Yesterday after taking a trip into the city to visit my grandmother I decided to stop into "Susupauto" at 6161 N. Broadway in Chicago. The taqueria is near Loyola University in between the Rogers Park and Edgewater communities. Like most taquerias it is a small store front restaurant with a green, red, and white sign hanging above. Parking is by the way of meter's along Broadway, but be warned though not to park in the Osco/CVS lot across the street because you may get towed.
Once inside you are greeted with a dimly lit, clean, and inviting atmosphere. Ceramic tiles lay the floor and lovely Mexican art work adorns the walls. There are about 10 tables inside each seating about 4, so not too small and not too large. As with everywhere else, smoking is no longer allowed.
My waitress is quiet but friendly and I quickly order a steak burrito and steak taco both with everything. Now I can eat my tacos 2 way's, one is with just onion and cilantro and the other is with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream. I went for the loaded version.
The meal starts with a basket of homemade tortilla chips and two different salsas. The "green" salsa is a salsa verde that is very fresh tasting with plenty of lime and garlic throughout. Next is the "red" salsa that has a slightly higher level of heat but is geared more for flavor than burning your mouth. I am a firm believer that heat without flavor is pointless.
My dinner arrives and I am greeted with a large 8 inch burrito that has the right balance of ingredients. A thin layer of re fried beans line the burrito and then generous amounts of steak, cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomato follow. The flower tortilla is not soggy on the outside and the burrito overall has excellent flavor and texture. Next was my taco which is steak, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream all on top of 2 soft corn tortillas. Excellent, just like the burrito. The reason both are so good is the quality of the steak. It's quality tasting meat that is cut the right size and cooked to the right temperature and consistency. Many places over cook the meat or chop it up too small and it ends up like grizzle.
Overall this is an excellent option if your in that neck of the woods. Great food and an inviting atmosphere make this a top choice. **** out of ****.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Review of "Stonewood Ale House"
Last weekend the wife and I visited "Stonewood Ale House" located at 601 Mall Drive in Schaumburg. It's actually located right up the street from "Smokey Bones" which I reviewed earlier. Stonewood's appearance makes it look like a much more upscale restaurant than it really is. Dim lights and hardwood floors give it a decidedly upscale look. Parking is a bit sparse but there is a complimentary valet if needed.
Our server "Gary" was quick to greet us and very willing to offer some opinions about the items on the menu. We started with the bruscetta, my wife ordered the fish and chips,and I ordered the ribs and BBQ shrimp combo. In case you haven't noticed I enjoy ribs a lot.
The bruscetta was very good, with plenty of tomato, garlic, and a slice of fresh mozzarella. The mozzarella is what makes this appetizer stand out. Once you have bruscetta this way, you'll never want it with just parmesan again.
Next up were our entrees. Her fish and chips were four large pieces of cod that was slightly crisp and very flaky. They had a nice mild flavor that was not too "fishy". My combo was a half slab of baby back ribs and four jumbo shrimp. The ribs were fall of the bone tender and the barbecue sauce was slightly sweet and very tasty. My only wish would be that they grilled them a little more just so they had a slight crust on the outside. Not burnt but just to add a little texture. The star of the show were the shrimp. Big and juicy and covered in sauce. I would have taken less ribs if I could have gotten more of these tasty shrimp. Sides for both of us were fries which were normal garden variety restaurant fries. Good but nothing new.
Dessert was upon us and we were trying some new things tonight! My wife had a blueberry pie in a jar, yes a jar, and I had strawberries foster. The blueberry pie was layers of crust, blueberries, and homemade whip cream. It was very good and loads of fun to eat. Now I've heard of banana's foster before but never strawberry, and let be tell you it was delicious! A large profiterole stuffed with vanilla ice cream lying in a pool of warm strawberries and sauce. Outstanding!
With tip the final bill came out to about $75. Not value pricing but the food was worth it. Overall "Stonewood" has very good food and good service and is worth a try if you're in the area. Rating *** out of ****.
Our server "Gary" was quick to greet us and very willing to offer some opinions about the items on the menu. We started with the bruscetta, my wife ordered the fish and chips,and I ordered the ribs and BBQ shrimp combo. In case you haven't noticed I enjoy ribs a lot.
The bruscetta was very good, with plenty of tomato, garlic, and a slice of fresh mozzarella. The mozzarella is what makes this appetizer stand out. Once you have bruscetta this way, you'll never want it with just parmesan again.
Next up were our entrees. Her fish and chips were four large pieces of cod that was slightly crisp and very flaky. They had a nice mild flavor that was not too "fishy". My combo was a half slab of baby back ribs and four jumbo shrimp. The ribs were fall of the bone tender and the barbecue sauce was slightly sweet and very tasty. My only wish would be that they grilled them a little more just so they had a slight crust on the outside. Not burnt but just to add a little texture. The star of the show were the shrimp. Big and juicy and covered in sauce. I would have taken less ribs if I could have gotten more of these tasty shrimp. Sides for both of us were fries which were normal garden variety restaurant fries. Good but nothing new.
Dessert was upon us and we were trying some new things tonight! My wife had a blueberry pie in a jar, yes a jar, and I had strawberries foster. The blueberry pie was layers of crust, blueberries, and homemade whip cream. It was very good and loads of fun to eat. Now I've heard of banana's foster before but never strawberry, and let be tell you it was delicious! A large profiterole stuffed with vanilla ice cream lying in a pool of warm strawberries and sauce. Outstanding!
