Changing Spaces

Will adding a green/pink line stop on Lake and Morgan Street change West Loop dining?

Possibly.
But it looks like West Loop is already changing faces, and doing so quite rapidly I might add. Apartment complexes, lofts and buisness sprout weekly. Historically the Fulton River District (or West Loop) was known to be somewhat of a cross-roads to moving people and products. Chicago's first railroad terminal was built along Kinzie and Canal around the 1840's. And between the current Ogilvie station and the Kennedy Expressway this area is still host to moving mass amounts of people and products. Over the years the transportation mecca of the Fulton River district had settled to a warehousing district storing much of the products that were shipped. Flash forward to today and you can still see some of the old warehouses between newly developed condo's.  And the city is taking notice to these changes too. In fact, the CTA is currently in the middle of a $38 million dollar project to add a stop off the Green/Pink lines just west of the loop at Morgan street.
Why does this interest me? Besides avoiding the traffic on Lake street? Because what this stop will likely do for the West Loop dining.

Well-known Restaurant Row sits in this area of rapid change and has been seeing some changes of it's own. Relatively recent additions include Girl & Goat, Maude's, & Haymarket. While Marche and Red Light close their doors I can only imagine the restaurant investors who are quick to swoop up the reputable location.Lets not fail to mention the Northern neighbors Next & Aviary amidst the veteran's Moto and Publican.
The new stop sits just north of Randolph and south of Fulton. What a strategically perfect location that will surely make the vastly un-reachable stretch of Clinton to Ashland more accessible.
And while the clientele to these restaurants are more likely to cab it to their $100+ dinners the buissness owners should take note. Opening up shop in this area is probably a good idea.

So while Fulton Warehouse districts fisheries and meat markets are close to extinction I really hope the roots of this area remain intact. Fulton has become a new cross-roads between the suburbanites on the Metra, the Expressway traffic, the diverse Green line clintele, the horse and buggy's which head toward Michigan Avenue and the well-to-do restaurant row diners. I'm sure this wasn't what the city's first railroad terminal could have ever imagined would might pass along their brick roads back in the late 1800's but kudos to Fulton River for becoming a sort of new new-cross roads. And here's hoping the changes don't over-take this neighborhoods historic charm.

This is Neat

I thought I'd share this. Because it's neat. And has nothing to do with a restaurant. And because this summer I hope to drive to the Pacific Ocean. Maybe I'll stop in Colorado for some Rainbow Trout.

Happy Tuesday.

Kuma's Corner

Hi there. Ever eat at Kuma's? Well it's awesome and I suggest you go. My friend Megan and I had amazing burgers/sandwiches at Longman & Eagle a while back and in talking about burgers we realized neither of us have been to Kuma's, the Chicago burger staple. We vowed to check out Kuma's eventually so we dash over mid-week and had no problem being seated. I've heard stories of people waiting hours upon hours but mid-to-early week seems perfect. Her culinary friend- turned nursing student lives in nearby Logan square and joined us. She's had almost every burger on the menu so getting suggestions was nice. Just so you know this is not a place that takes any BS. So the group of college boys that walk in stunned that they can't accommodate their group of 7, please go back to the Tin Lizzie and stop being jerks.

For starters we got the Fried Calamari Spicy Cherry Peppers and Lemon Aioli. The calamari was perfect, not too much breading (hate when that happens) and I loved the crispy lemons and peppers. Next up the burgers. Oh yea, this place is known for these bad boys and I can see why they self proclaim to be the "Best Burgers in Chicago!". Mostly named after heavy metal bands all are served on a pretzel bun and offer unique artery clogging combination's. Please don't bring your vegetarian friend. 


The first burger pictured is: the Goatwhore a 10 oz. patty, fried salami, provolone, & olive giardiniera salad (Sorry for the blurry photo, my pet peeve). Next up the Plague Bringer Roasted Garlic Mayo, Tortilla Strips, House Made Hot Sauce, Fresh Garlic, Pepper Jack, & Sliced Jalapenos.
And finally the Iron Maiden with Avocado, Cherry Peppers, Pepper Jack, & Chipotle Mayo. I got the iron maiden, and it was amazing. I loved the mayo and pepper jack it was a nice spicy touch. The fries were also great. Perfectly golden. Overall we were very pleased with our burgers.

For drinks my friends ordered beers (lagunita's Little Sumpin' ale) while I ordered a Red Apple gourmet soda. I opted for a change of pace and ordered this lovely sweet soda because I've been really into soda flavor combination's lately. I've even started making my own ginger ale from this recipe. Yum.

My first trip to Kuma's was a success. The burgers were great and just what I had expected , if not better. I can't wait to come back and try another.

Bar Deville

Hope you don't mind my random deviations from food talk- to bar talk but it's hard to escape the unique watering holes in Chicago...
So I thought I'd add to my previous post about my weekend and talk about an evening at Bar Deville. I've been here before, and it never fails to disappoint. I stumbled into this place a couple months back after a friend brought us here. I was totally surprised by what I found inside this little Ukrainian Village gem. From the owners of Victory/Empire Liquor they've added a more chill low-key dive to their Empire.

The decor and ambiance are so unlike most common Chicago bars. The front bar is pretty neat, with a back-lit bar and seating all around. The bathrooms are almost ridiculously small but work. The middle room is a pool room with black lacquer walls and a huge creepy Elk hanging front and center. Very much what I picture what my Dad would want out of a man cave. And finally there is the back room, the gem. Don't forget it exists because this is where the dance floor, Dj and other bar are. Not to mention the amazing vintage couches and seating lining the parameter. Where am I? seriously it's like a cross between a vintage store and someone's living room. I love it. The crowd rocks too. A nice (but not overwhelming) mixture of Hipsters, and the like. We're talking more Violet Hour and less Beauty Bar. I especially love the photo-booth (but hey, $5a bit much huh?) and Friday night Dj's.

The drinks in the front room consist of the signature classics along with mixed concoctions. This particular weekend I opted to start with the Sidecar, which left me happy. Realllly happy. If you want something less pungent, try an upscale brew or do as the hipsters do and drink a PBR, regardless they have lots to choose from. Just don't forget to stop at the Atm though, Cash only.