Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (billyboy)

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:35:00 GMT

YOWZA!!!!! A "meet & greet" feat of epic proportions!! Wickedly diverse report. Gotta love those pork buns and coconut buns. I need to explore Chinatown more. I haven't had a bahn mi in years! Looks like everyone had a great time. I love the taco assembly on the car hood. In true Roadfood fashion. Youze guys are great!

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (CajunKing)

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:37:43 GMT

CTD & BuddyRoadhouse

You both should be very proud of the event you put together, good food, great friends... there is nothing like it.

Congrats to you both, just wish I could have planned my week a little better and joined yall.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (CajunKing)

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:36:01 GMT

TTM

Your friend is going to LOVE you!

Very old leftover Walleye

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (mayor al)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:07:46 GMT

We were so excited last year when we explored the old neighborhood where my Mom and Grandparents lived and worked back in the 1920's. The photos I posted back then of My Grandmother's "Hot Lunch" Room on Cemack across the street from the Western Electric Building was like looking at a time-portal into a different world. Our trip was great, and your detailed visit to the ethnic communities that have evolved since those early days was a great link to history for me.

I won't forget out meeting at Freddies last year. The food and friendship is a fine lasting memory.

Thanks for sharing your adventures in Eating and Greeting with us.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (The Travelin Man)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:38:41 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by ChiTownDiner

I've never known Nuts on Clark to be out of Walleye.

I was as surprised as you.

By the way, I found the caramel corn at Nuts on Clark to be every bit as good as what is found at Garrett's. Did I catch them on a good day, or do true Chicagoans know that one is superior to the other, or are the really just about the same and I am just liking the one that I had most recently?

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (ChiTownDiner)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:22:50 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by irisarbor

Yes this was a ton of fun, and it was a Chicago get-together
without a pizza, hot dog, BBQ rib, (because there were carnitas ribs)
or Italian beef in sight!
Just goes to show you we are not a cliche food town...

But the best part was putting faces with names, making new friends,
and I think for once my sons actually got full....

Amen! I couldn't believe while driving like a crazy person to get to the high school play - made it by 6 minutes - I downed an entire box of Margies Chocolate covered Orange Peels.

Are there levels of full?

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (irisarbor)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:15:27 GMT

Yes this was a ton of fun, and it was a Chicago get-together
without a pizza, hot dog, BBQ rib, (because there were carnitas ribs)
or Italian beef in sight!
Just goes to show you we are not a cliche food town...

But the best part was putting faces with names, making new friends,
and I think for once my sons actually got full....

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (ChiTownDiner)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:05:26 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by doggydaddy

What a great report of food that I would not really expect to see covered in a Chicago tour. Are you sure that you guys weren't in California during a cold wave? The food was enticing and it looks like a fun time was had by all. It is great that you went beyond pizza and hot dogs.

==The crew of 24, some recorded, some under contract and unable to be photographed and our adopted food beneficiary...===

Who's the guy in the red jacket?

mark

mark

He was a homeless person who made out quite well on food and cash offerings. Perhpas his day was brightened a bit!

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (doggydaddy)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:58:25 GMT

What a great report of food that I would not really expect to see covered in a Chicago tour. Are you sure that you guys weren't in California during a cold wave? The food was enticing and it looks like a fun time was had by all. It is great that you went beyond pizza and hot dogs.

==The crew of 24, some recorded, some under contract and unable to be photographed and our adopted food beneficiary...===

Who's the guy in the red jacket?

mark

mark

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (leethebard)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:06:05 GMT

I'm jealous...you guys look like you had a great time....the perfect duo....good company and good food!!!

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (ChiTownDiner)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:02:31 GMT

TTM - Coincidentally, I awoke at 2:21:55, precisely as you hit your "Submit Reply", in a cold sweat thinking I had run out of Gooey Butter Cakes. Fortunately, there were two still under the pillow! Back to sweet dreams!

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (joerogo)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:56:28 GMT

You Chicagoland people are the best. From the fist mention of a get together to the final Burp, this was a 1st class lesson on "Meat n' Greets". It was a hoot watching this all come together. Great trip and report.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (ChiTownDiner)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:26:07 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by The Travelin Man

So, let me get this straight....you guys actually take the pictures off your cameras and write up the trip reports, huh? How does that work?

Actually, since we all departed, my life has been quite the whirlwind. I managed to spend a brief period at/going to both Chicago airports, helping the friend with whom I stayed plan a last-minute trip home, a side trip to visit another friend when I got into Orlando last night, and then a trip up to Tallahassee this morning (from which I just returned home - note the time) to watch our school's men's basketball team get CRUSHED in an exhibition game at FSU last night. On top of that, my boss expects me to be at work in about 5 hours. Hmmmm....wonder how that's going to work out?

I will do my very, very best to download the pics off my camera, upload the pics to the Internets and post something here soon. If nothing else, I think I got clear shots of the specials at Glenn's, which seemed to pose a challenge in that dimly lit room. I also have some good pictures from Margie's.

The other sad news that I have to report is that my leftover walleye will die a horrible death in my friend's fridge while she is out of town, as I forgot to grab it and the handful of chocolate covered almonds from Margie's out of said fridge upon departure Monday morning.

Fortunately, there is an outlet of Nuts on Clark in my terminal at Midway, and I was able to rectify the chocolate situation (at 50% off pricing!). Unfortunately, they were out of walleye.

I've never known Nuts on Clark to be out of Walleye.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (The Travelin Man)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:21:55 GMT

So, let me get this straight....you guys actually take the pictures off your cameras and write up the trip reports, huh? How does that work?

Actually, since we all departed, my life has been quite the whirlwind. I managed to spend a brief period at/going to both Chicago airports, helping the friend with whom I stayed plan a last-minute trip home, a side trip to visit another friend when I got into Orlando last night, and then a trip up to Tallahassee this morning (from which I just returned home - note the time) to watch our school's men's basketball team get CRUSHED in an exhibition game at FSU last night. On top of that, my boss expects me to be at work in about 5 hours. Hmmmm....wonder how that's going to work out?

I will do my very, very best to download the pics off my camera, upload the pics to the Internets and post something here soon. If nothing else, I think I got clear shots of the specials at Glenn's, which seemed to pose a challenge in that dimly lit room. I also have some good pictures from Margie's.

The other sad news that I have to report is that my leftover walleye will die a horrible death in my friend's fridge while she is out of town, as I forgot to grab it and the handful of chocolate covered almonds from Margie's out of said fridge upon departure Monday morning.

Fortunately, there is an outlet of Nuts on Clark in my terminal at Midway, and I was able to rectify the chocolate situation (at 50% off pricing!). Unfortunately, they were out of walleye.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (stricken_detective)

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:37:31 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by JRPfeff
I think a tour of Chicago's best Italian specialties would be another good one.

I will need more than 2 weeks notice for this one.

quote:
Eating off the back of my car in a bad neighborhood is a typical day for me. It's how I pick my friends; if you can't work with my modus operandi, you can't roll with the Man From Roadhouse.

You won't be sorry! Buddy knows how to do it up.

Great pics, guys. Glad you had a great time.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (ChiTownDiner)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:32:21 GMT

Glenn's Diner - The Final Frontier - As we pulled up in front of Glenn's Diner, we noticed Margies' Candies (and ice cream) right across the street. Since we were 15 minutes early, we decided to scope out what might be the last stop of the evening. Within minutes, we were stuffing ourselves with English Toffee, Rasberry Creams, Chocolate covered orange peels, Turtles, you name it. Now the plan was to finish at Margies after Glenn's, so I skipped the camera for round 1 at Margies. Big mistake as we had to leave Glenn's rather quickly to make a school play at 7pm.

We did run in to someone else thinking the same...

JRPfeff and family...

So across the street we went to the famous Glenn's Diner. How famous?

Glenn's will be on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on November 24th.

Menus on the wall and at your place setting...two breakfast menus, one served all day and a specials list until 3pm on weekends.

Lots of really fresh seafood...

The cereal box back bar...

http://windowsxp-privacy.net/?id=12434619123
Funky artwork everywhere...

And Roadfooders in all quadrants...

My brothers shrimp fed 6! At 1 for about $10, 2 for $16 and 3 for $21, it was fist sized.

A perfect pair...of crab cakes with 0% filler.

