Chicago Food

[nina]

so the BF has moved to Chicago, and because I'm not moving for another month, he is probably making a grand plan of eating out A LOT.. and probably cooking eggs A LOT..

I'm looking for any suggestions, recommendations, or general insights on great cheap eats in Chicago. Let me know what you know :O)

[Marc Naimark]

Cannot believe you got no answers for this! Sorry I can't help though. I think they do this "pizza" thing well...

So are you chuffed about moving to Chicago?

[nina]

Ah Marc!!! I'm glad you're here for me :O)

I am chuffed!!! (had to google the definition of "chuffed") It's an awesome new adventure for us - although a bit last minute and unexpected and there is nothing like exchanging the perfect weather of San Diego for the seasons of Chicago :O) But I love the city - and I hope it will love me back.

I do expect to hit you up for suggestions when we head to Paris next year.

[Marc Naimark]

With pleasure. I'm not much of a restaurant person, but I do have a certain knowledge about places here. I was a long-time translator for the Taillevent website, and now translate the special summer food section of Paris Capitale magazine. And each year, I say to myself, hmmmm you really should go there. And don't. It's interesting that there are all these really fine restaurants that offer good deals on certain dishes, and in particular, for their prix fixe lunch menus. Enough of a deal for me to say: I could actually afford going there.

nina said:

I do expect to hit you up for suggestions when we head to Paris next year.

[nina]

Matthew C. Scallon said:

I wish you could have moved to Chicago back in July, because you could have attended the greatest foodfest in the world, namely the Taste of Chicago.

Actually - we were there for a visit that exact weekend and got to do much tasting :O) It was good, but purely accidental timing.

Thank you for all the tips Matt :O) There will be many munchie places I will miss in San Diego (I swear, you would think all I do is eat), but Rebecca's scones, the Pomegranate, Sushi Ota and Amarin will definitely be lacking from my life!! I have to admit - Rubio's fish tacos and their new portabello/poblano concoction will be missed as well. But I am hoping the abundance of polish deli's in Chicago will take care of that for me soon enough.

Uh - on to finding that darned Chicago job to afford this food habit!

[nina]

I'm in Chicago for a couple of days - not officially moved yet, but for a visit. And there is already one place I am utterly addicted to. It's a sandwich place called Panes - and pan (bread) is what they do!!! The sandwiches here are so scrumptiously perfect. I've been two days in a row now and if I wasn't going to San Diego tomorrow, I might make it three. They also have awesome baked goods - there is something called a monster cookie sitting in the boyfriend's bag right now protected from my hands - if I wasn't full on a portabello sandwich and mashed potatoes, it would be mine!!!

So things are starting out well for my Chicago Mangia :O)

[Marc Naimark]

Please post a warning so that the easily hungered can avoid such posts.
Yum!

nina said:

I'm in Chicago for a couple of days - not officially moved yet, but for a visit. And there is already one place I am utterly addicted to. It's a sandwich place called Panes - and pan (bread) is what they do!!! The sandwiches here are so scrumptiously perfect. I've been two days in a row now and if I wasn't going to San Diego tomorrow, I might make it three. They also have awesome baked goods - there is something called a monster cookie sitting in the boyfriend's bag right now protected from my hands - if I wasn't full on a portabello sandwich and mashed potatoes, it would be mine!!!

So things are starting out well for my Chicago Mangia :O)