Recent Episodes

 

Dwight Furrow, the author of American Foodie: Taste, Art, and the Cultural Revolution, talks about the philosophy of food. We discuss everything the impact of everything from automobile to Alice Waters to the Slow Food movement have shaped the way Americans think about food.
 
 
 
 

 

Inbal Baum, the Founder of Delicious Israel, joins us to talk about where foodies should eat when they travel to her country.

• Shakshouka is a popular dish in Israel
• Israeli Breakfast is a distinct and important meal
• The modern cherry tomato has roots in Israel
• Tel Aviv and Jerusalem top the list of cities you should visit
• Beach season runs from April to October
• Rosh Hashana is a great time to visit Israel
• When you visit Tel Aviv, go to the Carmel Market, the Levinsky Market
• Try the date syrup, Silan

 

 

Food for Thought

• Q: After pita bread, what is the most common food used to “wipe” humus?
• A: Raw onion.

 
 

Out of the Frying Pan

• Favorite Spot for Outdoor Dining: Milgo & Milbar
• Favorite Place to Buy Spices: Cafe Arma in Levinsky Market
• Herbs to Try: Za’atar and Hawaij (in Yemenite Coffee)
• Favorite Winery: Sphera
• Favorite Place for Dessert: The Malabia
• Favorite Food Experience for Kids: Max Brenner
• Chef to Watch: Eyal Shani
• Dish to Try at Different Places: Shakshouka and sabich

Bennet Jacobstein, author of The Joy of Ballpark Food: From Hot Dogs to Haute Cuisine, talks to us about what foodies can find at different baseball stadiums around the country.

• Hot dogs and sausages are not the same thing.
• The quality of ballpark food was elevated in the 90s as new stadiums were built and food television shows took off.
• Stadiums have highlighted regional foods.
• Gordon Biersch‘s founder Dan Gordon introduced garlic fries at Candlestick Park in 1994.
• The song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” was written in 1908.
• The Yankees replaced Cracker Jacks at one point, but brought it back after a public outcry.
• 

  San Francisco Giant Gordon Biersch Garlic Fries

  Veggie Happy spearheaded the movement to get veggie dogs sold at ballpark stadiums.

• Andrew Zimmern has a stand in the Minnesota ballpark.
• Rocky Mountain Oysters are bull testicles.
• “The Big Six” are the food companies that service the major ballparks.
• As you go from ballpark to ballpark, try the hot dogs at each to see how they’re done differently.
• Proceeds from Bennett’s book go to Second Harvest Food Bank.

 

Food for Thought

• Q: In what year were Cracker Jacks first served at a baseball game?
• A: 1896 in Atlantic City.

 

Out of the Frying Pan

Here’s what Bennet recommends you try at each ballpark:

• Yankees Stadium in New York City: Chicken and Waffles.
• Fenway Park in Boston: Lobster Roll and a cuban sandwich.
• Wrigley Field in Chicago: Chicago-style hot dog with Vienna beef.
• Turner Field in Atlanta: Boiled peanuts.
• Marlins Park in Miami: Cuban dishes.
• Safeco Field in Seattle: The Ivar’s hot dog (with fish) and cream cheese hot dog.
• Nationals Park in Washington D.C.: A cauliflower hot dog and presidential cupcakes.
• 

  Chicago White Sox Chicago-Style Hot Dog

  Busch Stadium in St. Louis: The BBQ.

• Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles: Tommy Lasorda Spumoni ice cream.
• AT&T Park in San Francisco: Crab salad, lamb sausages, and Gordon Biersch garlic fries.

Try a Food Tour

More in this City

Blackbird in Chicago is honored to have two of their chefs acknowledged with James Beard Award Nominations.  Chef de Cuisine David Posey is a finalist for the 2014 Rising Star Chef Award.  Chef Dana Cree is a finalist for the 2014 Oustanding Pastry Chef award.

