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The Chicago Traveler

August 28th, 2008

Fresh Faces in Food

The restaurant scene in Chicago is constantly evolving, always keeping up with people’s new tastes or trends. Here are a few restaurants that have only been around for a year or so, but they have already made a name for themselves in the dining biz.
Chalkboard, a contemporary American restaurant in North Center, is just that: […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

August 27th, 2008

Chicago Area’s First Sonic Drive-In

So, remember how I said that we don’t have Sonic here in Chicago? Well, I have to take that back now.
For years, Chicagoans have had to suffer through commercials for Sonic Drive-In, despite the fact that there aren’t any restaurants of the chain within 70 miles of here. Sonic operates more than 3,000 restaurants, but […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 19th, 2008

Bass, Boys, and Bad Behavior at Roscoe’s

If you’re young, fun, and like to shake your bum, you’ll probably find yourself dancing the night away at Roscoe’s.
Once you get past the occasionally haughty bouncer at the door, you’ll be greeted by a labyrinth of a bar and, on the weekends, wall-to-wall crowds. The front section contains a bar island which fills the […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

July 29th, 2008

Hot Doug’s Hot Dog Contest Declares a Winner

As I reported a little over a week ago, Hot Doug’s and Time-Out Chicago challenged people to create a brand new hot dog recipe. The winner’s entry will be featured on Hot Doug’s very own menu for at least a week.
So which dog is the lucky victor? The New Chicago! Created by Kevin Haas, this […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

July 20th, 2008

Hot Doug’s Hot Dog Contest

I’ve described it several times before, but it bears repeating. The Chicago-style hot dog has seven essential toppings: a boiled or steamed all-beef dog on a poppy-seed bun with (1) mustard, (2) relish, (3) chopped onions, (4) tomato wedges, (5) a pickle spear, (6) sport peppers, and (7) celery salt. I’ve seen a few varieties […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

July 8th, 2008

Eight Best Bangs for Your Buck 2008

With crazy gas prices and now high sales taxes, Chicagoans and visitors are looking to save money where they can. But don’t let your budget prevent you from going out to enjoy a good meal. Here are eight of the best restaurants (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp) where you can get a big meal for […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

June 26th, 2008

Taste of Chicago 2008: Taste’s Better Every Year

It’s that time of year again. The Taste of Chicago is an annual food festival, where dozens of restaurants from across the city gather along Columbus Drive. Millions of locals and tourists sample hundreds of dishes from every cuisine imaginable, from hot dogs to ravioli to veggie gyros to pad thai to empanadas to omelets… […]

By Matt B -- 4 comments

June 25th, 2008

Paint the Town Orange

Near the busy intersection of Clark Street and Belmont Avenue, a long line forms on the sidewalk every weekend. The space is small and the wait can be long, but devoted patrons don’t let that stop them from lining up in front of one eclectic restaurant every week. Inside, the exposed brick and high ceilings, […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

June 18th, 2008

Tre Kronor Feels Like Home Sweet ‘Hem’

Tre Kronor (”Three Crowns”) is a neighborhood Scandinavian place that has been around for 15 years, and the well-worn hardwood floors are testament to all the business the cozy restaurant has received over that time. The crowd usually consists of families, locals from the neighboring North Park, and Scandinavian foodies. On weekends, the two-story restaurant […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

June 10th, 2008

Try Manny’s on for Size

If you’re familiar with the cartoon dog Scooby-Doo, then you know that he likes his sandwiches piled sky-high with more ingredients than two pieces of bread could ever actually handle. At Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli, the sandwiches aren’t too far from those animated towers of meat and cheese, and they’ll satisfy even the heartiest […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment