More Food Adventures Around Chicago
Back in the Groove
- Something a little different? Maybe…
- Off to the Land of Milk and Honey. I mean Heathrow Terminal 5
- British Airways Galleries Lounge (South Lounge Complex)
- British Airways BA295 – London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare (Club World)
- Into the USA, Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- The Wonder of Micro Center
- More Food Adventures in Chicago
- Exploring China Town in Chicago
- Returning to the wonderful Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5
- British Airways Terraces Lounge, Chicago O’Hare T5
- British Airways BA296 – Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow T5 (World Traveller Plus)
- Welcome back to the United Kingdom
- Well, that’s a bit different
Welcome to another part of “Fooding around Chicago”, where I dine, explore and try a few things along the way. And maybe try a new few places along the way.
The Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare (On The Fly)
It was filling. But the service level… that’s another story, sadly. And a foil tray too. Plates? Kevin remembers plates.
At the price the hotel charges for this as a takeaway ($15), it’s a little pricey if it’s coming out of your pocket.
Diet Cola at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare (Red Bar)
Sometimes, even I skip the hotel burger – especially after a filling breakfast. What can I say about this – it was brown cola-flavoured liquid – perfect to enjoy as I caught up with a few people.
But $4 a pop… ouch.
Wingstop (via UberEats)
As is turning into a tradition, I’m starting to turn to Uber Eats more often than not on the Saturday night when seeing friends – it’s convenient and I don’t have to rely on hotel food (and let’s face it since the Hyatt has stopped doing the fried calamari some time ago, I want something I want to enjoy, as opposed to a burger to munch on).
I obtained the Wingstop order over Uber Eats – mainly because I was not in the mood to mess around.
No, I will not ruin my food with bad water.
Whilst I do like Uber Eats for convenience, the pre-tipping is… less than ideal. But that’s a different sensibility to tipping in a different land I suspect.
I got a mixed order – mainly because variation is the spice of life.
First up were the fries, which were nice and crispy. The Cajun seasoning certainly helped. The flavours on the wings and winglets were punchy to the point of “that’s a nice level of spice” to “that’s a little spicy”.
Of course, my spice level tolerances may be different to yours.
I’ll file these under “I’ll try them again in a pinch”.
Pizza Uno
When in doubt – return to the beginning as one science fiction character once said.
This was one of the first deep dish pizzas I had many moons ago when I came to Chicago, and it’s still one I enjoy – although it is a little lacking compared to Peaquods.
I ended up at the first branch – located off North Michigan Avenue on E. Ohio Street. Thankfully there was no wait for a seat – and I headed to the bar to perch, and to order – mainly as sometimes it’s nice being the barfly the show in those US TV shows.
Not that I’m a heavy drinker – I stuck with cola.
Whilst some of you might think, I’m being tight and not drinking alcohol (except in a lounge or on a plane) – I’m a very light drinker most of the time (and believe it or not, no, I will not drain a bottle of champagne for the hell of it – heck I’ve got some Tangerine Vodka at home that I brought during the middling part of 2020. I think I’ve gone through… half the bottle in that time).
Alcoholic drinks are not needed for a good time as far as I’m concerned.
Going through the menu, it was an easy choice – I went for Numero Uno in a Large size. I was queried about the size but explained most of it would be taken away (and truth be known, it was consumed with happiness over the next few days when I got home).
As usual, a Deep-Dish Pizza takes around 40 minutes to bake, but the barkeeper was on their toes, with them filling up the cola glass. I looked up at the sports playing and scrolled away on the phone.
Well, it was some sport involving hitting a ball with a bat. Rounders I would call it. Others might call it baseball.
As for the deep-dish pizza?
The crust is how I remember it – a little dense, but quite tasty, with the filling complimenting each other. It is not as spicy as the one I had before at Peaquods, but it’s quite rounded.
I had two slices on the plate – and that was more than plenty. It was also good just to be away from other things in the world, as I knew the trip was closing to an end-point, and that in less than 24 hours, I would be at an airport and heading to an aircraft.
But enough about that.
Most of the pizza went into a box to be consumed 4000 miles away. It’s still an expensive purchase – but one I’m happy to get.
Portillo’s Hotdogs
It’s been far too long since I’ve had a Portillo’s Hot Dog (in the past, some kind person went out to purchase a bulk order – that’s been some time ago). Thankfully, I spotted a branch on my travels out of the city – and I fancied some as I had walked myself silly around the Loop and Near North.
Arriving on the premises, there was someone guiding people to the counters. Fair enough as they say.
In the queue.
On the menu today.
Line up and wait.
Service was very quick, however, they don’t accept tap-to-pay/contactless payments – so ensure you have a plastic thing with a magstripe to pay (or hard cash, if you are that sort of person)
Lunch came in a brown bag – which contained good things. I got two hotdogs, fries and drinks combo for $14+tax.
The fries were crinkly and well-salted. As for the hotdog – it had everything on it.
Apart from ketchup. Because this is Chicago.
It’s a filling meal (considering there are two hotdogs in the bag) and if you’re with someone – they could be split. But as we all know, one hot dog is never enough…
Next: I fancy some char siu bao too. Time to head to a part of Chicago I have never been to before – Chinatown.
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