Greek-owned/themed diners and brunch spots are a dime a dozen. In fact, there are probably at least a dozen on LaGrange between 135th and 179th St. If you count the ones just off LaGrange I've been to at least five.
But Blackberry's (9536 179th St, Tinley Park) is just a notch above most of these, I gotta say.
I needed an easy place to meet my family on their return from the Quad Cities. Didn't want to make them go too far of I-80. So this place fit the bill.
It's in a smallish strip mall, across a quiet road from some cornfields and maybe a mile off I-80. It was pretty busy on Sunday around noon, but not slammed and we were seated pretty quickly. The decor is nice, and seating is a bit crowded but relatively comfortable.
The menu is huge, but with some nice twists over the typical stuff -- seems like 85%+ of these greek diners and pancake houses have the same menu, you know? But Blackberry's has variations on French toast (nut-crusted, with Bananas Foster), omelets you don't see everywhere (like bacon-avocado-jack cheese) and tasty-sounding skillets, plus wraps, burgers, chicken, etc., etc.
I had a veggie skillet (I forget the precise name of it) that came with broccoli (which I opted out of -- and there wasn't a piece in it), zucchini, mushrooms, onions, roasted red peppers and goat cheese with hash browns and two eggs (plus toast or pancakes). The veggies were roasted perfectly, the eggs were just right and it was the perfect portion size to feel full but not gluttonous -- although I did not finish my toast, and pancakes would've been too much.
I also tried a little of my brother's chicken-rice soup; he got a big bowl along with his burger and fries (not just a little cup) and it was really creamy and delicious.
Service was friendly, coffee was refilled promptly; they seemed a little scattered but I can imagine a busy Sunday morning will do that to you.
Basically, the next time we need a place for a brunch with my in-laws, I'm going to suggest Blackberry's -- it's a nice change from the generic "pancake houses" of the world.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggety dog (The Meaner Wiener, Wood Dale)
There's a brand-new hot dog joint in town, and I'm thrilled to have it.
We stopped in to the Meaner Wiener (364 Georgetown Sq, Wood Dale) for a quick dinner around 7 pm one evening. The place is freshly painted and decorated with the sort of things you see at Scooby's and the like, "old" memorabilia. Menu is pretty basic -- dogs, beef, polish, hand-cut fries and pizza (with other items noted as coming soon). They also feature a case full of old-school sodas including Nehi Orange, Green River, Dog n Suds Root Beer and Hires Root Beer (which I have only ever seen on the east coast). They also had YooHoo, if that's your thing!
But to business: we each got a hot dog (no relish for me; onions & mustard for him, plus a cheese dog for him), and two fries. Our food was made freshly and delivered quickly.
The dogs were quality, and so were the toppings -- a great fresh cucumbery pickle, fresh tomato, good peppers. The bun tasted like it might have been nuked but now I'm just nitpicking. The fries were quite good though actually slightly undersalted for my taste (easy to remedy and I'd rather add some than have them taste totally salt-ridden).
All-in-all, this is a solid entry into the local food scene, and I'm definitely rooting for these guys!
We stopped in to the Meaner Wiener (364 Georgetown Sq, Wood Dale) for a quick dinner around 7 pm one evening. The place is freshly painted and decorated with the sort of things you see at Scooby's and the like, "old" memorabilia. Menu is pretty basic -- dogs, beef, polish, hand-cut fries and pizza (with other items noted as coming soon). They also feature a case full of old-school sodas including Nehi Orange, Green River, Dog n Suds Root Beer and Hires Root Beer (which I have only ever seen on the east coast). They also had YooHoo, if that's your thing!
But to business: we each got a hot dog (no relish for me; onions & mustard for him, plus a cheese dog for him), and two fries. Our food was made freshly and delivered quickly.
The dogs were quality, and so were the toppings -- a great fresh cucumbery pickle, fresh tomato, good peppers. The bun tasted like it might have been nuked but now I'm just nitpicking. The fries were quite good though actually slightly undersalted for my taste (easy to remedy and I'd rather add some than have them taste totally salt-ridden).
