The Contingent's Late Winter/Early Spring 2010 Outing- Tell Your Friends!

Thoughts of the next outing were being mentioned in the Hagan's Fish Market thread, and not wanting to further contaminate that thread with our planning, we can talk about it here.

Obviously, Hagan's was on the list of suggestions, as were Puerto Rican and Cuban street food in Humboldt Park, Nhu Lan (a new banh mi place) and a suggestion to end the day at Burt's.

Sounds like we're leaning towards February or March, with Super Bowl Sunday (February 7th) being out and the end of March is no good because of the Roadfood Festival in NOLA.

So, where else do we want to go and when do we want to do it?

I'm free pretty much anytime in Feb and March, except the days already mentioned.

Although it might be too soon for some to get it together- I (and maybe others) have Monday Feb 15th off from work, so maybe the the weekend of Feb 13th/14th would be a good one, if folks were not compelled to have big celebrations for that other holiday....

and as I mentioned on the other thread, I think we could try to end up the evening at Burts...which some of the Milwaukee group have wanted to try and haven't had a chance yet.

I'll be hitting the road on Feb. 6th heading for Charleston SC ( via Oklahoma and Texas ), and won't be back until the 18th, so that rules out mid-Feb. for me.

Well, it looks like I'm forced to discuss this long before the dates I had in mind.  And by my own child.  How like a serpent's tooth...

Okay, as long as I'm in this position I might as well reveal my thoughts.  First off, the tour I have in mind would involve a majority of outdoor eating which would put us into the warmer months; June, July, or August.  The stops I'm pitching are (in no particular order at this point) Hagen's Fish Market (suggested by Brad Olson) for smoked and fried fish, Nhu Lan (suggested by MilwFoodlovers) for banh mi, the Puerto Rican and Cuban street food carts located in Humboldt Park, Delicias Mexicanas for Sonoran hot dogs (recently written about in several reviews here at Roadfood.  The places discussed here were all in the Southwest U.S..  Delicias Mexicanas is located right down on 26th Street!), and finally, a return trip to La Palapa for Mexican seafood.

A visit to Burt's as part of any tour is a bad idea for a number of reasons.  First, ordering a pizza at Burt's is like making an appointment.  You're expected to show up 15 minutes early so you can be seated and situated with drinks, apps, salads, etc.  When you order a pizza from Burt's for a specific time, that pizza will be on the table at that time whether you're sitting there or not.  Given that our tours have a very loose timetable, a prompt arrival at Burt's is not realistic.

Secondly, Burt's is a very small restaurant with limited seating.  Their goal is to serve as many customers per night as possible.  As such, they want to hustle you in and hustle you out as quickly as they can.  This is not a place where a group of our size can linger and enjoy each other's company.

If we really wany to schedule a night at Burt's we should just do it as a stand alone event.  Further, we should look toward a summer date when we can utilize the outdoor beer garden with out taking up valuable seating inside.  If the group is serious about visiting Burt's we should pick a date.  I'll coordinate the pre-order and make all necessary arrangements.  But this should be a one stop trip (okay, maybe a dessert stop afterward) so we can be there on time and enjoy the pizza at its optimum temperature and quality.

Buddy

Isn't it possible to have TWO outings? It's not like we're planning the very last one ever!
We could have one now, and one in the warmer months. I don't know about anyone else, but I was, in my head, looking forward to at least 2 Chicago outings this summer!

I agree with the Burt's assessment. That's a stand-alone thing.

Also, just to add yet another thing, we've been talking about going (again, as a stand-alone thing) to dinner at Mykonos in Niles, IL. 

At least 2, if not more!!!!! I have off February 15 as well. I hear they have deep fried bacon in Evanston, irisarbor!!!!!! MUAHAHAHA

We can plan as many trips as you'd like and I will participate in all of them.  The one mentioned above is the one I had in mind when writing in the Hagen's Fish market thread.

As for Mykonos, I'm ready any Sunday starting with the very next one.  Let's pick a date and do it.

Buddy

The very next one...meaning this Sunday?

BuddyRoadhouse


... First off, the tour I have in mind would involve a majority of outdoor eating ...

... Secondly, Burt's is a very small restaurant with limited seating.  Their goal is to serve as many customers per night as possible ...

Buddy

Why not Burt's ala Trunk?

We are no good until March.  There's that trip to NOLA and the cruise we are going on.

Jim

Depending on the location, my party can make it this Sunday. Several places are out because someone in my party cannot access Burt's or WASC( I assume WASC is the fried bacon place mentioned above). Neither are wheelchair accessible I've been told.

HAHA
I have no plans this Sunday either....
Mykonos would be indoors, and we could sit and chat.

