the Schaumburg location.  
I guess you probably hit up Johnnie’s Beef in Arlington Heights, too?  Good Italian beef there.  That was a good stop before a round of golf.  Tide you over well through 18.  
I often tell people that if I’m on death row, my last meal request will be a replication of the now closed Black Ram restaurant in Des Plaines’ Brie and Spanikopita appetizers, Kansas City steak, cottage fries, and beefsteak tomato with Gorgonzola cheese.  My Number 1 favorite regularly ordered meal from any restaurant, anywhere.  

Agree with you on how the frozen Lou's are passable, even more so with a few bourbons. That was fantastic. I was last in Schaumburg 3 years ago. It was post remodel. I agree they did try to brighten it up. More often than not when I lived there, I did take out. 

 

My wife loves Johnnie's. She's used to the original one in Forrest Park, just down the street from Russell's ribs. I'm not a fan. I found the beef to be dry, and without flavor. I think it changed when they sold the business. That said, those who don't prefer Portillos mostly tell me the juice is too greasy. If I can't have Portillos Beef, then I try to find a place that sells Al's beef.

 

I do remember the Black Ram. Sad it didn't make it. I loved it there too. If I am on death row, my final meal is a ribeye my wife prepares for me, sweet potato fries, my wife's legendary bourbon glazed bacon and brussel sprouts, a tomato, mozzarella salad, and portillos chocolate cake (it will change your life if you've not had it). Of course, I'd be sipping a Russell's Reserve 15, and follow that up with a Jack Daniels 14.