The Best of 2018: Some Most Memorable Meals

I am someone who actively likes to seek out eateries ranked among The World's 50 Best Restaurants--I've been to six places on this year's list, including two in 2018--or which have earned a 5-Diamond Rating from AAA (eaten at five of these; one this year).

Yet I also love Vienna Beef hot dog stands, Italian beef, tacos and even 7-Eleven taquitos.

I don't think I'm particularly unique in this regard, but I've had wonderful meals costing above $150 and under $5.

So while--much as I celebrate quality, creativity and artistry in many forms and via my other Best of 2018 lists--I think it fun to recall some great food I've enjoyed over the past year, this category always poses a particular quandary.

Even in considering just the food--and somewhat innately the service and ambiance--of a "memorable meal" without factoring in the occasion, my dining companions, etc., the considerable variances make it difficult to compile a single ranked list.

Hence the disparate ways I've handled this post in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

But since I doubt anyone really cares except me, I guess I'll do this:

The Most Memorable Meals I Enjoyed in 2018

1. Lima Splurges - On my June trip to Peru, I ate at the world's #7--Maido--and #39--Astrid y Gaston--ranked restaurants (#6, Central, was closed during my visit). Both were phenomenal. So too was La Rosa Nautica, which sits atop of the Pacific Ocean.

2. Chicagoland Ribs - My single favorite entree is a rack of baby back ribs, and in 2018 I again savored the two best purveyors anywhere--Carson's in Deerfield and L. Woods in Lincolnwood.

3. Prime Steaks - Each year I try to visit some Chicago area chophouses I haven't been to previously. In 2018, three stood out: Mastro's, Kinzie Chophouse and Stefani Prime (the latter in Lincolnwood).

4. Quick & Tasty - In terms of places at which to get a quick bite, often before a show, three places stand out, all in Chicago: Big & little's, Luke's Lobster and 5411 Empanadas. 

5. Boston Bites - In August, I spent four great days in Beantown, with some terrific meals at The Union Oyster House, Legal Sea Foods, Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage (in Cambridge), Durgin-Park and Mike's Pastry for sensational cannoli.

6. Lomo Saltado - A traditional Peruvian dish mixing meat, onions peppers, french fries and rice (on the side). I enjoyed it in Lima at Restaurante Arequipeño Willys and in Aguas Calientes at a restaurant seemingly named El Generalle , but also in Chicago at La Unica, Taste of Peru and Machu-Picchu. I also developed a passion for Peruvian soft drink, Inca Cola.

7. Supreme Pizza - Once again, the year's best was had at Pizano's (deep dish and thin) and Lou Malnati's (deep dish). I also love Gino's East but didn't get there in 2018.

8. Dogs and Beefs - Quite tried and quite true, I love Poochie's in Skokie (char cheddar Polish on French bread) and Al's for Italian Beef.

9. Food Hall Fixings - Food halls, which seem much like food courts with nicer signs, have become popular in Chicago. I've been to a few, in the Merchandise Mart and the Revival Food Hall, but tend to prefer Forum 55 under 55 E. Monroe. I particularly like Pork & Mindy's and their Pig Candy BLT.

10. Up There - Not too long ago, I treated myself to a 3-course dinner at Everest, long one of Chicago's most acclaimed restaurants. With the caveat that their full Prix Fixe menu is much pricier than what I got, it was great and not quite astonishing at the same time.

11. Here and Gone - I was sad to see longtime stalwart, The Bagel, close in my hometown of Skokie, and though Real Urban BBQ remains in other north suburban locations, its Skokie joint came and went too quickly. I enjoyed fine meals at both again in 2018. I'm hoping the new Vietnamese restaurant Pho Phu Linh sticks around. 

The Best of 2017: Some Most Memorable Meals

As is pretty typical in a given year, in 2017 I ate over 300 meals out-of-home.

Most of these were fairly pedestrian: hot dog stands, fast food, Bakers Square, etc.

But I can enjoy a good meal at these types of places--including a couple that opened this year in Skokie, where I live--and occasionally at places considerably nicer.

In this list for 2016, I cited my favorite places in various food categories, and in 2015 I delineated by the level of restaurant as best I could.

Many of those selections still remain valid, so I think I'll make this a much simpler, multifaceted list aimed at highlighting some of the more unique, delicious and perhaps new restaurants & meals I savored.

Restaurants I Especially Enjoyed in 2017
Not in ranked order. Primarily based on food and perhaps setting & ambiance; not factoring in companions, occasions, etc. Restaurants are in the Chicago area except as noted.

