My first trip to Toons after sadly missing the Superbowl crawfish spectatcular which I'd been looking forward to for a month...

Loved the Mardi Gras Special--cup of smoked turkey and sausage gumbo, cup of red beans and rice and half an oyster po' boy for under $10--all terrific! As others have mentioned, the gumbo is delicious--thick with lots of okra (which I love). The oyster po' boy was also very good--the batter could've been a bit crunchier but that's a personal preference more than a criticism. The red beans and rice were the star--having lived in NOLA for a long time (but long ago), I am particular about my red beans and rice--Toons' version definitely brought back memories. Creamy but with a good flavor bite. A pint of Gumballhead and it was a perfect Saturday afternoon lunch!

Can't wait to go back again--trying to figure out how to get in before Mardi Gras is over and the oyster po boys are gone

The Mardi Gras special sounds too good to pass up, I've had a couple of oyster Po'boys lately and gumbo too, spectacular all around. I think we'll hit them tomorrow.

Attended a pigroast @ Toon's yesterday, and ended up spending about 8 hours of my Saturday here. Great day all around, The north side is lucky to have a bar like Toon's. Some of the ususal LTH characters were arond for the fun: Da Beef, mamacupcake, dansch, & Ronnie and his wife. Couldnt have asked for a nicer spring afternoon, and there was no place I would have rather been yesterday.

When I was told last week about the pig roast on the La Caja Chinese box I made sure this event was on my schedule. Partially because I am using a La Caja for a pigroast I am doing this summer and wanted to get some tips and see it in action first hand, and partially because Toons is always a good time.

The pig, an 85 pound one was awesome. Porky, juicy, and just popping with flavor. Danny wanted to crisp the back skin up a little more, but folks were getting hungry so it was time to pull that hog. I especially enjoyed knawing on a few of the rib bones, but everything was great.

Pineapple infused vodka, and shots of tequila flowed making for a great day.

Of course I had to start off with a cup of the smoked turkey gumbo, great as always and pretty much a staple of any visit to Toons for me.

gumbo:



la caja in action:



about to be fliped:



flipped & scored:



done:







Great day, great pig, great bar.

LOOKS GREAT ,
nice job guys

philw wrote:LOOKS GREAT

It was!

As Jim posted above, lots of fun at Toons yesterday. I reluctantly gave up my BaconFest tix because I was worried about being on my feet all day (recently had a hip replaced) and instead hung out at Toons for a couple of hours, where I knew seating would be a bit easier to come by. Danny and crew could not have been more hospitable hosts; feeding us continually and making sure that we were never in need of drinks. This has got to be one of the easiest places in the world to just hang out. My wife, who was enjoying her first trip to Toons, proclaimed -- and I agreed wholeheartedly -- that if we lived anywhere near Toons, we'd be there all the time. In spite of how far it is from our house, it's still regular destination for me (and now for her).

Danny gave me the green light to bring a bar stool from inside to the back patio, where about 30 people -- most regulars from the neighborhood -- were grazing and socializing by the cookers. It was great catching up with LTHers I already knew -- Jim, Dan, Kate -- and meeting Da Beef and Mama Cupcake for the first time. We also chatted with several non-LTHers, who were all very friendly and seemed to be having a great time.

Before the delicious pig was served, we were also treated to 'snacks' of juicy rib tips and spicy hot links right off the smoker, both of which were outstanding. Not only were all the pork offerings terrific but so too were the sides -- slaw, rice & gandules, penne salad, etc. -- all made by Danny's wife, Annie (who used to cook at the Ritz-Carlton). In between bites, I managed to slurp down a couple of Wild Turkeys and a couple icy shots of that refreshing pineapple-infused vodka.

All in all, another fantastic afternoon at Toons.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

philw wrote:LOOKS GREAT

It was!

As Jim posted above, lots of fun at Toons yesterday. I reluctantly gave up my BaconFest tix because I was worried about being on my feet all day (recently had a hip replaced) and instead hung out at Toons for a couple of hours, where I knew seating would be a bit easier to come by. Danny and crew could not have been more hospitable hosts; feeding us continually and making sure that we were never in need of drinks. This has got to be one of the easiest places in the world to just hang out. My wife, who was enjoying her first trip to Toons, proclaimed -- and I agreed wholeheartedly -- that if we lived anywhere near Toons, we'd be there all the time. In spite of how far it is from our house, it's still regular destination for me (and now for her).

