Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (stricken_detective)

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 08:06:49 GMT

As previously mentioned, the Cubs played the Giants and when we were driving to the next place we were able to catch the seventh inning stretch. Jon Lovitz did the singing, and that was HILARIOUS. Then gyp imitated the way Jon sang & that was even funnier. I tried to point to the area I thought Wrigley was, but sometime we will have to do a day in Lakeview

Next stop was Ravenswood Remix, and we drove right past it, thinking that couldn't POSSIBLY be the right place. So we made a very big circle & came back.

This was quite sublime. There were vendors with pretty art & jewelry and clothes, etc. There was a live band. There was a politician at a table. There were Port-A-Pottees (pret-a-porter...no? *kicks rocks*).

And then there was THIS!!!

There was a dessert counter, which you can't see on their website. I got a key lime dessert, and a giant cookie that looked like an Oreo. Both were superb.

Next, Buddy went off the beaten path to Red Hot Ranch to get us some fried shrimp. (That's my hand holding the shrimp in the pic above). The shrimp came with 2 sauces, one was a bit hotter than the other, they were fabulous. We ate these outside of Cemitas Puebla. Nothing had appealed to me on their menu when I looked at it online, and in person it was more of the same. Also, I was approaching the infamous "wall" we are all quite familiar with, so I passed on food at this stop. They did have Jarritos soda, and I would've gotten a Jamaica flavor of that, but they didn't have it. It was confusing because they did have a drink called Jamaica on their menu, but it wasn't the Jarritos soda. No big. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meal. That's all that matters. The owner came out to say hi & even told us a joke. Hopefully someone with a better memory can remember what it was??

Next on the menu was gelato. The gelato @ Black Dog Gelato was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I got red plum and coconut in the same cup, and that was good. But the star of this show was the Blueberry French Toast that X1 gifted to me. The first bite was the best: syrup, blueberries, vanilla, cinnamon. It was divine. I shared it with the rest of the group @ Captain Porky's, but everyone was pretty full by then. When I tell you my toes curled up in my sandals under the table, I am not kidding--it was *that* good.

Then came Captain Porky's. We ordered a little bit of everything--alligator, octopus (my personal favorite), ribs, jambalaya/ratatouille, and everyone got to try some of everything. Mrs Roadhouse also shared her gumbo with us. All in all, everyone was full by the time we headed north. It was a good day, even if the Cubs lost.

Thank you to gyp for driving, and to abe_froeman for planning a great day! Can't wait to do it again.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (stricken_detective)

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:49:30 GMT

^^good to know, good to know.

I really was expecting the others to report on each place, but since I started, I need to finish mine.

Our next stop was The Wiener And Still Champion. Since I had been there before, and met guspas a few times previously, I went in first while the others from our carpool vehicle got pics (see above, thanks gyp, great shots!) and waited for the others outside. I also wanted to warn guspas that the 10-12 of us would be descending on them. it was an unplanned stop, but HELLO, we were in Evanston, we know they have good food & what's more, we know the owner. I still remember our hot dog tour from way back when--that's how good the fries are!!! And though I really don't like ketchup (on a hot dog, or, y'know, EVER) I do like the ketchup guspas has @ The Wiener. It tastes almost...carbonated? But I digress...

I started out with my usual lame joke about the delivery fee to Milwaukee (see also above) and guspas was nice enough to inform me it was International Bacon Day. How awesome is that???? It has been years since I'd eaten there, so I'd missed his introduction of the Dippin Dog. guspas was kind enough to wrap bacon around a Dippin Dog for me before he fried it. We cut that up into pieces & shared it. Ketchup on a Dippin Dog is allowed, I think the cornmeal coating cancels out any of the "ketchup on a hotdog" rules. The others ordered Deep Fried Chili Balls, Chicken Fried Bacon, French Fries, and I think someone ordered a Chicago dog. We had lots of French fry leftovers from Edzo's, but AMAZINGLY, there were NO LEFTOVERS of French fries from The Wiener & Still Champion.

Also, I have since been informed by a little birdie that Eddie was not there the day we visited Edzo's and quijote's & my burger wasn't the only one that was overcooked.

Outside the restaurant in broad daylight, abe_froeman (because she is a GREAT friend) handed me an item I'd requested earlier by text. THANKS ABE!!! After The Wiener, we stopped at a convenience store up the street. I'd remembered all my various pills except Tylenol & I think the rest of our crew got drinks.

To be continued...

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (guspas)

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 23:58:06 GMT

i'm working on it

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (stricken_detective)

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:32:03 GMT

Bennison's has a website you can order food on--and I think we are going to order 10 MILLION bacon donuts before we get there next time.

http://www.grubhub.com/

You can order from The Wiener and Still Champion as well--for Pickup Only!! (I asked the owner, he still has not worked out a delivery fee to Milwaukee. *cough* )

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (CCinNJ)

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:13:24 GMT

That frowny cookie is too cute...and would make a good thread response from time to time.

