10. The Wiener’s Circle. Love it or hate it, this greasy spoon has got a “charm” all its own.

9. Gold Coast Dogs. All ten locations follow the Chicago-style recipe to the ‘T’.

8. Superdawg Drive-In. The winking hot dogs on the roof will be a sight you won’t soon forget.

7. Huey’s Hot Dogs. While serving up great dogs and burgers, this eatery is also well-known for its vegetarian-friendly dishes.

6. Portillo’s Hot Dogs. Both the nostalgia and the hot dogs are served up Chicago-style here.

5. Wiener & Still Champion. A good dog should be paired with good fries, and the freshly-cut ones here are among the best.

4. Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots. The shack’s outward appearance doesn’t stop hungry customers from lining up year round.

3. Gene’s & Jude’s. “Chicago-style” means no ketchup. In fact, this restaurant doesn’t even carry any at all.

2. fRedhots and Fries. Fred serves up rabbit, buffalo, and alligator. But don’t worry; he has plenty of good old-fashioned hot dogs, too.

1. Hot Doug’s. Folks line up around the block for the classic dogs and the duck fat fries.

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Inside this simple storefront, patrons of all ages come to enjoy the Chicago-style dogs, along with fresh-cut fries that have been raved about since the place opened in 1975. Wiener also offers honest-to-goodness corndogs. It’s amazing how something so simple can hit the spot so perfectly. And they’re only a buck with any combo meal! Vegetarians aren’t left out either, as they’re offered a deep-fried falafel burger on a hand-formed sesame “knot roll.” And if you’re really hungry, try the double dog or triple cheeseburger combo.

These winning wieners will have you looking forward to ‘dog’ days.

Photo credit: polomex, MySpace

Wiener and Still Champion ($): 802 Dempster St (Evanston); 847-869-0100
Mon – Sat: 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 205 or Purple Line train (Dempster)

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Even though The Chicago Traveler is only a few months old, let’s take a look back at the ten most popular articles of this year.

10. Abegweit. Resting peacefully on Lake Michigan, this beautiful ship was once the most powerful icebreaker in the world.

9. Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes. This music store on the south side of Chicago offers a wide selection of new, unopened vinyl records.

8. Weather Bell. At Monroe and Clark Streets, the bell has long outlasted its original owner.

7. Evil Olive. This Wicker Park martini bar looks great no matter what direction you’re coming from. Yo Banana Boy!

6. Chicago Highways. Chicagoans rarely call the seven major highways by their actual names. Instead, we rely on nicknames… and maybe a few not-so-nice words during rush hour.

5. Wholly Frijoles. The waiting list may be a mile long, but the food is most certainly worth your patience.

4. Relax Lounge. Relaxation here comes in the form of beats, brews, and burgers.

3. Daley Center. The premier civic center of Chicago is considered one of the city’s architectural highlights. Obviously though, voluntary visits are much more fun than obligatory ones.

2. Chicago River. Chicago’s river may not have a good reputation, but it’s still an incredible example of city engineering. How many rivers do you know that flow backwards?

1. Beatnix. Although originally featured for Halloween, this Boystown corner shop is fun and fabulous all year long.

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• Want to support a Democratic candidate? RSVP for Change Rocks, a concert for Senator Barack Obama at the Riviera Theatre. Performers include Jeff Tweedy, Stephan Jenkins, and Jill Sobule. (Dec 7)

• The fifth annual Winter Arts and Crafts Expo at the Evanston Art Center features jewelry, woodworking, metal, leather, clothing, fiber, glass, ceramics, and more. (ends Dec 16)

• Chris Brown, a hip-hop and r&b singer and dancer, performs at the Allstate Arena, and Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger, guitarists from the band Umphrey’s McGee, will be at the Vic Theatre. (Dec 7)

• Head over to the Chicago History Museum to check out Chicago at 40: the Band and Its City, an exhibit celebrating the 40^th anniversary of one of the most successful U.S. pop and rock bands of all time. The display includes lyrics, instruments, and other items drawn from the band’s archive. (Dec 7)

• Browse jewelry, incense, tapestries, and more at the Indian Bazaar Fundraiser at Karma Crossing in Bucktown. Kalapriya Dance Company performs, and Bollywood videos play throughout the evening. For more information, call 773-960-7960. (Dec