MilwFoodlovers got the last of the shrimp-cargo, but was most generous and gave me a wink and a nod to try one. Each shrimp was nestled in butter and garlic, covered in cheese and served with a great warm loaf of bread for perfect dunking. Many thanks!

Tiger shrimp poor boy...

Steak sandwich...with a great potato pancake!

Fried perch poor boy...

A great smoked mac 'n cheese...

At this point, we were watching the clock and wearing out. It had been a really fun day meeting new folks, renewing Roadfood friendships and trying some really interesting foods at 9 different stops! All in all, a great day. Thanks everyone for participating and sharing all the wonderful foods. I close with lasting memories...

Our host...Mr. Buddy Roadhouse...relaxing in the afterglow of a day well organized...thanks Buddy! Cigarette?

The crew of 24, some recorded, some under contract and unable to be photographed and our adopted food beneficiary...

And last, but never least, The Traveling Man emerging from the darkness of Chicago's streets with two boxes of St. Louis Gooey Butter Cakes! What a finish!
Glenn's Diner
1820 West Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
Tel: 773-506-1720

www.glennsdiner.com

Margies' Candies
1813 West Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (JRPfeff)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:19:40 GMT

Hats off to Buddy for putting this together. I had wanted to join one of the Chicago events, I sure didn't think it would be this soon. In just over 2 weeks Buddy planned this, got almost 2 dozen people together and successfully filled our mouths and stomachs. An absolutely amazing day. Next time I'll take Monday off so I can stay for dinner.

I like the TV Roadfood idea. I think a tour of Chicago's best Italian specialties would be another good one.

Jim

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (buffetbuster)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:53:36 GMT

So let me get this right. Travelin Man was with you and yet, every restaurant you tried was open? I wonder what went ~~wrong~~ right!

Great looking photos everyone. The only thing I like better than all the food photos are the photos of other people taking photos! Congrats to all of of you for a great event and especially to BuddyRoadhouse for a first class job of organizing everything!

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (Mrs.Crunch)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:59:48 GMT

SO this is what Legends are made of......
Phenomenal!!!

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (X1)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:50:41 GMT

Had a good time.
Thanks, everyone.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (Nancypalooza)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:41:51 GMT

This is really cool getting a variety of perspectives on the same place--and I'm going to have to try elote at home.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (ChiTownDiner)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:32:50 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

quote:
Originally posted by ChiTownDiner
MFL - I was looking around for the elote. i've never had it and ws hoping to try some. Did you like it?
Typically, the street vendors use the frozen corn on the cobs that you get at the supermarket. They overboil them leaving the corn soggy and nearly tasteless. It's still worth trying sometime, but you can make a fresher, tastier version at home with this simple recipe:

6 ears of Corn, stripped
2 TBSP. Butter
1 small Lime cut in half
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
4-6 oz. grated Cotija Cheese
2 tsps. Chili Powder
salt, sugar, black pepper to taste

Sautee the corn kernels in the butter. Add sugar, salt, and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and spray lime juice from half the lime over the corn. Taste. Add more lime juice to taste. Mix in the mayo. Spread mixture into a medium sized baking pan and cover with the shredded cotija cheese. Dust with the chili powder. At this point you can either serve as is, or you can bake the dish at 350 degrees until the cheese on top melts.

Enjoy,

Buddy

P.S. In fact Gregg, next time we get together I'll make you a batch. How's that for motivation to do another meet 'n greet.

B.

I like your way of thinking...perhaps a TV Roadfood trip...featuring places that have been on TV - i.e., Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Check Please, etc.

We'd have Burt's, Paradise Pup, Wiener and Still Champion, Glenn's Diner and a host of others.

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (irisarbor)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:24:40 GMT

So many great photos from every one!
I'll add a few of my Glenn's photos since there aren't too many of those yet...
When you walk in there are two things you notice:
The chalkboards with whimsically named specials: (Simon N Garfinkel Tilapia Anyone?)

and the wall of cereal...(free seconds and thirds)

Here a photo of RF'er doing what they do best, socializing and taking pictures!

Some of what we had to eat...

NE Clam Chowder was more like Bacon Chowder, not that there's anything wrong with that....

which I followed with a crab cake appetizer.

