In Spring The Contingent's Thoughts Turn to Dining "Ala Trunk"

I've been talking about this tour (since last year for cryin' out loud!) for a while and I reckon it's time to take some action.
 
The concept on this one is to celebrate Chicago food eaten outdoors.  Granted, we don't have many actual food trucks here, yet.  But we do have lot's of places serving good food that needs to be taken away for dining purposes.  I'm thinking about a smoked fish stop (specific location TBD), a Sonoran Hot Dog stop, a Banh Mi stop, a visit to the Cuban and Puerto Rican food trailers in Humboldt Park, and a grand finale with a revisit to La Palapa for extraordinary Mexican seafood eaten in the shadow of a giant fiberglass great white shark.
 
I need to get this on my calendar ASAP so I can schedule the Roadhouse Bar-B-Que Sauce Summer Tour around it.  So, whaddaya think Contingent--which weekend in May works best for the most people?  I'm thinking either of the last two weekends before Memorial Day--as long as it doesn't conflict with JRPfeff's Smoke Day event.
 
I know not everybody is hanging out as much here at Roadfood, so maybe we can send out some PMs.  But let's keep the discussion public, here on this thread so we all know what's going on in a central location.
 
Hope to hear from you all real soon!
 
Buddy

May 21/22 won't work for us (NRA National Restaurant Show). A great stop for outstanding fried shrimp is the Red Hot Ranch on Western Avenue, down the block from Margie's Candies. Nina and I ate there last night. Red Hot Ranch is owned by 35th Street Dogs and the Wiener's Circle. Red Hot Ranch offers outdoor dining with picnic tables.
 

CSD, are you set up with your cart at the show, or just samples of everything Vienna makes. I can't make it to the show this year, but will try to get their next year. I would like my first Chicago style dog to be from the "Master of the game"..........Hope your doing well...............................PNWC

PNWC, my cart is propane powered and not allowed indoors. However, Vienna Beef will have some electric carts serving samples. Hope to see you next year.
 
Take care,
 
Mark

Buddy - Avoid Memorial Day weekend for the tour.  Aside from that, I think at least some of the JR-Divas can join in on whatever day you end up choosing.
jrp

The 14th or 15th is probably a better for us, also.

I will be in Illinois the weekend of May 21 but in Springfield.

I am actually traveling most of May-yeah for me! I have put aside Memorial Day, however...

We can move this to June if enough people prefer it.  I picked May because I figured JRPfeff and the Pie Diva would still be among our ranks.  If that will still be the case in June, we can do it then--warmer weather, anyway.
 
Buddy

We may be busy May 14, but other than that this tour sounds like alot of fun- and having missed that last LaPalapa event, I am all for this one!

Thanks for the PM heads up Buddy. The itinerary sounds great. Any weekend in May works for me. June is pretty much wide open too.
Gyp/Chuck T

sounds good to me.  should be available any date chosen

I'll be in NOLA June 9 - 14, as will ChuckL, otherwise, I'm fine with any of June.
May is more difficult, as Mother's Day, my mother's birthday and my niece's birthday take up a bunch of time, but unfortunately, I don't know what days will be taken, yet, and probably won't until May. 
 

I'm starting to think June might be a better option--more availability with fewer conflicts, warmer weather for dining outside, more time to plan the tour and zero in on prospective stops, etc.  Maybe the third weekend; Saturday, June 18th or Sunday, June 19th (my preference, assuming everywhere we want to stop will be open on Sunday).
 
What say you?
 
Buddy

Fine w/me.

Thanks for arranging this, Buddy, though I may have to live vicariously through roadfood reports after the fact. It looks like my best May option is the 14th and 15th, though I might be able to do something the 21st and 22nd (right before I leave for a big trip). I doubt I'll be free May 7-8 and I know I won't be around May 28-29.
 
June is not quite as open for me--I'm out of town every weekend except 25-26!
 
Quijote

I appreciate the PM to give me a heads-up, but I honestly have no idea how my schedule will shape up - or what last-minute conflict may arise to gum things up (happening lately with alarmingly increased frequency).  I promise if you all pick a date - and I am available, I will make every effort to attend - but can probably not offer any further guidance in choosing a date beyond that.

