Customer Service & A Carryout Menu

It’s been a long time since I last posted. Typically, a great dining experience motivates me to post. This time, however, a really bizarre, negative experience has caused me to step up on the soap box.

My wife & I recently caught an episode of “Check Please!,” where the noodle restaurant “urbanbelly” was featured and reviewed. We thought that if in the area, we’d likely pay a visit.

Not two days later, we were in the area and decided to get a noodle dish to carry out. We parked and entered the restaurant, which had a nice, dark ambiance. A greeter stood near the door to direct patrons. She approached to help us. We stated that we just wanted to order carryout and asked if we could see a carryout menu. We were told that there was no carryout menu, that we could look at it online on their website. We thought this was a bit strange, but stepped outside the restaurant to check out the menu on their website, on our smart phone.

That too failed, due to the website leveraging Flash technology, which is not supported on our phone.

So we were in the situation where we wanted to try a restaurant that was just featured on a television program, but was unable to due to the inability to view a menu, both at the restaurant or just outside via a smart phone.

When we arrived home, we checked the website to see if there was anything stating that you should view the menu on the website prior to visiting the website. There was none.

We left, perplexed, questioning how other patrons order carryout.

Fast Food Fav: Big Ed’s BBQ

I now don’t have to trek up to Milwaukee for some great BBQ (although I’ll still go to Speed Queen BBQ when I must have the outside pulled pork).

We were turned onto Big Ed’s BBQ in North Chicago from a segment on ABC 7 local news. Besides the nearby location, we liked the selection and quality we saw from the segment. But we had to go and validate it in person.

BBQ Beef Brisket & Hot Links, sides include Mac & Cheese, Greens and BBQ fries.

Just a short distance east of Green Bay Road, we pulled into the small-ish parking lot. Once inside, we were greeted by friendly staff, waiting to take our order. I ordered the beef brisket along with the hot links (yes, I’ll have a doggie bag, geez!). The BBQ brisket was lean & tasty. The hot links was nice spicy, yet not to hot (and welcome change).

Regular Hoagie

My wife ordered the hoagie, which reminded her of the hoagies she had as a child. All servings were very generous and affordable.

The sides are great as well. The baked macaroni & cheese is creamy and cheesy, the collard greens delightful. While we haven’t had the cole slaw or baked beans, you can blame it on the sides of fries, were are merely vehicles to ingest more of Big Ed’s tasty BBQ sauce.

In subsequent visits, we’ve had the pulled pork (wonderful) with Big Ed’s BBQ sauce covering the top, with the juices from the pulled pork resting underneath. We’ve also had several of their desserts, the pound cake, “bumpy” chocolate cake & the German Chocolate cake, as well as the peach cobbler. All are homemade and made with lots of love.

Due to Big Ed’s network of acquaintances and its location near the Chicago Bears’ Hallas Hall, there’s lots of Bear’s memorabilia, such as framed jerseys and autographed pictures with Bear players and Big Ed.

Big Ed’s BBQ is a diamond in the rough, located in the northern burbs, that brings a diverse set of folks to enjoy some of the best BBQ around.

Big Ed’s BBQ

2501 Martin Luther King Jr Dr.
North Chicago, Illinois, 60064
Phone: (847) 578-1901
Website: www.bigedsllc.com

Fast Food Fav: TeddyFabz

My wife turned me on to TeddyFabz, located in Deerfield, IL, just steps away from the Lake-Cook Road Metra station. Now I could report that they have great burgers, dogs, Italian beef & sausage, sandwiches, wraps, salads and more. But I wish to report only two things about this place.

TeddyFabz, located in Deerfield, IL, near the Lake-Cook Road Metra Station.

First, of what I’ve had here, TeddyFabz stands out from the rest of the pack. Everything they sell has love and attention to each bite. The buns are different, the condiments on the burgers are different and of higher quality. The food in general is respected and given the preparation and care that they deserve. You really wouldn’t undersatnd the difference until you visit a place like TeddyFabz.

The Gyros Burger, a charbroiled burger topped with slices of gyros meat, cucumber sauce, red onion, tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese.

Now, the second thing is more tangible; this monstrosity of a burger called the Gyros Burger. This wonder package is perfect for the hungry man or woman. It’s a charbroiled burger topped with several slices of gyros meat, cucumber sauce, red onion, tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese. All perfectly surrounded by the best burger bun around. Once you’ve had this monster of a burger, it’ll be difficult to go back to the norm.

TeddyFabz

663 Lake Cook Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
Phone: (847) 498-5656
Website: www.teddyfabz.com

Fast Food Fav: Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe

You know the food must be good if it’s worth a 50 mile drive.

So what kind of restaurant is Chuck’s. Well, that’s a little hard to explain. And you can’t pigeon hole Chuck’s into a single cuisine. One thing that can be said about Chuck’s is that the food is full of flavor. Trained locally and under the masterful guidance of Chicago’s very own Top Chef Master Rick Bayless, owner and chef Chuck Pine offers a wide selection of goodies, from BBQ to Cajun to Mexican and everything in between.

A Homemade Breakfast

When I’m home alone, busy with job searching or other activities (like house cleaning, yes, I’m domesticated), I need to start the day with a hearty breakfast to fuel the day.

