Pluto’s Original Beef & Hotdogs – Oak Lawn, IL

5 01 2009
  • 10341 S. Cicero Ave.
  • Oak Lawn, IL 60453
  • (708) 425-2222
  • Website
  • Menu
Plutos Original Beef and Hot Dogs on South Cicero in Oak Lawn, IL

Pluto's Original Beef and Hot Dogs on South Cicero in Oak Lawn, IL

Did you think I would go to Chicago and not get an Italian Beef?  It doesn’t matter how short of a trip it is, there’s a place on every corner, so I will get an Italian Beef eventually.

Right before J and I left for Michigan on Sunday afternoon, her mom offered up one more meal.  The night before, we were talking about the best burger on the south side when her step dad brought up Pluto’s.  We drive by Pluto’s every time we go to her parents and any place with the word “beef” in the title is appealing to me. 

J’s parents order from there quite often, so they had a menu at home and the lady working knew her mom by name.  I passed on the burger and went straight for the Italian Beef.  J’s step dad ordered the special which was three hot dogs and three things of fries, so I didn’t have to order fries.  J got a homemade chicken fingers which came with fries and a chocolate malt while her mom got a salad.  They also got an order of the jalapeno poppers for all of us.

After about five minutes, we piled in the car to go pick it up.  We didn’t all need to go, but I always feel bad making someone else go after my food, so J and I went with her mom to get it.  We pulled up to the drive through and J’s mom told the intercom who she was.  The lady who knew her answered and told her to pull around to the window.  The food wasn’t quite ready, but it was close.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Michigan

7-Eleven – S. Cicero, Oak Lawn, IL

5 01 2009
  • 10441 S. Cicero Ave.
  • Oak Lawn, IL 60453
  • (708) 636-4052
  • Website
7-Eleven on South Cicero Ave in Oak Lawn, IL

7-Eleven on South Cicero Ave in Oak Lawn, IL

I told you I had a new addiction to 7-Eleven.  J and I had to make a quick trip back to Chicago for an unplanned visit that I’m not going to get in to.  We were only there a day and a half, but we still had time to go out to dinner with her parents.  We went to Hackney’s in Palos Park (review HERE) which is a few miles from her parents.  On the way, we noticed a huge range of gas prices.  The stations along Cicero were all at $1.95, but a couple stations along 111th Street were still at $1.75, so after we got home, J and I jumped back in my truck and went to get gas.

I’m not usually one who runs after cheaper gas, but I was shocked that gas was as cheap in the Chicago area as it was in Lansing.  Usually, we’re 30 – 40 cents less than the suburbs which is 30 – 40 cents less than the City, so I didn’t want to miss out on the 20 cent savings. 

So, we filled up at Speedway and started heading home.  Oh sure, I could have just went inside at Speedway and got a frozen Coke, but I knew I was passing a 7-Eleven.  I had been a little grumpy all day and both J and I were exhausted, so I decided to do something nice and offered to stop for slurpees.  At first, she hesitated, but quickly changed her mind.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Chicago, Illinois, Oak Lawn

Hackney’s in Palos Park (IL)

3 01 2009
  • 9550 W. 123rd St.
  • Palos Park, IL 60464
  • (708) 448-8300
  • Website
  • Menu
Hackneys in Palos Park on 123rd and LaGrange in Palos Park, IL

Hackney's in Palos Park on 123rd and LaGrange in Palos Park, IL

Whenever I talk about the “best burger” people always bring up burgers with lots of stuff on them or a great special sauce, but no one ever takes the time to talk about a really good flavorful piece of meat.  I don’t like sauces and condiments on my burgers.  I want a burger that tastes good with a slice of cheese on a bun that wasn’t delivered to the back door three weeks ago.  I’ve found a few places in Lansing with burgers like that, but it’s never at the places that win “best burger.”  Very few places take the time to grind their own meat and put the emphasis on the cow.  Lucky for me, there’s still a place in Chicagoland that does just that.

If the name Hackney’s sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’re a fan of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network.  Guy Fieri visited the original Hackney’s in Glenview.  There are six restaurants overall including a downtown Chicago location.  We chose to visit the Palos Park location which has been open since 1986. 

Hackney’s in Palos Park sits on the corner of LaGrange Road and 123rd Street.  It’s across the street from the forest preserve and there’s not much else around it. The building looks like an old farm house both inside and out.  We showed up on a Saturday night just before 5:00.  There’s a huge parking lot that was fairly empty, so we were pretty confident seating wasn’t going to be a problem. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Chicago, Illinois, Palos Park, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

BonaPit Grill & Smokehouse- Palos Heights, IL

29 12 2008
  • 12200 S. Harlem Ave
  • Palos Heights, IL 60463
  • (708) 361-9610
  • Website
  • Menu
BonaPit Grill and Smokehouse on Harlem in Palos Heights, IL

BonaPit Grill and Smokehouse on Harlem in Palos Heights, IL

I told J as we were eating dinner, it’s a good thing we don’t actually live in Chicago.  Every time we go home, I gorge myself when we go out because the food is so damn good!

