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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #16: Half and half sandwich, Smoque BBQ

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

1/2 brisket,1/2 pork sandwich with mac 'n' cheese and slaw
1/2 brisket,1/2 pork sandwich with mac ‘n’ cheese and slaw

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: Tucked away in Irving Park, Smoque is one of Chicago’s most beloved barbecue institutions, and it just happened to be on my way home after an exhausting bout with the DMV. I was so, so glad that they offered a sandwich with half pork and half brisket – in fact, I think it should be mandatory for all barbecue joints – and still can’t decide which meat I preferred. Both were smoky and tender, with just enough crispy charred bits, and both soaked into the soft bun with a moderate topping of tangy sauce. Suffice it to say that I won’t wait until my next DMV trip to do a little more research.

The details: Smoque BBQ, 3800 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #15: Hawaiian pizza, Boiler Room

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Hawaiian pizza with garlic oil, house blend of mozzarella and provolone, homemade ham, bacon, and grilled pineapple with balsamic reduction
Hawaiian pizza with garlic oil, house blend of mozzarella and provolone, homemade ham, bacon, and grilled pineapple with balsamic reduction

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: Boiler Room is another one of my neighborhood go-tos because it’s mastered the bar trifecta: atmosphere, drinks, and pizza. When I’m not in the mood for its renowned PB&J special (a PBR, a shot of Jameson, and a slice of pizza for $7.50), I usually opt to share a full pie, and the Hawaiian was one of my favorites so far. It was meaty with both ham and bacon, and had plenty of gooey cheese and garlic, but the best part was the balsamic reduction drizzled over charred pineapple for the ultimate sweet-and-sour effect. And if you go, don’t miss the El-themed restroom – just trust me.

The details: Boiler Room, 2210 N. California Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites

2013 Best Bite #14: Fried green tomato benedict, Lucky Platter

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Fried green tomato benedict with poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, spinach, hollandaise, and roasted tomato sauce on toasted cornbread
Fried green tomato benedict with poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, spinach, hollandaise, and roasted tomato sauce on toasted cornbread

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: Whenever people ask me where to eat in Evanston, this quirky eatery typically makes the list. I love that the menu is unapologetically eclectic, as evidenced by this eggs benedict. The cornmeal-battered, well-seasoned green tomatoes were the star, with texture from the crumbly cornbread and depth from the chunky roasted tomato sauce. Much like a French-style benedict from last year, I appreciated that this Southern-slanted combination was inventive without sacrificing all the elements of a great benedict.

The details: Lucky Platter, 514 Main St., Evanston.

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #13: Roasted corn fundido, Nacional 27

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Roasted corn fundido with queso, lime, and cilantro
Roasted corn fundido with queso, lime, and cilantro

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: Over dinner with friends one summer evening, there was one bite that rose above the rest at this pan-Latin restaurant in River North: tortilla chips dipped into a generous bowl of roasted corn fundido. The roasted kernels received a cheesy, creamy, elotes-style treatment, but in a more refined, cob-free form with plenty of lime. Since mixologist Adam Seger runs an excellent beverage program – including quite possibly the best mojitos in the city – you’ll want to start off with a creative cocktail or two and enjoy this as your snack.

The details: Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron St., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #12: Black Cat milkshake, Intelligentsia Coffee in Logan Square

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Black Cat milkshake with with two shots of Black Cat Classic espresso and Jeni's sweet cream ice cream
Black Cat milkshake with with two shots of Black Cat Classic espresso and Jeni’s sweet cream ice cream

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: When Intelligentsia debuted milkshakes at the Logan Square location, it felt the need to explain itself on its website: “While milkshakes may not seem the most progressive coffee beverage, they are undoubtedly delicious.” Yeah, that checks out. Two shots of classic Black Cat espresso and sweet cream ice cream from much-adored Jeni’s combined to form a buzzy, frothy, pure-flavored milkshake. While this particular shake perked up my August afternoon with every chilly sip, I’d argue that shakes are never out of season — especially the caffeinated variety.