● Sea Lounge - Mumbai, India. In August I traveled to India, partially with a tour group mainly eating buffet style. Some of these were very good, as cited below, but my best meal in India was at this restaurant in Mumbai's famed Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where I stayed for a night. There was a special menu to celebrate India's 70th Independence Day, and I greatly enjoyed my salmon dish and much else.
● Pierpont's - Kansas City. An excellent steakhouse in KCMO's Union Station. A generous "tasting menu" combo deal provided filet mignon, crab cakes, bisque and creme brulee, and the server was memorable as well.
● Culver's - Skokie. The Wisconsin-based fast-food chain opened a location in Skokie, and
was probably where I ate the most in 2017. Not exactly health food, but I love the sourdough melt, pot roast sandwich, pork tenderloin sandwich, cheese curds and custard of many varieties.
● Taco Diablo - Evanston. I've long enjoyed Taco Nano, something of a posh taqueria in Northfield, and noticed, visited & wrote about several similar taco stands that exist in Chicago's North Shore suburbs (Trendy Taco, Taco Lago, Stacked & Folded, The Otherdoor). Taco Diablo is somewhat different, as it has wait service, but I really enjoyed the tacos I got there, and the range of options. 
● Savory Crust - Morton Grove. A small joint with literally one table, but their fresh empanadas are wonderful.

● Cosme - New York. Every time I go to NYC, I try to find a fancy restaurant to splurge at, though relatively inexpensively (typically for lunch rather than dinner). Cosme fit the bill, as it is ranked #40 on the World's Best Restaurant list and is owned by a chef of a place I liked in Mexico City (Pujol). But getting just tacos (featuring Cobia, a fish) and dessert, it didn't cost a fortune.
● Las Fuentes - Morton Grove. Still my "go-to" Mexican restaurant near home, and I haven't tasted better Mole sauce (on the enchiladas) anywhere else.
● Shahpura House - Jaipur, India. The fanciest restaurant on the Gate 1 "Golden Triangle" tour of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. A bit of tummy queasiness prompted me not to indulge in the buffet quite as much as I might have liked, but still quite a memorable excursion, including rooftop appetizers and entertainment before our main meal. 
● Real Urban Barbecue - Skokie. I've enjoyed their restaurants in Highland Park and Vernon Hills, so was glad when one opened this year on Touhy in Skokie. Between their Burnt Ends sandwiches and fine baby back ribs, it was better BBQ than I had on a trip to Kansas City.
● Monastero's - Chicago. This family-owned Italian restaurant has been a Chicagoinstitution for 55 years. Though I'd been to a friend's wedding in the banquet hall some years back, I didn't ever eat in the restaurant, until a week before it closed forever. My sister and I took my mom for her birthday and we all really enjoyed it.
● Rojo Gusano

- Chicago Located along Ravenswood, I went here during Chicago Restaurant Week back in February, and still fondly recall the ceviche.
● Riobamba Latin Kitchen - Glenview. A bit after my taco exploration mentioned above (under Taco Diablo), I discovered this place and feel it deserves mention.
● Ess-a-Bagel - New York. The line was out the door, but I circumvented it by getting just one bulk "everything" bagel with nothing on it, to eat as I walked down 51st Street toward Rockefeller Center. It may be the best bagel I've ever had, and I consider myself a connoisseur.
● The Exchange - Novotel Aerocity, Delhi, India. By far the best of several hotel buffets enjoyed on my Indian adventure.
● Prime & Provisions -  Chicago. A Restaurant Week meal here with good friends supplied the best steak I had in Chicago in 2017. 
● The Noodle - Wilmette. A selection on past lists, but with pasta made and cut fresh in front of one's eyes, this remains my favorite restaurant close to home. 
● Poochie's - Skokie. Still my favorite hot dog stand anywhere. 

Been Coming Round Since I Was 2: The Original Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Lincolnwood, IL

Wednesday night, with two close friends, I went to a classic movie screening presented by the Northwest Chicago Film Society on the main campus of Northeastern Illinois University.

The movie, Nightmare Alley, is both a highly renowned and largely unheralded example of film noir made in 1947 and starring Tyrone Power.

I see enough Golden Age cinema that catching a 70-year-old movie--albeit one I'd never seen or even heard of before--isn't all that noteworthy.

Nor would it seem was grabbing dinner beforehand at a fairly nearby restaurant that I've long enjoyed.

But in going to the original location of Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, at 6649 N. Lincoln in Lincolnwood (just north of Chicago)--amid a rainstorm as shown below--it dawned on me that I've been going there ever since it opened in 1971. (Although given that I was two years old at the time, I didn't initially go on my own accord.)

Once again on Wednesday, the pizza was awesome.

I always get Lou Malnati's famed deep-dish, and shared a pepperoni and green pepper pie with my friend Ken; it was pretty much perfect and as good as ever.

