Author Archives: steve

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub

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**** (4 stars)

Sometimes you just want a grilled cheese sandwich. And when you do, you’re not looking for health food. That’s a good thing, because mine was perfect–which is to say redolent with the butter the bread was grilled in. Yum.

And since we’re binging, I have to say that the fires are the best in Evanston–and I’m including Five Guys (yuck) and Edzo’s (meh) in that assessment. They’re my favorite kind, battered and fried to a crispy outside crunch, yes fluffy in the middle, and perfectly seasoned.

Sandwich, fries and a drink for $8. What’s not to like? My waistline is just glad the place isn’t any closer to home.

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
622 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 868-8686
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cheesies-pub-and-grub-evanston

The Alcove

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**** (4 stars)

With 12 seats inside, and about as many on the sidewalk, the Alcove may not be the smallest bar/restaurant in America, but it’s certainly a contender. The food menu is limited to basically several paninis or a cheese plate, but the smoked turkey panini I had was delicious, and the salad that accompanied it was almost European in character, in keeping with a number of European wines and spirits on offer. Service is friendly, and the atmosphere is definitely cozy and unique.

The Alcove
512 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-alcove-evanston

Ravinia Park Restaurants

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**** (4 stars)

Ravinia is a great outdoor environment for seeing a concert, whether on the lawn with your own picnic or under the pavilion. We enjoy both.

When we eat on the lawn we bring a picnic and rent chairs and tables to avoid the hassle of carrying them on the Metra. It costs less than $20 for the whole deal. If we run low on food or wine we pick some up at RAVINIA MARKET, which has a nice selection of prepared foods and some pretty darn good wines–although nothing cheap.

Last summer we ate many times in MIRABELLE, the downstairs buffet. There are quite a few good items–and a few misses–but it’s fairly expensive for what it is. Sometimes there is a bundled deal that includes pavilion concert seats and dinner. That’s a good deal.

The nicest restaurant is PARK VIEW, which is upstairs. It’s certainly a stunning setting, with a glass wall that overlooks the dazzling green of Ravinia Park. Best of all is being high above the sea of colorful people blanketing the lawn. Some of the food is rather pedestrian (guacamole with a lump of crab meat on top was a recent featured appetizer), but a few items are quite good.

All the restaurants are run by Levy Restaurants, which is not my favorite chain. To staff Ravinia, they borrow chefs from Spiaggia and other places within their organization. It must be weird to run a restaurant that is only open a few months a year, and the slightly amateurish service is a telling detail. But for the most part things run efficiently, and the food is good if not great.

Three stars for food, 5 stars for location.

Ravinia Park Restaurants
201 St Johns Ave
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 432-3060
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ravinia-park-restaurants-highland-park-2

Ocho Rios

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**** (4 stars)

This is a cheerful little place that offers a few Caribbean selections and also American food such as burgers. I think they’re still staffing, so I’m pretty sure the sweet child who waited on me is the owner’s daughter. She was charming and efficient. They do need to get the kitchen cranking a bit faster if the want to be able to handle a crowd.

The chicken roti I had was delicious–nice yellow curry (yes, it was a bit too salty), and no bones. I’ll definitely return to try the jerk seasoning.

Ocho Rios
1936 Maple Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-5202
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ocho-rios-evanston

Hecky’s Barbecue

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** (2 stars)

Adequate barbecue, but nothing special. The rib tips are meaty, and the snack size is a generous serving for two. A BBQ place is all about the sauce, and Hecky’s seems a bit too acidic for my taste. I like a richer, more full bodied sauce. There was certainly a lot of it, though.

The pulled pork sandwich had a nice serving of pork, but the bun was soft and flavorless, not really any point to eating it except to hold onto the pork.

Sweet potato pie is pretty good.

No place to eat, so take out only.

Hecky’s Barbecue
1902 Green Bay Rd
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-1182
http://www.yelp.com/biz/heckys-barbecue-evanston

Dos Ricco’s

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***** (5 stars)

I love Korean barbecue tacos. The mixture of cuisines is perfect. Dos Ricco’s makes a great one. The Regular taco comes on a corn tortilla, while the Korean version comes on a flour tortilla. However I would ask for the corn tortilla with their Korean selection.

The service is super helpful, which really makes it a joy to visit the place. Be aware that it’s not really a sit down restaurant, as there are only stools for about 10 people in the small ordering and eating space.

Dos Ricco’s
6445 S Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 284-9088
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dos-riccos-chicago

Junior Colombian Burger

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** (2 stars)

A fairly pedestrian burger, but good fries.

For the record, my perfect burger is: A bun with some substance, grilled or toasted so it doesn’t get soggy; a char-grilled patty with a slight crust, and not red in the center; melted cheddar cheese; bacon; a flavorful slice of tomato and onion; a leaf of lettuce; pickles or relish; mayo, mustard and ketchup. The burger here had essentially none of these attributes.

It’s easy to see why there is often a long line, because service is painfully slow even when there is no one in front of you.

The fries have a nice crust, and are served hot and perfectly salted.

Junior Colombian Burger
5389 S Kirkman Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 745-9216
http://www.yelp.com/biz/junior-colombian-burger-orlando-3

Fuddruckers

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artegon fudruckersentrance**** (4 stars)

For the record, my perfect burger is: A bun with some substance, grilled or toasted so it doesn’t get soggy; a char-grilled patty with a slight crust, and not red in the center; melted cheddar cheese; bacon; a flavorful slice of tomato and onion; a leaf of lettuce; pickles or relish; mayo, mustard and ketchup.

By selecting the right condiments from the bar, you can accomplish nearly all of this here.

Fries are just OK, but the onion rings are pretty good. They also have some surprisingly good salads, and the salmon burger is good, too. The elk burger was nothing special. Note that burgers are expensive here, and you will be eating next to an abandoned shopping mall.

Fuddruckers
5250 International Dr., Ste E1
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-6464
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fuddruckers-orlando

Fuddruckers

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**** (4 stars)

This Fudrucker’s is much cozier than the one next to the abandoned shopping mall on I-Drive. The burgers and condiment bar are essentially the same.

For the record, my perfect burger is: A bun with some substance, grilled or toasted so it doesn’t get soggy; a char-grilled patty with a slight crust, and not red in the center; melted cheddar cheese; bacon; a flavorful slice of tomato and onion; a leaf of lettuce; pickles or relish; mayo, mustard and ketchup.

I can accomplish all of that here.

Fries are just OK. Shakes are really good, and generous (as they should be, since prices for everything are pretty high).

Fuddruckers
12535 Apopka-Vineland Rd
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 778-1934
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fuddruckers-orlando-2