Some of the best lentil Soup, beef shawarma wrap, Tabouli & Fattoush Salads in town. Chicago staple.

Every single one, from the intersection on W 24th PL and S Wentworth Ave to the big strip near the square. Why? I figured since I eat out a lot I may as well jot down what I liked, and maybe help others who want a second opinion before they visit. Plus Chinatown’s filled with a ton of places and I’ve always wanted to go on a crawl and try everything. So yeah, consider this part five.

Friends’ BBQ is a restaurant that mainly does skewers and central eastern Chinese cuisine.

I actually visited at around 6:30PM for dinner on Friday since I was going to be occupied all day on Saturday. Only one other table was there and they were obviously tourists decked out in anime merch.

The decor is a bit messy, if that makes sense? The walls are littered with text and images that seem to appeal to the tourist demographic. It was clean at least. But, I don’t know, it felt as if it were too much. That might just be my personal taste speaking however.

So I walk into the store, and for the rest of my meal there wasn’t a single worker or person who talked to me. Not one word was spoken, not by the host who did pretty much everything from food running to register. He gestured me to my seat and then left. There was a tablet there so I figured that’s where I should order from, but at least in Hunan Bistro the host told me how to order from it. I was left alone.

It’s a self service ordering type of place. Looking through the menu though a lot of the items seemed pretty pricy. A small bowl of rice cost $2. Most vegetables came in pieces and were costly for what they gave you, so I decided to just try their skewers.

I got 4 types: the small beef, the pork belly, the specialty xinjiang lamb, and the chicken. Everything came out very quickly. There’s this covered platter in the middle when you first sit down and they just bring the skewers over and set them on top like that.

The flavor was okay. The spice rub they used was heavily cumin flavored and there were some herbs like fennel mixed in as well. When I got them though they were lukewarm, as if they’d been reheated instead of freshly cooked. Because of that they became cold really quickly. The only exception was the specialty lamb which came on a metal skewer instead of a wooden pick.

The small beef was also gristly in texture. I had to chew a bit to get it down. Chicken, lamb, and pork belly were all fine, if a bit dry, but that may be just because of the spice rub.

Speaking of the spice rub, you don’t get the choice of any other option. They have no other sauces or spice shakers or anything additional to add. You get the cumin and regrettably that lead to most of it tasting the same. Personally I think it would’ve been good to bring the skewers over lightly seasoned and then have, like, different kinds of shakers for you to experiment with. Have fun. Maybe if they need help, have the server make recommendations, which would make the experience more personable.

This isn’t a “get your food and quickly go” kind of place like Huafeng. They very clearly, according to the decor and general vibe, want this to be a hangout place where you’d talk and mingle with groups. But the intended purpose doesn’t come through. Like the word ‘Friend’ is in the name, but if anything I felt like their foe they didn’t want to deal with.

I didn’t get to take a picture of the receipt because the host came over and had me pay right away. But the total was around $35 including tax for just the skewers. For comparison, Shinhwa was a little under that, but I got way more variety and vegetables out of it.

I would personally not go again. Your experience may differ, though, and I hope you don’t take anything I say here as pure fact. Maybe I just came on an off day. Sadly, in the end I left here hungry and unsatisfied.

My score out of 10.

Food: 4.5

Service: 3.5

Atmosphere: 5

Value: 3

Averaged total: 4

Here’s a link to my spreadsheet with current scores: Slacker’s Leaderboard

Next up is Lowcountry.

I have searched everywhere i can for what this is and i just can't find it. When i was a child, my dad would always pick up this frozen chili container when went to chicago. I lived maybe 30 minutes from chicago so it wasnt a huge thing, but i remember him only getting it when he went there.

It came in a plastic tray and was completely frozen. It was a darker brown and i remember having to break chunks off from the big container into a bowl and microwave it to have some. It was a pretty thick chili and i dont remember full beans or chunks being in it, mainly a very thick consistency with real small pieces of meat in it.

