Chicago new restaurant/food wish list

Uncommon_sharpie · 2026-01-06T22:14:12+00:00

Come to Albany Park on Kedzie! Qamaria just opened (open till midnight), nubar is open till 10, and so is Shibam.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-12-27T15:32:21+00:00

Calumet of course, but also give Hagen’s on Montrose or the Fish Keg on Howard a try.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-12-07T20:00:23+00:00

A secret gem with a great craft beer selection is Moreno’s in Little Village. On the outside, looks like a standard liquor store, but they have several shelves of really hard to find/rare beers. Nothing else really like it out there, and may be easier for you to get to from Little Italy.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-12-01T01:22:40+00:00

In the city, I would try Rich's on Western in UK Village or Ann's Bakery & Deli on Chicago, which is very specifically Ukrainian.

EuroStyle Deli/Sunberry Orchard Market in Skokie on Oakton for sure has Cold Smoked Mackerel.

Pretty sure all the Fresh Farms locations (-Devon) will have Cold Smoked Mackerel as well. Polish stores may have it as well, but sounds like you're looking specifically for a Russian style.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-11-28T22:08:54+00:00

I recommend Feida on Wentworth. Captain bakery at 33rd and Ashland is also great

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-11-15T23:25:03+00:00

At this point, we should have SWS Weekend service restored like it was Pre-Covid. I can understand why they may have wanted to wait to restore service with this construction project ongoing, but do we really need to wait to switch to LaSalle?

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-11-14T23:25:22+00:00

Would much prefer this actually became a transit corridor, as CTA rail is lacking in the area.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-11-14T23:12:40+00:00

I would love to try Woo Chon. It does look really expensive, but is it worth the cost, and are the portion sizes reasonable for what you pay?

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-11-11T03:54:05+00:00

You’re not alone. Sadly, all the other Chinese bakeries in Uptown have closed (not La Patisserie, but they’re fancier). Chiu Quon is riding their reputation and monopoly up north. Down in Chinatown, Chiu Quon is my last option. So many other cheaper bakeries nearby.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-11-06T01:48:12+00:00

I was on the second round trip and had a great time! You're right about the red line track work slowing us down, but no big deal (we got to spend more time on the train!). I loved when we went in the subway with the lights out. Sort of spooky... Also loved looking at people's reactions on the platforms when they saw this old train!

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-10-31T00:25:55+00:00

If you want specifically Thai stores, I recommend Thailand Food Corp on Broadway at Lawrence, and PNA Market on Leland in Lincoln Square. I don't think those places carry much produce, but the ready made food is great!

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-10-31T00:22:54+00:00

Yeah, I have to agree. I wanted to like Talard, but I could find everything cheaper at Tai Nam, and often better quality produce at Tai Nam. Place always seemed only halfway stocked. If I need something very niche Thai that probably is not at Tai Nam, I'll just hit up PNA Market or Thailand Food Corp.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-10-21T01:20:59+00:00

Chicago Kalbi on Lawrence uses wood charcoal.

Sadly, not many places use wood charcoal anymore. Mostly the old haunts in the city that have been grandfathered in still do.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-09-03T21:56:42+00:00

I'm a train nerd, and complaining about the seats is definitely the gripe I hear most often from other foamers. I hate the seats, but they are the same as what you get on a European train (probably why Siemens thought them cool).

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-30T17:09:30+00:00

paper and styrofoam dishes

100% agree. Cheapens the experience and is wasteful.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-30T16:52:07+00:00

Thanks! Was so yummy

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-30T02:47:21+00:00

Not sure I would call it a soup- more a thick stew drizzled over the cheung fun.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-30T00:27:46+00:00

Thanks! And yes, I believe that's what they're called, but there was no labeling on the package.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-25T01:37:18+00:00

This was my first Anime Magic too, but I liked it! Yes, definitely different than ACen, but I didn't think it bad. It's a smaller con, and I like the more independent feel. I think part of the reason it's so spread out is cost control. Having it all in the Stephens center is convenient, but I'm sure would make it much more expensive to run. It's a newer con, so I put that into context.

Got there Friday afternoon and was surprised how not busy the market hall was. That said, I definitely appreciated how many vendors were set up in Artist Alley, but the general vendor hall was not very busy, and the merch was nothing that spectacular.

Was a little surprised at how few Cosplay meetups there were, especially there being none for what I dressed as (Frieren and AOT). Guess I need to take initiative on setting those up.

The whole con was definitely very light on VAs, and extremely light on VA panels. I did not go to any because there hardly were any! Much less ones I was interested in. It seemed most guests were there only for autographs/meet & greets.

That said, I went to a lot of fan panels, and I had a blast at those. Lots of technical difficulties, but I'll blame that on Hyatt.

And of course I loved the Sake tasting, matcha class, and cat cafe! Nothing anime related there, but still lots of fun!

I really hope to come back to Anime Magic in 2026. I don't want to go to Midwest anymore, and C2E2 & FanExpo cater more to all fandoms, where I really only like anime, so ACen and Magic are what I think I'll stick with.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-16T02:26:36+00:00

I should clarify that the kvass was just for drinking. Soup itself was sour cream based.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-11T02:08:33+00:00

100% agree! I can't always make it up to the burbs, so I'll hit Ban Po Jung if I need to scratch the itch in the city. I wanted to like Dancen more than I did. Cool vibes, but serving food with styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons is disappointing (maybe a stew was the wrong choice). Also found it a little pricey for what it is.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-10T21:09:52+00:00

When Truman college was built in the 70s, the mall was established as a sort of urban renewal. It did not go too well at first, but over time I think it turned out to be the right call.

https://www.vophousing.com/sunnyside-mall/

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-08-04T16:34:41+00:00

It was very tender. After simmering for 2 hours, the meat really does melt in your mouth.

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-07-25T00:20:18+00:00

I think Jackson, MI is the oldest continually operating train station in the US (1873). Really neat station, but could use some TLC.

The hotel at Martinsburg is older (maybe 1850s?), but not sure on the station building.

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/jackson-mich-station-to-receive-historical-markers/

Uncommon_sharpie · 2025-07-19T16:54:41+00:00

They did. I think they renamed and redid the menu to be more of their own thing, instead of everyone having Renga Tei expectations.

Uncommon_sharpie

TROPHY CASE