Go Guspas!

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (ann peeples)

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:48:26 GMT

Excellent! Cant wait for the October tour!

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (BuddyRoadhouse)

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:36:30 GMT

Thanks for the gorgeous photos Gyp! We were so worried about missing the maple bacon doughnuts at Bennison's, when we should have been thinking about those beautiful macarons. You captured the day in extreme closeup. Nicely done.

Buddy

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (Gyp)

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 18:47:39 GMT

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (Gyp)

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 18:21:29 GMT

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (Gyp)

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:01:08 GMT

Had a great time. Ditto on the big props to Abe_Froeman and her organizing efforrts. I just got internets hooked up at my new place yesterday so I'll post some pics here shortly.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (stricken_detective)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:20:14 GMT

Big Thanks to abe_froeman for an awesome day!!

My day began like every other day--with me running late. We were supposed to meet up at the Ryan Road Park & Ride @ 8:30AM. The time on my ATM receipt here in the 'sha reads 8:09AM. I made it to the lot in RECORD time, only to go the wrong way & end up back on the freeway, heading towards Milwaukee. lol So although there are no witnesses except maybe some very amused DOT employees watching security cameras, I made it to the Park & Ride Lot @ about 8:35AM originally. In my defense, Goerke's Corners lot doesn't connect to the freeway. That I know of. lol ok moving on.

Rode down with gyp and X1. We took Hwy 41 & it was a smooth ride down. We passed Captain Porky's, it was good to see where we'd be ending up.

We made it to Bennison's about 10-10:30? Classes begin @ Northwestern University pretty soon & this bakery is close to campus. We didn't get any maple bacon donuts, but there was no crying. Bennison's has PLENTY of other goodies to be enjoyed, including pizza, sandwiches, and both smiley face as well as frowny face cookies, sugar cookies, tarts, kugens, pies, breads, etc. I got a brownie, a caprese sandwich, and a frowny face cookie.

The people who ordered coffee found it too hot to drink right away, but they did seem to enjoy it. Coffee, how I miss you. Bennison's, being a bakery and not really a restaurant, doesn't have a restroom. Also, I didn't see any water on their drink menu & I wanted some water. This establishment was nice enough to have cold bottles of water and a restroom. On the way back to the restroom, you could see the guys making pizzas. Fresh dough, nice & big pies, and shoved into their oven on paddles. Had we not been about to embark on an 8 hour eating adventure, I would have ordered a slice of whatever spinachy-looking thing the guy had on the counter. Giglio's Pizza of Evanston, we'll be back!!

The next stop was Edzo's. quijote and I split a burger with cheddar cheese, sauteed mushrooms and bacon. We also got 2 shakes and inadvertently shared them. Edzo's gives you the metal cup that they made the shake in, so I started with that. When it came time for my shake, I didn't think it tasted very much like blackberry, but drank some anyway, along with my water. It was then that q realized our shakes had gotten mixed up (all the paper cups are the same, and we had moved outside after being at 2 separate tables inside. Normally I *hate* eating outside, but it was almost 100% humidity yesterday & about to rain as we got to Edzo's. I was sweating like a whore in church just standing in line and it was MUCH cooler temps outside. We pulled some tables together and it worked out great.

We also got the garlic fries, which were pretty freaking amazing. The burger was a little overdone, but that is my fault and not theirs. I don't eat that much meat anymore, and should have left the ordering to someone who does. I'd like to go back and have a day just at Edzo's with unlimited time to try some different things.

After we got done eating, while waiting for the others to finish, we got to talking and realized X1 had never been to The Wiener And Still Champion, so we decided we'd make that our next stop...

(to be continued)

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (stricken_detective)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 12:37:03 GMT

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (quijote)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 12:08:34 GMT

An echo of thanks to the venerable Abe for organizing the tour and selecting great places for us to stop at. Also, many thanks to MilwFoodlovers for hauling me around for most of the trip, and to Gyp for shuttling me back to the Milwaukee metro area at the end of the day. The day's start at Bennison's was an excellent idea, and though the Maple Bacon Bars had vanished long before we got there, the other goods--especially the macarons--were delightful. Our stop at Edzo's for burgers was fun, and I particularly enjoyed the truffle parmesan fries. Next time I'll have to make sure my burger is ordered medium-rare, though.... The quick stop at Wiener and Still Champion was a nice surprise, and I'm glad I was able to meet guspas. The fries there were excellent, too, and I can't wait to return and have a serious meal. The Ravenswood Remix afterward was quirky and enjoyable, and I loved the cemita al pastor sandwich afterward at Cemitas Puebla (it didn't hurt, either, to have a couple of fried shrimp from Red Hot Ranch, provided by Buddy Roadhouse). I loved the goat cheese cashew gelato at Black Dog afterward, yet I wish I had also tried the Bluberry French Toast gelato. Oh well, next time. By the final stop, Captain Porky's in Wadsworth, I was quite full, but I know I'll enjoy working on the pulled pork, brisket, and hot link I bought to go from the counter. Gotta have something to eat on Labor Day, after all. As always, it was fun seeing so many of you there, and I hope to see you at the Milwaukee Tour in October, if not before.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (chicagostyledog)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 09:20:40 GMT