All-in-all, this is a solid entry into the local food scene, and I'm definitely rooting for these guys!
Long time no see!
Hello faithful readers ... any of you still left?
I must apologize, this has been a VERY busy summer for me and my husband and I are moving in a week and a half -- to the beautiful town of Lombard! We are looking forward to finding all-new awesome suburban finds for you... in the meantime, I do have a few posts I've been saving...
And I'll say it again -- if there's anyone out there who would like to join the team, please leave a comment or drop me a line at suburbanawesome (at) gmail.com ... we'd be happy to have you!
I must apologize, this has been a VERY busy summer for me and my husband and I are moving in a week and a half -- to the beautiful town of Lombard! We are looking forward to finding all-new awesome suburban finds for you... in the meantime, I do have a few posts I've been saving...
And I'll say it again -- if there's anyone out there who would like to join the team, please leave a comment or drop me a line at suburbanawesome (at) gmail.com ... we'd be happy to have you!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
High on Garlic
Do you love garlic? Or perhaps you just want to keep the vampires away? Are you free on Wednesday, August 17th? Well then Highwood's first-ever Garlic Festival is for you!
You can consume and purchase garlic in all kinds of ways. There will be your standard sauces, etc...but what true garlic afficiandos are waiting for is the Garlic Cupcakes & Garlic Ice Cream! And not for the faint hearted there will be an Ice Cream Eating Contest. No, this is not a joke. The city of Highwood is serious about becoming "The City that Stinks"!
And don't fret if you've always dreamed of being named "Garlic Queen" because, believe it or not, they are still seeking entrants.
You can check out their Garlic Festival website at: http://highwoodgarlicfest.com
or the WBBM news article at: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/08/08/highwood-to-stage-first-ever-garlic-festival/
The festival will be conveniently located near the Highwood Metra stop.
BYOBM - Bring Your Own Breath Mints ;-)
You can consume and purchase garlic in all kinds of ways. There will be your standard sauces, etc...but what true garlic afficiandos are waiting for is the Garlic Cupcakes & Garlic Ice Cream! And not for the faint hearted there will be an Ice Cream Eating Contest. No, this is not a joke. The city of Highwood is serious about becoming "The City that Stinks"!
And don't fret if you've always dreamed of being named "Garlic Queen" because, believe it or not, they are still seeking entrants.
You can check out their Garlic Festival website at: http://highwoodgarlicfest.com
or the WBBM news article at: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/08/08/highwood-to-stage-first-ever-garlic-festival/
The festival will be conveniently located near the Highwood Metra stop.
BYOBM - Bring Your Own Breath Mints ;-)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Red hot dogs at Southtown Express
Elmhurst has a lot of nice restaurants and quick-serve places in its downtown, but what it doesn't have is a hot dog place. Thankfully, you can find a delicious burger or Chicago dog just a little south of the city center in the Vallette shopping area -- Southtown Express fits the bill wonderfully.
With the typical "hot dog place" menu of hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef, sausage, soup, fries, etc plus soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes, Southtown is a fun little neighborhood joint full of teenagers and kitschy old signs.
It's smallish but has a handful of booths and a counter, bright red and yellow with a chalk menu (and more menus above the counter and kitchen areas). Friendly, chatty guys working who dealt with the influx of teenagers well.
We both got hot dogs and fries, and I cheated on my diet a little more thoroughly with a dreamsicle shake that I couldn't resist. The hot dogs were the longer-thinner variety, with good flavor and snap, and those squishy poppyseed buns. Good thin-sliced pickle, lots of celery salt, and slightly chewy sport peppers. The fries were the thinner variety, not shoestring but just right, hot and crispy.
And the milkshake was divine. While I'd certainly like to try more of their food, it's the ice cream that would probably get us back even sooner.
Note: Closed Sunday.