X1


The very next one...meaning this Sunday?

Yup, this very Sunday, January 31st.  If y'all are available, let's get a headcount and call in a reservation.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse

X1


The very next one...meaning this Sunday?

Yup, this very Sunday, January 31st.  If y'all are available, let's get a headcount and call in a reservation.

Buddy

What?

Where?

When?

I think someone mentioned Mykonos. My vote is for Poochies but depending on the number of people that might be too small.

I had another thought-
If we're at Mykonos in Niles- (maybe lunch-ish)
would anyone be interested in a floating sushi bar later on? Mt. Prospect- they open at 5 on Sunday (no reservations...)

http://www.kampaisteakandsushi.com/sushibar.html

JRPfeff

What?

Where?

When?

JRP, X1 has been pushing for an evening at Mykonos, a Greek restaurant in Niles, Illinois, about a mile east of the Golf Road exit on I-294.  Mykonos is a classic Greek restaurant in the Chicago tradition.  They can easily accommodate a big group like ours and their menu selection is perfect for sharing so everyone gets a little taste of everything.  Obviously we'd like to include as many Contingent members as possible, so look at your calendar and pick some available Sundays when you wouldn't mind driving south of the border.

irisarbor

If we're at Mykonos in Niles- (maybe lunch-ish)
would anyone be interested in a floating sushi bar later on? Mt. Prospect- they open at 5 on Sunday (no reservations...)

iris, I think the goal on this particular trip is to meet at one place and have a leisurely evening where we can socialize without worrying about moving from place to place.  I would love to do a sushi trip sometime (that might be a good tour for you to organize-all sushi, or perhaps a pan-Asian tour), but I think once we get to Mykonos and start devouring big plates of lamb, moussaka, and octopus (not to mention a bottle or two of Roditis wine) we're not going to want to move until it's time to go home.

So, how about it Contingent folks, any takers for Greek food anytime in the near future, maybe even this Sunday, January 31st???

Buddy

I can make it this Sunday.

I'm pretty sure I can make it this Sunday...let me double-check.

As far as a Sushi tour...it would be fun to include H-Mart (the Korean grocery) in Niles and/or Mitsuwa (the Japanese supermarket) in Mt. Prospect. 

As a matter of fact, I think Kampai is in the same parking lot as Mitsuwa.

I can do this Sunday @ Mykonos.

Well, that's a good crowd so far...5...8 w/the rest of the Roadhouse family...9 - ? with the Iris clan...

Should we just say YES, and work on a time?

Lets say yes- how does 5:30  or 6 sound-
for the Irisarbor clan looks like me +3, but I'll have to check with the boys

(BTW- Mitsuwa is awesome, but not in the same lot w/Kampai- it's in Arlington Hts-and it would make a great pair up trip w Kampai some day since it's open earlier in the day- I LOVE the Hippo house breads....and the boys love the Gabutto burger with an egg on top)
 

 

iris - I agree - Hippo is an AWESOME bakery! I love the bacon bread twists!
Love their food court, too. Mitsuwa is also in Arlington Heights.

I'd say the earlier the better; an afternoon thing; the WI lot will want to be back early, as it's a "school night". Almost a..well, what would you call between lunch and dinner? Lunner? heehee

So...I was thinking more along the lines of 3.30 or 4.30 at the latest. That way, if we stay til 7, we'll still be home by 8 or 8.30.

Anybody else want to chime in?

The speed at which this is coming together leads me to believe that some of you might be suffering from a little cabin fever!

I already have plans for this Sunday and will be unable to attend.

Brad

I'm still good for this Sunday afternoon. Anytime, just pick an hour and I'll be there. 

That's too short of notice for me to be able to make it. Have fun though & I expect pictures!!!!!

I wish I could go, but have a bit of work to do this weekend. I'll think of you when I'm chowing down on whatever leftovers I can find in the fridge.

So far, based on responses here and from PMs, we've got the following crowd:

Roadhouses:2
X1 and ChuckL50:2
nocarolina:1
irisarbor:4
ChiTownDiner:1 (+?)

At his point we are 10 with room to grow.  We've got a "maybe" above from Tastytoo, who would be a new and welcome member.  Still haven't heard back from the JRPfeffs or the chicagostyledogs.  If there are any other newer members whom I have forgotten, I apologize and urge you to post here if you're interested in joining us at Mykonos.  All are welcome, just let us know so we can make a reservation for the correct number of people.

Buddy

We won't be around this weekend to attend. Keep us in mind for the next get together. The Parthenon is our favorite Chicago Greek restaurant and I've been dining there since the day they opened their doors.

CSD

A definate no for us this time. But hopefully soon. Did I mention Poochie's?