 

Blackbird

619 West Randolph, Chicago, IL

312.715.0708

www.blackbirdrestaurant.com

 

Chef David Posey’s first attempt at cooking came at the age of ten, when he began experimenting under the guidance of his mother. “I was a little chubby kid, so I wanted to learn how to make my own snacks,” he says. Growing up, the California native was drawn to the creative aspects of cooking and music, spending time in and out of school pursuing both.

With his mother’s encouragement, Posey took a kitchen job at a local restaurant during his sophomore year in high school. Although pay was minimal, Posey enjoyed theresponsibility and pressure, eventually working his way into to a full-time position. The experience was pivotal, as it cemented his interest the in culinary field.
 
After high school, Posey attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. His introduction to Chicago came via an externship at Trio, where Posey worked under then-Executive Chef Grant Achatz, who he credits for instilling an attention to detail. Drawn to Achatz’ boundary-pushing cuisine, Posey returned to Chicago to work at Alinea, where he held positions in pastry and as Garde Manger.
 
In 2007, Posey left Alinea for Blackbird. Starting as a line cook, Posey worked his way through each kitchen position, becoming Chef de Cuisine in 2011. Nominated for Rising Star Chef by the James Beard Foundation in 2013, Posey has come into his own as Blackbird’s Chef de Cuisine using simple farm-fresh ingredients and cutting-edge culinary technology to create a menu both highly creative and utterly approachable.

 

A Seattle native, Dana Cree began her culinary journey in 2000, studying at The Art Institute of Seattle. Cree first worked in the savory side of the kitchen for three years at Seattle’s Lampreia, before heeding her pastry calling. After a lengthy stage at The Fat Duck, in Bray, England, in early 2005, Cree returned to Seattle and assumed the role of Pastry Chef at Eva. There she honed her flavor-focused and detail oriented style.
 
Cree spent several highly influential weeks staging with Alex Stupak at WD-50, in New York. Upon returning to Seattle, she took the helm at Veil. It was there that she explored modernist technique in a fine dining setting, putting to use lessons learned at WD-50 and The Fat Duck.
 
When Veil closed in 2008, Cree joined the opening team at Poppy. There she continued to refine and focus her concepts, crafting exciting accessible plates, fit for the high-volume setting. Her work at Poppy earned her recognition from StarChefs, who presented her with a Rising Star award in 2009.
 
Cree left Seattle in 2010, and after a stage at Noma, in Copenhagen, she returned to the States to work at Alinea in Chicago. There she learned to push the boundaries of possibility. Later that year Cree found herself back in Denmark as the Pastry Chef at Kadeau restaurant, on the island of Bornholm. There she immersed herself in Baltic products, and a New Nordic minimalist style.
 
When Kadeau closed for the harsh Scandinavian winter, Cree returned to the States,positioning herself under the tutelage of Sherry Yard at Spago Beverly Hills. There she revisited classic techniques, and learned to foster strong relationships with area farmers.
 
Cree returned to Chicago in 2012, where she now draws on her broad range of experiences as the Pastry Chef at Blackbird and avec. Nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef by the James Beard Foundation in 2014, her thoughtful, nuanced and resoundingly delicious desserts perfectly culminate the divergent dining experiences of both restaurants.

 

Content Courtesy of One Off Hospitality

 

 
In this episode of the Find Dining podcast, we talk to Shane Kost, founder of Food Tour Pros and Chicago Food Planet Tours.  We discuss Chicago-style hot dogs, deep dish pizza, and architecture.
 

• Meet Shane at the 2014 Food and Travel Expo
• There are approximately 400-500 food tours operating in the US
• Food tours come in many flavors and many sizes
• Do your homework and read reviews
• Find Food Tour Pros graduates in Europe, Asia, and all across the US
• Try the original Deep Dish Pizza at Pizzeria Uno or keep it local with Lou Malnati’s
• While in Chicago, try an Italian beef sandwich and never put ketchup on a Chicago style hot dog
• Neighborhoods to visit: Gold Coast and Old Town, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Chinatown
• The best time to visit is May-October
• Taste of Chicago is the largest outdoor food festival in the country
• Keep your eye on Chicago chefs Stephanie Izard and Mindy Segal