With the typical "hot dog place" menu of hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef, sausage, soup, fries, etc plus soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes, Southtown is a fun little neighborhood joint full of teenagers and kitschy old signs.
It's smallish but has a handful of booths and a counter, bright red and yellow with a chalk menu (and more menus above the counter and kitchen areas). Friendly, chatty guys working who dealt with the influx of teenagers well.
We both got hot dogs and fries, and I cheated on my diet a little more thoroughly with a dreamsicle shake that I couldn't resist. The hot dogs were the longer-thinner variety, with good flavor and snap, and those squishy poppyseed buns. Good thin-sliced pickle, lots of celery salt, and slightly chewy sport peppers. The fries were the thinner variety, not shoestring but just right, hot and crispy.
And the milkshake was divine. While I'd certainly like to try more of their food, it's the ice cream that would probably get us back even sooner.
Note: Closed Sunday.
Friday, May 20, 2011
2011 Farmers markets in the suburbs
It's that time again, folks! An incomplete list of suburban farmers markets, with thanks to the Chicago Tribune.
These are arranged by day of week, but to quickly find your town, hit Ctrl-F and type it in -- please note that some larger suburbs have multiple markets.
Monday
Countryside: Parking lot of William Tell, 6201 Joliet Road, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through Oct. 24
Hinsdale: Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave., 7 a.m - 1 p.m. June 6-Oct. 10
Tuesday
Aurora: Spring Lake Park, 3500 McCoy Drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 12-Aug. 30
La Grange Park: Memorial Park, Sherwood Avenue between Oak and Homestead avenues., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through Oct. 25
Schiller Park: Metra station, Lawrence and Ruby streets, 3-7 p.m., June 14-Sept. 27
Wednesday
Aurora: West Plaza Shopping Plaza, 1901 W. Galena Blvd., 2-6 p.m., July 6-Aug. 3
Country Club Hills: Country Club Hills Theater Complex, 4116 W. 183rd St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., June 1-Oct. 5
Elk Grove: Biesterfield Road at Wellington Avenue, June 1-Aug. 31
Elmhurst: York and Vallette streets, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 1-Oct. 26
Evanston: Ridgeville market, Ridge Avenue and South Boulevard, 4-7 p.m., June 1-Oct. 12
Evanston: Central Street market, Independence Park, Central and Stewart streets, 3-7 p.m., June 1-Oct. 26
Highland Park/Ravinia: Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns avenues, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 8-Oct. 26
Highwood: City Hall, 17 Highwood Ave., 4-9 p.m., June 15-Aug. 31, then 4-8 p.m. through Sept. 14
Lombard: The Shops on Butterfield, Butterfield Road and Highland Avenue (Yorktown Mall). 3-7 p.m., June 1-Oct. 12
Northbrook: Our Lady of the Brook Catholic Church, 3700 Dundee Road, June 22-Oct. 12
Oak Lawn: Behind the library, on Dumke Avenue just west of 52nd Avenue, June 1-Oct. 12
Palos Heights: Municipal parking lot, 122nd Street and Harlem Avenue, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 25-Oct. 5
Riverside: Municipal parking lot, 27 Riverside Road, 2:30-7 p.m., June 29-Oct. 26
Thornton: At Ridge Road at corner of Hubbard and Margaret streets, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 15-Oct. 12
Warrenville: Courtyard Banquets, 3S200 Route 59, 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 8-Sept. 21
Winfield: Prairie Trail Center, County Farm and Geneva roads, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesdays, June 1-Oct. 26
Thursday
Algonquin: Municipal parking lot, Washington and Harrison streets, 2-7 p.m., May 26-Sept. 29
Antioch: Toft Avenue parking lot behind Main Street, 3-7 p.m., June 16-Sept. 29
Barrington: South Cook Street at Lake Cook Road, 2-7 p.m., June 16-Oct. 20
Burr Ridge: Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Village Center Drive, off County Line Road South, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June 16-Sept. 1
Elgin: Old Gail Borden Library parking lot, southwest corner of Kimball Street and North Grove Avenue, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 2-Sept. 29
Evergreen Park: Yukich Field, 89th Street and Kedzie Avenue, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 2-Oct. 27
La Grange: Behind Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 12-Oct. 27
Maywood: Hines Veterans Hospital, 5000 S. Fifth Ave., 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 16-Sept. 29
University Park: Governor's State University, 1 University Parkway., 1-6 p.m., June 2-Sept. 29
Western Springs: French Market, Hillgrove Avenue between Lawn Street and Grand Avenue, 2-7 p.m., through Oct. 27
Wheaton: Town Square, 271 Town Square, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, June 9-Sept. 29.