• Bring your pet to Urban Out Sitters, and have it photographed with Santa as part of their early holiday event “Paws 4 Santa.” Limit one picture per customer. (through Dec 30)

• Hanson may be best known for their 1997 hit song “MMMBop,” but they’re all grown up (and married!) now. Check out their more mature sound at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. (Dec

• Browse work by more than 100 Midwestern artists in the Holstein Park Fieldhouse at the 9^th Annual Bucktown Holiday Artshow, including pottery, jewelry, paintings, photography, and paintings. (Dec 8-9)

• Get out your Santa suit or another festive costume, and join the renegade Santas of SantaCon Chicago as they make their annual pub crawl in the Loop. (Dec

• Learn about the technologies depicted in the “Star Wars” films and the real science behind them at The Museum of Science and Industry. Their sci-fi exhibit “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” includes video interviews, a full-sized replica of the Millennium Falcon cockpit, and more than 80 props, models, and costumes from the movies. (runs through Jan 6)

• View seasonal decorations in the historic Pullman district during the annual Candlelight House Walk. Afterwards, enjoy a holiday buffet and silent auction at the Historic Pullman Visitor Center. Reservations required. (Dec 9)

• The Brian Setzer Orchestra is a swing and rockabilly band and has often played at the Rockefeller Center tree-lighting ceremony. They’ll be at the Paramount Arts Centre this weekend in Aurora, IL. Jazz fans will want to check out Dave Koz, an American saxophonist, at The Chicago Theatre. (Dec 9)

• The Goodman Theatre presents Black Nativity, Langston Hughes’ story of the birth of Jesus as told through poetry, dance, and song. (runs through Dec 30)

• Dance Dance Party Party is a weekly ladies-only open dance session. At $5 per session, the concept is simple: women dressed in exercise gear get together at the Perceptual Motion Dance Studio and dance the calories away to irresistible jams. (Sundays and Wednesdays)

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

If you take anything away from this article, it must be this: call ahead. I’m not kidding. I tried just dropping in and found a minimum wait of 60 minutes. (As I’ve said before, I’m not someone who waits. I visit a restaurant because I’m hungry now, not because I’ll be hungry later.) The restaurant does not take reservations, but they do have a waiting list, so be sure to call ahead and get your name on there as soon as you can.

Now, with that said, the wait is most certainly worth it. This little eatery may not look like much—squished between a Chinese joint and a Dunkin Donuts in a strip mall—but that doesn’t stop eager diners from lining up for warm tortilla chips, fresh mango smoothies, and delicious homemade horchata. The menu is extensive, from traditional tacos and tortas to skirt steak, red snapper, and shrimp. Popular entrees include braised lamb and chicken breasts stuffed with poblano peppers. Mmm… chipotle mashed potatoes! The chile relleno and chicken enchiladas with mole are not to be missed. Desserts like fresh mango cheesecake with raspberry puree and upside-down pineapple cake with caramel sauce top the list of dessert selections.

Just remember: call ahead.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) lobstar28, Taekwonweirdo

Wholly Frijoles ($): 3908 W Touhy Ave (Lincolnwood); 847-329-9810
Mon – Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri: 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Street parking, free lot
Public trans: Pace Bus # 290

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Zen Noodles in Wicker Park (around the corner from People Lounge) does offer sushi, kung pao chicken, and the ever-popular pad thai, but the restaurant’s menu extends to the cuisine of nearly every country in southeast Asia. Among the standout dishes, the Malaysian noodles are served with sausage, pork, and shrimp, and the Indonesian noodles are made with coconut milk and tamarind, which is also a main ingredient in pad thai. The roasted duck noodle soup is delicious with its spike of cinnamon. To try something familiar with a bit of a twist, the pineapple fried rice has raisins, cashews, egg, and scallions. The menu also includes Thai satays, wok-fried noodle dishes, soups, and curries. Bubble tea and fruit smoothies are ideal beverages. (If you are ordering in from Zen, they may tell you delivery will take 45 minutes, but it’s usually closer to 15! Wow!)

