Green Apple Gomtang

Green Apple has mediocre Korean food in the 'Korean Food Desert' that is downtown (Lai Lai over on Van Buren and Wells has a Korean Express but that's the only other one I can think of).  The bulgolgi is sub-par and the portions are usually small, but we'll take what we can get. For some reason they also have Pho and it's not bad at all. 

However, there is something else special about Green Apple Grill & More and that's the cloudy, sour, nutrient-rich Gomtang i.e. Korean tripe soup. It's got a strong flavor like all tripe soups and I had to dig out the below photo from last year because I'm not quite ready to eat it again.  

"Gomtang is a traditional beef brisket and tripe soup...in translation means bear soup but in this case gom refers to the extensive boiling which depicts the hearty flavors and nutrients that this dish provides. It is commonly said that consuming this soup will provide excellent strength much like a bear."

So when you are stuck at work and inevitably craving Korean food, go to the second level of the Clark and Lake food court. The kimchi is excellent. Your clothes will smell like Popeye's for the rest of the day, but it's worth it.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * *   
Value           * * * 
Atmosphere  * 
Service         * * * *

Links: Green Apple Grill and More

The one and only Siam Rice

Pictured above is Siam Rice's Plik Khing in all its spicy, oily, lemon grassy glory. The Roasted Duck with Chinese Broccoli (crispy skin-on duck with a soy/vinegar/jalapeno sauce) and the Karry Curry are also in my regular rotation.

The Siam Rolls are better than the Spring Rolls, the Bamee Noodles come with a fried BBQ pork wonton, and the chicken broth with fresh cilantro in the Wonton Soup will cure whichever type of hangover ails you.

Siam Rice is THE best Thai place in the Loop. Arrive at 11:30 or 1pm and never in between.  Or go once a week for 7 years to achieve the "Meg Effect", as Erik calls it, and get seated immediately every time.

The most unhealthy (and delicious) dish on the menu, and a Benet Haller favorite, is the Panang Noodle, a curry dish with nary a vegetable save for the red pepper garnish, deep fried wide noodles, and piles of your choice of meat. 


Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste          * * * * *  
Value          * * * * *
Atmosphere * * *
Service        * * * *


Links: http://www.siamricethai.com/menu.html, Yelp 

The Pittsfield Cafe

Where can you get four kinds of cottage cheese plates, a fried smelt entree, a francheezie, and breakfast all day? 

Do you also want to enjoy a beer in an 'outdoor' seating area inside a 1927 Spanish Gothic/art deco atrium?  Pittsfield Cafe has it all. Cash Only. 

Links: Yelp, Landmark info

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste          * * *  
Value          * * * * 
Atmosphere * * * * *
Service        * * * * *