 
 

Food for Thought

• Q: Where was the world’s first skyscraper built and what was the building?
• A: The Home Insurance Company Building was built in Chicago in 1885

 

RELATED: Interview with legendary Chicago chef Grant Achatz

 
 

Out of the Frying Pan Picks:

• Restaurant with a great view: The Signature Room
• Favorite brewery: Revolution Brewing, Lagunitas or Goose Island
• Favorite place for dessert: Hot Chocolate in Bucktown
• Favorite places for brunch: The Bongo Room, Bakin’ & Eggs,  Toast
• Favorite food truck: Antique Taco and Big Star
• Prediction for next five years: every major city and most secondary cities will have food tours

Every year when spring rolls around Chicagoans have three very specific things that they look forward to: the end of snow, the warming up of frigid temperatures, and opening day at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are like a religion here in Chicago with thousands of devoted fans flocking to Wrigley Field and the surrounding area all spring and summer long to cheer them on. Win or lose, you won’t find a fan more loyal than one that roots for the Cubs. And whether you’ve got tickets to the game or you’re just looking for a great place to catch it on TV, there is nothing like Wrigleyville.
 
The neighborhood is made up of tons of sports bars and pubs and each one is packed full of fans on game day. As you might expect, a lot of these places are the typical old fashioned, no frills, leaning toward the dive-y end of the spectrum bars that you’ll find in stadium-centric neighborhoods across America. They are a ton of fun, of course, but the food selection can be dicey, if they serve food at all. I love a good dive bar (especially pre- or post-Cubs game!), but I love my food more and there are a few real gems in this neighborhood– places where you (or a foodie like me) can still cheer on the Cubs, drink a good beer, and enjoy some really good food. These are 5 of my favorite places to eat in Wrigleyville:
 

1. Lucky’s Sandwich Co.

 
This is one of my favorite places for good food in Wrigleyville. Lucky’s is home to crazy big overstuffed sandwiches that are essentially an entire meal between two slices of bread. These sandwiches are loaded up with your standard ingredients like sliced deli meats and tomatoes and are topped with a generous helping of tangy coleslaw and a heaping portion of hand-cut fries inside two thick slices of French bread. These sandwiches have become a local legend in the short 10+ years that they’ve been around and have been featured on shows like Man vs. Food and Sandwich King.
 
They are virtually impossible to eat with your hands and not make a complete mess, but they are really tasty and Lucky’s has a ton of different options available: from standard turkey or ham to veggie, Buffalo chicken, and fried fish sandwiches. The sandwiches aren’t fancy, but they’re made with quality ingredients so they’re just really fresh tasting and delicious. And as a coleslaw snob, I can assure you that this is good stuff– and probably my favorite part of the sandwich! In addition to their vast sandwich menu, Lucky’s also serves a great selection of craft and imported beers. These can be hard to come by at most Wrigleyville bars! So, stop into Lucky’s with an empty stomach and enjoy an overstuffed sandwich and a beer before the game– or anytime!
 

$
3472 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 549-0665
http://www.luckysandwich.com/

 

2. Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden

 
Sheffield’s is located just a little off the beaten path of Wrigleyville (a.k.a. the few blocks of Clark Street immediately south of Wrigley Field), but it’s a great option for sports fans, foodies, and beer lovers alike. This is a big bar with several different rooms for drinking and game watching and as the name might suggest, there’s also a great beer garden that is the perfect place for enjoying some drinks al fresco in the summertime. Sheffield’s serves around 200 different varieties of beer, so there is truly something for everyone on the menu here and it is the ideal bar for the beer enthusiast. And for those foodies, I can vouch that Sheffield’s serves up some great food too.
 
