Marshall K wrote:According to Oak Park.com, Winberie's 151 N Oak Park Ave. will be closing its doors December 28

https://mobile.oakpark.com/News/Article ... g-Dec.-28/

I still miss The Cheese Cellar.
The quirky step up wooden booths, the ‘blackened’ dishes.

I was sad to see them downsize and open up the bar.

A fixture for many years.

Oof!
I am old.
Pretty sure I was a lad in OP when Winberie's freakin opened.

Back in the day, their Sunday Brunch after church was a lil chubby "foodie" kid's dream.

I was ALL ABOUT the waffle station, and the sauteed to order pasta station. I still fully remember my parents facepalming when my sister and I would go to back to the waffle station for the third time.
If they still have it, I might trek over there one last Sunday. Haven't been there in forever.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:New in the hood...

Mancini's
1111 Lake St, Oak Park

... appears to have reopened. Thought there might be a name change now that Chef Vincehas taken over fromthe Mancini Family.

Probably a connection to...
Mancini's Chophouse
1807 Division St, Melrose Park

Which also appears to be somewhat new.

Color me wrong.

Stopped at...

Carm's Beef
1057 W Polk St, Chicago, IL 60607

039B610F-A74B-47C5-9419-9892E05E154F.jpeg

... for nostalgias sake (and only) and the owner asked where I was from with my Hawaiian shirt, “Oak Park”, and he mentioned his wife is good friends with the Mancini Family.

The Old Man got out several years ago and his daughter (in law?) took over operations. Was open for a few years and finally closed.

“Old Man Mancini is definitely back running the restaurant“.

I asked about Chef Vince and he replied...

“I don’t know nuttin about this guy Vince. It’s Old Man Mancini.”

That didn’t last long...

https://mobile.oakpark.com/News/Article ... ke-Street/

Tre Sorelle Ristorante, located at 1111 Lake St. in Oak Park and formerly known as the original Mancini's, is scheduled to open on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

"After more than 40 years in the business, I thought I had retired," said Tre Sorelle owner Al Mancini. "But, I am happy to be back and know I still have it in me to run this place."

El Faro #2
3422 S Harlem Ave, Riverside

... is now open at the location of the old Riverside Family Restaurant (RIP).

I've been kinda waiting for El Faro to open. It's down the block from me. I plan on doing a "one of each" taco lunch tomorrow. Expectations are...tempered. I remember high school late nights at the El Faro on Archer in Summit. Yeah...expectations are...tempered.

seebee wrote:I remember high school late nights at the El Faro on Archer in Summit.

For my crew and I, it was always A burrito as big as yo’ head. Rarely taco’s.

We were also more in the El Famous (before the mass franchise) camp.

It was a little jarring seeing lights on and plenty of cars parked there after 10 p.m. on a week night. My Riverside Restaurant cravings are still strong, but will no doubt check it out after giving them a few week's time to get going.

I Faroled for lunchies today.
Nothing special, as expected. Prices were decent - about 2 bux per taco, lengua was 2.98.

Pork was easily the best. It was a saucy pastor, not oversalty, not sweet.

Steak was average at best. (There's just no way it's ever gonna beat Zacatacos down the street.)

Chicken was stewed white and dark meat. Heavily flavored with Mexican oregano.

Lengua was probably 2nd best of the lot. It wasn't seasoned though. Like, at ALL. Kinda funny, in fact. Just grey tongue parts - no seasoning. Tender though. I'd easily get it again.

Their menu listed "guisado" tacos, but they had no guisados today.

I'm sure everything will taste different on any given day, but I'd only go back for the Pastor and the lengua.

They have a salsa bar set up with a few damn fine salsas. One was just a standard blender pico de gallo - fresh veggies, not pureed. The other was a green that looked like it might be avocado based. Those two were very good. The others were a standard, basic, tomatillo. I didn't try the red yet, but it looks like it has potential for deep roasted red chile flavor. It wasn't just red water looking. The salsa bar had escabeche to load up on as well.

When the mood strikes, I'd probably happily employ this place for a breakfast burrito on my work from home days. Zacatacos a few blocks south shouldn't be worried, but Farol's pork and lengua are serviceable.

seebee wrote:I Faroled for lunchies today.

How were the crowds?

pudgym29 wrote:

thetrob wrote: Pork and Mindy's files for bankruptcy:
{snipped for copyright concerns}
..A Chapter 7 (bankruptcy) usually leads to liquidation.

O.K., Jeff. We know you're a member here. Don't allow us to speculate what went wrong with the operation.
Tell us what.

Hi all. sorry for chiming in late here. Truth is, I was nervous to visit this thread for some reason....shame I guess, letting down my community...especially with the EP location and the somewhat lackluster Mariano's execution.

