The Illinois Machine Shed

Good breakfast. Portions very good sized.
REVISED:  portions still big, but quality inconsistent.  First time was great, second not so much.  Had my second time been my first, there wouldn’t have been a second.

Uncle Nick’s

the best gyros i have ever had in my life.  i once saw a prostitute out in a police car here.  it’s the best.

Smoke House

The owners are a family of very cool black people who make me picture giant family bbq reunions like on American Gangster when Denzel Washington went to go visit his family. They were super-friendly and told us their life story about how there were about 10 siblings and a bunch of their kids worked in the restaurant too.
Now I’m getting hungry. Game over.

Beef-A-Roo

Man, is there anything on their menu that isn’t good?  If there is I havn’t found it yet.  They could serve me any random thing they make and I’d still be happy.

This place is OK. I went there couple times

Subway

Why wouldn’t I like this?

Der Rathskeller

Look, I’ve only been to the place once so maybe it was an off year or something but my wife and I were seated in their overly crowded, dank cellar.

McDonald’s

I don’t eat at McDonald’s anymore, but I can’t resist a ninety-nine cent large Diet Coke when they have them on special!
Speedy enough drive-thru, nice server.

Old Country Buffet

I like boiled cabbage, what can I say?

Olive Garden

Oh, Olive Garden….Did my trusty pair of levi’s actually rip open after I left your restaurant? Sure did. I’m also not blaming it on daily wear and tear on an old pair of jeans that I ride my bike daily in, Im blaming it on the unlimited salad and breadsticks you kept forcing upon me. Next time I will remember to wear sweatpants.

Maid-Rite Restaurant

I honestly felt like I was transported in time when I walked in the door.  The franchise was started in 1926 and like that year, I was depressed.

Lord and Penix BBQ

1889 Santa Monica is a private residence in a middle class Rockford neighborhood. There was no sign in the front yard or anything else to indicate this is a restaurant, much less a business.

Not really sure what Michael W. was talking about.  The restaurant isn’t on Santa Monica, it’s on Alpine, and yes, it is a restaurant, not a private residence.

David, the founder of the elusive “Club Sandwich” sandwich club, turned me on to what has to be the best Mexican sandwich in Chicago. Most of us are familiar with the many delicious tortas around town, but if you think this is just another torta you have no idea how wrong you are. It’s called a “Cemita”, which is a local sandwhich from Puebla, Mexico. I can’t really describe how good this thing is. It’s so fresh and has the perfect balance of meat/sauce/bread/cheese. Worth the drive or bike ride out to sketchy West Logan Square.

If that doesn’t convince you, here’s a video of an overweight, loud, obnoxious, sunburned, “tv personality”  in a segment called Grabbin a Sandwich. Thanks Guy!

Click here to view the embedded video.