The details: Intelligentsia Coffee, 2642 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #11: Brioche french toast, Longman & Eagle

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Brioche french toast with foie gras frosting, pistachio custard, macerated strawberry, and candied granola
Brioche french toast with foie gras frosting, pistachio custard, macerated strawberry, and candied granola

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: Much like Lula yesterday, Longman & Eagle is another neighborhood favorite that inevitably made the list again this year. Any brioche french toast that involves strawberry, pistachio, and granola is already a winner, but there was one last ingredient that took it to a totally new place: foie gras frosting (yes, you read that right). Adding subtle balance to an otherwise sweet dish, this silky, umami-boosted buttercream would have won over even foie-squeamish eaters.

View another Best Bite from Longman & Eagle.

The details: Longman & Eagle, 2657 N Kedzie Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #10: Risotto al forno, Lula Café

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Risotto al forno with lamb, cauliflower bechamel, leek, roasted corn, sungold tomato, 60-minute egg, and parmesan
Risotto al forno with lamb, cauliflower bechamel, leek, roasted corn, sungold tomato, 60-minute egg, and parmesan

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: It’s no surprise that Lula popped up as another one of my favorites this year; I go there frequently (I often acknowledge how spoiled I am to live so close by) and am impressed by dish after ultra-seasonal dish. This breakfast-slanted risotto was an especially glorious taste of summer’s bounty: toasty cauliflower, roasted corn, golden tomatoes, leeks, and slow-cooked 60-minute egg, with a protein boost from local lamb and topped with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. I savored each creamy bite as I read my Bon Appétit August issue and soaked up some rays at my patio table.

View another Best Bite from Lula Café.

The details: Lula Café, 2537 N Kedzie Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #9: Soft-boiled egg biscuit sandwich, endgrain

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Soft-boiled egg biscuit sandwich with shaved vegetables, whipped herb butter, black garlic vinaigrette, chips, and pickles
Soft-boiled egg biscuit sandwich with shaved vegetables, whipped herb butter, black garlic vinaigrette, chips, and pickles

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: Opened earlier this year, endgrain is masterminded by Enoch Simpson, who spent time at Girl & the Goat and whose bacon-butterscotch doughnuts are still a menu mainstay at Nightwood. Food & Wine counted his biscuits among the best in the U.S., and called this particular sandwich “ethereal.” I would have to agree – it was a dreamy (and pretty!) intermingling of soft-boiled egg, crunchy shaved vegetables, and buttery biscuit. The aromatic duo of herb butter and garlic vinaigrette made the veggies pop even more.

The details: endgrain, 1851 W Addison St, Chicago.

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Best Bites

2013 Best Bite #8: Basil + Cream + Roasted Strawberries from Middlewest

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Cake with basil, cream, roasted strawberries, ladyfingers, and pistachios
Cake with basil, cream, roasted strawberries, ladyfingers, and pistachios

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: I made this icebox cake out of Middlewest magazine for the Fourth of July and it was a hit. While the whole process was a bit time-consuming, the intense flavors were completely worth it. Layers of basil-infused whipped cream and soft, caramelized strawberries soaked into the spongy ladyfingers, with sweet and crunchy pistachios to top everything off.

Here is an awesome step-by-step video – made by Middlewest, not me! – if you want to see how the cake is assembled.

View another post about Middlewest.

The details: Purchase Middlewest here.

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #7: Hush puppies and shrimp toast, Parson’s Chicken and Fish

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Hush puppies with ham hock, cream cheese, scallion, and harissa aioli; and shrimp toast with shrimp salad, creme fraiche, butter lettuce, and avocado
Hush puppies with ham hock, cream cheese, scallion, and harissa aioli; and shrimp toast with shrimp salad, creme fraiche, butter lettuce, and avocado

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: It seems like half of Chicago spent their summer lounging on the patio at Parson’s Chicken and Fish, sipping a negroni slushy under the shade of striped umbrellas. While its namesake proteins certainly don’t disappoint, I wanted to spotlight two appetizers that I would go back for again and again: the hush puppies and the shrimp toast. The shrimp salad screamed fresh, with a subtle drizzle of creme fraiche and avocado atop butter lettuce and golden Texas toast. And dunking those perfectly fried, ham hock-and-scallion-studded cornmeal balls into a spicy harissa aioli was nothing short of bar snack heaven.

View another Best Bite from Parson’s.

The details: Parson’s Chicken and Fish, 2952 W Armitage Ave., Chicago.