There is a story, yet its not time to tell it publically. I promise i will in due time. In the meantime, I'm planning on doing a pop-up food truck in the neighborhood after the holidays. Getting back to my deli roots and just cooking and serving for a couple days...food very near and dear to me. Deliciously fun stuff I've been playing with for a while....

I'll keep you all posted.

cheffjeff wrote: I'll keep you all posted.

Jeff, I have mad respect for you. Trying with a stumble or two is admirable, never trying not so much. Can't wait to see the next iteration, your biggest fan, G Wiv!

Oh, and something I learned along the way, just because someone asks a question, even if you know the answer, does not mean you are under obligation to answer.

Keep on keeping on!

Jeff Mauro, count me a Fan!

Kalamata Kitchen had a soft opening yesterday Dec 13. We were among the first 10 visitors, but the very first flaming Saganaki! Everyone shouts Opa! The entire staff was so friendly and inviting. The food is fantastic, great job!
We had the Kokkinisto, Colorado lamb braised in their special tomato sauce with briami
And Hellas Fix to wash it all down.

Panther in the Den wrote:

seebee wrote:I Faroled for lunchies today.

How were the crowds?

It was Friday 12:45pm-ish. No crowds to speak of - 6 tacos took about 5 minutes after ordering. The parking lot looked like there was a crowd, but it was mostly empty.

I might dare try enchiladas next time, just to see if there's any hope beyond breakfast burritos.

I kid - really the pastor was pretty decent.

In the same neighborhood, La Estancia (downtown Riverside) continues to put out great product and has added a very tasty mole to the menu. Their pork remains a cut above. I haven't been to this Faro yet, but I'm very familiar with the Summit location.

stoutisgoodfood wrote:In the same neighborhood, La Estancia (downtown Riverside) continues to put out great product and has added a very tasty mole to the menu. Their pork remains a cut above. I haven't been to this Faro yet, but I'm very familiar with the Summit location.

Well...
Panther'll be out annexing down Burlington soon.
La Barra, Estancia, Empanadus.

seebee wrote:Well...
Panther'll be out annexing down Burlington soon.
La Barra, Estancia, Empanadus

Been there, done that.

Estancia? That’s the little place across from the water tower? Nice little mom and pop place (maybe just Mom?), good food.



Doomed location though, I wish them well!

Never really wanted to try La Barra. Don’t know why?

cheffjeff wrote:

pudgym29 wrote:

thetrob wrote: Pork and Mindy's files for bankruptcy:
{snipped for copyright concerns}
..A Chapter 7 (bankruptcy) usually leads to liquidation.

O.K., Jeff. We know you're a member here. Don't allow us to speculate what went wrong with the operation.
Tell us what.

Hi all. sorry for chiming in late here. Truth is, I was nervous to visit this thread for some reason....shame I guess, letting down my community...especially with the EP location and the somewhat lackluster Mariano's execution.

There is a story, yet its not time to tell it publically. I promise i will in due time. In the meantime, I'm planning on doing a pop-up food truck in the neighborhood after the holidays. Getting back to my deli roots and just cooking and serving for a couple days...food very near and dear to me. Deliciously fun stuff I've been playing with for a while....

I'll keep you all posted.

Jeff, like everyone, we were very surprised and saddened to hear of PnM's closures. Good thing you're still young and strong and able to snap back, which I'm sure you will. Maybe we'll see you at the gym a little more often now (at least in the short term; just looking on the bright side over here). Best,
David

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Restaurant Row
Gringo & Blondie Taqueria & Churreria - Summer

Open!

The attachment 9519F01B-D54D-4438-BED6-B57E1D5693F0.jpeg is no longer available

Not that bad. Meat tender and had a small amount of chew but that I would attribute to the meat not being overcooked.

A nice flame broiled fragrance but that flavor didn’t come through that strong on the taste.

Pretty wet but not greasy leading me to believe it was from the ‘bucket o’ grease’ and maybe that washed away some of the char flavor?

The tortilla seemed small but it was well filled. Single tortilla. Soft.

Radish (?!) on the side with a wedge of lime.


Amazingly enough the quesadilla was the star of the show! Savory chicken, very flavorful cheese that wept enough grease to make things damp. Appeared it was dry griddled as the tortilla was delaminating.

Red and green hot sauce with the green having more bite and flavor. Neither had a lot of bite and can be applied liberally.

Chips and Pico de Gallo = $4

The owner (Gringo) is also the Italian owner of Massa Cafe Italiano (7434) a block east. I didn’t expect that but I’m not surprised. I’d be willing to bet his wife is Blondie?

Busy enough with half of the 8 tables filled. Half the restaurant is gambling behind the wall.

Minimum service. Counter ordering and they bring it out to you. You are on your own for silverware, water and hot sauce. Went to the counter with my tray of leftovers and they handed the tray back with a carry out container for me to fill.

