What's the first place you'll go eat after . . . (too soon)?

So, after the coronavirus mess is behind us, what's the first place you'll go eat? I hope it's not too soon to discuss this relatively happy matter.

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Monica's in Prospect Heights (also Mundelein) has a fair chance of being that. Their service and food have always been top-notch, and they're currently closed, one of the few places nearby that isn't doing carry-out during the crisis. Really good salsas, and their barbacoa makes an amazing burrito. Skip the ground beef or steak, you want braised meats in there.

Spacca Napoli! It's great as take out (we live pretty close) but there's nothing like one of their pistachio pizzas fresh out of the oven...

Hwang Dae Gham, mom & pop Korean restaurant in Mundelein. LTH North Lunch Bunch has met there a time or two.

Maybe kimchi jjigae, maybe bibim bap, for sure steamed mandu and oh, the variety of banchan! May even celebrate with a large OB beer.

I had planned to finally hit A Place By Damao with a few friends of mine and then this all happened. I thought about ordering takeout during this shelter-in-home, but every day that I've checked, their website says they're not accepting orders -- nor are they answering their phone, which I suppose is to be expected.

jnm123 wrote:Hwang Dae Gham, mom & pop Korean restaurant in Mundelein. LTH North Lunch Bunch has met there a time or two.

Maybe kimchi jjigae, maybe bibim bap, for sure steamed mandu and oh, the variety of banchan! May even celebrate with a large OB beer.

I’ll meet Jay in Mundelein.

I suspect it'll be summer, and a sausage on the roof at Gene's sounds like heaven at the moment.

thaiobsessed wrote:Spacca Napoli! It's great as take out (we live pretty close) ...

We’ve had take out too and were surprised at how it great it was!

Great question! Sushi, place tbd. I also want to graze my way through Chinatown, ideally with so many friends I miss!

My last place three weeks ago was Jim's for a Polish sausage. I then hightailed it home.

In my mind is a carousel of ideas with each one the desired place as it comes into view, then fades when I see the next possibility.

Presently the rotation consists of Dim Sum (location to be determined), Seafood (Captain Porky's or Boston Fish Market) or Pizza (my Dad really liked my dragging him to Wells Brothers).

I guess when this glorious day finally arrives, I will probably surprise myself with my choice

Regards,
CAthy2

ronnie_suburban wrote:So, after the coronavirus mess is behind us, what's the first place you'll go eat?

When I read this In-On Thai popped into my head. So, guess, In-On it is.

What's your pick Ronnie?

Sushi, sushi, the glorious sushi. Probably Kai-Zan, such a fave.

I have an answer to the question you asked, and also an answer to the question you didn't ask.

Answer to the question you asked: The Bagel, to see our favorite waitress who has become a dear friend outside of work. (And with whom we remain in close touch for The Duration.)

Answer to the question you didn't ask: Even after the ban is lifted, it will be some time before we feel comfortable going to a restaurant (or riding the El, or going to a movie, or shopping at Macy's, et. al.). I can predict that we will be saying, "Er, let's give this a month or two to see if the virus stays gone, or spikes because everything became permitted." We have already discussed it, and know we won't feel safe until that waiting period has passed.

(With apologies to Ronnie Suburban and his “Annual Black Friday Food Crawl”)

Our decades-old family tradition was the “Seven-Restaurant-Whiparound”, in which each family member (and, if present, each guest) got to choose a restaurant from which we would pick up takeout (delivery services being scantly available).

While this protocol was labor-intensive, it resolved the usual argument over who-gets-to-choose-dinner by simply allowing everyone to have whatever they wanted (within reason).

As parents, we congratulated ourselves for having turned a frequent source of bitter family strife into a fun experience for all. And it worked for a long time – even after our newly teen-aged son announced that his choice for including in the dinner plan for that day was Ariel, the girl who sat next to him in math class.

So, our “First Place To Eat After…” will be a Family Whiparound (involving more delivery than driving), probably from the following sources:

--Lefty’s Pizza
--Sun Wah
--Kaufman’s Deli / NY Bagel & Bialy
--Supreme Burrito #1 (teenage grandson)
--Pita Inn
--Maggiano’s
--Su Taqueria El Rey Del Taco y Sus Mariscos

Advice for difficult times:
If life deals you lemons, make lemonade; if it deals you tomatoes,
make Bloody Marys.

