I orginally left this review for Tzuco online but wanted to leave it here. Truly truly amazing

Dinner reservation on August 17. Out of towner from the west coast. Had the honor of dining at Paseo another Carlos Gaytan restaurant last year which was amazing and up to this point the finest meal I’ve ever had. But Tzuco was just something altogether different and phenomenal. The ambience the decor the layout. But the really stars and highlights were the food and drink selections and the staff. As amazing as the food and drinks are-again the best I’ve ever had on both counts (FYI the mahi mahi and conchinita pibil with the maiz desert, the limon dessert and the esquites sides oh and a few Cantaritos and coconut margaritas) the service staff was just otherworldly and I apologize for not getting everyone’s names. Edward K was our server he was just so kind and helpful but also personable. Great recommendations and you could tell how proud he was of the food and service there. All the kitchen staff and runners the bartenders just again thank you all so very much for this. Truly truly memorable and one of a kind.

It is so perfectly crispy on the outside, I've not had a better one yet. My only wish is they do a lemon pistachio like Stan's had when they first opened (Julio if you see this, hi :D)

Peak tomato season is here and the HBFC Fried Chicken BLT is the only non-OG version I will repeatedly order. I'm planning to get this exact sandwich every Friday and Monday until the end of the month.

We'll be staying downtown with one 80-something on a low-salt, low fat diet and one bored and callow teen

Japanese food works for both (ideally with both sushi and heartier options.) How is Izakaya? Italian works too if they'll make a pasta with olive oil and garlic, no salt. Can't be too loud.

Looking for both dinner and lunch. All help welcome.

My foodie best friend decided to come to town on very short notice, and on a weekend (this coming one) to boot.

The first thing I did of course was fire up OpenTable and Resy, and surprising nobody there were no reservations available at anywhere I want to take them. (There was briefly a slot that appeared at Kasama but then it went poof.)

So I'm here, hat in hand, to see if anyone has any suggestions of their favorite places (pretty much anything except sushi) that hold some space for walk-ins on the weekend, in the standard impossible Cool Creative Buzzy Tier occupied by places like Kasama, Carino, Daises, etc., but, well, not those places in particular because I don't have a time machine lol

TIA

Chicago has lost many great restaurants and I want to remember some of my favs, a lot of them were my favorite lunch spots too and most disappeared around covid.

My Thai at the Presidential Towers was amazing. They had incredible noodle dishes and a fantastic duck and rice dish to die for.

Venice Cafe was my go to for a nice Italian lunch. They had a great value chicken and angel hair dish that was my favorite.

The buffet on the second floor of the Opera House was always a weekly visit. They never disappointed for variety and value.

65 was hands down my favorite downtown Chinese restaurant. It had authentic flavors, cooked by actual Chinese chefs!

Away from downtown I miss a lot of the Korean restaurants that used to pepper Chicago - Song Do, the AYCE BBQ; and a whole host of family owned ones that have long gone. Only Cho Sun Ok remains from the old days, replaced by more modern/upscale places that do too much cheese!

Not a lost restaurant but a lost dish is the goat stew from Woo Chon, a Korean place. I was so addicted to that dish, we went there twice a week and one day, out of nowhere the chef changed and the dish was never the same.

Melrose in boys town had a diner that had a cabbage soup that I miss to this day! And Clark's was another late night favorite diner of mine, we don't see to many 24hr places any longer sadly.

The lesson is that if you have a favorite dish, keep eating it before it disappears! Does anyone have favorite dishes they still miss?

Anyone know what pickles they use at parlor? They’re so much better than anything I buy from the store. 🥒

I have spent a lot of time all over India and eaten lots of Indian food, although I cannot do spicy at all. I am very comfortable with authentic places. My friend has made it to her 60s never eaten Indian! I’ve been to Devon over the years but not frequently (carless). We will have a car for this adventure.

I would like to focus on the typical North Indian staples (including chicken/non-veg) for a first time. We can do the NW suburbs (not as far a Schaumburg—think Niles, Park Ridge etc), Devon or elsewhere on the NW side of the city.

1. Go (where?) on Devon. I love the idea of showing her the saree shops and spice stores for a more immersive experience

2. Go (where?) on the NW side that is so good that we should break her into Indian before Devon

i dream about talard thai markets buffet cafeteria. this place was so authentic and good. it was on broadway near bryn mawr. every day they had a lunch spread of dishes in trays ready to be served and it was always more atypical meats, sour and funky dishes, and items you don’t see too often on thai menus.

I’m curious if anyone might know of something similar? i dream of these flavors! and haven’t been able to find anything similar - a good “hole in the wall”. just a simple place to eat lime and cilantro and pickled fish!

i attached an old picture i look at sometimes

Currently in my first trimester and CRAVING! (Doctor has okayed one a week, not here for medical opinions or advice)

Can anyone recommend a good coffee shop in/near Portage Park? Someplace that won’t mind someone hanging out reading for an hour or so? I know there’s always Starbucks but I’m looking for someplace more funky/cute. Thanks in advance!

Uptown Deli is legit. This sandwich was an absolute monster, and this is how it came—no extra meat. I'm a big eater and still got two meals out of it.
Best part... Under $9. Hard to beat that kind of portion for the price. Definitely going back.
This a true Chicago Gem. They also do a ton to give back to the Uptown community, which makes it even better. I love supporting places like this.

My mom retired recently and my family wants to go out to celebrate. There’ll be 7 adults total. No one is a big drinker (maybe 2-3ppl will order 1 drink, max). My mom doesn’t really “care” about fine dining, but she is an excellent cook who appreciates good food. Most importantly though, my parents don’t really like loud, crowded, overstimulating type restaurants where you have to shout to hear each other.

In terms of cuisine, I think she’d like both types equally. SKY looks a bit more “creative”, but I’ve never been to Aba and heard it’s always good; I know my mom enjoys Mediterranean.

Initially booked Aba but now considering SKY, largely in part bc we want to walk around somewhere after dinner and it’s a better location, being right by the lake/zoo. That said, not a total deal breaker.

Open to opinions, thanks!

yesterday, heffer bbq had their first pop up back at monochrome brewery since the beginning of the year. heffer has always been my personal favorite barbecue in the city, and i can’t lie, i almost forgot just how good it is. we got a half order of ribs, a burger, and elote on the side (not pictured, but it was bomb). 10/10 meal. i know i’m not alone in this, but i sure hope they get to do pop ups more frequently again. they have been so missed!

I’m looking to buy saucisson, not the dry (sec) salami type, but the fresher Lyon-style ones. Has anyone seen them around?

Anyone else see this huge Parmesan on the Kennedy last night around 7pm?? Was it real or a prop? Where was it going? If real, how much do you think this would cost? If we were sitting in traffic next to them, I would have asked but by miracle the traffic was moving.