Friday
Bartlett: Bartlett Town Center, Railroad Avenue at Main Street, 2-6 p.m., June 3-Sept. 9
Flossmoor: Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 17-Oct. 14
Forest Park: The Grove, 7824 Madison St., 3:30-7:30 p.m., June 10-Oct. 14 (no market Sept. 9)
Glen Ellyn: French Market, 400 Main St., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., May 27-Oct. 28
Lake Bluff: Village Green, Scranton Avenue and Sheridan Road, 7 a.m.-noon, June 10-Oct. 14
Mundelein: Park and Seymour Streets, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. June 3-Oct. 14.
Orland Park: Village Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave., 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., June 3-Oct. 7 (no market Aug. 5)
Palos Park: Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, 12312 S. 88th Ave., 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., July 1-Oct. 7
Roselle: American Legion front lot, 344 E. Maple Ave., 3-7 p.m, June 17-Sept. 30
Schaumburg: Olde Schaumburg Centre, 190 S. Roselle Road, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 10-Oct. 28
Saturday
Arlington Heights: Parking lot at Vail Avenue and Fremont Street, west of the library, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 11-Oct. 22
Aurora: Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway, 7:30 a.m.-noon, June 11-Oct. 22.
Batavia: Downtown on South Water Street, 8 a.m.-noon, June 25-Oct. 15
Brookfield: Village Hall parking lot, 8820 Brookfield Ave., 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 4-Oct. 29
Crystal Lake: Train Depot Park, 70 E. Woodstock St., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 4-Oct. 15
Deerfield: Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 18-Oct. 15
Downers Grove: Main Street train station at Burlington Avenue, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Oct. 15
East Dundee: Dundee Township Tourist Center, 319 N. River St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through Oct. 29
Evanston: East Railroad Avenue and University Place, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. through Nov. 5.
Evanston: West End market, corner of Church Street and Dodge Avenue, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., June 4-Oct. 29
Glencoe: French Market, Village Court, near Hazel Street, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 11-Oct. 29
Glenview: Wagner Farm, Wagner Road and Lake Avenue, 8 a.m.-noon, June 25-Oct. 8
Lake Forest: Behind City Hall, 220 Deerpath Road, 7 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, June 18-Sept. 24
Lisle: French Market, adjacent to Village Hall, 925 Burlington Ave. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 29
Lombard: French Market, Metra lot, 115 E. St. Charles Road, between Main and Grace streets, 8 a.m.-2 p.m, May 21-Sept. 24
Morton Grove: 8930 Waukegan Road, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 4-Oct. 15
Naperville: Fifth Avenue Station, 200 E. Fifth Ave., 7 a.m.-noon, June 4-Oct. 29
Northfield: Happ Road one block south of Winnetka Road, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m, May 28-Oct. 22
Oak Park: 460 Lake St., May 21-Oct. 29
Palatine: Metra station, Wood and Smith streets., 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. through Oct. 29
Park Forest: Orchard Drive and Indianwood Boulevard, 7 a.m.-noon, through Oct. 29
Park Ridge: Prairie Avenue south of Metra station, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 28-Oct. 29
Tinley Park: Metra station, 173rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, 7 a.m.-noon,, June 4-Oct. 15
Wheaton: French Market, Main and Liberty streets, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 5
Wilmette: French Market, downtown Metra parking lot, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 5
Sunday
Buffalo Grove: Spray 'n Play Park parking lot, 951 N. McHenry Road, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 19-Oct. 16 (no market Sept. 4)
Cary: Metra commuter lot on Route 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June 5-Oct. 9
Geneva: French Market, Metra parking lot at South and Fourth streets, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 6
Long Grove: Village Tavern parking lot, 135 Old McHenry Road, downtown Long Grove, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 12-Oct. 16
Mt. Prospect: Metra lot at Northwest Highway and Route 83, 8 a.m.-1 p.m, June 12-Oct. 23
Skokie: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St., 7:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., June 26-Oct. 30
Villa Park: French Market, Park Boulevard at Ardmore Avenue, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 30
These are arranged by day of week, but to quickly find your town, hit Ctrl-F and type it in -- please note that some larger suburbs have multiple markets.