Moving to the Philippines, we hit northern Chicago for Mariegold Bakery & Fast Food. This 12-year-old Filipino find serves the traditional dishes of the nation made up of more than 7,000 islands. A Spanish colony for centuries, the Philippines combines Spanish and Chinese influences in its food. One originally Chinese tradition has special significance for Filipinos: noodles prepared on a person’s birthday symbolizing long life. While the noodles are characteristically Asian, other Filipino flavors should taste very familiar to Western palates. The caldereta is very similar to beef stew, and the chicken and pork adobo (made with soy sauce and crushed garlic) is good for those who are less adventurous. Other options include kare-kare (hamhocks in peanut sauce), embutido (a type of meatloaf), and kutsintas (steamed brown rice cakes).

Our culinary trek leads us north to Evanston (a little over a block from Barcelona Tapas and the Fountain Square Building) for Mt Everest Restaurant, specializing in north Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Nepalese food is traditionally less spicy, is more vegan-friendly, and uses less oil than Indian dishes. While north Indian (sometimes called “Royal Indian”) food can be easy to find within the city limits, Nepalese cuisine is a delicious rarity. This spacious, elegant spot offers a hearty all-you-can-eat lunch buffet where diners can find fresh vegetables, warm naan bread, palak paneer (warm minced spinach cooked with cottage cheese), tandoori chicken, khasi ko maasu (goat meat cooked with spices and herbs) and smooth rice pudding. Whether you like it mild, moderate, or spicy, you will enjoy the taste of the Himalayas.

Our final Asian stop is for Korean cuisine at Jin Ju in Andersonville (around the corner from the Neo-Futurist Theater). In terms of ambience, the contemporary restaurant doesn’t look like your typical “Asian cuisine” storefront. The Westernized trendy décor (ambient electronic beats, candlelight dining, exposed brick, soft globe lighting) is meant to make non-Asian beginners feel comfortable as they delve into a taste of Korea. Nonetheless, the flavors are authentic Korean; the difference is a matter of presentation. The food is presented in a Western fashion: appetizers, entrees, and desserts. This differs from the traditional family-style of Korean dishes, wherein all the food is presented at once. Popular starters include te gim (tempura) and barbecue pork spare ribs. Other scrumptious appetizers include steamed dumplings filled with kim chee (spicy pickled cabbage), seaweed roll with fish cake, and mild fried scallion pancake. Try the dol sut bi bim bap, sizzling rice topped with beef, carrots, spinach, and fried egg. Ginger and red bean ice creams finish off the meal excellently.

If your idea of Asian cuisine is little white Chinese take-out boxes, Chicago has plenty of ways for you to dive in and experience the diverse and fascinating flavors of the East.

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Zen Noodles ($): 1852 W North Ave; 773-276-8300
Mon – Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Street parking difficult
Public trans: Bus # 50, 56, 72 or Blue Line train (Damen)
http://www.zennoodles.com/

Mariegold Bakery & Fast Food ($): 5752 N California Ave; 773-561-1978
Mon – Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sun: 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Street parking; free parking lot
Public trans: Bus # 11, 93

Mt Everest Restaurant ($$): 630 Church St (Evanston); 847-491-1069
Lunch
Mon – Fri: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sat – Sun: 12 noon – 3:00 p.m.
Dinner
Sun – Thurs: 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Street parking; pay lot; free lots available within walking distance
Public trans: Bus # 201, 205 or Pace Bus # 208, 213
Purple Line train (Davis)
Metra Union Pacific North Line train (Evanston Davis)
http://www.mteverestrestaurant.com/

Jin Ju ($$): 5203 N Clark St; 773-334-6377
Sun, Tues: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Weds – Thurs: 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Street parking difficult
Public trans: Bus # 22, 92

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Our first destination: Afghanistan. Tucked away in a mini-mall on Dempster Street in Skokie is Kabul House. This authentic Afghan eatery is the only one of its kind in town, and its name comes from the capital of Afghanistan. Afghan food is a cross between Indian and Middle Eastern. Delicious appetizers include mantu (steamed ground-beef- and onion-filled dumplings topped with spicy yogurt sauce and sprinkled with mint) and the house special, kadu (sautéed pumpkin cooked in special spices). And while entrees include large skewers of marinated chicken, tender lamb, and charbroiled Mahi-Mahi, there are also a number of dishes that you won’t find anywhere else in the city, including the murgh koubediah, chicken biryani, and quorma chalau.