Our friend Dave opted for a thin pepperoni that he also greatly enjoyed.

Though still one of the closer Lou locations to my Skokie home, I don't get to the original Lincolnwood restaurant all that often--perhaps once or twice a year--so doing so again was a real treat.

Certainly there are ties that go back before my time of conscious thought, as my mom is pretty certain that she and my dad took me and my sisters here soon after it opened, which Lou Malnati's website notes as March 17, 1971.

I can picture at least a few notable Lincolnwood visits with family and/or friends, among dozens of others.

And on Saturday, October 24, 1981, I celebrated my Bar Mitzvah in their party room downstairs.

On at least a couple of occasions when I lived in the Los Angeles area between 1990-92, I ordered "Lou to Go" and received four frozen pies via FedEx, packed with dry ice.

I remember it being a big hit among those uninitiated to prime Chicago deep-dish.

And while Lincolnwood is most sentimental and special of Lou Malnati's Chicagoland locations--they now have 47! including carryout/delivery-only spots, plus a new one in Phoenix--I made a point of choosing others when they were near workplaces or my 12-year-residence in west suburban Glen Ellyn.

The Naperville Lou Malnati's in an old fire station is one I enjoyed numerous times, including at least one memorable birthday dinner. Likewise, the Buffalo Grove location hosted at least a few after-work get-togethers when I worked in Deerfield.

For years, my friend Todd and I would eat at the Schaumburg location on Roselle Rd., and always get a chuckle from our waitress for playing Scrabble over dinner.

The first Chicago Lou's location on Wells Street, one in Lincoln Park and an Elk Grove Village restaurant also bring fond memories, while the Wilmette carryout/delivery branch has been a dependable staple numerous times over many years.

The decor in full-service Lou Malnati's is usually heavy in sports memorabilia, and I'm pretty certain a display in Lincolnwood is how I first learned about Brian Piccolo, a Chicago Bears running back who died of cancer at 26 (as depicted in the movie Brian's Song).

Anyway, this isn't meant to be a review nor free advertising, but it seemed like a good opportunity to celebrate a place that has been an important part of my life and continues to serve up delight.

In full disclosure, Lou Malnati's is now only one of three Chicago area pizzerias I regularly patronize--either for dine-in, delivery or carryout--and probably less so these days than Pizano's. (Gino's East is my other favorite, but convenient locations have disappeared, most notably from Rolling Meadows.)

Interestingly, Pizano's--which serves my favorite thin-crust pizza as well as an excellent deep-dish--appears also to be run by a member of the Malnati family.

If I've interpreted the website's histories correctly, Rudy Malnati, Sr. opened Pizzeria Uno in Chicago in 1943, featuring--perhaps inventing, but I can't confidently go that far--deep-dish pizza for which the Windy City is now famed.

His son, Lou Malnati, worked with him at Uno--there's also Pizzeria Due, but I'm unclear on the origins and ownership--and opened his namesake restaurant in Lincolnwood in 1971, along with his wife Jean.

Lou died from cancer in 1978 and it seems his oldest son, Marc Malnati, took over the family business, aided eventually by his brother Rick. I'm not sure who is still involved, but obviously Lou Malnati's Pizzeria has expanded greatly over the years.

Per the Pizano's website--I largely patronize their Glenview location and one on Madison near State in downtown Chicago, but four others exist--Rudy Malnati, Jr. (who would seem to be Lou Malnati's brother) opened Pizano's in 1991, with active assistance from his mother, Donna.

When it comes to pizza, there isn't much that I don't like, but the only pies I would truly say I love come from Lou Malnati's, Gino's East and Pizano's.

I'm glad all seem to be thriving, and have expanded, including beyond Chicago.

But the original Lincolnwood location of Lou Malnati's has provided the most pronounced slice of my life.

So I was happy to eat there once again, nearly 46 years on, and already look forward to my next visit coming round.

The Best of 2016: Some Most Memorable Meals

As with most years, I ate at a lot of restaurants in 2016, and this year I kept a list of every one.

Including restaurant meals eaten at home and branded food court selections in a corporate setting (i.e. during a job assignment), the list had over 300 entries.

And entreés. (Though I didn't keep track of specific meals eaten, other than occasional photos.)

I certainly ate at a lot of places I liked, from old standbys to new discoveries. A few cost a pretty penny, but compared to last year--when I was inspired to try several places on a Zagat Top 50 list for Chicago--there were relatively few steakhouse splurges or gourmet explorations.

So I don't think I need to divide a list out by categories like I did last year, but it also seems odd to try to compare $50 meals with $8 meals, or those eaten this week with some consumed last January.

