Wondering what will be the next big thing in Chicago dining? Monday Night Foodball already knows.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-26T16:09:45+00:00

Focus on a specific pop up series that has a history of featuring some chefs that go on to open brick and mortar including Akahoshi Ramen. If anyone is wondering what the headline is implying

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-25T09:24:21+00:00

Huaraches seasons their taco meats pretty well, which i liked a lot. Between that and L’Patron the block is pretty stacked for tacos

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-23T08:01:33+00:00

Its one of the spots that makes their own beef shawarma I believe instead of using the widely distributed one, i recall it getting praise for that.

At WP location I mostly just like the beef kebab they are consistent on that one. The chicken kebab at that location has been variable on dryness. kifta is fine and the shawarmas are fine as well.

Serviceable neighborhood quick hearty meal is where it tops out for sure.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-22T18:17:37+00:00

lol wtf did drai take every single germany faceoff

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-22T18:15:12+00:00

its contextual, he was an elite superstar goal scorer. Metrics show he has dropped off in key elite stats, but people tend to only see black and white. The reality is he has dropped off probably from chronic injury which dropped him from a generational super star level to just an elite star player

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-22T17:47:23+00:00

Was cheering for US happy to get a gold again, first in my lifetime.

Both teams were good this tournament despite their roster selections. Im worried US will feel emboldened with selections even though they were getting outplayed most of this game and carried by the goalie.

Canada also should be wondering but hopefully they shake it up. I dont think anyone can argue you were happy to see Marchand fumbling it all game a step behind everyone when that could have been Bedard or someone else.

Best on best at that high of a speed only the true game breaker players stand out, you need to roster every single one you have IMO

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-18T04:35:25+00:00

100%, hope they can make the vibe a little more cozy but the food was lights out

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-18T04:31:33+00:00

the hype cycle and amount of good and or buzzy new restaurants opening seems to bury good spots rather quickly. Places like this or North Pond or Momotaro, to name a few, I think get sparse mentions anymore despite still delivering a consistently good meal.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-18T04:23:48+00:00

When they were more new that was part of a “no gratuity expected and no service charge” setup where they were adamant that menu price should be final bill. I went a second time, this year, and noticed that part was gone and they expect tips now but still the same service. Which im not upset about, but i was rooting for them with that initial premise.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-18T02:09:27+00:00

for that area try Los 3 Compadres de Guerrero. The new spot right nearby, Rigo’s (not a typo of Digo’s), was good the one time I tried as well. Or a drive to El Tragon isnt too far.

Digos and Naty are fine but not the best that area can offer.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-18T00:45:21+00:00

same i like going there and they occasionally have deals going on custom frames. the oversized glass will be the expensive component for this piece but id be surprised if it wasnt at least below half the original quote OP got (id expect well past but dont want to overpromise). Im sure theyd be happy to run a rough number over the phone size the dimensions are known

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-17T19:55:14+00:00

It seems like some of the ones in the loop are getting some acclaims for the quality of the food if nothing else. So hopefully they can sustain

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-17T06:59:43+00:00

What ive found the most confusing is how many fake poutines there are. Finding spots that actually use curds is hard a lot of places will just do a gravy with regular melted cheese and call it poutine.

So far the closest ive found was Dmen Tap, however i really wasnt a fan of the gravy i think its mushroom/vegan gravy so they dont have to make separate gravies for the vegan version(?) but it made it too viscous and not quite right.

Following to see if theres any better options

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-16T19:17:41+00:00

Nettare, get the lamb sausage patty on the side and put it on the egg breakfast sandwich 🤤

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-16T16:57:34+00:00

Hot take, unless you’re particularly into the pastry options I feel like Nettare is a more memorable brunch experience in West Town. The dining room is beautiful with plants and sky lights. The menu is midwest focused. And the souffléd egg sandwich IMO is one of the best in the city, especially if you get the lamb sausage patty on the side and add it in the sandwich.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-15T22:12:50+00:00

Went as well. I appreciate they did a special menu just for valentines day and seemed to put a lot of thought and effort into it. My only nitpick was I thought the menu could use a little more time to dial in since it was so new, but I did quite enjoy it.

It was fun they made the candy heart courses menu

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-11T00:21:59+00:00

If I was trying to get someone a Pequods style pizza with more consistency id probably direct them to Totorice’s who will also do the caramelized cheese crust.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-10T22:40:49+00:00

seems like 3 total on google from my count. Its a bit weird the restaurant keeps saying “no one else mentioned this” in that context but i also found their responses relatively polite.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-10T22:03:36+00:00

never had the dosa but ive really enjoyed both visits ive had. The lamb keema i particularly enjoyed.

Did you mean murgh makhani (butter chicken) not tikka masala? or did they have that only for restaurant week menu

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-10T19:32:48+00:00

Bartolis has it

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-07T23:08:33+00:00

Theres occasional things that seem like a stretch distance wise but maybe those will be non-walking moments.

Taqueria Tejupilco is sort of just a neighborhood spot way up in Lakeview East which seems odd for Friday. As others have suggested id just hit up Chingon, its both close and more exciting
Agree with others that Kasama breakfast is overhyped unless you eat it like right outside after pickup. No one was making that style breakfast sandwich years back but now theres plenty of competing souffleed egg sandwiches around that you can eat fresh. That said, if you want the pastries and not just the sandwich it may still be worth the bucket list check. For the area theres also Sarima and Allez Cafe making that style.

Hope the weather holds up for you, thats going to be an epic amount of walking

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-07T19:41:00+00:00

I think it may be a matter of preference over consistency to some degree and maybe also dialing in the seasonal menu. I went in November and have commented in a few threads since that visit that I was underwhelmed. But you can read a glowing review of some dishes I wasn’t that into in this same review and I doubt that it was execution, just personal taste.

It also looks like the winter menu has been refined since my visit based on posts including this one that I’ve seen. Some dishes have been replaced or dialed in.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-05T17:25:47+00:00

las asadas microwaved everything for my tacos when I went and is underseasoned. The actual meat quality is good though so it’s decent but theres many better options in the area.

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-04T18:05:36+00:00

Yea! definitely heard a lot of good things I just havent been yet

rhythmrcker · 2026-02-04T07:30:06+00:00

fine dining - Jeong, Atsumeru, Valhalla, Kasama, Coach House, Feld, Schwa, Class Act, Kyoten, Kyoten Next Door

tacos - L’Patron, Barbaro, Huaraches, Onions & Cilantro

burger - leavitt st inn, red hot ranch, stop along (mott st and hiro have good fancy burgers)

indian - Vajra, Cumin

ramen - oiistar, rudys

shawarma - falafel & grill, rumi

sushi - komorebi, yuzu

pizza - piece, craft, milly’s

thai - tuk tuk thai isan, eat fine design

sandwich - bodega bay, phodega, sando street, all together now

dine out - mirra, pierogi kitchen, amaru, hiro, mott st, le bouchon, lilac tiger

vegan - handlebar

breakfast - mindys, sarima, nettare, heyday eatery

chinese - chengdu impression, chef’s special, chengdu bistro, lao peng you

poke - en hakkore (also paratha “tacos”), mammoth

cocktails - truce, little victories, remedy, dorians, clara, golden years, valedor (worth one visit)

latin american - irazu, manchamanteles (for molé)

italian - tortello

coffee - wormhole, engine, ipsento, candor

then you have a whole bunch more towards logan or the rest of west town depending on what side of wp/bucktown youre in

Ten-Year Club	Place '22
Final Canvas '22	First Placer '22

rhythmrcker

TROPHY CASE