Monday
Countryside: Parking lot of William Tell, 6201 Joliet Road, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through Oct. 24
Hinsdale: Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave., 7 a.m - 1 p.m. June 6-Oct. 10
Tuesday
Aurora: Spring Lake Park, 3500 McCoy Drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 12-Aug. 30
La Grange Park: Memorial Park, Sherwood Avenue between Oak and Homestead avenues., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through Oct. 25
Schiller Park: Metra station, Lawrence and Ruby streets, 3-7 p.m., June 14-Sept. 27
Wednesday
Aurora: West Plaza Shopping Plaza, 1901 W. Galena Blvd., 2-6 p.m., July 6-Aug. 3
Country Club Hills: Country Club Hills Theater Complex, 4116 W. 183rd St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., June 1-Oct. 5
Elk Grove: Biesterfield Road at Wellington Avenue, June 1-Aug. 31
Elmhurst: York and Vallette streets, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 1-Oct. 26
Evanston: Ridgeville market, Ridge Avenue and South Boulevard, 4-7 p.m., June 1-Oct. 12
Evanston: Central Street market, Independence Park, Central and Stewart streets, 3-7 p.m., June 1-Oct. 26
Highland Park/Ravinia: Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns avenues, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 8-Oct. 26
Highwood: City Hall, 17 Highwood Ave., 4-9 p.m., June 15-Aug. 31, then 4-8 p.m. through Sept. 14
Lombard: The Shops on Butterfield, Butterfield Road and Highland Avenue (Yorktown Mall). 3-7 p.m., June 1-Oct. 12
Northbrook: Our Lady of the Brook Catholic Church, 3700 Dundee Road, June 22-Oct. 12
Oak Lawn: Behind the library, on Dumke Avenue just west of 52nd Avenue, June 1-Oct. 12
Palos Heights: Municipal parking lot, 122nd Street and Harlem Avenue, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 25-Oct. 5
Riverside: Municipal parking lot, 27 Riverside Road, 2:30-7 p.m., June 29-Oct. 26
Thornton: At Ridge Road at corner of Hubbard and Margaret streets, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 15-Oct. 12
Warrenville: Courtyard Banquets, 3S200 Route 59, 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 8-Sept. 21
Winfield: Prairie Trail Center, County Farm and Geneva roads, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesdays, June 1-Oct. 26
Thursday
Algonquin: Municipal parking lot, Washington and Harrison streets, 2-7 p.m., May 26-Sept. 29
Antioch: Toft Avenue parking lot behind Main Street, 3-7 p.m., June 16-Sept. 29
Barrington: South Cook Street at Lake Cook Road, 2-7 p.m., June 16-Oct. 20
Burr Ridge: Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Village Center Drive, off County Line Road South, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June 16-Sept. 1
Elgin: Old Gail Borden Library parking lot, southwest corner of Kimball Street and North Grove Avenue, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 2-Sept. 29
Evergreen Park: Yukich Field, 89th Street and Kedzie Avenue, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 2-Oct. 27
La Grange: Behind Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 12-Oct. 27
Maywood: Hines Veterans Hospital, 5000 S. Fifth Ave., 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 16-Sept. 29
University Park: Governor's State University, 1 University Parkway., 1-6 p.m., June 2-Sept. 29
Western Springs: French Market, Hillgrove Avenue between Lawn Street and Grand Avenue, 2-7 p.m., through Oct. 27
Wheaton: Town Square, 271 Town Square, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, June 9-Sept. 29.