With tip the final bill came out to about $75. Not value pricing but the food was worth it. Overall "Stonewood" has very good food and good service and is worth a try if you're in the area. Rating *** out of ****.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Review of "Sweet Baby Rays" BBQ
Friday night was date night for the wife and I. This week that meant a trip to "Sweet Baby Rays" BBQ in Elk Grove Village. They have two Chicagoland locations, the one in Elk Grove is at 800 E. Higgins, and the other is at 249 E. Irving Park in Wood Dale. For all you city dwellers, both locations have plenty of free parking.
The outside of the restaurant has a very log cabin feel to it, a look that continues to the inside. The wood from the roof is seen on the ceiling as well and the lighting is slightly dimmed. Once seated you do get cloth napkins and a bottle of their signature sauce right on the table. What is not on the table is a table cloth. Smart move since their slogan is "The sauce is boss."
Our waitress arrives and promptly tells us the specials, which on this night include Irish fair for St. Patty's and some fish selections for Lent. The menu is a good size and features standard BBQ such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. We start with the pulled pork nachos, my wife orders the boneless rib sandwich with salad and fries, and I order the 3 meat combo. This got me very excited. I was able to choose from baby back ribs, spare ribs, rib tips, beef brisket, pulled pork, and a 1/4 chicken (white or dark same cost). I chose baby backs, brisket, and a 1/4 chicken white. This includes cornbread and two sides, which were baked beans and green chili mac and cheese.
First thing out was the pulled pork nachos. The nachos were tortilla chips with pulled pork, cheddar jack cheese, black beans, sour cream, and pico de gallo. Maybe I set my expectations too high but the nachos didn't blow me away. They were good, but the pulled pork with the nachos sounded better in my mind than they really were. Worth getting, but don't expect too much.
Next out was our dinners. They did forget my wife's salad and did apologize, but we were so hungry for BBQ that at first we didn't notice. My wife's rib sandwich came on a crusty Italian roll and was sweet, tender, and juicy. My combo came and I was very excited. The ribs were slightly smokey but sweet from the sauce. They had the right texture as well. Slightly crisp outside but tender inside so as they easily came off the bone. Brisket was next and it was very tender slices of beef covered in warm barbecue sauce. Next was the all white meat chicken that was tender and juicy and covered in sauce as well. Time for the sides. I was most interested in the green chili mac and cheese. This was a spicy mac and cheese that had ground chili's mixed throughout. Very unique and tasty but didn't really taste like mac and cheese at all. The baked beans were next and they were your garden variety baked beans. Slightly sweet and smokey but nothing new. Good but standard. Last was the corn bread which was crusty on the outside and soft and crumbly inside. Tasty and only mildly sweet.
For dessert my wife ordered peach cobbler and I ordered pecan pie. The cobbler came warm in a small crock and had nice tender peaches and was topped with vanilla ice cream. My pecan pie was a mini pie that was topped with ice cream and a side of homemade whipped cream. My pie was only OK. It was served cold and the inside had very little caramel. After a little while it felt as if I was chewing a handful of pecans.
With tip the final bill came to about $60. Overall this is an enjoyable place with decent value for the money. Good food and pretty good service. It's worth up to a 30 minute drive but no more.
Overall rating ** and 1/2 out of ****.
The outside of the restaurant has a very log cabin feel to it, a look that continues to the inside. The wood from the roof is seen on the ceiling as well and the lighting is slightly dimmed. Once seated you do get cloth napkins and a bottle of their signature sauce right on the table. What is not on the table is a table cloth. Smart move since their slogan is "The sauce is boss."
Our waitress arrives and promptly tells us the specials, which on this night include Irish fair for St. Patty's and some fish selections for Lent. The menu is a good size and features standard BBQ such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. We start with the pulled pork nachos, my wife orders the boneless rib sandwich with salad and fries, and I order the 3 meat combo. This got me very excited. I was able to choose from baby back ribs, spare ribs, rib tips, beef brisket, pulled pork, and a 1/4 chicken (white or dark same cost). I chose baby backs, brisket, and a 1/4 chicken white. This includes cornbread and two sides, which were baked beans and green chili mac and cheese.
First thing out was the pulled pork nachos. The nachos were tortilla chips with pulled pork, cheddar jack cheese, black beans, sour cream, and pico de gallo. Maybe I set my expectations too high but the nachos didn't blow me away. They were good, but the pulled pork with the nachos sounded better in my mind than they really were. Worth getting, but don't expect too much.
Next out was our dinners. They did forget my wife's salad and did apologize, but we were so hungry for BBQ that at first we didn't notice. My wife's rib sandwich came on a crusty Italian roll and was sweet, tender, and juicy. My combo came and I was very excited. The ribs were slightly smokey but sweet from the sauce. They had the right texture as well. Slightly crisp outside but tender inside so as they easily came off the bone. Brisket was next and it was very tender slices of beef covered in warm barbecue sauce. Next was the all white meat chicken that was tender and juicy and covered in sauce as well. Time for the sides. I was most interested in the green chili mac and cheese. This was a spicy mac and cheese that had ground chili's mixed throughout. Very unique and tasty but didn't really taste like mac and cheese at all. The baked beans were next and they were your garden variety baked beans. Slightly sweet and smokey but nothing new. Good but standard. Last was the corn bread which was crusty on the outside and soft and crumbly inside. Tasty and only mildly sweet.
For dessert my wife ordered peach cobbler and I ordered pecan pie. The cobbler came warm in a small crock and had nice tender peaches and was topped with vanilla ice cream. My pecan pie was a mini pie that was topped with ice cream and a side of homemade whipped cream. My pie was only OK. It was served cold and the inside had very little caramel. After a little while it felt as if I was chewing a handful of pecans.
With tip the final bill came to about $60. Overall this is an enjoyable place with decent value for the money. Good food and pretty good service. It's worth up to a 30 minute drive but no more.
Overall rating ** and 1/2 out of ****.
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