Hence, I'll do this.

Restaurants I Especially Savored in 2016
Not in ranked order. Primarily based on food and perhaps setting & ambiance; not factoring in companions, occasions, etc.

● Meson Sabika - Naperville, IL. Excellent tapas in an exquisite setting.
● Del Frisco's - Chicago. A terrific Restaurant Week choice for a hearty steak.
● Pappy's Smokehouse - St. Louis. Legendary BBQ joint with ribs and sides that merit the hype.
● RJ Grunts - Chicago. The original Lettuce Entertain You joint; was there on a night baby back ribs were available and they were great, along with one of the best salad bars anywhere. Also loved the ribs at LEY's L. Woods in Lincolnwood.
● 90 Miles Cuban Cafe - Lincolnwood, IL. Long a fan on their Chicago locations, the Lincolnwood branch didn't disappoint when I finally got there the other day.
● Glenn's Diner - Chicago. Splendid fresh fish preparations in a casual setting on Montrose; has become a favorite in recent years.
● Las Fuentes - Morton Grove, IL. My "go-to" Mexican restaurant, and I haven't tasted better Mole sauce (on the enchiladas) anywhere else. Other Mexican restaurants I quite enjoyed in 2016 include Mercadito (Chicago), El Mariachi (Chicago), Depot Nuevo (Wilmette) and Tortilla Rounds (Washington, DC).
● Sonny's - Philadelphia. Can't say I really got the fuss about Philly Cheesesteaks before going here; now I do.
● Langostinos Nayarit - Mount Prospect, IL. Stumbled on this Mexican seafood restaurant one evening and found it rather unique and quite enjoyable.
● Shapiro's Delicatessen - Indianapolis. Made a point of stopping here on the way home from Ohio; loved the Reuben. Also had a great Corned Beef sandwich at Ontario St. Cafe in Cleveland.
● Luke's Lobster - Chicago. With top-notch lobster rolls on Lasalle near Randolph, it's now my favorite place to eat before theater at the Cadillac Palace. And the crab roll is just as good, for less.
● State & Lake Chicago Tavern - Chicago. Was a lot nicer that I envisioned (given the "tavern" in the name) and served some really good seafood.
● Phillips Seafood - Baltimore. While I wasn't as smitten by their famous Maryland Crab Cakes as I was probably supposed to be, eating them al fresco on the Inner Harbor was still rather cool.


Favorite...
(of places visited in 2016)

Pizza: Pizano's - Glenview (both thick & thin). Also: Gino's East, Lou Malnatis
Italian Beef: Al's Beef. Also: Johnnie's, Portillo's
Hot Dogs: Poochie's - Skokie. Also: Superdawg, Little Island (Evanston). (Note: Technically, I prefer and tend to eat Polish Sausage.)
Tacos: Big & little's - Chicago. Also: Taco Nano (Northfield); El Carrito (Chicago); Carbon (Chicago); Taqueria Los Comales (Niles)
Chinese: Great Beijing - Lincolnwood Also: Orange Garden (Chicago)
Italian: The Noodle - Wilmette. Also: Maggiano's, Noodles & Co.
Other Ethnic: Kabul House (Afghan) - Skokie. Also: Shokran (Moroccan; Chicago)
Gyros: Dengeos - Skokie
Burgers: Labriola Cafe - Oak Brook. Also: Hackney's (Glenview), Boba Burger (Niles)
Salad: Pizza Capri (Mixed Greens salad) - Chicago. Hated to see Sweet Tomatoes go.
Fast Food: McDonald's. Also: Taco Bell, Culver's
Local Joints: Sarkis Cafe - Evanston. Also: Curt's Cafe (Evanston), Bill's Drive-In (Evanston)
Buffet: Ginza Buffet - Niles
Standby: Bakers Square. Also: Omega, Panera. Sorry to see Ruby Tuesday disappear.
Breakfast: Annie's - Skokie. Also: Alexander's (Skokie), IHOP
Bagels: New York Bagel & Bialy - Skokie. (Also great coffee cake.)  
Ice Cream: Ted Drewes Custard - St. Louis. Also: Chocolate Shoppe (Chicago)
  
I also want to give shout-outs to Podhalanka in Chicago and Cozy Corner, a nondescript diner I came across in central Baltimore. While the meals themselves didn't merit mention above, both places appeared to be run by older, immigrant women who couldn't have been nicer in taking care of me and all other customers observed. Made for quite heartwarming and memorable visits.

The Best of 2015: Some Most Memorable Meals

It should be fairly obvious that I like to eat.

But I don't like to cook, or at least just don't do it very often.