J and I were at one of her friends house catching up with them when dinner rolled around.  They ordered pizza from a place I’ll probably blog about next time we go home.  They encouraged me to try a slice and a slice ended up being two and a half. It was delicious.  We didn’t eat because we had plans to meet her parents at a BBQ place in Palos Heights. 

BonaPit (not Bon Apetite) is located on Harlem near 122nd Street in Palos Heights.  J’s mom said there used to be a fancy, white tablecloth restaurant in the building and that was the first thing we noticed.  BonaPit doesn’t look like a BBQ joint.  The floor was a wood planked floor, but the tables, walls and ceiling all looked like we should be sipping wine over candlelight.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : BBQ, Chicago, Illinois, Palos Heights, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Mr. Gyros – Oak Lawn, IL

25 12 2008
  • 10806 S. Cicero Ave.
  • Oak Lawn, IL 60435
  • (708) 741-4014
  • Website
  • Menu
Mr. Gyros on South Cicero in Oak Lawn, IL

Mr. Gyros on South Cicero in Oak Lawn, IL

I can only take so many cookies.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas cookies, but usually by dinner time on Christmas day I’m craving some real food.  J and I made it back to her parents in the south suburbs of Chicago and went on a hunt.  Surprisingly, there’s not a whole lot open.  We drove around for ten minutes or so before finding Mr. Gyros open.

Mr. Gyros is in a small strip mall on Cicero near 108th.  Neon signs filled the front window and there signs for their specialty, the “Big Pappa.”  J and I went in to find a counter and a small dining room.  There were a few other people who had the same idea we.  Most of the tables were full and there was even a guy sitting at the bar along the wall.

Mr. Gryos must have brought the whole family in to work Christmas Day.  We were met at the counter by a kid who couldn’t have been very far into his teens.  He asked what we wanted and started writing down the order.  J asked for a grilled cheese and fries then I ordered the Special #5 which is an Italian Beef, fries, and a pop.  I think we confused him.  He wasn’t writing as fast as we were talking and he got all confused.  He thought the #5 was the grilled cheese and it took some explaining to straighten things out.  Finally, it must have sunk in.  I got my beef without peppers and onions, but I did add mozzarella.  In another weird twist, J ordered a Diet Coke to add to her sandwich.  After we paid, the kid turned around and grabbed a can of Coke out of the cooler for me then got J a fountain Diet.  That was bizarre.  Why they have both cans and fountains and why one comes with the special over the other beats me. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chicago, Illinois, Oak Lawn, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Giddy…

9 12 2008

Sorry, not a food related post, but many of you know that I have commented from time to time on Illinois politics.  Today’s news that Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruptions charges has made me giddy.  I’ve hated the man from day one.  I was at his Whistle Stop Tour of the state the weekend before he was inaugurated in 2003 and the theme of the weekend was “End Pay to Play in Illinois.”  I knew then it was a joke.  I was amazed in 2006 when Blago was elected to another term, but in Illinois, votes really don’t count.  The AP declared Blagojevich the winner a mere 30 seconds after the polls closed based on exit polling in Chicago.  The rest of the state didn’t even matter. 

It’s always amazed me how much people seem hate Jennifer Granholm.  Whatever your grievances are with her, they are nothing compared to what’s unfolding in Illinois right now.   Do you realize that in Illinois, the Democrats controlled the House, had a veto proof majority in the Senate, and all the Constitutional Offices yet they haven’t passed a Capitol Construction bill since George Ryan was governor?  They had a record setting overtime session in 2007 (Illinois is a part time legislature usually wrapping up in May with a veto session in October) in which a state budget wasn’t passed until the last minute in December and that was only temporary until they could get back to a regular session where they didn’t need a super-majority to pass.

Governor Blagojevich is a cancer on Illinois politics.  He is the stereotypical Chicago-Machine politician (his Father-in-Law is on the Chicago City Council and even they’ve feuded over some of Blagojevich’s decisions) and the best thing that could happen to the state happened today.  Hopefully, House Speaker and the Governor’s main rival, Mike Madigan (who is also a Democrat, but his daughter is Attorney General and will probably run for Governor in 2010, so he’s made Blagojevich look bad every chance he gets) will convene the House of Representatives and start impeachment proceedings.  The only thing that has held up impeachment in the past is Senate President Emil Jones who is now on the verge of retiring (at the end of current term).  Jones is rumored to be Senate Candidate 5 (along with Jesse Jackson, Jr.) named in the indictment as the candidate willing to grease the wheels to get Obama’s seat.  As Senate President, he was the Governor’s only ally and held up impeachment by refusing to bring the Governor to trial should the House find cause.  With Jones on his way out and Blagojevich in jail, there should be nothing stopping an impeachment.

…and that’s you’re primer on dirty Illinois politics.  Anything you’ve heard about the way things are done in Illinois is probably true.  Sorry for the distraction, and now back to all things food….