Daguan Noodle has already been predetermined by Jr with a bullet. Their "Hot&Spicy" broth with fish or pork chop has us hooked.

Rivaj (Wheeling work lunch Indian buffet. Haven't been in the office since.)

Lao Sze Chuan Chinatown (a few walkthroughs of Chinatown will be needed, MCCB, JMK, LTH, and various smoothies/bakeries)

Katy's in Westmont

Hmart Food Court - Our fancy ramen reserves will definitely be depleted, and when in Rome...er Seoul?

Sushi TBD, but the sushi place will be a good one. A REAL good one. We've strayed away from sushi joints the past few years for no real reason, other than it's a good project to make at home with Jr. But even then, we stick with simple maki. Not sure where we'll wind up, but it's gonna be a MF blowout.

Gene's roof sounds AMAZING.
Maybe Longman too.

Indian food go-around. I am really looking forward to Egg-O-Holic, Siri and Thattu.

One good thing the Pandemic has allowed me to do is to experiment with making Hyderabadi Irani Chai at home. I think I finally have a recipe I am happy with. So I cannot wait to get the Khara Masala Biscuits from Thattu to have with Irani Tea, accompanied with Desi Snacks from Patel bros (especially the Navratan mix and Banana Chips), Samosas and Ajmeri Kalakand from Punjab Sweets ....

Larsa’s for sure!

Red Hot Ranch on Ashland for a double cheeseburger and fries.

CSD

chicagostyledog wrote:Red Hot Ranch on Ashland for a double cheeseburger and fries

Ha! That's exactly what my son said.

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ronnie_suburban wrote:

chicagostyledog wrote:Red Hot Ranch on Ashland for a double cheeseburger and fries

Ha! That's exactly what my son said.

=R=

And my wife, who then added “I don’t care as long long as we have a babysitter”. Here, here.

Definitely sushi. Likely Ora or Sai Cafe.

ronnie_suburban wrote:

chicagostyledog wrote:Red Hot Ranch on Ashland for a double cheeseburger and fries

Ha! That's exactly what my son said.

=R=

If you're willing to carry out, they're still open. Those fries are so much better when they're fresh, but I'll settle for it during these times.

Looking forward to eating at Walker Brother’s Original Pancake House in Highland Park with a friend who is currently stuck in Arizona. It’s her favorite restaurant and my favorite way to welcome her home.

I had been on a roll discovering regional Mexican eats out by me in West Chicago. Birria at Las Tias (res & chivo + tacos dorados) and Comida Guerrerense at a new outpost of the Aurora La Quebrada (best cecina tacos I think I've ever had.) Praying these spots survive and anxious to return to them.

But in all likelihood, it'll be Katy's Westmont.

WhyBeeSea wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

chicagostyledog wrote:Red Hot Ranch on Ashland for a double cheeseburger and fries

Ha! That's exactly what my son said.

=R=

If you're willing to carry out, they're still open. Those fries are so much better when they're fresh, but I'll settle for it during these times.

Really needed a treat during this craziness and have gone to the Western location and eaten in the car. So glad they're open.

We took a ride yesterday also and found Wedl's ( Jefferson, Wi) open for take out from their little roadside hut. Two double cheeseburgers with grilled onions in their greasy glory hit perfectly. Nice change of pace.

WhyBeeSea wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

chicagostyledog wrote:Red Hot Ranch on Ashland for a double cheeseburger and fries

Ha! That's exactly what my son said.

=R=

If you're willing to carry out, they're still open. Those fries are so much better when they're fresh, but I'll settle for it during these times.

I live in Racine, WI and haven't been out of the house since March 16th. I had lunch at RHR once a week when I'm working at the Vienna Beef factory on Damen and Fullerton.

CSD

I've found myself thinking about those jerk wings at Avondale Tap or a cheesesteak at Monti's or a Reuben at The Atlantic, lately.

BrendanR wrote:or a Reuben at The Atlantic, lately.

I'm a three or four times a year regular at The Atlantic, Guinness and an order of fish & chips and/or curry fries. The one constant is lack of consistency in quality of food on offer. Seems every time I go there's a different cook, sometimes talented, sometimes not. I still remember one fellow from 5-6 years ago. He was a cook in the Navy and a talented bar food man. Always a friendly convivial place for a drink, spin the wheel on the food.

I've not had the reuben, next time at The Atlantic I'll give it a go.