They are known for their barbecue and they actually smoke all of their meat in-house, so it’s the real deal. I’m a huge fan of the smothered nachos at Sheffield’s– a perfect marriage of my favorite bar food and their signature ingredients. The nachos are piled high with your standard topping in addition to an awesome IPA queso sauce, cumin crema, tomatillo & avocado relish, BBQ sauce, and your choice of their housemade pulled chicken or pork, chopped brisket, or veggie chili. The Armadillo Eggs are another standout menu item: pickled jalapenos filled with chopped brisket, pepper jack cheese, and BBQ sauce, deep fried and served with BBQ ranch sauce for dipping. Healthy? No. Delicious? Yes.
 

$$
3258 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-4989
http://www.sheffieldschicago.com/

 

3. Flaco’s Tacos

 
Flaco’s is one of my favorite local spots for fast casual Mexican food and I was so excited to find out that they have opened a third location in Wrigleyville. There are tons of places all over Chicago (and Wrigleyville) to grab a quick taco or burrito, but I think we can agree that they aren’t always very good. Flaco’s prides itself on serving homemade Mexican food with fresh ingredients in a quick and casual environment.
 
This is a great place to grab a quick meal that is really tasty, quick, and cost effective. They have excellent fresh guacamole here and I love their nachos, tacos, and especially their tortas: Mexican-style sandwiches served on soft fresh baked rolls. And my husband orders a burrito every time we stop into Flaco’s. This isn’t a place where you’ll pull up a chair at the bar and watch the whole game, but it’s a great place to get a quick and satisfying meal en route to your game watching. Rest assured though, they do serve alcohol. Flaco’s Tacos serves a variety of flavored margaritas, housemade sangria, and a selection of Mexican beers too.
 

$
3530 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 975-8226
http://www.flacostacosonline.com/

 

4. Rockit Burger Bar

If you’re looking for the full Wrigleyville bar experience, but with really good food, then Rockit is the spot for you. This bar and grill is located just across the street from Wrigley Field and is the sister location to the very successful Rockit Bar & Grill located in Chicago’s trendier River North neighborhood. Wrigleyville’s Rockit specializes in all things ‘burger’.
 
Rockit Burger Bar serves up over a dozen different gourmet burgers– each with their own flavor profile and personality. I like the sweet and savory Johnny Apple, a burger topped with smokey bacon, brie, Gala apples, pecan aioli, and served with a side of cinnamon and sugar spiced sweet potato fries. My husband, on the other hand, enjoys the rich and spicy Huevos Ranchero which includes a fried egg, chihuahua cheese, corn tortilla strips, roasted salsa, and jalapeño aioli. The atmosphere at Rockit is a great mix of casual restaurant (serving delicious burgers and bar food) and energetic bar with loud music, TVs playing every game that’s available, and a DJ later in the evenings. It’s a great place to visit during a Cubs game and the off season alike.
 

$$
3700 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 645-4400
http://www.rockitburgerbar.com

 

5. Blokes & Birds

Blokes & Birds is another rare Wrigleyville find. It’s got a modern sports bar meets old fashioned English public house vibe, which is not unique in Chicago but definitely unique for the neighborhood. The place is covered in sleek smooth wood with some big lounge areas in the basement (which is more lounge versus the upstairs, which is more restaurant) punctuated with their signature quirky handlebar mustache throughout the decor.
 
The food here is great. It’s a little more upscale than your usual Wrigleyville bar, but it’s still casual and comforting like you’d expect at a traditional pub. Their fish and chips are really delicious: deep fried and crunchy served with a tangy tartar sauce for dipping. And the bacon mac and cheese is creamy and decadent— perfect for sharing with your table or to just enjoy as your entree. I am also a huge fan of their beet salad, which is served with arugula and goat cheese, dressed in a very British Pimm’s vinaigrette dressing. The food here is satisfying enough for you to enjoy after a day of drinking and cheering on the Cubbies, and the place itself is cool enough to be the perfect location for an evening celebration or get together too.
 

$$
3343 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 472-5252
http://www.blokesandbirdschicago.com/

 
What’s your favorite restaurant for a pre- or post-game meal?
 

 

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Anne has been writing her food-focused blog A Squared for 2.5 years. Cooking, dining out, traveling, and exploring Chicago are Anne’s favorite ways to spend her free time. On A Squared she shares recipes, restaurant reviews, and the highlights of living in the fabulous Windy City.