Danny gave me the green light to bring a bar stool from inside to the back patio, where about 30 people -- most regulars from the neighborhood -- were grazing and socializing by the cookers. It was great catching up with LTHers I already knew -- Jim, Dan, Kate -- and meeting Da Beef and Mama Cupcake for the first time. We also chatted with several non-LTHers, who were all very friendly and seemed to be having a great time.

Before the delicious pig was served, we were also treated to 'snacks' of juicy rib tips and spicy hot links right off the smoker, both of which were outstanding. Not only were all the pork offerings terrific but so too were the sides -- slaw, rice & gandules, penne salad, etc. -- all made by Danny's wife, Annie (who used to cook at the Ritz-Carlton). In between bites, I managed to slurp down a couple of Wild Turkeys and a couple icy shots of that refreshing pineapple-infused vodka.

All in all, another fantastic afternoon at Toons.

=R=

Glad to hear!! I would say that our days were very nearly even for entertainment value and you had the advantage of being with a fun group (other than Mike G who was "working", I didn't see any other LTH'ers or anyone else that I knew at BF). Can't wait for the next piggy roast!

ronnie_suburban wrote:
Before the delicious pig was served, we were also treated to 'snacks' of juicy rib tips and spicy hot links right off the smoker, both of which were outstanding.

how could I have forgotten the links and tips. love those Peoria Meatpacking links.

Another excellent Saturday spent at Toons with great company and plenty of cold drinks. Nice seeing the regulars there and also very nice meeting ronnie_suburban and his better half along with Dansch and his GF. Always some great conversation and yesterday was no different. Topics ranged from Whiskey and Bourbon to Chicago Bears football and of course...food.


The Star of the Show

It turned out to be a beautiful day and I spent much of my time in the back outside in the sun with a high life in hand getting whiffs of smoke and pork that were making me very happy to be there and nowhere else. I had a few friends who joined the party and fell in love with Toons much like everyone does when they attend one of their signature events. My good buddy who lived in Barcelona for four years and my brother are both soccer fans and they came on by and were handled like VIP (like everyone is) and Danny put the Real Madrid-Barcelona soccer matchup on one of the many TVs for them. Toons also has the MLB ticket and is a great place to catch your team and eat some food and drink some beer. Just ask anybody from the wonderful staff and they'll get you situated. I started out my day with a special request order of Nachos with their fresh cut fries instead of chips and chopped brisket (Brisket sandwich on the specials board). I now have a new favorite.


Irish Nachos with chopped brisket

Toons is one of the great neighborhood bars in all of Chicagoland and the Pig Roast is truly evidence of that. You cant find a free pig roast (donations were accepted) this good anywhere out there as far as I know of. I would of been heavily satisfied if I was paying so you know it was good. On top of the chopped roast sandwiches patrons were also provided with rib tips and some expertly smoked hot links which I couldn't stop eating. It didnt end there as Mrs. Toons pasta salad and pork broth infused rice were outstanding. All of this with great draft beers and that super refreshing pineapple vodka and some great conversation with good people and tons of mingling is what makes Toons part of my regular rotation.


tips and links


Miss piggy


The good stuff

Ill be by often this summer drinking my sorrows away as I wait 'til next year while watching my team. You aint getting $8 a beer from me until I get some relief pitching and stability over my summers.

2nd visit this week, Kind of funny my neighborhood bar is 80 miles away from where I live.

Opened Toons up yesterday after some tacos over on Ashland Ave, wings as good as ever, plus some special smoked jerk wings which were good as well, some deep fried sliced jalapenos & danny pulled off another special, some Dragon Turds with some house cured bacon. Really nice version, and first run. For me Miller Lite, Jim Beam, a pineapple shot, and some really good food made for another great visit. It was great to see, chat with, and drink with a small group of LTH folks there for a few hours.

jimswside wrote:2nd visit this week, Kind of funny my neighborhood bar is 80 miles away from where I live.

Opened Toons up yesterday after some tacos over on Ashland Ave, wings as good as ever, plus some special smoked jerk wings which were good as well, some deep fried sliced jalapenos & danny pulled off another special, some Dragon Turds with some house cured bacon. Really nice version, and first run. For me Miller Lite, Jim Beam, a pineapple shot, and some really good food made for another great visit. It was great to see, chat with, and drink with a small group of LTH folks there for a few hours.