Certainly, financial imperative demands that I eat some meals at home, but almost all of these involve a microwave, toaster, George Foreman grill, cereal bowl or--if I'm really ambitious--a frying pan.

So in the name of good taste, I wind up eating in quite a lot of restaurants.

The majority of these aren't very fancy and as, in addition to not demonstrating culinary skills I've never watched a single cooking show, I can't really pass myself off as a gourmet.

Or a foodie.

But somewhat akin to how I attend, enjoy, review and, at year's end, compare & extol concerts, musicals, plays, albums, songs, museums, movies, etc., etc., so to do I perceive fine cooking to be an art form worthy of exploration, comparison and, yes, expenditure, rather than simple digestion.

Though I am comfortable dining by myself, and often do, again in 2015 I delighted in many meals
shared with a wide array of relatives, friends and colleagues, some who were kind enough to treat me.

See the full Zagat list here

All of these made for "memorable meals" and although any sort of rankings would be about the food itself, given the challenge of remembering specifics of meals savored over the past 12 months--and who knows if I ordered "the right thing" anywhere--instead I'll just highlight places I greatly enjoyed, split as best I can.

A good number of restaurants below can be found on Zagat's 50 Best Restaurants in Chicago list--based on consumer surveys; published in January 2015--which I used as something of a guide of places to try.

Before the start of 2015, I had eaten at 12 restaurants on the Zagat list, but added 10 more to my tally throughout the year.

The categories are imperfect; some "fancy & exotic" cost far less than some steakhouses--especially if patronized during Chicago Restaurant Week--and a few could even qualify as "cheap eats." And a few of the "cheap eats" had rather fancy flavorings and some costlier options.

The Most Memorable Meals I Enjoyed in 2015
were at these restaurants (in no specific order):

Fancy and/or Exotic

Jean-Georges - NYC

Azul Historico - Mexico City
Pujol - Mexico City
Jean-Georges - NYC
El Mayor - Mexico City
Frontera Grill - Chicago (Mexican)
Longman & Eagle - Chicago
Au Cheval - Chicago (Famed cheeseburger)
Katsu - Chicago (Sushi)
Oceanique - Evanston
Mixteco Grill - Chicago (Mexican)
Blackbird - Chicago
The Purple Pig - Chicago
Tava - Morton Grove (Indian Buffet)
Kansaku - Evanston (Sushi)
Tanta - Chicago (Peruvian)
Seagrape - Miami Beach
Glenn's Diner - Chicago (Seafood)
McCormick & Schmick's - Skokie
Hello Tacos / De Cero - Chicago

Oceanique - Evanston

Heaven on Seven - Chicago (Cajun)
Xoco - Chicago (Mexican)
Cafe de Tacuba - Mexico City
Depot Nuevo - Wilmette  (Latin)

Steak & Chops

The Capital Grille - Rosemont
Chicago Cut Steakhouse - Chicago
Frontier - Chicago

Morton's - Northbrook
Keens - NYC

Rosebud PrimeSwift & Sons
Jameson's Charhouse

Chicago Cut Steakhouse - Chicago

Miller's Pub
L. Woods (Ribs)
Gale Street Inn (Ribs)
Longhorn Steakhouse
Rub Backcountry Smokehouse (Ribs)
Allstate Arena Prime Rib Sandwich
United Center Prime Rib Sandwich
 

Cheap Eats

Curt's Cafe - Evanston
Real Urban BBQ - Vernon Hills
Naf Naf Grill - Niles
BIG & little's - Chicago
Taco Nano - Northfield

Dengeos - Skokie

El Carrito - Chicago

Poochie's - Skokie
Portillos - Skokie and various
Al's Beef - Niles
Sarkis Cafe - Evanston
Sparky's - Skokie
Pizza Capri - Chicago (I like the Mixed Baby Greens salad) 
Johnnie's Beef - Arlington Heights
Herm's Palace - Skokie
Superdawg - Chicago
Pita Inn - Skokie
Taste of Cuba - Lincolnwood
El Carrito - Chicago (A great newcomer)
Sopraffina - Chicago (I enjoy their salads) 
Cafecito - Chicago
Chicago's Dog House

Azul Historico - Mexico City

Hot "G" Dog

Standbys - Old & New

Las Fuentes - Morton Grove
Pizano's - Glenview (Best Pizza)
The Noodle - Wilmette
Bakers Square - Wilmette
Ruby Tuesday - Skokie
Alexander's - Skokie (Brunch)
Annie's - Skokie (Brunch)
Hotcakes - Wilmette (Brunch)
Courier Cafe - Urbana (Brunch)
Taqueria Los Comales - Niles

