Review of GNR Classes of 2011/2012/2013

I have posted the newest survey reviewing the classes of 2011, 2012 and 2013 below. The previous surveys are still posted in the GNR forum. One survey left to go for the most recently awards GNRs, I hope to put it together sometime next week.

https://goo.gl/forms/lgQewcy2Lficb8id2

As of now we have received 24 responses to this survey. I'll keep it open a little longer to hopefully collect some more responses.

Can you post a list of those who have responded--it's only our actual ballots that are secret--not that we've responded at all. I can't remember if I've responded to all of these or not and I don't want to vote twice, Chicago traditions not withstanding!

Here is who has filled out this survey so far

annak
Bnowell724
chapulin
Cilantro
Darren72
Dave148
dumpstermcnuggets
edc
eieileen
ekreider
EvA
G Wiv
Gnarchief
janeyb
Jefe
JeffB
JoelF
laikom
leek
mbh
noneoftheabove
pairs4life
RAB
Santander
sue raphael
The GP
the wimperoo
thetrob
turkob
vital information
willg

Onur,

Are you sure I haven't completed this? I don't want to double-enter but I'm pretty sure I did complete it.

Thanks,

=R=

Just double checked, your survey has not been submitted.

turkob wrote:Just double checked, your survey has not been submitted.

Now done.

=R=

I just submitted my entry also. I'm pretty sure I've done all of them now.

We're up to 39 responses which is great. I'll leave this survey open to allow some time for people to digest the results from 2005-2009. I'll probably return to post the results in mid-January after the dust has settled.

Apologies for the long break. Here are the results from the third survey of four.

During compilation of the results, I noticed that I forgot to include Big Jones. My apologies for the oversight. They will have to be left out of the discussion for this round.

Thank you to the following people who participated in the survey (46 total):

annak
Bnowell724
Boudreaulicious
bweiny
chapulin
Cilantro
Darren72
Dave148
DJH
dumpstermcnuggets
edc
eieileen
ekreider
erottenberg
EvA
G Wiv
gastro gnome
Gnarchief
indianbadger
janeyb
Jefe
JeffB
jeffheif1
JoelF
laikom
leek
LynnB
mbh
mhl
noneoftheabove
nr706
pairs4life
puckjam
pudgym29
RAB
ronnie_suburban
Santander
Stevez
sue raphael
The GP
the wimperoo
thetrob
turkob
vital information
WhyBeeSea
willg

Results as follows:

Class of 2011
2011 by Onur Usmen, on Flickr

Class of 2012
2012 by Onur Usmen, on Flickr

Class of 2013
2013 by Onur Usmen, on Flickr

Here are my initial thoughts.

Still GNRs
Anteprima
Aroy Thai
Avli Estiatorio
Bad Apple
Big & Little's
Butcher and Larder
Cafe Orchid
Da Rae Jung
Dancen
D'Candela
Edzo's Burger Shop
El Ideas
Floriole Cafe and Bakery
Ghareeb Nawaz
Go 4 Food
Great Sea
Jimmy's Pizza Cafe
Kabul House
La Chaparrita
Monti's
Mr. D's Shish-Kabobs
Nha Hang Vietnam
Owen and Engine
Pleasant House Pub
Purple Pig
Ream's Meat Market
Red Hot Ranch
Romanian Kosher Sausage Company
Scofflaw
Three Floyds Brewery
Toons Bar and Grill
Troha's Chicken and Shrimp House
Xoco

Require Discussion
Barnaby's of Northbrook
Rip's Tavern
Taqueria Los Gallos #2

No Longer GNRs
Cho Jung
Inovasi

turkob wrote:Require Discussion
Barnaby's of Northbrook
Rip's Tavern
Taqueria Los Gallos #2

Barnaby's of Northbrook is most definitely a GNR. It's favorite of the LTH North Lunch Group. Tavern style pizza that's consistently good. The cornmeal dusted crust is one of a kind. What's not to love about this gem?

Dave148 wrote:What's not to love about this gem?

Could it be the sausage that tastes like dog food?

I love Barnaby's of Northbrook and it's a quintessential GNR. It's distinctive and delicious and I agree with Dave that it's a true gem. This is not artisanal pizza but one of the best, unique takes on tavern-style that's being served anywhere in Chicagoland.

And I completely disagree with Steve about the sausage. It's got a bit more fennel than my ideal sausage but it's still deliciously flavorful. I'd put it up against just about anything being served at other thin-crust joints around town. I also think they do an exemplary job of applying it to their pizzas. The piece size is perfect, so it develops a nice crust while retaining some juiciness. And there's just enough on the pizza so that you get some in every bite without the overall pizza suffering from being overloaded.

The place has been around and thriving since 1969. There's a reason for that. This is the best pizza north of the city, bar none. And it'd be top-tier in its category in no matter where it was located. Definitely a GNR in my book.

