Girls Who Eat 1.0

 Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co.  

So I had my first negative blog comment! Yay me.

I'm a hit! 

I knew I'd make the big time.

Mr. Sensitive commented on my Food vs. Me post from a couple of weeks ago. 

"Wow, you say you have only been here a couple of months and you have been to all of these places!? You are for sure a girl who likes to eat! This could be why you're single!"

Oh my gosh...is that why I'm single? Awesome. 

Well as Oprah once said, "I will not use my platform to promote negativity!"

So here's to my biggest fan....Mr. Sensitive! xoxo smooches

Announcement...

I'm a Girl Who Eats.

On that note:

Here is my Chicago food recommendation of the week: 

Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Co.

If I ever found myself in a situation like Natalie Portman in the movie V for Vendetta; and someone asked me "What would you like your last meal to be before we take you out behind the chemical sheds?" I would without a doubt say...

"Umm hello Mr. Executor, Can you do me a solid and run down to 2121 N. Clark and pick me up a half pounder pizza pot pie? Thanks pookie!"

Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner with  a great friend and one of the most amazing interior designers I know: Lisa Casey. 

(for anyone who needs design help...give her a shout. She's awesome and she will travel)

As usual when people come to town the first thing they ask is, " What are we eating?" 

Since my only rules are:

-place I have never been 

-no chains. (not hard here)

I was pretty much up for anything. 

We finally settled on Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co. 

Hello heaven.

 

When you walk into this place you feel like you are right at home. From the comfy all wood booths to the family-esqe greeting you receive the moment you open the door. This Tony Soprano type cash only  joint has a straight to the point limited menu; but who needs choices when you see the guy next to you chowing down on what looks like a bread bowl of cheese. 

"Umm yes. Can I have what he's having?" I mean come on. Is there anything better than cheese, meat sauce, door knob size mushrooms and fresh baked bread? Nope. 

So here's to girls who eat!!!! Enjoy!

D-I-N-O-S-A, You are a dinosaur

If only they were this cute & innocent 

{Disclaimer:...}

Attention Attention....

I have a confession...

I'm a Gleek! 

That's right. I admit it. 

For those of you who don't don't know what this is; here's a brief definition: 

(According to the oh so wise Urban Dictionary)

Gleek: 

(n) Anyone who is obsessed with the television show Glee may call themselves a "Gleek". It is a combination of the words "glee" and "geek," implying that the person is a "Glee Geek." This is similar to calling someone a "Trekkie" (someone who is obsessed with Star Trek) or a "RENThead" (someone who is obsessed with the musical RENT). I don't know what it is about this show but I love it.   I'm almost 30 and I love Glee!  There. I said it.  (whew, now that I got that off my chest I can get to my story of the week)