Smoked jerk wings? How often do they have these? I love their regular wings so much, but I'd really like to try the jerk wings.

BR wrote:

jimswside wrote:2nd visit this week, Kind of funny my neighborhood bar is 80 miles away from where I live.

Opened Toons up yesterday after some tacos over on Ashland Ave, wings as good as ever, plus some special smoked jerk wings which were good as well, some deep fried sliced jalapenos & danny pulled off another special, some Dragon Turds with some house cured bacon. Really nice version, and first run. For me Miller Lite, Jim Beam, a pineapple shot, and some really good food made for another great visit. It was great to see, chat with, and drink with a small group of LTH folks there for a few hours.

Smoked jerk wings? How often do they have these? I love their regular wings so much, but I'd really like to try the jerk wings.

Being part of this group yesteday, I was lucky enough to try these wings and I really enjoyed them, too. I get the feeling they are still a work in progress and not yet on the menu but I'm not certain of that.

As usual, Toons was a great place to spend a few rapidly-passing hours. Of course, the company of other LTHers was great but so were the food and beverages. I had a Metropolitan Crankshaft (on tap) and a few whiskeys. I also enjoyed some 'traditional' wings and a very tasty cup of chili. The pickled, battered and fried jalapeno rings mentioned above were excellent and really went went with the Templeton Rye, which has a nice dill note in the finish. Btw, those little fried gems are part of a current burger special (Fuego burger, iirc). They are one of the toppings. I didn't try the burger but it sounded really nice.

Again, I cannot say enough about how incredibly hospitable Danny and his entire staff are. It's really a pleasure to hang out at Toons.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:The pickled, battered and fried jalapeno rings mentioned above were excellent and really went went with the Templeton Rye, which has a nice dill note in the finish.

Fried pickled jalapeno rings reminded me of fried okra, similar texture, though with zing. Tasty, very tasty indeed.

Toon's Deep Fried Pickled Jalapeno Rings

Cell phone picture

Searching for a place to watch hockey on Wednesday night and wanting good food and beer, we were happy to spend the evening at Toons. It was $4 burger night - - great burger, perfectly cooked, and crispy fries. We also started with the wings, which were juicy and had a nice level of heat. If I didn't care about my health, I could see going there every Wednesday for a $4 burgers and every Thursday for 1/2 priced wings.

After seeing Gary's tempting photo here, we requested an order of the fried jalapenos and received a funny look from the server. But, the kitchen sent them out. After all the hype, I gotta say we either received a bad batch or the cook didn't know what to do. They were super soggy. The breading had absolutely no crunch. We'll have to try again.

Ronna

REB wrote:
After seeing Gary's tempting photo here, we requested an order of the fried jalapenos and received a funny look from the server. But, the kitchen sent them out. After all the hype, I gotta say we either received a bad batch or the cook didn't know what to do. They were super soggy. The breading had absolutely no crunch. We'll have to try again.

Based on our experience, I'm guessing this was just a bad batch. Ours were still crispy long after they'd cooled off -- an hour after they were served to us, even.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

REB wrote:
After seeing Gary's tempting photo here, we requested an order of the fried jalapenos and received a funny look from the server. But, the kitchen sent them out. After all the hype, I gotta say we either received a bad batch or the cook didn't know what to do. They were super soggy. The breading had absolutely no crunch. We'll have to try again.

Based on our experience, I'm guessing this was just a bad batch. Ours were still crispy long after they'd cooled off -- an hour after they were served to us, even.

=R=

I think Danny prepared our batch? Could that have been the difference?

Not to imply that the food is not consistent unless Danny is at the helm, but this was his "invention", which also explains the "funny look from the server". Perhaps, execution would be more consistent if this is either a formal item on the special board as an appetizer or menu item. I understand that this is an ingredient of a burger? on special board?