Son #2 Had French Toast and Bacon (there is no shortage of bacon at Glenn's)

The Travelin Man had a pretzel coated walleye that he shared a taste of- this was great!

At the end of the day one very happy and very full irisarbor and twin (!) sons
(who still managed to eat an ice cream cone each at Margies, plus many slivers of gooey butter cake!)

Meantime Mrs. Roadhouse and Buddy just smiled at what he hath wrought!

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (MilwFoodlovers)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:50:39 GMT

One more "big" picture of LTH salt and pepper shrimp

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (MilwFoodlovers)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:54:06 GMT

Buddy's right about the pancakes. I would say they were fresh rice noodles, sometimes called chow fun noodles. They were 100% delicious. The sauce was not simply soy sauce and I wish I knew what went into that. LTH was the grand slam for me in a day of home runs every at bat. Here's the other side of the noodle menu.
[img]http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr66/MilwMike/IMG_0380.jpg?t=1226404354[/img]

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (CCinNJ)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:43:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by tracy20

I want to thank everyone for being so accomodating when I signed up for this trip and had never been on a meet & greet before... I had to bail out at the last minute because my 1ST grandchild came 2 months early Sat night.... He weighs 2 lbs.... and we never thought he would be so anxious to join us this quick.. Hope you all had a great time.... it looks like you did and thank you for sharing, awesome looking eats!!!!!!

Congratulations on your birth of your Grandson!!!!

A tiny baby. How is the little guy doing?

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (BuddyRoadhouse)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:34:04 GMT
Jerry,

Eating off the back of my car in a bad neighborhood is a typical day for me. It's how I pick my friends; if you can't work with my modus operandi, you can't roll with the Man From Roadhouse.

After our dinner at Alabama Fish Bar, you my friend have passed the test with flying colors!

Come to Chicago and I will take good care of you!

Buddy

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (jjjrfoodie)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:28:30 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

quote:
Originally posted by ChiTownDiner

We never got everyone together...but here's 13 of the 20 or so at this stop.

For those keeping score at home we are, left to right:MilwFoodlovers, Mr. Maki, Gyp, abe froeman, Mrs. Roadhouse, BuddyRoadhouse, irisarbor offspring #1, irisarbor, ChiTownDiner, irisarbor offspring #2, JRPfeff offspring, ChuckL50, and JRPfeff.

Great Pic!!!!!!!

I'll only join you all in ChiTown this summer if Buddy takes me to a scarey part of town and subjects me to a bunch of jibberish speaking locals while feasting on the back of his sedan.

Hey--It's what i know .

My goal is to get to Burts on a Sat. this spring. Plus other places.
Be afraid. VERY afraid.

Jerry
jjjrfoodie

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (BuddyRoadhouse)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:26:22 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by brittneal
MFL. what sort of batter was used for the BBQ pork pancakes? Ive never seen anything like it. My guess is a mung bean paste of some sort. Surely not like any chinese pancake Ive seen on a MooShoo before.
britt
I think they use the word "pancake" very loosely in this dish. The texture was more gelatinous than anything else. Nothing at all like a mushu pancake.

Buddy

RE: Chicagoland Meet 'n Greet - The Main Event (BuddyRoadhouse)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:24:17 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by ChiTownDiner
MFL - I was looking around for the elote. i've never had it and ws hoping to try some. Did you like it?
Typically, the street vendors use the frozen corn on the cobs that you get at the supermarket. They overboil them leaving the corn soggy and nearly tasteless. It's still worth trying sometime, but you can make a fresher, tastier version at home with this simple recipe:

6 ears of Corn, stripped
2 TBSP. Butter
1 small Lime cut in half
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
4-6 oz. grated Cotija Cheese
2 tsps. Chili Powder
salt, sugar, black pepper to taste

Sautee the corn kernels in the butter. Add sugar, salt, and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and spray lime juice from half the lime over the corn. Taste. Add more lime juice to taste. Mix in the mayo. Spread mixture into a medium sized baking pan and cover with the shredded cotija cheese. Dust with the chili powder. At this point you can either serve as is, or you can bake the dish at 350 degrees until the cheese on top melts.

Enjoy,

Buddy

P.S. In fact Gregg, next time we get together I'll make you a batch. How's that for motivation to do another meet 'n greet.

B.