Judging the $3+ taco places the nod goes to Chirrion on Madison.

Am I the only sophomoric doof who the light green Dairy Queen swirl reminds of, well, a light green dairy queen deuce topknot plopped upon . . .

As if someone finished off a large meal with a bunch of celery/parsley/mint.


Mods, delete at will.

Edit: Disregard (Plumbing issue for a day)

La Bella Pasteria
1103 South Blvd, Oak Park


I know nothing...

Good food weekend in the Republic.
Yesterday Mickey's hit a home run on both the beef and the Chicago style dog (fries we're a solid "meh").
Today the girls and I tried Cajun Boil & Bar. The food was REALLY good and the people were friendly. The only think holding me back on this place in the inscrutable choice to blare music at dance club levels, even on a Sunday afternoon. I'll give it one more shot but I can't see returning with any regularity to a place that literally gave me a headache by the time we left.

G Wiv wrote:Am I the only sophomoric doof who the light green Dairy Queen swirl reminds of, well, a light green dairy queen deuce topknot plopped upon . . .

As if someone finished off a large meal with a bunch of celery/parsley/mint.

The attachment PiD1.jpg is no longer available

Mods, delete at will.

Elves

One of the only possible justifications for catch-all threads like this is when a restaurant showing is so poor one deliberately does not want to call attention to it in its own spotlight, and that's the case for me with Chirrion on Madison in Forest Park.

The $13 flautas and $14 enchiladas and $20 carnes could be more readily associated with addresses like the former Las Piñatas near Second City or someplace with the creativity of Sol de Mexico, and here it is absolutely basic Norteño / Tampiqueño with (on my two visits) tired fishy oil for everything deep-fried and one-dimensional marinated chewy meats prepared on a griddle. Salsas taste like they have artificial lime and guacamole watered down, boring bouillon cube rice, and overly sweet horchata sideline any possible endorsement.

The one notable item is their finely shredded slaw with matchsticked radish that comes as a side salad or taco topping alternative (to cilantro and onion). The late Axcan on the other side of Madison was so pleasant for a few years for me, and it seems like everything else Mexican on both sides of the street has failed; a low bar. At least Hecho en Oak Park sings and I have been re-won over by Paco at New Rebozo for special events. I should hasten to mention Gringo & Blondie's which I hope to write up soon is bright and fun, especially for the churros, hard-to-find cemitas, scratch frescas, and iced Mexican coffees.

Closed.

First Riverside on Harlem and now this place.

Little Bohemia Restaurant (RIP)
25 E Burlington St, Riverside

Always good enough for what it was.

https://www.oakparkeats.com/food-news/c ... riverside/

An E-mail from Autre Mond:

Sandwich Pop Up with Hermosa
Stay tuned for this delicious collaboration coming in late February, we will team up with our friend, Chef Ethan Lim for a fun and fabulous sandwich pop up. In place of our normal dinner menu we will offer a menu of sandwiches which will represent a selection of delicious choices created by our Chefs and items created by Chef Lim which will represent his fabulous array of asian influenced sandwiches such as the delicious Cambodian Chicken Sandwich pictured here. We will partner and feature some craft brews and boozy floats. The official announcement will appear shortly on our FB page!

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Yay! More tacos and burrito bowls!

Opening soon (in spring?)...

currito A nationwide chain.
Between GNC at 1112 Lake St, Oak Park and Fitzgerald's Fine Stationery (somewhat of an odd storefront that shares an entrance).

https://currito.com/

At first I thought it was a vegetarian place until I saw...

... choose from grilled chicken, grilled steak...

Panther in the Den wrote:currito - Sign down

Sign is back up

... and open!

Greens! Grains! Smoothies!

Oh Boy! (not)


Currito
1100 Lake St #165, Oak Park

Obsessed Kitchen (in the former Kinderhook space) has closed.

There was a story in the Wednesday Journal the other week about them looking for a buyer, or maybe even having a buyer.

TSmitty wrote:Obsessed Kitchen (in the former Kinderhook space) has closed.

This is sad news.

Closest to our house we would visit fairly often(apparently not often enough) and with the outdoor patio it was friendly to stroll over with our dog.

No bad reviews here. Good bartenders whipping up good drinks. Comfortable atmosphere.

Gonna miss their Big Bowl of Brussel Sprouts...


... and great cheeseburgers...

Panther in the Den wrote:Closest to our house we would visit fairly often(apparently not often enough) and with the outdoor patio it was friendly to stroll over with our dog.

Wednesday Journal has some quotes that it was a personal decision and that the place was bought very quickly - so not really related to popularity/economics. I'm hopeful something good will fill the space. I felt like every time I thought about heading over to Obsessed it was closed... our schedules were simply not aligned.