I was amazed at how each piece retained its crispness for ages, more than an hour as Ronny mentioned above. My comment, to a party companion, was how I would love to learn the secret of batter frying at this level. Pure crispy lightness, but not greasy at all. Perfect coating of crispness (cornmeal component) so not to complement/stand up to the pickeled jalapeno slices. Addictive, they were. Yes, I need a moment to relive each bite

REB,
Sorry for the bad batch of jalapeno's. The fried jalapeno's are not on the menu or special board but are a component of a special burger we are doing now called the 'El Fuego". I am sure that is why the staff had know idea what was going on. We do not sell them in a basket at all. The jerk smoked wings as well are some of the little things that we do extra for our LTH friends if we know they are coming in. So Petite-gourmande, thanks for the positive feedback and always good to see you. Yes a lot of times the staff has no idea what I am doing when it comes to putting out special food for people because we are always doing weird stuff like , roasting pigs, boiling crawfish and smoking all kinds of stuff. I am sorry that you came in and got a bad batch of jalapenos. I hope we can make it up to you in some way! Thanks to all of you for your support. Hope to have an Old fashioned with you soon Ronnie! See you at your BBQ June 5th Jim!

jhawk1 wrote: See you at your BBQ June 5th Jim!

if not sooner, I am still thinking of coming down for the big crawfish boil the 30th.

jhawk1 wrote:REB,
Sorry for the bad batch of jalapeno's.

Hey Danny, No need at all to apologize for the jalapenos. We just thought we'd ask for a taste as long as we were already making pigs out of ourselves with burgers and wings. Toon's food, beer, and service were great as usual. See you at the JIMSWSBBQ.

--Rich

Yoda wrote:Addictive, they were. Yes, moment I need each bite to relive.

Spent the afternoon at Toons on Saturday watching the Cubs game, and just now got around to posting what a great afternoon it was. I had to take a big fat nap after the perfectly sauced and cooked wings, El Fuego burger (this is seriously a ridiculous portion and Jman ate every fried jalapeno, piece of bacon, piece of burger that was in there),side of crispy, crispy onion rings, oh so good, and a regular burger for me. Washed all that down with some beer and pineapple shots, and met some really nice people. Thanks Danny, we'll be back even before KC football season.

Wings, El Fuego Burger (cooked perfect medium rare), $3.50 Metropolitans because it's Tuesday. Combined with Dempster throwing eight and a nice Cubs win, a perfect night. Can't get enough of this place, best bar food in Chicago.

The fried jalapenos have indeed made it on to the appetizer list (although not yet the printed menu). They are definitely worth lining your stomach for. The onion rings were even better--the best fried food I've ever had. Curiously enough the wings arrived dry. Don't get me wrong--they were properly cooked and flavorful enough. It's just that there was not even a smidgen of sauce to like off my eager fingers.
That said, Toons is probably the best place to chill on a sunny afternoon. Danny does it up right. A couple of days later we hit North Pond for brunch, which was exquisite, but they couldn't hold a candle to the Toons neighborhood goodness.

Was there a better place to be in Chicagoland yesterday afternoon than Toon's? Nope. Another great afternoon with great food, drink, and friends new and old.

The annual crawfish boil was great, hundreds of pounds of perfectly cooked mudbugs thanks to kevin & danny(they have the preperation down). The muffaletta with Anne's housemade olive dressing was also great. Pineapple vodka & cazadores shots flowed as well as the Three Floyds, and Miller High Lifes. Great to see da beef, Kenny and his family, Dansch, and Jen out for an the afternoon of fun. Topped off with a White Sox winner.

some pics of the bugs:







thanks again danny and staff for a great event.

Damn, those mudbugs look fantastic!! I had planned on going with my family but that plan was trumped by my mom's birthday party thrown together at the last minute.

I was skeptical about the reports saying that this place puts out high-quality food. It's just a bar after all, without any of the trendy gastropub marketing angle. I was actually quite impressed with the food. Solid frying across the board, from the fries to the wings to the catfish. As for the barbecue, I thought it was good, not great, but I'm quite serious about my barbecue. Not Smoque quality, but certainly better than the likes of Smoke Daddy. The rub is quite aggressive, lending an almost jerky-like quality to the bark on the ribs I had. I also thought the ribs were somewhat dry, but then again they seemed to be babybacks, never my first choice. Wings were very good, had two orders. More buttery than hot or vinegary, but well-cooked and sauced.

The lame part of my visit was that my server wasn't particularly accommodating. At all. Wanted to try a barbecue sampler--perhaps a quarter slab of ribs, some pork, and some turkey. Apparently absolutely not an option. I asked nicely. I said I'd heard a lot of great stuff about their barbecue. No dice. Something about the meats being pre-portioned. Perhaps, but the place was pretty close to empty and it wouldn't have overly taxed the question, however small it may be. Paying wasn't an issue either, I just didn't feel like ordering and eating a half-slab of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, and a pulled turkey sandwich. I thought this complete lack of hospitality and accommodation was rather lame and contrary to the vibe of a neighborhood bar.