=R=

I couldn’t agree more with Ron about the Northbrook Barnaby’s. It is my family’s GNR.

We gather there with family every June to celebrate my son’s birthday. We went just last week on Valentine’s Day and put up with an hour wait to get our heart-shaped pizzas. They had the place decked out with hearts and balloons. We try not to eat a ton of pizza, but find ourselves looking for things to celebrate so we can “justify” a visit to Barnaby’s. No doubt if we didn’t live close, we’d still happily make the trek.

The grown ups’ regular order is sausage, green olive, and pickled jalapeños — well done. My son does half black olive, half pepperoni. For me, the crust is what’s magic, and I cherish those first few bites when the pie has cooled just enough to not burn the room of my mouth.

I grew up in the area and have fond memories of our Barnaby’s visits. I’m thrilled that my son will also get to enjoy this neighborhood gem, hopefully throughout his childhood and years beyond.

Ronna

Barnaby's not a GNR? Seriously? If I could only eat one pizza in Chicagoland-hell, anywhere--ever again, Barnaby's would be my pick.

And the dog food comment is crazy. Love you Steve but that's nuts. And since you like Marie's, we'll have to agree to disagree on what tastes good and bad

boudreaulicious wrote:Barnaby's not a GNR? Seriously? If I could only eat one pizza in Chicagoland-hell, anywhere--ever again, Barnaby's would be my pick.

And the dog food comment is crazy. Love you Steve but that's nuts. And since you like Marie's, we'll have to agree to disagree on what tastes good and bad

That's why they make 31 flavors.

I'm perfectly willing to admit that I'm in the minority when it comes to Barnaby's. I wouldn't say no to it remaining a GNR. I just don't like it personally, and I do eat there without complaint when circumstances dictate.

stevez wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:Barnaby's not a GNR? Seriously? If I could only eat one pizza in Chicagoland-hell, anywhere--ever again, Barnaby's would be my pick.

And the dog food comment is crazy. Love you Steve but that's nuts. And since you like Marie's, we'll have to agree to disagree on what tastes good and bad

That's why they make 31 flavors.

I'm perfectly willing to admit that I'm in the minority when it comes to Barnaby's. I wouldn't say no to it remaining a GNR. I just don't like it personally, and I do eat there without complaint when circumstances dictate.

Perhaps minority but not alone. I understand that there is a lot of Barnaby's love; it is not, however, universal.

It's funny, I lived in Niles until 5th grade. In those years, Barnaby's was a regular place, right up there with Booby's and Arvey's as places I remember going to a lot. Of course the prevailing memory of Barnaby's was of waiting forever for our pizza. Then, we moved to Northbrook. There, we almost never went to Barnaby's. In fact, not only did we like Tonelli's a 1000x more, Tonelli's would be in my top 5 all time most missed restaurants (excluding their downhill years).

I've hit Barnaby's a few times over the years since, including not that long ago with some old Northbrook friends in for the night. I still miss Tonelli's.

It's not bad pizza, just not Tonelli's.

I didn't get to vote for Barnaby's of Northbrook to remain a GNR but I definitely would have (and my brother would vote yes). It's still one of my absolute favorite pizzas anywhere. I like the fennel sausage and of course I love that magic crust. Even my friend from Philadelphia loved it and he's big on East Coast style. It's been a GNR for me since the 70's when I first had it.

I recently dined at BoN for the first time and felt the charm. The pizza was pretty good, consistently crunchy-bottomed, cornmeal heavy. Didn't try the sausage, it was my wife's turn (she's pepperoni, I'm sausage). It probably doesn't break into my top tier tavern-style though– its distinctive quality for me was more about the looks of the crimp rather than a stand-out flavor profile.

That said, I respect the deep sentiment around here and I know a bunch of Northbrook natives who love this place like it was a member of their own family. And on that one outing, over the holidays, the place was aglow with cheer and family togetherness. What's not to love?

On a similar note– while I've never been to Rip's, I think it should also be filed in the landmark department, like Barnaby's, a frozen-in-amber tavern that I'll bet still does things the same way they have for decades. Its actually not much more of a drive from where I live than BoN, so while its a destination for many of us, it seems to have deep reverence within its own neck-of-the-woods.

Frequency of board discussion seems like one qualifier for the GNRs, but I personally value spots that serve their communities the old-fashioned way.

turkob wrote:Require Discussion
Barnaby's of Northbrook
Rip's Tavern

I dig both Rip's and Barnaby's of Northbrook, if they were closer I'd frequent both. Rip's and Barnaby's of Northbrook resonate with a well represented segment of LTHers and are both institutions in their own right.

Rip's Tavern and Barnaby's of Northbrook keeping their GNR, Yes, absolutely, Count me a Fan!