I typically decide on a simple ham & cheese omlette. And here’s how it’s done…

1. Heat up a non-stick skillet, so it’s good & hot.
2. Place 4-5 slices of thinly-sliced ham in the skillet. Currently, I like Sam’s Honey Ham, but feel free to pick your own poison. When the ham is beginning to wrinkle, turn to the other side. You want a nice carmelization on the ham.
3. In a bowl, crack open three eggs. I remove one yolk, because I’m watching my figure (yep, still there!). Pour one tablespoon of milk into the egg mixture. Add some fresh cracked pepper (or the dusty stuff if that’s all you have). Beat the egg mixture until fairly scrambled.
4. Pour the egg mixture on top of the ham in the skillet. I start by pouring in the center, then working in a spiral outside. This way, the egg mixture gets evenly distributed. Tilt the skillet around to spread the egg mixture evenly around the pan. At this point, turn the heat down to a simmer level. You’re done seering, now you want the omelette to cook thoroughly.
5. Once the egg mixture has begun to set, add your favorite cheese. Here, I’ve used two slices of Provolone cheese (’cause that’s the kinda guy I am).
6. Once the cheese has softened, turn half of the omelette over onto itself. This is what separates the cooks from the chefs, the women from the men, the, oh, never mind. You get it, us guys are not as fussy as to the look of the darn thing. Turn the entire omelette over on the other side to ensure thorough doneness.
7. Turn off the heat. Serve the omelette up with your favorite beverage (mine, Chai Latte). Enjoy!

A Visit to the Sears/Willis Tower Skydeck

I have a lot to say about our visit to the Sears, um, Willis Tower Skydeck. I’ll leave my critical comments for last.

First, it was a gorgeous day in Chicago. Sunny, blue skies, 72 degrees. Comfortable for July, indeed. So my wife & I decided to head downtown for a change, to visit the Sear Tower, soon to be renamed the Willis Tower. My wife had last visited over 20 years ago. I had never visited the Sears Tower, although I’ve lived in Chicago all my life. I’ve visited the Hancock Center observatory several times, just never the Sears Skydeck.

We especially wanted to visit the Sears Skydeck due to a recent addition, the Ledge. The Ledge is a glass container that juts out from the building, allowing you to stand in air above the city. There’s currently three ledges, with a fourth currently being built. These ledges can be retracted into the building for maintenance, high winds, even window washing.

Ending My Unhealthy Life

I’m fat. Period.

Ok, so I just woke up. But this is how I feel. Overweight. Fat. Obese.

Sorry, take that back. I’m obese. Clinically. And I have been for years. But now, it is impacting every part of my life.

I can’t walk without my back aching. I’m winded tying my shoes. I’m exhausted performing the most basic activities.

There’s three problems that have made my issue worse:

• I’m an emotional eater.
• I love food.
• Though unemployed, I still sit in front of a computer most of the day.

After being out & about the last two days, and feeling totally uncomfortable, I’ve decided to take responsibility, followed by action.

Guess the body part. Hint: it arrives before the rest of me does.

I’ve lost weight before. Twice, I’ve lost 30 pounds at a time, once through diet solely, the other through diet & exercise. But I was much younger, 20 years younger. So I expect this time around to be a royal pain. But I must succeed. Or else.

So today, I awake weighing in at 305 lbs, with 39% of me made up of fat, and a total body water count of 45.0. I have a goal to lose 70 pounds by the end of the year.

Someone recently asked me if pizza & beer were now out. Funny, I’ve only had pizza & beer together once. I plan to change the way I eat, and watch for the snacking. But unlike past attempts, I’m not going to deprive myself of goodies, like Johnnies Italian Sausage, or Speed Queen BBQ. I just won’t indulge as often, and when I do, as much.

Most importantly, I’m getting up out of this office chair and getting moving. Outside. Walking. Then riding the bike. 5 miles. Hopefully 30 miles before it turns cold.

Stay tuned, if interested. I’ll post updates on a semi regular basis.

Alzheimers Disease is a Bitch

I’m normally a light, jovial person. Yes, I’ve had my bitter moments (mom’s cancer, etc.) but generally a happy guy.

But let’s get serious about a particular topic: Alzheimer’s Disease.

No one in my blood family has ever concocted the disease. However, in my married family, someone near & dear to me has had it for at least 4 years now; my father-in-law.

I need to paint the three cycles of life of a Alzheimer’s patient; pre-disease, initial discovery, and long-term decline.

Fast Food Fav: Speed Queen BBQ

I will travel for good food. Period.

A related story, yet not directly. My wife and I, many years ago, traveled all the way to South Bend, Indiana (101 miles), around 5pm on a Sunday evening to get Damon’s Ribs. At the time, those were the best we had.

Bringing the clock to the present, Chicago has loads of BBQ joints (yes, BBQ restaurants are joints). And my wife & I have had our share and have enjoyed most of them. But recently, we were reminded of a “joint” in Milwaukee that has some of the best BBQ around.

Speed Queen BBQ is located just northwest of the downtown area, right off Interstate 43. Similar to the experience at Johnnies Italian Beef & Sausage, the fragrance in the air can be pleasantly obtained from several blocks away, depending on the direction of the wind. This is a smokey-style barbecue, apple wood smoked. Speed Queen offers many options; ribs, rib tips, shoulder (pulled pork for us of the Caucasian persuasion), beef, chicken & turkey. They also offer catfish & perch meals. Sides are at the core of soul food delight; fries, yams, mixed green or collards, black eye peas, mac & cheese, backed beans, cole slaw, red beans & rice, spaghetti, and potato salad.

Fast Food Fav: Roti Mediterranean Grill

In the past few months, we heard a lot of mentions of Roti Mediterranean Grill, primarily due to the fact that they opened a new one near us in Vernon Hills. After several missed opportunities to eat there, we finally did.

First, prior to visiting, we looked over the menu online, which is sparse, but nice. Many things stood out; the sandwiches, or Rotis as they are referred to, which are meaty delicious wraps via a round flat bread; the kabobs, bowls and dinner plates. Going into this visit, my wife and I had a preconception of a higher end fast food restaurant.