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Louie's is a clean, fun diner where you can enjoy breakfast all day and listen to Louie banter with the regulars. At Louie's, folks of all kinds come to eat and socialize. You'll see boots and hard caps, suits, moms and kids. With exposed brick walls, classic Formica tabletops, and inexpensive fare, this true-blue joint is a definitive gem.
Starting at 5am you can grab a seat at the counter, a booth or table. When you visit, do not miss Louie's famously fluffy, generous stack of pancakes. In addition to pancakes, Louie serves up great eggs, potatoes, burgers, and more. And if you have a hankering for ham, be sure to try Louie's on-the-bone freshly sliced baked ham. The sometimes sassy but always friendly waitresses will deliver your order in a flash.
Happy Dining,
Tastybeat
Louie's Grill
7422 W. Madison Street (map)
Forest Park, IL 60130
708.488.0836
Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 5am-4pm
Sunday: 6am-3pm
Owners Rose and Bob Piccheitti of Red Hen live up to their credo "to bake great bread". Tastybeat considers Red Hen a special gem. Their bread is truly a step above the rest. Red Hen uses only the finest ingredients and even makes their own starters! And each and every single tart, muffin, and loaf of bread at Red Hen is lovingly made by hand. Once you try Red Hen, it's hard to eat bread from anywhere else.
Red Hen makes two dozen varieties of bread daily, from a classic baguette (Tastybeat's favorite) to the more creative types including sourdough, herb, and ciabatta. Tastybeat also recommends their flaky, buttery croissants, plain or oozing with chocolate. Truly delicious! And Red Hen offers outstanding deli sandwiches all day.
Happy Eating,
Tastybeat
Red Hen Bread
1623 N. Milwaukee (map)
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773-342-6823
Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Red Hen Bread
500 W. Diversey (map)
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-248-6025
Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Michael Canady, owner of Canady Le Chocolatier, came to his craft through passion. During his world travels, working as an academic advisor in the oil industry, he sought out the tutelage of chocolate experts in Switzerland and Belgium. Visit Canady's quaint store on South Wabash Avenue, and right away you'll sense his hobby come to magnificent life. The finer things are all on display, from the house made chocolates, superb gelato (also made on-site), elegant packaging, and fascinating global treasures Canady has collected over the years.
And if you're inclined to receive a brief tutorial of your own, Canady is a pleasure to talk with. He will eagerly share his excitement for chocolate and gelato making, and his kitchen is even open to view.
Canady's chocolates are spectacular all year round, but with the temperature finally climbing we have homed in on the outstanding gelato. Canady Le Chocolatier offers a range of gelato flavors, from more traditional hazelnut and mascarpone to bright and unique choices such as pink grapefruit and pineapple. Tastybeat recommends the refreshing grapefruit; paired with a delectable hand-dipped dark chocolate orange slice, you'll be transported. Michael's favorite gelato is the more subtle mascarpone, also excellent.
Canady has created a wonderful gem of a store in his hometown Chicago. We highly recommend this South Loop destination.
Happy Savoring!
Tastybeat
Canady Le Chocolatier
824 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago IL 60605
312.212.1270
Hours:
Monday -Saturday: 11:30-9PM
Sunday: Noon-8:30PM (or later, weather permitting)
This gem comes to you chock full of flavor. Local Argentinean Lilliana Zecker has turned Tastybeat on to the diverse tastes of Argentina right here in Chicago. Here's the perfect itinerary for your next open afternoon:
First stop: El Mercado, a small market found on Southport. This corner store has been in the Di Sapio family for over thirty years. Lilliana recommends their outstanding, ready-to-cook chorizo sausage. Argentinean chorizo is a mild pork sausage with garlic and a blend of delicious spices. Lilliana also suggests bringing home their empanada wrappers so you can make your own fried or baked empanadas when the mood strikes. Lilliana has graciously shared her family's recipe.
Next stop: If you're getting hungry, head next door to the restaurant Tango Sur. Here, stylish owner Sergio Di Sapio serves up mouth-watering traditional meat empanadas. In Lilliana's words, when you eat Sergio's empanadas, "The grease trickles down to your elbows....so worth the experience!" And Lilliana shares this pointer: "Empanadas are to be eaten by holding the whole thing in your hand, and biting into it, no fork and knife."
Third stop: Now it's time to make your way to Buenos Aires Liquors and Deli. Here, warm and gregarious owner Mario Gimenez will greet you with a smile and a sample of one of his proud creations. Mario is famous for his triples de miga (simple, layered finger sandwiches), an Argentine staple. Tastybeat also recommends taking home these favorites:
Chimmichurri Sauce
This traditional condiment is made with parsley, oregano, garlic, salt, onion, red chile pepper, red wine vinegar and olive oil. Serve this flavorful sauce with grilled steak.
Empanadas
Mario serves empanadas daily, full of traditional ingredients—green olives, hard boiled eggs, red onions, raisins, paprika, red pepper, parsley, oregano, and garlic. Available with beef, chicken, or spinach.
Alfajores
A beloved popular dessert, alfajores are sandwich cookies made with flour and cornstarch dough. These baked cookies are filled with a sweet caramel mixture and coated with coconut. Mario bakes them fresh daily.
