Tag: taylor street

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Best Bites Chicago

2013 Best Bite #26: Bacon parfait, County Barbeque

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.

Bacon parfait with pork
Bacon parfait with pulled pork and onion, grits, bacon, and chives

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: While the name of the dish might not sound all that appetizing, this all-savory bacon parfait packed a ton of flavor in a tiny package. Served in a shot glass, it was layered with pleasantly spicy pulled pork and sweet onion, followed by cheese grits, and finally chives and bacon. I took small spoonfuls, careful to sweep through each layer, to make the smoky sweetness last as long as possible. There’s a lot else to love at County, from the nostalgic corn pudding to the loud plaid exterior on Taylor Street, but this parfait stood out as the most creative BBQ presentation I’ve seen.

The details: County Barbeque, 1352 W. Taylor St., Chicago.

Categories
Best Bites Chicago

This week’s Best Bite: Ace burger, Three Aces

Ace burger with aged cheddar, trimmings, bacon jam, aioli, fries, garlic, and hops pickle
Ace burger with aged cheddar, trimmings, bacon jam, aioli, fries, garlic, and hops pickle

Why it’s this week’s Best Bite: I had heard excellent things about the burger at this laid-back gastropub on Taylor Street, and it was even more delicious than expected. A great burger starts with the meat, and the grass-fed beef used here was top-notch in flavor and juiciness. The aged cheddar, bacon jam, and aioli were simple yet powerful toppings, and any burger is better when served on a grilled pretzel bun that’s squishy without being too doughy. There’s nothing overly exotic going on, but it just exudes pure burger identity (with crispy fries on the side, of course). We divided the burger for sharing, as with the other plates we ordered; next time, I’m keeping it all for myself.

Check out more of this memorable meal in the photos below.

The Young Pretender cocktail, with Death's Door Gin, fresh guava puree, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, house-made cayenne and pepper simple syrup, and a float of Blackwell Rum.
The Young Pretender cocktail, with Death’s Door Gin, fresh guava puree, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, house-made cayenne and pepper simple syrup, and a float of Blackwell Rum
Lamb merguez sausage pizzetta, served on a tree stump
Lamb merguez sausage pizzetta, served on a tree stump
Skyline view on my walk to the restaurant
City view on my walk to the restaurant
Our post-dinner plans: seeing Alicia Keys in concert at United Center
Our post-dinner plans: seeing Alicia Keys in concert at United Center

The details: Three Aces, 1321 W. Taylor St., Chicago.

Categories
Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #8: Ricotta and honeycomb vasi, Davanti Enoteca

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Ricotta and honeycomb
Ricotta and honeycomb vasi

Why it’s a Best Bite: I love Davanti’s Italian small-plates concept, and it’s appetizers like these that make it so successful. The restaurant devotes a section of its menu to vasi, toast and spreads served in miniature mason jars. The dish is a lesson in simplicity: just impossibly creamy ricotta, delicate honey, and crusty bread.

The details: Davanti Enoteca, 1359 W Taylor St., Chicago.