Our next stop is Iran. For great Iranian/Persian cuisine in Chicago, head to Noon O’Kabab just south of Kedzie and Lawrence Avenues. “Noon O’Kabab” translates to “bread and kebab” and was opened ten years ago by brother and sister Mir and Parvin Naghavi. The food is flavorful, home-cooked, and authentic. Four beautiful grains of rice are served with many of the dishes, including the highly recommended lamb shank cooked in tomato and cinnamon sauce and the chenjeh, tender choice rib eye cooked over an open fire.

For a taste of Israel, we come to the intersection of Devon and California Avenues to a place called Taboun Grill. A taboun is the traditional clay oven used for baking pita, and it’s no wonder why this place is named after it. Their pitas are soft, crunchy, and heavenly delicious. This Israeli spot has developed a loyal following, especially for those looking for a tasty kosher (CRC-approved) meal. Great appetizers include the kubeh (cracked wheat dumpling filled with ground beef) and Moroccan cigars (spicy ground beef in crispy wrapper), but it’s the hummus that really stands out. Try the specialty taboun mixed grill (chicken tenders sautéed with onion and garlic) or the schnitzel (breaded lean chicken breast, lightly fried). Know before you go: the restaurant is BYOB, but only for certified kosher wine. And just what is the secret to the restaurant’s success? “All of the recipes are my mom’s,” owner Anat Trace laughs.

Our Middle Eastern journey continues to Lebanon, and at Basha (a Middle Eastern grill in Skokie) you can indulge in the flavors of this country, known as “the Paris of the Middle East.” Basha (which means “leader”) serves up a menu of all the traditional Middle Eastern favorites like beef and chicken shawarmas, hummus, kebabs, and baba ghanouj, plus exclusively Lebanese dishes, like the fattoush salad (pita bread, onions, cucumber, lemon juice, tomatoes, mint, parsley, and green peppers). The service may be a bit slow sometimes, but that’s because everything is being made fresh. It will be well worth the wait.

Finally, a little Turkish delight at A La Turka in Lakeview, where you can sit cross-legged on pillows, dine with your fingers, and enjoy some belly-dancing. The restaurant is a total cultural experience. Since 1997, the decor here has been imported from Istanbul, and there are even hookahs for you and your friends to enjoy. Traditional Turkish specialties include enginar (artichoke stuffed with spinach and feta cheese) and karniyarik (baby eggplant delicately sautéed and stuffed with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and parsley). The roasted lamb shank (kuzu firin) is the big seller here, roasted in its own juices and served with potatoes and carrots, garnished with slices of eggplant. The soft music makes for a romantic setting, but everything changes when the belly dancers come out to play. They shake and groove to loud beats, enticing everyone to join (and tip) them. Weekends are extremely busy, so remember to make reservations.

Kabul House ($): 3320 Dempster St (Skokie); 847-763-9930
Tues – Sat: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sun: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Free parking lot
Public trans: Bus # 250 (Pace)
http://www.kabulhouse.com/

Noon O’Kabab ($): 4661 N Kedzie Ave; 773-279-8899
Mon – Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 81 or Brown Line train (Kedzie)
http://www.noonokabab.com/

Taboun Grill ($$): 6339 N California Ave; 773-381-2606
Sun – Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Fri: 11:00 a.m. – 2 hours before sundown
Sat: 2 hours after sundown – 12 midnight
(Yemenite Brunch: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Sunday)
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 93, 155
http://www.taboungrill.com/

Basha ($): 3445 Dempster St (Skokie); 847-329-8855
Mon – Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sun: 12 noon – 10:00 p.m.
Free parking lot
Public trans: Bus # 250 (Pace)

A La Turka ($): 3134 N Lincoln Ave; 773-935-6101
Sun – Thurs: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 5:00 p.m. – 12 midnight
Hookah Lounge
Fri – Sat: 7:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Street parking; pay lot
Public trans: Bus # 9, X9, 11, 77 or Brown Line train (Paulina)
http://www.alaturkachicago.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

April 27, 1951. Douglas MacArthur,
General of the Army, placed a
wreath on this site, honoring
Evanston’s war casualties with
these words:
I do not know the dignity of these
men’s births but I do know the glory of
their death. They died that this nation
and all the things it stands for
shall not perish from this earth.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) polomex, winchesta

Fountain Square Building: 1601 Sherman Ave (Evanston)
Public trans: Bus # 201, 205 or Pace Bus # 208, 213
Purple Line train (Davis) or Metra Union Pacific North Line train (Evanston Davis)

Post from: The Chicago Traveler