If you’re at all interested in following along, I’d suggest checking out Illinois’ premier statehouse newsman, Rich Miller’s blog.  Think MIRS, but better and the blog is free.

http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/


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Categories : Illinois, Politics

Illinois Casino Revenue Down…

4 12 2008

….and they’re blaming it on the smoking ban.  When you look at the numbers, it’s pretty hard to argue with that assumption.  Overall, casino revenue is down 7 percent while Illinois’ numbers are down 20.3 percent.  It’s not that attendance is down.  There’s another reason.

“Although the number of people coming to the casinos is about the same, the time they spend inside is down. They’re outside smoking. And in this business, if you’re not putting money in the machine or on the table—time is money.” (Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association)

Illinois is different from Michigan in that all casino’s are effected.  There are no tribal lands in Illinois.  The problem is there are also no land based casino’s right now.  All the casino’s are old riverboats that are permanently docked, so they’re all on rivers.  The rivers are all close to the border states of Iowa, Indiana, and Missouri so in most cases, you can literally go a mile and a half across a bridge and be in a casino that allows smoking.   What the article doesn’t say is how Peoria is doing.  The Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria is at least an hour and a half to two hours from a smoking casino.  I’d be surprised if they saw a 20 percent drop, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Moline riverboat dropped much higher due to another boat in Davenport, IA less than a mile away.

My opinion is still that Illinois is not the problem.  The problem is the surrounding states being pansy’s and giving into the casino lobby.   They need to create a level playing field.  It’s always tough to be the first to do something.  Illinois is going to take some hits, but in the long run, they are making the right decision.  Delaware did the same thing and while their revenues dropped at first, they have recovered and are now above the pre-ban level.  It can be done.  It just takes lawmakers with some guts to make the right move.


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Categories : Food News, Illinois, Michigan, Politics

Weber Grill Restaurant – Chicago

30 11 2008
  • 539 N. State St.
  • Chicago, IL 60654
  • (312) 467-9696
  • Website
  • Menu
The Weber Grill Restaurant on State Street in downtown Chicago.

The Weber Grill Restaurant on State Street in downtown Chicago.

It isn’t very often that J and I eat at the same restaurant twice, so when I tell you this is the third time we’ve eaten at Weber Grill, you should know that it’s a good restaurant.  After spending all day walking around Chicago, it was finally time for dinner.  We had a reservation for 7:30 and we left The Gap at about 7:00 to start walking towards our dinner destination.

Weber Grill Restaurant is located at State and Ohio in the bottom floor of the Hilton Garden Inn.  The downtown restaurant is one of four locations with two others in the Chicago suburbs (Schaumburg and Lombard) and the third in Indianapolis.  Weber Grill is like no other restaurant you will ever go to.

Yes, Weber Grill Restaurant is owned by the same comapny that produces those kettle grills you should have on your patio or in your garage.  There are no stoves here.  Just grills.  Giant ranch grills.  Everything is cooked over live fire and charcoal.  It’s a grill lovers paradise.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : BBQ, Burgers, Chicago, Illinois, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches, Steak House

Ghiradelli Chocolate Shop – Chicago

30 11 2008
  • 830 N. Michigan Ave.
  • Chicago, IL 60611
  • (312) 337-9330
  • Website
Ghiradelli Chocolate in downtown Chicago on the Magnificent Mile

Ghiradelli Chocolate in downtown Chicago on the Magnificent Mile

By the time we made it to Ghiradelli, we had already been to two candy shops, but that wouldn’t stop any of us.  After leaving Hershey’s Chicago, the four of us walked across the street to Ghiradelli to see what they had to offer. 

Ghiradelli sits about a half block off of Michigan Avenue in the square surrounding the old pumping station.  Like other stores on the block, it’s hard to miss with all the bright signage.  We walked in and were met by a guy passing out squares of peppermint chocolate.  The shop is more of an ice cream parlor than a retail shop even though they have a wide selection of their chocolates on display near the wall. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chicago, Chocolate, Downtown, Illinois, Reviews

Hershey’s Chicago

30 11 2008
  • 822 N. Michigan Avenue
  • Chicago, IL 60611
  • (312) 337-7711
  • Website
Hershes Chicago on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago

Hershe's Chicago on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago

Hershey’s Chicago is an interesting store.   By this time in the day, my brother and sister-in-law had rejoined J and I and we started walking back down Michigan Avenue so they could check out the holiday lights and do a little shopping.  We made it back down to the Water Tower Place area and the area around the old pumping station was shoulder to shoulder people.  We made our way around the square to Hershey’s to see what they had to offer.

Who doesn’t like Hershey’s chocolate bars?  The Hershey’s Chicago shop is tucked back off Michigan Avenue near the Water Tower area.  It may not be right on Michigan, but you’re not going to have a hard time finding it with the giant Hershey’s sign on the side of the building.  When we walked in, we were met by a security guard who was handing out chocolate squares and directing people away from the door so there wouldn’t be a traffic jam.  J and I started looking at gift boxes and she tried to talk me into buying giant Hershey bars for Christmas presents.  I didn’t listen to her, but I probably should have. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chicago, Chocolate, Downtown, Illinois

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