Type of Food Chicago Should Have More Of? (Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates: neighborhoods, voucher)

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

huh, can't say I've heard too many people say it's awful. To me, awful is the 'cajun' place inside of Fox Valley mall, or whatever its ilk are.

I've never had a bad experience at either the original Wabash location or the Naperville location. I've never been to the Rush St. location, so I can't say how it compares.

Truthfully, I've been past Big Jones, but never inside. The menu looks pretty incredible, to say the least. I guess I'll have to put it on the list of places to try...heck, I haven't even been to Lady Gregory's _whose menu doesn't even look that exciting.)

For anyone who wants really good Southern, I recommend Big Jones. I finally had the chance to go last night, and I must say; it's delicious. I had Chicken Dumplings c. 1920 and my wife had BBQ Quail, which was tasty and interesting, to say the least.

It's hard to compare to something like Heaven on Seven which is more 'run of the mill' southern, whereas Big Jones is more upscale and specialty.

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

For anyone who wants really good Southern, I recommend Big Jones. I finally had the chance to go last night, and I must say; it's delicious. I had Chicken Dumplings c. 1920 and my wife had BBQ Quail, which was tasty and interesting, to say the least.

It's hard to compare to something like Heaven on Seven which is more 'run of the mill' southern, whereas Big Jones is more upscale and specialty.

They're different but Big Jones is operating at a high level and pulls off rather varied high end southern cooking from numerous sub-regions. It's a gem.

Lady Gregorys is pretty meh...my burger was below average and seriously overcooked.

[Vlajos]

Try Ombra if you haven't. Very good, nice wine list too.

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Try Ombra if you haven't. Very good, nice wine list too.

I have an it's wonderful...strange that Anteprima and Ombra are both so wonderful while Acre continually underwhelms me.

[Chicago76]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Portuguese food is delicious.

Here, here!

Of all of the foods that don't have a solid presence in Chicago (and there aren't many of them), I think you can basically draw a line from Portugal to Galicia and Basque Country in Spain as a broader region that is really underserved here. Everything is marginally covered by Spanish restaurants and a couple of "New American" fusiony places in the city, but its just a small window into the food.

I probably wouldn't kill a man for a pound of perceves, but I'd think long and hard about it.

The region offers much more than just seafood, but for anyone who likes seafood and hasn't eaten it in a Portuguese/Galician or Basque style, then you haven't eaten seafood.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Aleking

I have an it's wonderful...strange that Anteprima and Ombra are both so wonderful while Acre continually underwhelms me.

Yep, Anteprima is awesome! Good move by the owners to create Ombra in half the Acre space.

[marothisu]

I stopped by Big Jones today....very good place, although my gf's gumbo was a little too salty, but not bad overall. I enjoyed my Shrimp & Grits. The overall experience was great. Genuinely friendly staff and my waiter was great.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

Relax, I am allowed to write an opinion I hope.

So if there is such a huge demand for Malaysian food then how come there arn't any Malaysian restaurants. You are right, thats is very odd.And regardless of what you say, bloodpudding will NEVER be sold here. haha

There was a Malaysian place called Panang down in Chinatown. However, it closed after a kitchen fire and never reopened in that location.

There is another Malaysian restaurant that opened in Arlington Heights.

Penang Malaysian Cuisine Arlington Heights, Chicago Illinois Northwestern Suburbs

[Watterswaiting]

[quote=Outside of Chicago's black belt, you won't find a lot of choices for Americas most popular regional cuisine.[/quote]

Clever and classy.

[Larry Siegel]

California-style health food (including but not limited to vegetarian). Very difficult to find.