Cities – In Good Taste

Where to Order the Best Food Delivery in Chicago

Maris Callahan — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 05:00:23 +0000

Winter in Chicago is no joke. Even though we have had approximately one cold day and have the entire autumn season stretching ahead of us, I’m already mentally preparing myself for a Chicago winter of avoiding leaving the house at all possible costs. That means Brad and I will order a lot of takeout/delivery food. The food delivery in Chicago is a pretty sweet thing: the options are endless. Thanks to apps like Caviar, DoorDash and GrubHub (these are referral links which means if you click and sign-up, I get all the free foods), we can order from almost any restaurant in Chicago, even those that aren’t traditionally “take-out” restaurants. Several years ago, my friend Kit blogged about where she and her husband like to order food delivery from in Chicago. I check back on that post frequently whenever Brad and I find ourselves in a delivery rut. Since Kit’s post has been so helpful to us (actually, she posted a follow-up, too with additional faves), I thought I would share a few of our own favorite takeout options here, too. 5411 Empanadas Why we love it: I ordered these on a whim the first night that Brad and I […]

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Chicago: Pork Shoppe – Andersonville

Maris Callahan — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:43:37 +0000

Most people flock to Chicago for the deep dish pizza, the Chicago-style hot dogs or the even a taste of Rick Bayless’ Mexican food – beyond what you can get at Tortas Frontera at O’Hare airport, which I will come right out and admit I like a lot. What many people don’t expect to find when they visit Chicago is a range of barbecue options, from North Carolina-style to low and slow Texas ‘cue. If you only have time for to hit one barbecue joint, or if you live here and are looking to broaden your horizons, Pork Shoppe pretty much has you covered no matter what it is you’re after. Pork Shoppe, in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, arrived in spring 2015 following its first location in Avondale. It isn’t your typical barbecue joint, with an eclectic design that feels special but still comfortable with a vibe that would be appreciated by the neighborhood. “We wanted the rustic feel, but to incorporate a ‘shabby chic’ element, said owner Steven Ford. “The banquettes are made of wood with a caramel colored vinyl. We added some plaid table and plaid fabric to the other banquettes to make them pop. We also added the art around the room to tell […]

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Make this at Home: THE dec’s Pomegranate Picnic Cocktail

Maris Callahan — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 14:34:31 +0000

Soon after entering the post-college world, I started wondering how to host people at my apartment without using a giant Gatorade cooler full of jungle juice to entice them. As it turns out, a Pomegranate Picnic Cocktail based on the one served at Chicago’s THE dec was the key all along. I consulted my older and wiser friends, who told me having a “signature drink” at a party was apparently a thing. But while I’m past ordering a rail gin and tonic at a bar, I’ve been much slower to adapt in the home-mixology department. Until recently, my interpretation of a signature drink was a 16 oz. can of sugar-free Red Bull and leftover vodka from a Dasani bottle. After more than three years of denial, I’m finally coming around to the whole adult-drinking-at-home idea. The key? Always having a few reliable base spirits to rotate based on seasonality and occasion. This time of year, I’m all about outdoor dining and drinking, and I recently got ahold of a recipe that pairs perfectly with both. THE dec, which opened last summer on the roof of the Ritz Carlton last year, boasts stunning patio views and a vibe most Chicagoans would give […]

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Behind the Scenes with Mixologist Jason Brown at Kinmont

Maris Callahan — Tue, 20 May 2014 05:00:41 +0000

Kinmont, the sustainable fish + seafood restaurant from Chicago’s Element Collective team, has a fascinating menu that offers lesser known, sustainably fished products sourced from both coast: triggerfish, cobia, and amberjack,to name a few. Yet, it’s the cocktail menu that catches your eye. Kinmont’s head bartender Jason Brown began his career working the Sunday shift at a hotel bar because no one else would take it. Within a few weeks, he was working Saturday nights and closing the place. “Throughout the course of my career, I was hired at various places where I ended up with more responsibility than I was hired on to take,” said Brown. “When I started, I had no idea what I was doing but made some positive strides.” Since his accidental beginning behind the bar, Brown, who has had stints in Boston and San Francisco, has developed a beverage program that expertly complements executive chef Duncan Biddulph’s menu. The beverage list skews classic with an abundance of gin, Aquavit, Genever and Pisco in starring roles. We recently stopped by Kinmont to chat with Brown, sample some of his cocktails, and learn a thing or two about running the cocktail program at one of Chicago’s hottest seafood spots. IGT: Tell us what it’s like to […]

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Chicago: The Crave Bar

Maris Callahan — Fri, 16 May 2014 05:00:55 +0000

The Crave Bar $5.50 Mariano’s I have a major sweet tooth, so when I heard about an ice-cream bar on a chocolate covered pretzel stick, dipped in dark chocolate and pretzel pieces, I knew I would be an instant fan. After one taste of The Crave Bar, it was indeed love at first bite. Created by Kim and Scott Holstein, a Chicago couple who ran a gourmet pretzel company for 17 years, The Crave Bar is available in three flavors: Milk Chocolate Madness, Cappuccino Craze and Dark Chocolate Decadence. Though I am normally a dark chocolate fan, it was the milk chocolate flavor that I would like to stockpile in my freezer and eat every day. The Crave Bar begins with super premium, all-natural handcrafted milk chocolate ice cream hand-dipped into rich, decadent milk or dark chocolate and salty pretzel crunch, sprinkled with sea salt and fused to a crunchy chocolate and caramel dipped pretzel stick. In case you’re still wondering, it’s worth every last calorie.

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