Friday
Bartlett: Bartlett Town Center, Railroad Avenue at Main Street, 2-6 p.m., June 3-Sept. 9
Flossmoor: Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 17-Oct. 14
Forest Park: The Grove, 7824 Madison St., 3:30-7:30 p.m., June 10-Oct. 14 (no market Sept. 9)
Glen Ellyn: French Market, 400 Main St., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., May 27-Oct. 28
Lake Bluff: Village Green, Scranton Avenue and Sheridan Road, 7 a.m.-noon, June 10-Oct. 14
Mundelein: Park and Seymour Streets, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. June 3-Oct. 14.
Orland Park: Village Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave., 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., June 3-Oct. 7 (no market Aug. 5)
Palos Park: Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, 12312 S. 88th Ave., 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., July 1-Oct. 7
Roselle: American Legion front lot, 344 E. Maple Ave., 3-7 p.m, June 17-Sept. 30
Schaumburg: Olde Schaumburg Centre, 190 S. Roselle Road, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 10-Oct. 28
Saturday
Arlington Heights: Parking lot at Vail Avenue and Fremont Street, west of the library, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 11-Oct. 22
Aurora: Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway, 7:30 a.m.-noon, June 11-Oct. 22.
Batavia: Downtown on South Water Street, 8 a.m.-noon, June 25-Oct. 15
Brookfield: Village Hall parking lot, 8820 Brookfield Ave., 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 4-Oct. 29
Crystal Lake: Train Depot Park, 70 E. Woodstock St., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 4-Oct. 15
Deerfield: Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 18-Oct. 15
Downers Grove: Main Street train station at Burlington Avenue, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Oct. 15
East Dundee: Dundee Township Tourist Center, 319 N. River St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through Oct. 29
Evanston: East Railroad Avenue and University Place, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. through Nov. 5.
Evanston: West End market, corner of Church Street and Dodge Avenue, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., June 4-Oct. 29
Glencoe: French Market, Village Court, near Hazel Street, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 11-Oct. 29
Glenview: Wagner Farm, Wagner Road and Lake Avenue, 8 a.m.-noon, June 25-Oct. 8
Lake Forest: Behind City Hall, 220 Deerpath Road, 7 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, June 18-Sept. 24
Lisle: French Market, adjacent to Village Hall, 925 Burlington Ave. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 29
Lombard: French Market, Metra lot, 115 E. St. Charles Road, between Main and Grace streets, 8 a.m.-2 p.m, May 21-Sept. 24
Morton Grove: 8930 Waukegan Road, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 4-Oct. 15
Naperville: Fifth Avenue Station, 200 E. Fifth Ave., 7 a.m.-noon, June 4-Oct. 29
Northfield: Happ Road one block south of Winnetka Road, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m, May 28-Oct. 22
Oak Park: 460 Lake St., May 21-Oct. 29
Palatine: Metra station, Wood and Smith streets., 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. through Oct. 29
Park Forest: Orchard Drive and Indianwood Boulevard, 7 a.m.-noon, through Oct. 29
Park Ridge: Prairie Avenue south of Metra station, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 28-Oct. 29
Tinley Park: Metra station, 173rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, 7 a.m.-noon,, June 4-Oct. 15
Wheaton: French Market, Main and Liberty streets, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 5
Wilmette: French Market, downtown Metra parking lot, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 5
Sunday
Buffalo Grove: Spray 'n Play Park parking lot, 951 N. McHenry Road, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 19-Oct. 16 (no market Sept. 4)
Cary: Metra commuter lot on Route 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June 5-Oct. 9
Geneva: French Market, Metra parking lot at South and Fourth streets, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 6
Long Grove: Village Tavern parking lot, 135 Old McHenry Road, downtown Long Grove, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 12-Oct. 16
Mt. Prospect: Metra lot at Northwest Highway and Route 83, 8 a.m.-1 p.m, June 12-Oct. 23
Skokie: Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St., 7:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., June 26-Oct. 30
Villa Park: French Market, Park Boulevard at Ardmore Avenue, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 30
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Adventures in cooking -- Woori Village, Niles
I recently celebrated a milestone birthday, and wanted to do so with something out of the ordinary.