BryanZ wrote:I was skeptical about the reports saying that this place puts out high-quality food. It's just a bar after all, without any of the trendy gastropub marketing angle. I was actually quite impressed with the food.

The lame part of my visit was that my server wasn't particularly accommodating. At all. Wanted to try a barbecue sampler--perhaps a quarter slab of ribs, some pork, and some turkey. Apparently absolutely not an option...Paying wasn't an issue either, I just didn't feel like ordering and eating a half-slab of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, and a pulled turkey sandwich.

But you would go back for the part you enjoyed?

As far as getting a bite of everything you are interested in on the menu, join us the next time we are at Toons, usually we post or if not, I will make sure we PM you. That way, we can order the itmes of interests and share with the group, ordering power...LTH ordering power...easily fixed.

It's always a good time all around at Toons, especially paired with good food and company.

BryanZ wrote:The lame part of my visit was that my server wasn't particularly accommodating. At all. Wanted to try a barbecue sampler--perhaps a quarter slab of ribs, some pork, and some turkey. Apparently absolutely not an option. I asked nicely. I said I'd heard a lot of great stuff about their barbecue. No dice. Something about the meats being pre-portioned. Perhaps, but the place was pretty close to empty and it wouldn't have overly taxed the question, however small it may be. Paying wasn't an issue either, I just didn't feel like ordering and eating a half-slab of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, and a pulled turkey sandwich. I thought this complete lack of hospitality and accommodation was rather lame and contrary to the vibe of a neighborhood bar.

Although it would have been very nice of them to create a sample platter for you, I have a hard time seeing it as "lame" that they didn't. To me, being a neighborhood bar means keeping things simple. What may be a reasonable accommodation at a high-end restaurant may not be as reasonable as a so-called neighborhood bar. I think it is best to take the view that you don't know their constraints - what is easy for them to accommodate and what isn't, who is in charge that night and who isn't - and so what might seem reasonable to you isn't always that reasonable.

If paying wasn't an issue, why not order what you want and take the rest home (or just leave it there)? Or just order two of the three BBQ items you suggested? (But I don't know your constraints, after all, and so what seems perfectly reasonable to me may not be that reasonable to you.)

I would go back for the food, and it wasn't that I was so turned off by the fact that they couldn't put together a plate of a few meats but the attitude. The kitchen is small, I saw it. The server claimed the meats were pre-portioned. I get that, sort of. Simply putting on an air of asking the kitchen or even simply apologizing would've gone a wrong way. Literally, the answer I received was a flat out, "No."

BryanZ wrote:The lame part of my visit was that my server wasn't particularly accommodating. At all. Wanted to try a barbecue sampler--perhaps a quarter slab of ribs, some pork, and some turkey. Apparently absolutely not an option. I asked nicely. I said I'd heard a lot of great stuff about their barbecue. No dice. Something about the meats being pre-portioned. Perhaps, but the place was pretty close to empty and it wouldn't have overly taxed the question, however small it may be. Paying wasn't an issue either, I just didn't feel like ordering and eating a half-slab of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, and a pulled turkey sandwich. I thought this complete lack of hospitality and accommodation was rather lame and contrary to the vibe of a neighborhood bar.

I am sure part of BryanZ's disappointment stems from his impression from some of the posts on this thread.

LTHers stopping by, Danny was 'in da house', samples being passed around (sometimes free). As BrianZ mentioned, he even asked nicely and would of paid for a 'sampler'.

But you cannot expect that type of treatment unless you are a regular or a friend. Many restaurants will have a set menu and will not create a special platter. If the owner was not present the staff would not know how to price or portion such a thing. Maybe if Danny was there and had some time to chat...

Yes, but at least the staff could be dishonest with you for Pete's sake! Did they have to be so upfront and clear about it?!?!

I find the explanation by the server very reasonable. Especially with the ribs, it's not rocket science to figure out that if they cut a half slab in half, give you a quarter, then they have a quarter slab of ribs left over. This then is immediately eaten by the staff and the restaurant loses. The pulled pork and chicken is a different story but most likely they do portion everything out, in a tiny kitchen those small steps are much needed.

In my experience there really is only one server at Toons (younger hispanic guy who used to be busboy that did everything until Danny killed the lazy servers and let the kid make some money) and he has never been anything but courteous and efficient even when the place is packed.