Blackbird - Chicago

El Tipico - Skokie
Himalayan - Niles (Indian Buffet)
Glenview House - Glenview
Dixie Kitchen - Evanston
Ridgeview Grill - Wilmette
Players Grill - Highland Park
Siam Rice - Chicago
Lou Malnati's - Lincolnwood 
Sweet Tomatoes - Glenview
The Bagel - Skokie

Sweet Treats

The Doughnut Plant - NYC

Doughnut Plant - New York

Mirabelle Bakery - Urbana
Chez Bon Bon - Miami Beach
Margie's Candies - Chicago
Stan's Donuts - Chicago
Cafe Lutz - Chicago

For the History more than the Meal

Versailles - Miami
News Cafe - Miami Beach
Sloppy Joes - Key West
Jack's - Skokie
Patsy's - NYC

In Honor of Chicago Restaurant Week 2015, a Savory Salute to Some of My Local Favorites

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Chicago Restaurant Week originated in 2008, but I only began paying attention and partaking last year.

I enjoyed terrific meals at Smith & Wollensky downtown, McCormick & Schmick's in Skokie and at Farmhouse Tavern in Evanston. (All three restaurants are participating again this year.) 

Now running 2 weeks--through February 12--with more than 300 city and suburban eateries participating, Chicago Restaurant Week 2015 begins today.

You can find all the listings on the Choose Chicago website, and see the special 3- and 4-course menus the restaurants are offering. With appetizer, entree and dessert, lunches cost $22, while dinners are $33 or $44.

Liking the generous $33 dinner value offered by The Capital Grille, a pal and I will be trying that acclaimed steakhouse for the first time, and with a group of friends I will head to Frontier for a wild-game Restaurant Week experience including Smoked Wild Boar Shank. 

I'm also intrigued by Oceanique for seafood in Evanston and Las Tablas Colombian steakhouse in Lincoln Park.

Though obviously not dirt cheap, Chicago Restaurant Week offers the chance to try some different places for considerably less than you might ordinarily. I recommend checking out the website and making reservations in advance through Open Table.

---

The rest of this piece isn't directly tied to Chicago Restaurant Week, and not meant to imply that any of
the places named below are participating in the promotion (though some may be).

But while I am on the subject of food, and dining, I thought I would salute some of the places I most relish in and around Chicago, with many being in the North Suburbs due to my living in Skokie.

I do not base this on exhaustive research but rather personal proclivity, and any favorites of yours not indicated by me are very likely omitted due to a lack of familiarity. Although food quality is certainly a major component, it's not the only criteria I consider.

Though this will be different than my Memorable Meals of 2014 recaps, recency and frequency of eating somewhere certainly factor in.

I probably won't include many places I've only visited once, but on my Chicago Dining World Tour, mainly in 2013--on which I explicitly tried to get to restaurants representing as many different ethnicities as possible--I did experience some meals I really thought the world of.

So like any opinions I offer here, take these with a grain of salt, but these are the Chicago Area Restaurants I Most Savor in various categories:

(Located in Chicago except where noted; some may have multiple locations)

Pizza - Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, Pizano's. All three have great deep-dish, while Pizano's has the best thin crust I've ever had.

Italian Beef - Al's, Johnnie's, Portillo's

Hot Dogs/Polish Sausage - Poochie's (Skokie), Superdawg, Jim's Original, Gene & Jude's (River Grove), Murphy's, Chicago's Dog House. With a shout out to the dear, departed Hot Doug's.

Gyros - Dengeos (Skokie), Flips (Glen Ellyn)

Delis - Manny's, The Bagel (Skokie), Kaufman's (Skokie), Schmaltz Deli (Naperville)

Bagels - New York Bagel & Bialy (Skokie)

Steak/Chops - Gibsons, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Chicago Chop House, Lawry's The Prime Rib

BBQ Ribs - Carson's, L. Woods (Lincolnwood), Sweet Baby Ray's (Elk Grove Village, Wood Dale)

BBQ Sandwiches - Smoque, Real Urban Barbecue (Highland Park, Vernon Hills)

Burgers - Labriola Bakery Cafe (Oak Brook), Hackney's (Glenview), Rudy's, Bat 17 (Evanston)

Seafood - Players Grill (Deerfield), McCormick & Schmick's, Bob Chinn's (Wheeling), Glenn's Diner

Mexican - Las Fuentes (Morton Grove), Wholly Frijoles (Lincolnwood), Taco Nano (Winnetka), El Tipico (Skokie), Carbon, BIG & little's, Nuevo Leon, Taqueria Las Comales

Thai - Siam Rice, Ruby of Siam (Skokie)

Indian - Himalayan (Niles), Viceroy of India (Lombard), Tiffin, Cuisine of India (Mt. Prospect)