I've always loved trying new cuisines, and was made aware in the last few years of the type of cooking/eating known as Korean barbecue. It's not barbecue in the slow-cooking sauce-basted sense; rather you cook your own meat on a tabletop grill that's either gas or charcoal. After much searching, I settled on Woori Village, 8526 W Golf Rd in Niles, for my birthday adventure.
There ended up being five of us, and at 5:40 on a Saturday we were seated promptly. This place is big, and we were in a smaller room with about 10-12 booths, one of three separate dining rooms. The table had a circular gas grill in the middle and a napkin dispenser and big container full of metal chopsticks.
After we told the waitress we wanted the all you can eat (about $23 per person for tons of side dishes and all the meat you can grill), they sprang into action and in no time our table was covered with small and medium-sized bowls. I still don't know what was in half of them, but I tried almost everything. I do know there was seaweed salad, kimchi, some sort of egg pancake, bean sprouts and a potatoey thing. We worked our way through four portions of beef (three different cuts) and a portion of pork belly. Three of us got spicy tofu soup. I'm still not sure WHY, though -- the two people on the outside were offered it, and then I sort of looked quizzically at the waitress and they offered me some too.
Not only was cooking our meat fun and tasty, but the service, while good, was also inadvertently hilarious -- because we had a bit of a language barrier. None of us spoke a word of Korean, and when we asked the waitresses questions, we got answers that contained English words but made absolutely no sense. (Word to the wise: We later found out that "mountain chain" is tripe.)
While this isn't the sort of place we'd frequent, I would definitely go again, knowing somewhat more what was going on and what to expect.
I've always loved trying new cuisines, and was made aware in the last few years of the type of cooking/eating known as Korean barbecue. It's not barbecue in the slow-cooking sauce-basted sense; rather you cook your own meat on a tabletop grill that's either gas or charcoal. After much searching, I settled on Woori Village, 8526 W Golf Rd in Niles, for my birthday adventure.
There ended up being five of us, and at 5:40 on a Saturday we were seated promptly. This place is big, and we were in a smaller room with about 10-12 booths, one of three separate dining rooms. The table had a circular gas grill in the middle and a napkin dispenser and big container full of metal chopsticks.
After we told the waitress we wanted the all you can eat (about $23 per person for tons of side dishes and all the meat you can grill), they sprang into action and in no time our table was covered with small and medium-sized bowls. I still don't know what was in half of them, but I tried almost everything. I do know there was seaweed salad, kimchi, some sort of egg pancake, bean sprouts and a potatoey thing. We worked our way through four portions of beef (three different cuts) and a portion of pork belly. Three of us got spicy tofu soup. I'm still not sure WHY, though -- the two people on the outside were offered it, and then I sort of looked quizzically at the waitress and they offered me some too.
Not only was cooking our meat fun and tasty, but the service, while good, was also inadvertently hilarious -- because we had a bit of a language barrier. None of us spoke a word of Korean, and when we asked the waitresses questions, we got answers that contained English words but made absolutely no sense. (Word to the wise: We later found out that "mountain chain" is tripe.)
While this isn't the sort of place we'd frequent, I would definitely go again, knowing somewhat more what was going on and what to expect.
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