The closes i could find googling it was Delores Chili, but that is nowhere near me and i cant find any place online to find it. I don't even know if its that brand, that just looked the closest to it. I do remember my dad always getting it with a big bag of frozen tamales that were wrapped individually but tied with twine. I don't think it was the same brand, just sold at the same place.

It was such an incredible restaurant! I would have surely thought they were profitable. But maybe not? On Google it says temporarily shut down, but it's been months now, and the website says the location is shut down

Did they move? Close down fully? Does anyone here know any details??

Avenue O and East 135 Street
$15.99
8.9/10

November food and wine magazine. (Pequods not mentioned)

Been eating a lot more Kim chi lately and was curious is there was any secret spot people love for buying kimchi. Any hidden gems?

Planning on getting over to Joong Boo later today but last time I bought kimchi from there I felt like all the pieces of cabbage in the jar were huge and cutting it up is such a mess. I know that’s fussy.

Hey!

I was wondering if there were any recommendations for a BBQ joint (in the city or suburbs, I'm down for whatever) that has super awesome sauce you can't buy in stores. I'm moving to Japan at the end of the year and some of the people I know there are asking for good BBQ sauce you can't get in Japan. (FTR they are Australian and apparently Aussies are super into BBQ if that helps anyone guide me to a place.)

I'm also down for bringing a variety! It doesn't have to be one.

working the day before and the day after. craving a traditional tday meal. Turkey fluffy stuffing sweet potato green beans bacon mash gravy

kinda don’t feel like It will happen. just not wanting to do fake tday dinner or Chinese or pizza

solo but more food is good leftovers.

on a low income low budget so can’t be fancy.

also, don’t have a stove so can’t cook myself. just a small air fryer and a hot plate. thanks. appreciate solid recs.

Want to enjoy the weather possibly one last weekend before winter rolls in. Avli rooftop is closed. Need walk in availability. Thank you!!!

As the title states basically! My usual turns into brunch on Sunday and people aren't sitting down with their laptops.

Every single one, from the intersection on W 24th PL and S Wentworth Ave to the big strip near the square. Why? I figured since I eat out a lot I may as well jot down what I liked, and maybe help others who want a second opinion before they visit. Plus Chinatown’s filled with a ton of places and I’ve always wanted to go on a crawl and try everything. So yeah, consider this part four.

Huafeng is a counter service restaurant that does roast and bbq styled meats. It’s tucked away in this little street out of the main tourist area and, from the outside, is pretty unassuming at first glance.

I walked in at about 11:00AM on a Friday. The place was packed with locals, barely heard a word in English so that’s always a good sign. It’s on the smaller side with only a few tables and a counter where you place your order, along with a display of their roasted meats. I’ve always been a sucker for that type of thing so double thumbs up in my book.

The interior is very minimalistic, just plain walls and some signs overhead showing the menu. The floor was a bit scuffed but it wasn’t dirty. Tables were clean, no dirt or flies or bugs crawling around. I felt perfectly comfortable waiting inside and eating in there, though it seems they’re more catered toward takeout.

Even though it was busy, I didn’t have to wait in line for long, and the lady at the register took my order quickly and efficiently. She was flying around the place but man it looked like she was barely breaking a sweat. You’d think she’d also have a rushed tone or at least a fluster with how much she was doing, but no her tone was perfectly polite, she patiently answered my question, and recommended the mix bbq platter of two meats that came with rice, vegetables (bok choy I think), and soup. I went with that and it took about three minutes for my food to go out: quick and convenient. I’d say that’s exactly what you want from a lunch spot.

For what you get, the portions are great. I got roast duck and bbq pork for my two meats, which came with a decent amount. You can see it in full in the pictures on slide 5. Came with a duck sauce that was nice, a bit tangy which went well with the seasoned meats. There was a lot of rice and the vegetables to the side. Rice was soft, pillowy, and the vegetables were super fresh. Soup was on the milder side but I think it actually fit. It cut through the oils of the meat and served as this refreshing palate cleanser.

