CHI - Big Star

One of the restaurants Julia's cousin recommended to us was Big Star in Wicker Park and we were up for the adventure. 

LOCATION: 1531 NORTH DAMEN, CHICAGO, IL 60622

We found the place pretty easily; bright colors, tons of lights, and a huge crowd of people inside and out. We walked up to the nice girls at the podium, put down our names on the waiting list, and hung out. We weren't given any sort of time frame but we were told they'd text us when our table was ready so we went to a park right around the corner and waited. It only took about a half hour and we were seated. Turns out, this place is 21 and up because we were carded before we could get inside the fenced off area, good thing we're old enough. 

We sat down and after a couple minutes our waitress came over and took our order right there and sent it to the kitchen on her fancy tablet. It didn't take too long before our food started to come out. 

Julia ordered two walking tacos complete with fritos bags ready to go. Our last four tacos came out not long after. From the top, Julia's Taco Alambre De Res grilled steak taco, then my Taco Al Pastor (pork shoulder with grilled pineapple, grilled onion, and cilantro) , Taco De Chorizo Codero (pork and lamb chorizo, spring onion crema, radish, and cilantro) , and Taco De Pescado (beer battered tilapia, chipotle mayo, cabbage, red onion, lime and cilantro).

I tried the fish taco first and my first bite was fairly mild that I was a little disappointed, then I took another bite and flavor exploded in my mouth and I was pretty pumped again. This was a good taco, and I was ready for more. I ate the chorizo taco next and I think this was my favorite. This taco had a great kick to it while still being fresh from the radish and crema. I ate the pork shoulder taco last and I hyped myself up for the grilled pineapple because that's one of my favorites. The pineapple was fantastic, super sweet and a little smokey. The pork shoulder, however, was still pretty tough and could've used more cooking time or just a different cooking method because it wasn't as tender as I was hoping it would be. 

Overall, these were good tacos. They were all balanced super well in terms of not being too dry or too soggy, and nothing was too spicy, too salty, or too sweet. This place has a great young, fun, party feel and I would go back for sure.    

CHI - Deep dish pizza at Giordano's!

When in Chicago, get a deep dish pizza! 

LOCATION: 130 E RANDOLPH, CHICAGO, IL 60601

We did the touristy thing tonight and hit up Millennium Park to see THE BEANNNNN, and then of course took it upon ourselves to get a deep dish pizza. Julia looked up restaurants and we found our way to Giordano's which happened to have a location less than a block away! We called ahead of time and they said the wait would be about a half hour but when we walked there, we were seated immediately. We sat down, ordered our deep dish veggie pizza and began our hour wait for them to bake it. In all this time I never thought about the fact that a deep dish pizza would of course take about an hour or so to bake. One reason I will forever be a thin crust new york pizza girl for the rest of my life - 10 minutes and it's good to go. 

After close to an hour, we got our pizza and wasted no time to dig in! I was a little too hungry to get a shot of my first slice of pizza but by the time I was ready to for my second slice, I was full enough to take a quick shot. Julia isn't a huge meat eater and I'm not one to complain about that so we settled on this pizza with spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, onions, artichokes, and black olives (which I picked off of the pizza because no thanks olives). 

Julia and I agreed that deep dish pizza feels less like pizza and more like a casserole or a pie (Pizza will forever be a thin crust!!) but it was a good meal. We had some leftover and had it for breakfast another day, and we both agreed, it almost tastes better reheated than when we first got it. 

I can't imagine ever craving a deep dish pizza specifically but this also isn't a meal I'd turn down in the future. 

CHI - Greek Islands

I'm pretty excited to be going to school in Chicago this fall because campus just happens to be right next to Greek Town. I'm already in love. 

Julia did a little research and got some recommendations from family and we took a lunch break at Greek Islands.

LOCATION: 200 SOUTH HALSTAD ST., CHICAGO, IL 60661

This restaurant is super cool, outdoor seating and tons of space inside as well. It has that greek feel with clean white spaces, and that greek island feel. All of the wait staff and kitchen staff from what I saw was male which I think is pretty cool. Everyone was very generous and attentive and our waiter was an older man with a heavy greek accent. He made me feel happy. 

Of course, we sat down and ordered Dolmades to start; a favorite of Julia's and mine. They were warm and citrus-y and I was beyond happy. We were both craving it and we were not disappointed. For lunch Julia ordered Gyros and I got a newer dish, Spartan Chicken which came with a side of rice and potato(s). It was beautiful. The chicken was seasoned and cooked wonderfully. It was a little salty but with the rice and potato it was wonderful. I would definitely go back to this place again though there are a whole bunch of restaurants in Greektown that I should scope out first! All the food adventures to have in the future. 

ROC - Bar Louie

So, I haven't been going out much lately what with my night time work schedule hindering my meager social life and my travel and school plans sucking what little funds I have for fun (the struggles of a post BFA, pre MDes life). 

I did, however, luck out one afternoon! My friend Jeff took a week off after finishing with one job and starting another meaning a week where he had time to hang out with me before I had to go to work! Cue lunch at Bar Louie! 

LOCATION: 935 JEFFERSON RD., ROCHESTER, NY 14623

Jeff has been before but I have not, and I believe the last time he went he sent me this wonderful picture of a grilled mac and cheese sandwich. I had to try it. So this fine Wednesday, we met at bar Louie for lunch. Now this place is, of course, a bar and therefore it was pretty quiet during lunch but that was fine with me! We were seated right away close to a party of 7 elderly women (walkers and canes included) so of course, I knew it was going to be a good time. Our waitress was super relaxed and fun, she gave us a little rundown of the menu, and we ordered. 

Jeff got himself a flatbread and of course I ordered the grilled mac and cheese sandwich with verde chicken. This sandwich is magical. It comes on a multi grain bread so you can at least pretend that it's really not THAT bad for you even though theres american cheese on top of the incredible alfredo mac and cheese concoction. Throw in the chicken and this sandwich cannot lose! The bread is seasoned and buttery and this whole thing is just fantastic. I would go back just for this sandwich. 

Lunches with Jeff full of cheesy goodness? I'll take that any day.   

NYC - Rainbow Bagels!!

We all know that these Rainbow Bagels are a big hit right now, so when in New York, get a rainbow bagel at THE BAGEL STORE! 

LOCATION: 349 BEDFORD AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11211

The bagel store in Brooklyn is right on the corner and super easy to find. We walked in around 1pm (not the prime bagel time) and there were people around but nothing TOO busy. We waited for a couple minutes, walked up to the counter, and a nice girl came up to us to take our order. All three of us got rainbow bagels (they don't let you toast them) with different fillings. Zoe got hers with honey which she said was one of the best bagels she's had, Karie got hers with plain cream cheese (and she got a lot of it), and I got mine with the funfetti cream cheese and it was magical. The bagel itself wasn't different in terms of flavor but the cream cheese made me feel like I was eating cake which is alright by me! 

The store itself wasn't as obvious of a home run. Being in New York there wasn't a lot of seating which itself is not a huge deal. In terms of customer service it was sub-par. The girl that took our order was great but the 3 or 4 other guys working at the same time were less than enthusiastic to be there. Karie got her bagel and paid for it, then they set Zoe and my bagel on the counter, and walked away. We stood there for 10 or so minutes waiting for any one of the workers there to come and let us pay for our food that was already made and ready to go. It was an odd time of day and the store wasn't crazy packed with people so we couldn't figure out why we had to wait there for such an extended amount of time just to pay. 

Overall, the bagels were good but maybe I'll look for a different location next time around.