Wine
Mario recommends trying the wines of Argentina. He suggests a pleasant, full-bodied red Malbec with earthy notes. Or try the white Torrontes—a fruity, floral wine that's surprisingly dry. Mario is glad to help you choose the perfect bottle.
Happy Exploring!
Tastybeat
www.tastybeat.com
El Mercado
3767 N. Southport
773-477-5020
Hours
8:00am-8:00pm Monday-Saturday
8:00am-5:00pm Sunday
Tango Sur
3763 N. Southport
773-477-5466
BYOB
Hours
5:00pm-10:30pm Monday-Thursday
5:00pm-11:30pm Friday and Saturday
12pm-11pm Sunday
Tango on Tuesday nights after 7:00pm
Buenos Aires Liquor and Deli
3100 North Cicero
773-685-4241
9:00am-2:00pm Monday-Saturday
9:00am-2:00pm Sunday
On this last day of 2007 Tastybeat would like to thank all of our enthusiastic readers. Thank you for showing your support for Tastybeat and all of our special gems. We would not be here without you!
Through our adventures so far, we've developed relationships with such interesting, thoughtful people involved in the Chicago food world.
Tastybeat's 2007 Gems:
Amidei Mercatino
Middle Eastern Bakery and Kitchen
Grandma Rose's Rocks
Irv and Shelly's Fresh Picks
Wine Discount Center
Bhabi's Kitchen
The Great American Cheese Company
City Olive
Maritza Castillo
Burt's Place
Al's Deli
PIE
Juicy Wine Company
Our Tastybeat journey is a labor of love, and it truly wouldn't be possible without the wonderful expertise of these talented people: Amy Colton, Meighan Depke, Michael Faddis, Don Golas, Laura Sciortino, and Larry Dunlap. Thank you all. And finally, thank you to our beloved families for your patience, understanding, and love.
We look forward to exploring more Chicago food gems with you in 2008. Wishing you peace, joy, and happy eating!
With Gratitude,
Jennifer and Mary
Tastybeat
Update: Come and get cheese at the Great American Cheese Company Warehouse for the New Year!
We are at it again. Every other Saturday. Our warehouse is open to you. Learn more...
If you love cheese, you're going to love this Tastybeat gem: Giles Schnierle of the Great American Cheese Company.
Giles is the cheese man of Chicago. Well-respected by some of the most distinguished chefs in the Chicago area, Giles provides his quality American artisan cheeses to fine restaurants including Sepia, Blackbird, Green Zebra, and Tru. Giles is not only an expert on cheese; he is also quite passionate about the small cheese producers he represents. Artisan cheeses are made by hand in small batches, and very often, they are unique to a region. Talk to an enthusiast like Giles about artisan cheeses, and you'll find it's near impossible not to develop an appreciation for artisan cheese production.
On three Saturdays this holiday season, the cheese man offers a rare and tasty opportunity. Giles' warehouse will be open for you to taste and purchase over 200 artisan cheeses made in the USA. You'll discover farmstead and organic cheeses, raw-milk, fresh, and aged cheeses. You'll taste cheeses from the milk of cows, goats, and sheep. All made by small producers, and many of them seasonal, the artisan cheese selection at the warehouse sale is guaranteed to open your taste buds to the distinctiveness of American artisan cheeses.
Giles will be on hand to share his expertise and enthusiasm, offering tips on what to buy, and how to store, serve and maintain the special cheeses you select. Giles will even help you plan a holiday cheese flight with wine and food pairings. It's worth going to the warehouse sale for this special advice alone. Some of the offerings you can expect to find include:
- St Olga - an aged, semi-firm goat milk cheese with a washed, yeast rind; slightly assertive, fresh clean, meaty; creamy mouth-feel; long finish
- Vermont Blue - a double cream Holstein cow milk cheese; earthy, musty, pungent; big flavors and a huge finish
- Rapture - a Jersey cow milk soft cheese; washed rind and then wrapped in grape leaves
- St George - a Portuguese style semi-hard Holstein cow milk cheese; nicely aged with layers of flavors but still creamy on the palate
- Pennsylvania Noble Mature - an Amish cheddar made in the style of French Cantal; organic, green, farmstead
Happy Cheese Eating,
Tastybeat
Warehouse Sale Details:
When: Sat. Nov. 24, Sat. Dec. 8, and Sat. Dec. 22
Time: 8AM to Noon
Where: Warehouse
4727 S. Talman, Chicago (between Western & California Avenues) map
773-519-5055
www.greatamericancheese.com
Parking: Lots of free street parking
With every order delivered, Fresh Picks will connect you to local sustainable farmers, telling you the name and location of the farm where each and every item is grown. It's like stopping at the Farmers Market and finding the top quality seasonal fare from over 60 local farms! As the ground gets colder and eventually freezes, Fresh Picks works closely with their farmers to grow fresh greens in local greenhouses. This way they can deliver the best tasting foods all through the year.
Irv and Shelly recommend these October and November Gems:
- Organic free-range turkeys for Thanksgiving from Triple "S" Farms in Illinois
- Fresh organic cranberries from Sandhill Cranberry in Wisconsin
- Fabulous Root Vegetable Soup Mix from Harmony Valley Farm in Wisconsin. This mix includes fresh root vegetables and a delicious recipe all in one package.
All can be ordered weekly from the Fresh Picks website: www.freshpicks.com
Happy Eating!
Tastybeat