Italian - The Noodle (Wilmette), Maggiano's

Greek - The Greek Islands, Psistaria (Lincolnwood), Mykonos (Niles)

Cajun - Dixie Kitchen (Evanston), Heaven on Seven

Chinese - China Chef (Morton Grove), Lao Sze Chuan, PF Chang's, The Great Beijing (Lincolnwood), Golden Wok II (Glen Ellyn) 

Other Ethnic - Sushi Inn (Japanese, Lombard), Kabul House (Afghan, Skokie), Staropolska (Polish), Laschet's Inn (German), Cafecito (Cuban), Taste of Cuba (Cuban, Lincolnwood), Pita Inn (Mediterranean, Skokie), Tapas Barcelona (Spanish, Evanston), Cafe Central (Puerto Rican), Shokran (Moroccan), Irazu (Costa Rican), Ay Ay Picante (Peruvian), Libertad (Latin American, Skokie), Jilly's (French, Evanston)

Brunch - Annie's (Skokie), Walker Bros., Marcello's Father & Son (Sunday only), Lucky Platter (Evanston), Lou Mitchell's

Ice Cream, etc. - Homer's (Wilmette), Margie's Candies, Mario's Italian Lemonade

Salads - Panera, Pizza Capri, Sopraffina, Sweet Tomatoes

Chains - McDonald's, Ruby Tuesday, Red Lobster, Bakers Square, Outback Steakhouse

Random Other Places I Like - Alinea (only been there once but it was great), Sarkis Cafe (Evanston), Fogo de Chao, Firehouse Grill (Evanston), Sparky's (Skokie), Curt's Cafe (Evanston), Ridgeview Grill (Wilmette), Seven Dwarfs (Wheaton), The Walnut Room at Macy's

Of related note, I point you to Zagat's just released ranking of the Top 50 Restaurants in Chicago. The Capital Grille will be the 12th of these I've dined at. And of Eater.com's list of 25 Classic Restaurants Every Chicagoan Must Try, I've been to 15.

The Chicago Dining World Tour: La Sierra Provides Tasty Opening to the Ecuador Way

La Sierra

Ecuatorian (and Mexican)

1637 W. Montrose, Chicago
773.549.5538
Website

Not too long ago I saw an article about Ecuador that noted the South American country has become a popular retirement destination for American expatriates due to a low cost of living and a nice way of life, including fine weather.

Shortly thereafter I noticed a restaurant on Montrose Avenue, La Sierra, whose awning heralded both Ecuatorian (or Ecuadorean) and Mexican food. I made a note in my iPhone and subsequently went there, curious about the cuisine of Ecuador, primarily as a new entry in my Chicago Dining World Tour but also because, who knows, I might one day live there.

The menu has separate listings for Ecuatorian and Mexican dishes, and though I love Mexican food, especially as I've already written about it, this was solely an equator-bordering gastro-ethnic expedition.

But you would be forgiven for thinking there are culinary similarities between the two cultures, at least in terms of how they crossover at this Chicago storefront eatery.

Not only I brought a bowl of chips and salsa--two different kinds, both tasty--but in ordering an appetizer identified as Ecuatorian and called Humita = corn meal masa filled with cheese steamed in a corn husk, what I got was essentially a tamale. A rather fresh and savory tamale, but largely tamale-like nonetheless.

I asked the pleasant waitress--quite possibly one of the proprietors--for an authentically Ecuatorian entree recommendation and she suggested Carne con Maduros = strip steak served with plantains along with white rice and some salad.

As you can see, it was a rather thin piece of meat--even more so than what passes for steak in France--but it was quite nicely seasoned and tasted very good.

Similarly, though it was neither the biggest nor best portion of sweet plantains I've ever had, it nonetheless was an accompaniment I enjoyed, as always.

I won't pretend I know a great deal more about what I might eat on a daily basis in Ecuador than I did before I went to La Sierra--and likely won't have to worry about it for awhile--but based on a small sample size, I think I'll be all right.

I also really liked the apple-flavored soft drink I got, called Manzana, so if I do wind up spending my golden years straddling the equator, I shouldn't go too hungry or thirsty.

And if you happen to be near Montrose and Ashland--hint: the northern Margie's Candies and ice cream outpost is just a few blocks west by the Ravenswood L--La Sierra will likely equate to a rather tasty and unique choice for lunch or dinner.

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You Never Sausage A Thing! -- Why Hot Doug's Is Chicago's Greatest Food Phenomenon

Restaurant Spotlight and Review

Hot Doug's
3324 N. California, Chicago
hotdougs.com
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One of the dictionary definitions of "insanity" is: something utterly foolish or unreasonable. In telling you that on Saturday a friend and I waited in line for 100 minutes--in unseasonably chilly weather--to get a hot dog, I would be hard pressed to plead not guilty to being insane. 