I'm sure you are all wondering why in the world I'm professing my love for this teeny bopper show. Well considering what happened to me on the bus last week; I felt that this performance by Brittany on Glee pretty much makes the perfect soundtrack for what I'm about to tell you and the confession/"don't judge me because I love Glee" disclaimer was needed prior.  Let the story of Mr. Dinosaur  begin... Now as many of you know; public transportation is a completely new concept for me. So talking to strangers while heading home on the bus; totally new.  Ever since the Mr. Hot "incident"; I have become rather aware of who's around me on the bus. I mean come on...He could pop up at any moment and I so don't want to be that person caught picking her teeth when she thinks no one is looking. Well this new found awareness has officially backfired big time.  Got on the bus last week just like I've done everyday for the last 2 months. I settle into the closest seat I can find near the exit. (so I don't miss my stop of course). Just as I sit down the lady sitting next to me tells me she's getting off at the next stop. I smile and let her pass. Now here is the thing about bus courtesy  protocol...When someone who is sitting near the window needs to get out at the next stop; you are supposed to let them out and then move in so that the next person can sit down without any struggle. Well I'm totally that person that stays sitting on the aisle (something about sitting next to the window that gives me a bit of anxiety. Fear of missing my stop I guess) Rude. I know.  Well against my better judgment; after Mrs. Window gets up I scoot over to the window.  In walks Mr. Dinosaur... Mr. Sanford  meets Pops Williams Why o Why did I not listen to my inner voice that said "Tanyel, sit in the aisle. You know you want to!"  Mr. Dinosaur and I make eye contact and I can already sense that this is going to be the longest bus ride of my life because he's totally going to sit next to me. I quickly put my sunglasses back on and turn my music up one notch.   Cue the lyrics to Dinosaur by Kesha. Awesomely performed by Brittany on Glee. D-I-N-O-S-A- You are a Dinosaur D-I-N-O-S-A-You are a Dinosaur An O-L-D M-A-N You're just an old man Hitting on me what? You need a cat scan Not long til' your a senior citizen And you can strut around with that sexy tank of oxygen Honey your toupee is fallin' to your left side Get up and go bro! Oh wait your fossilized HA! Does this stop Mr. Dino? NO!!!  So Mr. Dino decides to sit down. Keep in mind. I have my "don't even look my way" sun glasses on and my headphones on.  Mr. Dino still feels the need to chat.  "Hello." - Dino (I say nothing) "How are you?" - Dino   (now he has lost his old man mind and has the nerve to touch me on the shoulder)  "hi"- me "how are you I said"- Dino "fine." - me "my name is Mr. Dino. What's yours"- Dino "Danielle." - me "What do you do?" - Dino (Insert me praying to God...if you get this man away from me; I will never talk to another stranger again.) "(made up occupation)" - me " That sounds exciting." - Dino "Well i go to blah blah blah church; you should come with me!"-Dino "umm no." - me "how about dinner?" - Dino "dude. no."- me "Why not?"- Dino (Then Mr. Dino starts to search around in his coat pockets.  Oh my Lord in heaven....I'm going to die. Yep. This is it... Mr. Fossilized Dino man is going to murder me right here on the CTA bus. At this point I'm in full Law & Order: SVU mode. Where in the world are Stabler & Benson when you need them.) Mr. Dino decides to pull out his 1902 bag phone and ask me for my number. As he's trying to get my digits he literally has to pull out glasses to see the huge quarter size numbers on the phone. Trying to hold back laughter I look at him and say.  "I really don't think my hulking boyfriend would appreciate that very much."  (Why did I feel the need to throw in a hulking. who knows. I was trying to make a point) Mr. Dino finally gets the hint and starts to get up. But before he leaves he actually says to me. "i hope your hulking man appreciates you!...if he doesn't I will" (Dude you can barely see and are two days from needing oxygen with you 24/7! no!)  After 2 seconds of composing myself and wishing I could have the last 5 minutes of my life back. Mr. Ivy league sits down next to me. I quickly remove my sunglasses. Take my headphones off and catch myself batting my eyelashes.  "Hey." - Mr. Ivy "hi."- Me  All of a sudden from the back of the bus I hear...  "uh huh. Now look who's interested. Don't ask for her number man! She has a hulking boyfriend." - Dino OMG. I JUST GOT CALLED OUT BY MR. DINOSAUR DID THAT JUST REALLY HAPPEN? Mr. Ivy League looks at me and smiles. I coyly smile back and laugh off what just happened while dying a little bit on the inside (Thank the Lord it's my stop. LET ME OFF THIS BUS!!)  Oy Vey.  Another tangled day in the city

GIRLS WHO EAT: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

I'm stuffed...

(Insert sigh here)

You know the kind of stuffed you feel when you eat a great meal and during the meal you literally have to lean to one side so you can eat more food.

Yep. That's how I feel right now.

Lavazza

So it's been a little bit since my last entry and I can honestly say it's because I've been living. Or shall I say I have been eating. What is it about people from Chicago? They find out that you aren't from here and BAM...they want to take you out for Drinks and dinner. Drinks and breakfast. Drinks and Lunch. Drinks and a Snack. (they like their drinks...No complaints here. Sorry mom.)

I have officially been in this insane food mecca of a city for two months and I have never ate so much in my entire life. 

One thing I have learned  is...
Chicago knows food. 

Since I have been chowing down so much here lately; I have decided to dedicate this entry to Chicago and its love of food!

Now I know a lot of people out there blog about food and talk about how amazing the blends and the textures and the depth of flavor layers in that sauce were... Well if you are looking for foodie technical frou frou stuff here; you so aren't going to find it because I'm not that person.

Okay people. Let's talk food...

Now I know a lot of you are probably thinking
"duh Tanyel". "Way to come late to the "we already know that party!" I know I know. I mean when i moved here I knew that Chicago was very well known for food but knowing and experiencing is two different things. 

(yes i used the word duh. i'm still gonna rock it. don't judge. you know you use it too!)

In the past two months I have had quite a few "Welcome to Chicago" meals.
I kind of fell in love with all of them and want to share them with you.
I'm obsessed with Instagram; so I took a few pictures for you guys.
Enjoy!