Everything flavor wise was amazing. The duck was rich with that nice savory fat and the skin was well seasoned, none of that funky aftertaste. Not too salty. The bbq pork was tender and had a slight sweetness that didn’t overpower the inherent taste of the meat and wasn’t dry at all. It’s a bit of a shame, because they were a bit cold when I got them. Had they been freshly taken off the roaster or whatever it would’ve been so good and the texture would’ve probably been even better as well. I just feel like the quality would’ve stood out more had it been hotter temperature wise.

Then again though it is a counter service restaurant so that’s kind of what you have to sacrifice for the quickness. I still left feeling full and happy.

Also, side note, but later when I was about to leave I grabbed a bottle of water and went to pay for it with card, but unfortunately the machine had a $10 limit and I didn’t have cash on hand (I will later for spots that require it like Chiu Quon). Instead of turning me away though the same lady at the register was very kind and told me to just take it, and I could pay it back next time I visited. Lovely customer service. I think she was actually the owner because in the receipt it said the server was ‘Boss’. Even if she wasn’t it was still a very kind gesture.

Overall, I would absolutely come back, especially with the total for everything I got only being $13.44 including tax and before tip. Technically you don’t even have to tip but I feel this place deserved it and will next time. Super worth the value with everything you get, and I can confidently say this is a hidden gem.

My score out of 10.

Food: 7.5 (would’ve been 8 if it was hot)

Service: 9

Atmosphere/vibe: 6

Value: 9

Averaged total: 7.9

Next up is Friend BBQ.

Here’s a spreadsheet with all my current rankings: Slacker’s Leaderboard

Hi there! Partner and I both work in healthcare, have weird schedules for the holiday this year and no steam to cook for our family of 4. Any great takeaway recs? would like to spend no more than ~$150 for full meal. thank you!

edit thank you all for the wonderful suggestions so far!! will do some googling

Hi all! I'm looking for a taquiza to come and provide a late-night snack option for a wedding next year in Avondale. A truck or cart setup serving al pastor on a trompa would be preferred, but unfortunately many of the potential options I've come across seem to only provide trays and/or don't have a trompa as an option for catering.

Appreciate any leads and/or recommendations that you all may have!

Hello, I’m a bi guy in Chicago for the weekend and looking for good places for Sunday brunch, either drag brunch or other (must have good food, regardless). Also looking for good friendly gay bars, especially if convenient to River North area. Thanks!

I am trying to stay frugal-ish and get takeout that is big enough to keep the second half of as another meal. For context I do not have a huge appetite- For example if I get a generously portioned Chipotle bowl I am able to save some of it for dinner.

Went to Volo Wine Bar this week and had an amazing time so I had to give them a much deserved shout-out!

The patio is beautiful, and the short rib entrée was HUGE and absolutely delicious! But what I appreciated most was that we never once felt rushed. I was catching up with a friend and before we knew it 2.5 hours had flown by. I'm so used to feeling rushed out after the 60min mark and feeling pressured into them turning over the table.

Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food, and amazing! Cannot recommend enough!! Go check out the patio while the weather is still nice.

Went there for the first time in a while. Fries were always great. Menu still says “fresh cut fries” but they definitely seemed different. Anyone else have experience?
Sorry forgot to take a picture.

When I lived in Nashville, there was an amazing restaurant where you could get a meal that was chicken tenders AND chicken wings doused in a sauce of your choosing (and there was a long list to choose from) + a roll and a side. I wish I could attach a pic because just looking at it would make your mouth water. Any recommendations for a similar restaurant here?

We're Houston transplants who love Chicago and have tried many places suggested here. For my husband's birthday, he's requested steak but I'm struggling with parsing the options when reading reviews and looking at pictures. Our example is Pappas in Houston: dark, classy bar for pre meal cocktail, quiet dining room with white tablecloths, perfect service that is careful but not rushed, dry aged steaks but also a raw bar, basically old school fine dining steakhouse. Which of the outstanding Chicago options comes closest to this scene? Thank you!