Grahamwich
A few months old now, Grahamwich has gotten a lot of buzz in the foodie world. Maybe my expectations were set a bit high because of all the hype or because I had high hopes from a chef who's self-named restaurant (Graham Elliott) earned a Michelin star, but his sandwich shop concept was a bit of a let down.
Don't get me wrong. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great.
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| Grilled Cheese |
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| Wisconsin Cheddar, Shaved Prosciutto Tomato Marmalade, Cheese Curds on a Pullman Loaf |
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| Pastrami Reuben Rutabaga Sauerkraut, Toasted Caraway, Gruyere Fondue, 1000 Island on Marbled Rye |
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| Beef Shortrib Baby Watercress, Shoestring Potatoes, Pickled Shallots, Creamy Horseradish on a Pretzel Roll |
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| Bahn Mi Pork Belly, Roasted Pineapple, Daikon Slaw Shiitake Mushrooms on a French Baguette |
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| Jibarito Taco Pork Shoulder, Green Mango, Queso Fresco, Habanero Salsa and Crispy Plaintains |
The highlight of my meal....
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| Cinnamon Stick Ice Cream Roasted Apple, Salted Caramel (a lot of it!!!) and Pie Crust |
Grahamwich
615 N State St.
Chicago, IL
www.grahamwich.com
Goddess & Grocer
Beet salad aside, I love everything about Goddess & Grocer (and its sister restaurant Feast). It's the gold standard of what every takeout shop should be. If Ward, Wally and the Beave weren't such needy guys, June Cleaver would probably have a shop like this.
There's a selection of prepared salads, sandwiches, artisanal cheeses, and small bites. They have their classics as well as rotating menu items all served up in a casually elegant style.
If you're ever looking for a quick bite or a little something for an impromptu picnic, this is the place to go!
If you're ever looking for a quick bite or a little something for an impromptu picnic, this is the place to go!
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| Beef Tenderloin on Toasted Baguette with Red Onion Marmalade and Horseradish Cream |
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| Wild Mushroom Risotto Cakes with Parmesan & Truffle Oil |
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| Potstickers |
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| Korean Spiced Chicken Wings |
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| Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese, Orange Segments, Red Onions, and Red Wine Vinaigrette |
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| Coconut Chicken Fingers |
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| Mustard & Rosemary Crusted Lamb Chops |
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| Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze |
25 E Delaware Place, Chicago
1646 N Damen Ave, Chicago
2222 N Elston, Chicago
www.goddessandgrocer.com
Glen Prairie
Everyone down to their own staff will tell you how hard this place is to find the first time around. Half the problem is the address of Glen Prairie: 1250 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, IL. GPS and Mapquest will point you in the wrong direction.
Hell, even the towns of Glen Ellyn and Lombard are confused as to which town this restaurant belongs to! Apparently, the restaurant (and the Crowne Plaza it's attached to) is right on the border of the two cities....and is serviced by the fire department on one city and public services of the other.
Aside from the bland exterior, the restaurant is really pretty enjoyable. After my wild goose chase to get there, my nerves were completely frazzled. But as soon as I entered, I was greeted by a genuinely friendly staff. Everyone from the greeter to restaurant manager empathized with my plight and shared stories of their "first time."
Nerves settled, I was interested to learn about Glen Prairie's practice of sourcing all ingredients from local farms within 150-mile radius.
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| Caramelized Onion Soup Herbed Croutons, Steiner Bros. Swiss & Gruyere |
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| Organic Baby Spinach Salad with Chicken Stickney Hill Goat Cheese, Toasted Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Raspberry Viniagrette |
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| Midwest Cuban Nueske's Smoked Ham, Becker Lane Organic Pork, Housemade Pickles, Swiss Cheese, Whole Grain Mustard Sauce on a Sourdough Roll |
1250 Roosevelt Rd
Glen Ellyn, IL
http://glenprairie.webs.com
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