And to admit that the wait was excessively long, as I was expecting it to only be half that time or less, doesn't really go all that far to mitigate the seeming absurdity of queuing up down the block simply to stuff one's gullet with sausages.

Now, as someone with more than enough meat on my buns already, this isn't something I'll be doing every week, and it's hard to even say it was worth it--especially as the line seemed to move particularly slowly compared to prior visits--but I will say this:

Hot Doug's is unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Sure there are hundreds of other hot dog joints around Chicago, and--though any not using Vienna Beef products are second rate--far beyond. And there are even other relatively decent, though considerably lesser Hot Doug's imitators, like Chicago's Dog House on Fullerton and fRedhots & Fries in Glenview, who similarly serve wild game and other exotically concocted sausages, without the excessive waiting.

But there are also several very good reasons Hot Doug's engenders the hardcore devotion that it does. As the mock Magritte adorning the men's room--here's what it's imitating and a second version of sur'meal'ism--attests, this is not a hot dog. It's an experience.

And except for activist vegetarians (although there is a Veggie Dog on the menu) and those with only a half-hour for lunch, there's something for everyone to love.

First, the food.

On the back of Hot Doug's T-shirts--including some cool new ones--is the saying: There are no two finer words in the English language than "encased meats," my friend. And Doug Sohn, a trained chef who opened the current--and only--location at 3324 N. California after an earlier one burned down in 2004, takes his encased meats seriously.

In addition to a variety of humorously-monikered links on the standard menu, every week Hot Doug's features a dozen rotating specialty sausages, including a "Celebrity Sausage" and "The Game of the Week."

On Saturday, I opted for a "Ribeye Steak Sausage with Horseradish-Garlic Cream Sauce and Crispy Fried Onions," as shown above, and a "The Marty Allen" (formerly the Don Rickles), a Thuringer made of beef, pork and garlic, topped with the standard dog condiments, which at Hot Doug's include carmelized onions. My friend Dave got the same two choices, but without any toppings, and we shared a heaping order of "duck fat fries," which are fries cooked in, well, duck fat. (For those who know that I'm allergic to poultry, somehow I didn't drop dead.)

Especially after the long wait made us ravenous, everything tasted fantastic. I've eaten at Hot Doug's probably about ten times now and have tried to sample a variety of sausages, and have never been disappointed. Although I'm not as obsessive about the duck fat fries as others seem to be; they're great, but to me, not better enough than the standard fries to warrant a weekend trip (they're only served on Friday & Saturday) or even the extra expense.

But it's not just the food. 

If you know me, or have read anything else on this blog, you should know how much I love creativity in various forms. Beyond my own blog writing, advertising copywriting, photography, cartooning and more, I spend much of my time enjoying works of theater, art, music, film, television and more. So even more than the food itself, for me the greatest appeal of Hot Doug's is imagination. 

From all the different sausages Doug and his staff conceive, concoct and artfully adorn, to the numerous cheeky decorations throughout the rather compact space, Hot Doug's has clearly taken the venerable Chicago-tradition of neighborhood Vienna Beef hot dog stands and turned it into an art form of the highest order.

Despite the tremendous success, at least as indicated by lines down the block, Doug seems dedicated to doing things his own way rather than succumb to expanding Hot Doug's in a manner that might not be as self-satisfying. While I would prefer not to wait as long, I actually find this bit of iconoclasticness to be quite endearing.

Sohn could obviously move to a larger space, build additional locations or be open more hours than 10:30-4:00 Monday-Saturday, with the whole enterprise frequently shutting down for a week or two at a time. When you think about the common assumptions of capitalism, to not do any of these things is a lot crazier than expecting satisfied patrons to wait in line. Doug is always at the front counter, cheekily greets every customer and even advises dine-in customers to get smaller-sized sodas since there are free refills.

Plus, I've never been to any restaurant where every staff member is as nice as they are at Hot Doug's.

So maybe I won't be waiting in line for hours every weekend, but barring any unforeseen calamities, I'll certainly be back. Not only is Hot Doug's a place that every Chicagoan should know about--I'm grateful to a former colleague who turned me onto it a few years ago--but even more than other local favorites like Al's Italian Beef, Lou Malnati's, Gino's East, great BBQ joints, top steakhouses and super-swanky places like Alinea and Charlie Trotter's, it is the distinct dining experience that I'd most recommend Windy City tourists make a point of discovering.

And compared to flying in from Hong Kong or driving in from Duluth, waiting in line for 100 minutes doesn't seem all that insane.