Random Chicago Eats (or, Kevin was more than lazy this trip)
TRIP REPORT: Still for the Friends
Time for a food diary of things I might have eaten whilst travelling around Chicago. Don’t expect many changes from the norm here.
- Still for the friends
- But first. A trip to Liverpool, North West England. But why?
- To the… daytime Heathrow run?
- Lounging around with Cathay Pacific and American Airlines
- AA87 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare (Main Cabin Extra)
- Into the USA, A Scammer Taxi driver and the Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- The Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Airplane Art Extra from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Exploring a craft at the Museum of Contemporary Photography
- The Gundam Base, Chicago
- Random Chicago Eats
- An Early Return to O’Hare and the American Airlines Flagship Lounge
- AA882 to Chicago O’Hare to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (Exit Row)
- A Quick Atlanta Transit
- BA226 to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to London Heathrow Terminal 3 in World Traveller
- Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
- Still for Friends
Random Chicago Eats (or, I was ultra lazy this trip)
Normally, there is some rhyme and reason to the food posts when I travel – but I’m going to be honest, I existed on a few things this trip, as well as bowl noodles, and DIY sandwiches… mainly as I was trying to be social during this trip. Thus, going out for food was a meh thing this trip.
So here are four places I ended up nomming at or got items from.
Chiu Quon Bakery, Chinatown
Nearest L Station: Chinatown/Ceremak
I’ve been going to this bakery since I “discovered” it on Eater, and at a few other locations. Chinese Bao’s are a useful snack food – the perfect thing to keep in a bag and nibble on, or to keep a few in a hotel bedroom for the late midnight snack.
Pastries and Baos
Cookeis
Baos.
I tend to stick to the Char Sui bao, although I do vary it with egg and ham, and curry buns. At between $2 to $2.50 a bun, stocking up on a few of them is a no-brainer for a “grab and eat” foodstuff, especially when the weekend is a busy one.
O’HareBurger at Red Bar, Hyatt Regency O’Hare
Nearest L Station: Rosemont.
Whilst bao and bowl noodles are fine, one has to eat properly occasionally. And as I couldn’t be bothered to order in, I went to the Red Bar at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.
There’s a reasonable, if limited, menu at the bar (which has been cut back since the heady days pre-COVID), but there were some tempting options. I went for an O’Hare Burger (with white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, dill pickles on a brioche bun – but hold the tomato), with some fries, of course, because having a proper meal after a day or so is not a bad idea.
We’ll be talking about why there’s a keyboard on top of a keyboard.
That and the cold cola helped a lot, with it helping with the dehydration.
Whilst the service was a little sluggish, drinks and food were served in a reasonable time, and drinks were
Considering the location and place, I was happy to pay the $26 and not moan. Otherwise, I would have still been scrolling through Uber Eats, deciding what to eat.
Pequods Pizza, Chicago
Nearest L Stations: Fullerton/Armitage (Brown Line), Californa (Blue Line)
Some day, I’ll try another pizza joint. But for now, I’ve found one I like and enjoy. And when it comes to deep dish pizza, sometimes I just want to autopilot – especially after seeing my friends.
Don’t get me wrong – I love my friends. I also love not being around people too and being in a little bit of peace after three days of non-stop social interaction.
After spending an evening downtown, I went over to Pequods.
I was seated with a bar seat straight away and settled in. A big menu was provided as well as an extensive drinks menu.
For Pizza, I grabbed one with cheese, sausage, Sausage, Pepperoni and Giardiniera, with the meat adding protein, the Giardiniera adding acid to cut through the grease.
As well as beverages to remain hydrated.
As usual, it’s a 40+ minute wait for a Deep Dish Pizza (like any good deep dish pizza).
Give me a sign…
Pequods serve their deep dish in the cast iron skillet it’s cooked in (and a word to the wise, don’t touch the skillet when it’s fresh out of the oven).
The pan is lined with mozzarella cheese, which is burned by the time it is served, adding different textures and tastes. It makes for a great experience.
And yes, it took me most of the week to polish it off when I got home.
I’ve got a fuller article here.
Coffee At Chicago Brü
Nearest station: Damen (Blue Line).
I had a few reasons to be in the Bucktown and Wicker Park area near Damen station, so I had to stop for a break and coffee at Brü. Or more officially… Chicago Brü.
It seems they’ve developed into a little chain of three coffee shops – and still as hipster as hell.
I’ve got no issue with that – provided that there was both passable coffee and internet connectivity. Thankfully, Brü had all three. Delightyful
They also offer food options, with gluten-free crepes, bowls, smoothies and shakes.
For me, the coffee was passable at a point where I needed caffeine, as well as a small room break.
And sometimes, that’s all you need from a coffee joint.
I’ve got a fuller article here.
Next:
Either we’re heading back to the airport, or if I finish editing something, we might have a pictorial. Guess you’ll find out tomorrow 😉
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