Thanks for the heads up. I certainly will make it if at all possible.

Stricken's b-day is the 18th and I have a roller derby game that night.

abe_froeman


Stricken's b-day is the 18th and I have a roller derby game that night.

What position do you play?
 
This is starting to shape up as more of a June trip, which is okay with me.  So far we know that quijote is only available June 25th and 26th.  Anyone else have any June issues?
 
Buddy

June 19 (Father's Day) and 26 (baseball game) are out for me but otherwise my schedule's suspiciously clear.  Almost makes me wonder if I forgot to write something down.
 
EDIT:  I did.  My oldest graduates from high school on the 5th and I think it's probably a good idea for me to attend.
 
Brad

ScreamingChicken


June 19 (Father's Day) and 26 (baseball game) are out for me but otherwise my schedule's suspiciously clear.  Almost makes me wonder if I forgot to write something down.

EDIT:  I did.  My oldest graduates from high school on the 5th and I think it's probably a good idea for me to attend.

Brad

But then you'll need a gift...

....and a tuition payment.
 
Easier to skip town now.

"EDIT:  I did.  My oldest graduates from high school on the 5th and I think it's probably a good idea for me to attend."
 
You are cracking me up today, B.
 
I don't mind spending my birthday in Chicago with you guys, eating food off trunks. And I can do a hotel room in the area the night before so I can be wide awake & yanno *in the area*  for the festivities.


We didn't get to Margie's last time, nor Humboldt Park, so I think those 2 are a must. Now. Are they anywhere near each other? As for smoked fish, I loved Calumet, but realize it's almost in Indiana (!) and so would be willing to try another place because smoked shrimps =
 
Memorial Day weekend is out because my cousin is graduating HS & I have his party & the danged family reunion that weekend, too. May 9 is a bridal shower for my cousin.

s_d,
I think we're looking toward June now to give folks more time to emotionally prepare for the big event.
 
Margie's and Humboldt Park are close enough to each other, although Margie's is quite small and would be overwhelmed by our group.  And I don't think their massive ice cream sundaes are conducive to eating Ala Trunk, but, you never know.
 
As for the issue of smoked shrimp, I think Calumet Fisheries may be the only place in the area that does smoked shrimp.  There are plenty of others that do fried shrimp.  Actually, the place I had in mind, Hagen's, does a fine fish sandwich, on a par with some of the best White Fish Sandwiches I've had in Pittsburgh.  And if I know him well enough (and I think I do), and if he's following this thread, right about now one of buffetbuster's eyebrows just went up in that "oh really?" kind of way that says, "be careful what you say about Pittsburgh White Fish Sandwiches, 'cause I'm here to tell you there ain't nuthin' like a Pittsburgh White Fish Sandwich."  Well bb, I've had your Pittsburgh White Fish Sandwiches, and I love 'em.  But I gotta tell you, we've got some pretty good fish sandwiches ourselves here on the banks of the Great Lakes, and Hagen's makes one of 'em.
 
There are also a couple of other Fish Shacks under consideration at this time.
 
So that's it.  I'm still hoping to get more feedback regarding dates and availability for the rest of the group.  I'll continue to do my research and refine the tour.
 
Buddy

Hagen's sounds great! What is a Sonoran dog? And abe, what is the bar with the loud music with the really good mac & cheese?

stricken_detective


Hagen's sounds great! What is a Sonoran dog? And abe, what is the bar with the loud music with the really good mac & cheese?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sonoran+hot+dog
 
And it's Kuma's you're thinking of....we should go there without the group.

That's kind of a snarky link.
 
And yes, Kuma's is best visited without a big group.
 
Buddy

abe has been in a snarky mood this week. i think its because mercury is in retrograde next week.
 
(i wanted a description from someone who's eaten one & the ppl @ LTH scare me)

"There are many variations, but in general, all Sonoran dogs are wrapped in bacon, placed in a soft Mexican bun and topped with numerous condiments such as beans, mustard, mayonnaise, onions, tomatoes, cheese and jalapenos."