(and p.s. if you're in town; I suggest trying at least one or two of these places. you will not regret it!)

1. The Gage
Recommended to us by the concierge at the W Hotel. Located right across the street from Millennium Park.
-the Mussels (People!!! the mussels had a gravy type sauce. Are you kidding me? These babies made me make that mmmmm sound out loud. This was not the time or place to be looking for a man. ha)
-Arugula salad (Why do people not give more props to Arugula? So under appreciated)
-Daily Risotto (they literally add whatever is fresh that day to the risotto dish. hello heaven)
-Homestyle chicken dish
-beef stew pasta
From the looks of it; they change the menu every week or so. Which you can't beat.
And if you like a good vodka gimlet....Ask for Amy. She makes the best ones I've ever had.

2. Flo & Santos

(The place responsible for my current state of food coma)

Their slogan is literally "Pizza & Pierogi" Seriously?                            My friends and I met here today and I was expecting a standard pizza place. Nope. It's so not.

Very small and super comfy. My friends had the bloody mary's and they were raving about them. (I just can't do the Bloody Mary...I believe tabasco should be on fried chicken. Not in a glass. sorry) They come with a pickle, 2 olive, salami and peperonicini skewer. We literally thought the skewers were so good that we asked for a few extra on the side. (Yep. we were those people)            

As you can see...We were a little hungry. These are just appetizers people. Who needs entrees when apps are this huge.                                Serious bang for your buck.
                
-Waffle fries -Bruschetta -Flying Pork Wings and last but not least the most insane sampler ever: 

Babcia Holzman's Polish Sampler. 

Now I have never been one for polish food but this little puppy changed that real quick. Something that contains pierogi's, sauerkraut, potato pancakes and a very large polska kielbasa can't be wrong. 

Hello Food Coma!!!!!

3.Poag Mahone's

Now before I go on; I need us all to have a moment of silence....

Why you ask? 

well....... 

FOR BURGERS!!!!!!!!!!!

yes, I love me some burgers. Now this is in no way a diss to my vegan, vegetarian, fruitarian or macrobiotic homies. But mama loves her meat. (Sorry I grew up in a house where you actually buy a full cow annually.) Poag Mahone's may have the best hamburger I have ever had. No joke. After watching Food Inc. I'm a little bit sensitive to where my food comes from and this place knows it's beef. (All the little Bessie's lived a good life before ending up on my plate.)


-Bacon Cheddar Ranch Burger. Sounds simple but so good. 

They will fix it whatever way you want them to...without judgement.

Medium Rare Please. 

4. Lou Mitchell's

Think Soup Nazi..... But so worth it. 

There really are no words about this place. Food speaks for it. 

Expect a line practically down the street and around the corner. They have been around since 1923; so they know what they are doing. They hand out homemade donut holes while you wait in line and milk duds for after the meal. Breakfast all day (my idea of heaven) 

All eggs served in individual skillets. Coffee to die for. Biscuits and gravy made me thank the Lord I was alive. and lastly.....wait for it....free homemade soft serve vanilla ice cream. Sweet Mary & Joseph. 

This is one of those moments that I wish I could say. "When you go here. Tell Rita Tanyel sent you and said hello." But that's not the case. Rita doesn't know me from Adam!!!!! Why Rita Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last but not least.....

5. Cantina Laredo

Now before you start judging and tell me "This is a chain what are you thinking!!!" Well I didn't know this when we walked in. If they don't have it in Indy....It's new to me! so shhhhhhhhhh. I have discovered something new that I love...                                                             AVOCADOS!!!!!!!!!! (didn't even know how to spell that. Spell check just caught it. Thanks Mr. Comp.) My whole life I have been saying I don't like avocados. Well I don't. But man o man. I just had guacamole for the first time and it knocked my socks off. They freaking make it at your table. Chain or not....this place is great. We literally didn't even make it past the appetizers. 

The Pomegranate Margs are killer.                       

And boy-o-boy do they have a really attractive male wait staff. 

(I'm sure I was at the peak of my hotness as i shoveled large chip fulls of guac heaven into my mouth.)  

So good...that i have been here twice in the last 2 weeks. 

I suggest the lounge upstairs if you are looking for a little less noise and a tapas menu. 

Okay I have to stop now. 

whew....this is a little wordy. 

sorry. 

food gets me talking!!!! 

Happy Eating my fellow Foodies!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great Monday.