Thanks, Abe. A job well done!
Mark & Nina

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (MilwFoodlovers)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:38:43 GMT

I'd like to thank Abe Froman! Besides being Chicago's Sausage King, Abe proved to be Chicago Tour Director King. Keeping track of Contingent members is somewhat like getting an army of cockroachs to all march in a straight line. The street fair was a brlliant idea and allowed us all to catch our breaths and regain an appetite. Putting the last stop closer to the cheese curtain was thoughtful and appreciated. Hail Abe!

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (chicagostyledog)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:33:01 GMT

Buddy,
We sang our own rendition of the Animal's version of "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" at the last stop after washing down deep fried crustaceans with well water infused Coke products.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (BuddyRoadhouse)

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 02:02:00 GMT

Oh CSD, you always make such a Hullabaloo out of these things. I do think we've got some pretty good singers in the group though. We could go Where The Action Is and have us a dandy Hootenanny after the next tour.

Buddy

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (chicagostyledog)

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 10:36:47 GMT

BuddyRoadhouse

Is there a firm rundown for this shindig?

Buddy

Shindig? We should have the Contingent star on Shindig and dance to "Keep On Eating."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BExuUUsLrbk

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (abe_froeman)

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 10:23:13 GMT

Hopefully they'll still have some. Earlier than 11 just wasn't looking realistic and if the weather's crappy, there's not a lot to do in between Bennison's and Edzo's.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (X1)

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 07:15:47 GMT

I understood we'd have to be at Bennison's a lot earlier than 11 to actually get bacon donuts.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (stricken_detective)

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 03:24:11 GMT

Q, Oak Creek is correct. Why in the blue **** are we leaving @ 8:30AM if we don't have to be there until 11AM?? OH YEAH, CONSTRUCTION! Time for me to buy a train pass & a sleeping bag.

Roadhouses, I got your back.

I swear I don't have a crystal ball, but guess who's pitching for the Giants tomorrow?

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (abe_froeman)

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 02:15:53 GMT

I also included directions to the Vienna Factory if anyone wants to stop there!

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (abe_froeman)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 23:05:09 GMT

Bennison's at 11, for anyone who wants to get there.
Edzo's at noon.
Ravenswood Remix, Cemitas Puebla, Black Dog Gelato, Captain Porkys.

Rain or shine.

If you need any other details, I'm at your house right now, so you'll get them soon.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (abe_froeman)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 23:03:02 GMT

Will any of the drivers not have a GPS device available to them, either their own or one from a passenger?

I'm working on the handout, just want to know how detailed I need to be about directions, or if just a few maps will do.

Thanks!

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (BuddyRoadhouse)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:38:38 GMT

Is there a firm rundown for this shindig?

Buddy

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (abe_froeman)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:07:56 GMT

So, the Wisconsinites are planning on getting to Bennison's...what about the Illinoisans? I know the Roadhouses aren't...I think we should shoot for 11:00am at Bennison's. Anyone who wants to get there earlier is welcome to, I'll be there around 11.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (X1)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:58:56 GMT

I have no idea, so call Gyp.

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (quijote)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:40:46 GMT

It seems to me that the Oak Creek Park and Ride is on Ryan Road? Just want to make sure. I'll call Gyp or X1 tomorrow morning to confirm that.

If we get to Bennie's in good time we'll be sure to pick up a few baconmapledonuts for our friends. We may pick off all the bacon, though....

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (BuddyRoadhouse)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:07:06 GMT

Perhaps the early arrivers could pick up a few extra Bacon Maple Bars at Bennison, which the Roadhouse clan would happily pay you for.

Buddy

Re:Dog Days of Summer Tour: The Contingent (MilwFoodlovers)

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:19:31 GMT

588-2300 Empire
I will go to my grave remembering that number and UPtown 3-9108 my parents phone number. We will try to make it to the Oak Creek Park 'n Ride at 8:30. I understand the train leaves the station within 5 minutes of that time so we will be there. If someone's car is too full, we have lots of room. Not a fancy car, like that fancy man Gyp, but a good solid roomy Korean Elantra Touring Model which seems appropriate.